Governor's proposes new B&O tax on renters

The ink has hardly dried on Inslee's new gubernatorial stationery and the governor is raising the taxes on the people of Washington State.  Inslee's proposed business and occupancy tax will be billed to landlords, but paid for by renters.

Inslee announced plans to tax residential rentals for 1.8 percent statewide.  You thought your rent was high now?  Under Inslee's plan your rent will go up $18 per $1000 per month.  Seattle rents will go up even more, because Seattle tacks on 0.415% extra -- which means Seattle renters will pay an extra $22 per $1000 per month.

Inslee said the state "must choose education over tax breaks".  This announcement came after the state decided to spend billions on highway projects (HB1864), replacing the Evergreen Point Floating bridge, replacing the bridge over the Columbia at Portland and Vancouver, the Alaska Way viaduct, and spending billions on other highway projects. 

Why do we need to spend so much money on deluxe state highway projects if our education system is in such need?  Inslee's sense of timing is very bad  --  Or else Inslee and his government are trying to fool the people.

Inslee said he only wants to close tax loopholes.  Apparently what he meant is he wants to take more of your money.

Restore the 2/3rds requirement to raise taxes

The State Supreme Court just made it a lot easier for the legislature to raise your taxes—and we know they’re going to try.

Washington voters have repeatedly (6 times) and overwhelmingly (64% in 2012) voted to require a super-majority vote for the legislature to increase taxes or fees. Yet six State Supreme Court justices sided with special interests to strike down this law.

Some politicians claim tax hikes are essential just to support basic services. It’s an outright lie. State revenue for the next budget is projected to be $2 billion more than in the last budget, yet politicians say it’s not enough. In fact, revenue has consistently increased over time. Washington State doesn’t have a revenue problem—we have a spending problem.

Let’s tell Olympia, loud and clear, that we don’t need more taxes.  Sign our petition and tell WA Legislators to restore the two-thirds vote requirement on new taxes!

Legislative update

The very tired representative Cary Condotta filed this report on the Legislative session.
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We have reached another cutoff date. Wednesday was the final day for us to pass House bills over to the Senate, and the Senate pass bills to us in the House. We had many late nights and some weekend work.

The most interesting part of the House floor action occurred in the last couple days. On Tuesday we passed about eight bills before noon. Then, the wait began.

House Democrats were adamant in getting a background check bill passed for firearms purchases. They had told the press for two days the bill was coming and it was going to pass. However, they didn’t have the votes in their own caucus despite having a majority. (They may have even had a few votes from Republicans.)

After almost nine hours Democrats informed us we were adjourning for the night. We sat, and we waited, and we did vote on one bill, but that was it. Gov. Jay Inslee and Vice President Joe Biden were calling members trying to use their influence [to enact gun control] on both sides of the aisle.

Once again, the majority said we are passing this [gun control] bill and we are not voting on any other bills or addressing any other issues until we pass this measure. Keep in mind, the Senate has no intention of passing this bill anyway.

The governor has talked about regulatory reform  and bringing jobs to Washington. The majority has said this session was going to be about jobs and improving the economy. Well, where are the bills to help our economy, provide our employers some stability and help them put people back to work?

Instead, we spend nine hours waiting for them to twist arms and come to some sort of resolution on a background check bill that won’t get out of the Senate.

If you have the votes, let’s vote! If you don’t let’s move on. Unfortunately, being in the minority we do not control the floor agenda. Citizens need to take notice of how things are being run in the state House and the early actions by our governor. It’s not very encouraging.

House Democrats’ transportation tax plan

Since my last e-mail update majority Democrats in the House have announced a proposal to create a new, 10-cent per gallon gas tax. Washington drivers would pay the highest gas tax in the nation, more than doubling the state’s gas tax since 2003 if they get their wish.

When you include federal gas taxes, drivers in our state would pay 66 cents in combined state and federal taxes for every gallon of gasoline they purchase. The proposal isn’t just about increasing the gas tax. Apparently the Democrats think taxpayers have money hidden all over the place.

The Democrats also want to:

• override I-695 and reinstate the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, or MVET.  They are proposing a .7 percent tax which amounts to $140 increase in license fees for a $20,000 automobile;
• increase the weight fee by 15 percent for large vehicles. Cost to owners: $102 million;
• implement a fee of $25 for each bicycle purchased that is valued over $500. Cost to bicyclists: $1 million; 
• increase the hazardous substance tax increase 0.3 percent. Cost to farmers and taxpayers: $897 million.

House Republican transportation reforms
When it comes to our transportation system, I believe we need to fix it, before we fund it.  We have a number of problems with our transportation system that we need to correct before we ask taxpayers for more money.

There are pontoon problems with 520 floating bridge, mitigation for shoreline appeals on that project alone topped $160 million before the Legislature intervened, our ferry system is not getting the biggest bang for the buck, and we are paying sales tax on transportation projects that goes into the state general fund.

Our caucus feels there are some reforms and accountability measures that need to be implemented before asking you, the taxpayers, to pay more. Are you willing to pay 10 cents more for a gallon of gas? Click here to take a survey and leave a comment for me if you’d like. Here is a summary of our reforms:

Creating jobs
· House Bill 1236 – improve the permitting process.
· House Bill 1619 – suspend GMA requirements in counties with persistently high unemployment.
Making state gas tax dollars go further
· House Bill 1985– eliminate state and local sales and use tax on new transportation projects.
Ensuring accountability
· House Bill 1986– require Washington State Department of Transportation to report engineering errors.
Protecting taxpayers
· House Bill 1984– limit Washington State Department of Transportation’s tort liability.
· House Bill 1989– 15-year bond terms, instead of the current 30-year bonding practice.

Freedom Agenda
I continue to fight on your behalf on issues that protect your freedoms, such as the freedom to keep and bear arms, the freedom to raise your children as you see fit, and the freedom to keep more of your own hard-earned money and claim your part of the American Dream.

Here are just a few examples of what we are working on:

Stopping the infringement of our rights to keep and bear arms – House Bill 1588 is the very bill the House Democrats tried to pass for nine hours. It would require background checks on all gun sales, even private sales, and does nothing to address those who are already violating firearm laws.

This bill goes against our Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms. It also goes against the Washington State Constitution, Article 1, Section 24: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired.” This bill did NOT make it out of the House before the cutoff date.

Preserve your freedom of privacy – We’re not going to stand by and let government peer into your windows or backyard using drones with high optic lenses. That’s why I jointly sponsored House Bill 1771, restricting the use of unmanned drones in Washington.

The measure would require approval from the Legislature or local governing body for local law enforcement agencies before public agencies could use drones and only with a search warrant, in an emergency, or forest fire.

This bill sailed out of the House Public Safety Committee by a vote of 12-1 and had wide support in the House. We suspect a major lobby effort by those who build drones kept it from what would have been a successful vote. However, we have brought attention to the issue.

Government accountability – House Bill 1093: State agencies frequently use your taxpayer dollars to lobby the Legislature for more of your taxpayer dollars. We passed a bill to stop government’s abuse against taxpayers.

This measure would impose a penalty of $100 per statement on a state agency director who knowingly fails to file lobbyist disclosure statements. It would also establish penalties against any state agency official, officer, or employee who is responsible for or knowingly spends public funds in violation of lobbyist restrictions.

This bill passed the House on 97-1.  On to the Senate



 

Washington state gun registration update

Gun control advocates have until this Wednesday, March 13, to move House Bill 1588 out of the state House of Representatives.HB 1588 is sponsored by state Representative Jamie Pederson (D-43) and 37 other gun-grabbing representatives.  As introduced, HB1588 would criminalize all unregistered private transfers of firearms.

There have been many alternative versions circulated in recent days and the final language is currently unknown.

It is almost certain that the language soon to be considered by the state House will require gun owners to go through a licensed dealer or law enforcement agency when transferring a firearm to a person who is not a concealed pistol license holder.  These de facto registrations will involve fees, paperwork, potential delays, the probably the creation of a state permit to purchase a firearm.  Later on there is the likelihood of state "sin" taxation on firearms ownership, and the requirement for personal records keeping on private firearm transactions.

This bill is a regulatory scheme that would create a huge burden for law-abiding citizens, would be ignored by criminals, and eventually be given teeth to make it "enforceable" against law-abiding citizens.  1588 is the first step to comprehensive statewide firearm registration!

House Bill 1588 has become the top priority of a new anti-gun advocacy group, the elitist organization Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR).  WAGR, funded by a few millionaires in Seattle, is seeking to erode the Second Amendment and the right to self-defense, and is backed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Vice President Joe Biden is also reported making telephone calls to Washington state representatives in support of HB 1588.

The elitist Left is using Washington State to test their latest ideas on how to corrupt freedom and oppress the people.  Please don't wait 'til we have to defend our freedom with force.  Contact your state representatives and tell them to oppose HB 1588.

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Update, March 14, 2013:  HB 1588 died without being voted out of chamber.  We private citizens and gun owners are safe from our state government, for now.

The Democrats are moving ahead with an "assault weapons" ban in the federal congress.  We'll see.

I-1053 is overturned

Last Thursday, 6 of our 9 Supreme Court Justices threw out the part of the People's law, I-1053, that imposed a 2/3rds vote requirement on the legislature to pass tax increases.  Washington State Supreme Court's decision makes it a lot easier for the legislature to raise our taxes.  A coalition of lawmakers and "education groups" sued to overturn the will of the People.

Washington citizens can never again vote to impose this healthy check against over-taxation...at least not the way we have done so in the past.

Some politicians claim tax hikes are essential just to support basic services. It’s an outright lie. State revenue for the next budget is projected to be $2 billion more than in the last budget, yet politicians say it’s not enough. In fact, revenue has consistently increased over time. Washington State doesn’t have a revenue problem—we have a spending problem.

Now, the only way to reinstate the 2/3rds requirement is through a constitutional amendment.

We need your help to get our legislature even to consider it.

Please sign the petition.

Gun restriction proposals, Washington State

HB 1588 would require a full background check to transfer of a firearm in Washington state. The legislation especially includes private firearms sales. This legislation is being fast-tracked with hot pressure. The Judiciary Committee vote on HB 1588 is presently scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. Check for  schedule updates at this link.

The only way this legislation could ever be functional is if the state enacts comprehensive registration of all firearms in private possession.  Although this is not in the current bill, it would be a natural follow up if HB-1588 is enacted. The reason is that HB 1588 criminalizes private firearms sales.

HB-1588 sponsors are Representatives Pedersen, Hope, Jinkins, Hansen, Freeman, Kagi, Walsh, Carlyle, Hunter, Clibborn, Ormsby, Cody, Green, Stanford, Orwall, Maxwell, Liias, Pettigrew, Tharinger, Springer, Hudgins, Wylie, Moeller, Fitzgibbon, Ryu, Roberts, Goodman, Riccelli, Farrell, Fey, Appleton, Pollet, Habib, Bergquist, Moscoso, Hunt, Santos & Reykdal.  If one of these is your Representaive, email them and tell them to stop their sponsorship of this bill.

The state Senate companion bill is S 5625.  Its sponsors are Senators Kline, Tom, Darneille, Litzow, Kohl-Welles, Chase, Frockt & Mullet.  If one of these is your Senator, email them and tell them to stop their sponsorship of this bill.

Gun sales restrictions do not address crime -- criminals do not follow the law.  The inevitably required gun registration would work only if criminals wanted to let law enforcement know they possessed guns.  Therefore this legislation will only encumber the law abiding and divert law enforcement from the protection of society.   

A better approach to reducing the gun crimes is if the felons and involuntarily committed persons the legislation complains about should be left in prison or mental hospital instead of being turned loose on the innocent public in the name of cost saving.

All of HB 1588 and S 5625 sponsoring legislators are enemies of the people.  We must work to unseat them in the next election cycle.

Full text of HB 1588. ---  S 5625 is identical. 

If your representative is on the Judiciary committee, please contact them.

House Judiciary Committee Members:

Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-43), Chairman, (360) 786-7826, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov

Representative Drew Hansen (D-23), Vice Chairman, (360) 786-7842, drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov

Representative Jay Rodne (R-5), (360) 786-7852, jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov

Representative Steve O'Ban (R-28), (360) 786-7890, steve.oban@leg.wa.gov

Representative Roger Goodman (D-45), (360) 786-7878, roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov

Representative Mike Hope (R-44), (360) 786-7892, mike.hope@leg.wa.gov

Representative Laurie Jinkins (D-27), (360) 786-7930, laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov

Representative Steve Kirby (D-29), (360) 786-7996, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov

Representative Brad Klippert (R-8), (360) 786-7882, brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov

Representative Terry Nealey (R-16), (360) 786-7828, terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov

Representative Tina Orwall (D-33), (360) 786-7834, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov

Representative Mary Helen Roberts (D-21), (360) 786-7950,maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov

Representative Matt Shea (R-4), (360) 786-7984,matt.shea@leg.wa.gov

Another pro-freedom article

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HB 1703 is a proposed new program against firearms and new taxes on firearms.  

Adds a $25 tax for any retail sale of a firearm sale.  Ammunition would be taxed at the rate of 1 ¢ per round.  The DOH would be charged to indoctrinate children and the general public against firearms ownership.  Finally the bill would provides sales tax exemption for gun locks.

The Office of Financial Management projects the increase in cost to the gun owning public in Washington is $64,507,000 over the next ten years.

The potential for new revenue attracted a number of sponsors to this bill: They are Representatives Jinkins, Farrell, Morris, Cody, Kagi, Wylie, Roberts, Pollet, Ryu, Bergquist, Fey, Hunt, Tarleton, Fitzgibbon, Appleton, Moscoso, Santos

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HB 1676 is a "safe storage" requirement.  It prohibits that firearms should be stored in a unsafe manner if children can get hold of the firearms.  Current state law (RCW 9.41. 040 calls this reckless endangerment) already prohibits the substance of HB 1676.

The death of any child is a terrible tragedy.  Our heart goes out to the parents, friends and relatives for their loss.  Any law to meant improve child safety must actually to work -- HB 1676 fails.

Firearms accidents in Washington state are at an all-time low.  Firearm storage legislation ignores the fact that Washington firearm owners are extremely responsible with their firearms.  The plain truth is that firearms are involved in a very low number of fatal accidents among children in Washington.

The New Income Tax Proposal

HB 1545

Marko Liias has proposed taxing the income of Washington State again.  He and his stupid tax crowd have proposed taxing away 2% of all individual income over one million dollars.

Everyone knows that if they can tax millionaire's income, they will get around to taxing the the income of the "little people."

This shifty crowd of tax crazed legislators will get around the requirement for a vote by the people by redefining personal income to a "personal sales" sort of tax; i.e. an excise tax, like what they already put on tires.  But our personal income is not property to be sold. 

Somehow, Liias reckons the state will gain $167,129,000 in the first year.  That suggests the state has a millionaire class earning more than $8.3 billion every year.  That's the equivalent of nearly $1400 per person in Washington State.  If the legislature takes that much from the private sector, imagine the damage it will do to the state's economy.

This is the published summary

HB 1545 - DIGEST
Imposes an excise tax on the receipt of adjusted gross income above one million dollars by residents or qualifying nonresidents deriving income from sources within the state.  Establishes a new state trust fund and requires revenue received by the trust to be devoted to education, with the first priority being classroom size reduction in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Requires the office of financial management to prepare an annual audit of the funds deposited in the paramount duty trust fund.

Requires the department of revenue to: 
(1) Administer the tax assessed in a manner that is consistent with the federal income tax system and using documents that taxpayers already prepare as part of their federal tax filings; and 
(2) Refund all taxes improperly paid or collected. Gives jurisdiction to the board of tax appeals over appeals relating to tax deficiencies and refunds, including penalties and interest.

Liias and cronies say this revenue will be directed to the state school system, the first responsibility of our state government .  In view of the fact the legislature would rather spend our money on everything except our school system, this is an obvious lie.  Their deception is plain -- They plan to use the federal personal income tax system to reckon excise (sales) tax on income.

Liias, the people already voted last November.  They decided they don't want an income tax.  Stop being a crook.

Plastic bag tax

SB 5248, another proposed tax on plastic shopping bags.  This proposal would impose a two-cent tax on each plastic bag used in retail sale.  

The Democrat sponsors, Senators Chase and Kline, say they are motivated by environmental and landfill worries.  But plastic bags are less than 2% of the waste stream going to landfills.  Clearly, this is just another tax for money hungry politicians so they can spend our money with their cronies.

Social/sexual norms

If love is the only qualifier for marriage, now that Referendum Measure 74 is law, Why is it not right for twin sisters to marry?

Apparently there is more to marriage than love, at least in the state's eyes.

For reading about the intricacies of marriage in the State of Washington, see RCW 26.60.

Washington State's recently enacted marijuana law, initiative 502, conflicts with federal law.  The Feds don't seem likely to abide by state law, if a recent incident against two California landlords is any indication.  

Two California landlords have found themselves in a legal tug-of-war over the state’s pot regulations.

After California sanctioned the sale of medical marijuana, and it appeared the federal government would condone the practice,  a national medical marijuana dispensary took up shop at two separate sites near Oakland.

Now, both of those landlords are being threatened by federal officials with forfeiture of their property under a federal statute that holds a landlord liable for renting to a tenant who is distributing drugs. One shop  has been operating since 2006.

In response to the forfeiture action, the landlords filed a suit against the dispensaries attempting to forbid the sale of marijuana under the federal statute. This week, a federal judge says they don’t have the right to do that.

At the same time, the landlords are having trouble pushing the evictions through at the state level. One judge has determined that the landlord cannot evict the tenants over the federal law.

Now, according to a recent newsreport, the City of Oakland has joined the fray, arguing that closing a dispensary would create a public health hazard because it would force patients to buy marijuana on the black market.

According to the report, the federal forfeiture action is proceeding against the landlords.

Last year, a Montana landlord faced a similar forfeiture action, a  jail sentence, and fine after his tenant’s marijuana grow operation was raided by federal authorities. While the landlord knew that marijuana would be grown in the property, he said he believed that the lease was legal because the tenant had a licensed issued by the state, and it appeared at that time that the federal government would honor the state’s law.
from the American Apartment Owners Association

The Feds are trying to smother the pot industry by attacking those who do business with them.  Let us hope Washington state government will step up to the plate and protect not only lawful dope operations but those who support them.

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It was clear from the beginning that I-502 was only an endorsement of Olympia's lazy ways.  Don't expect them to protect anything while the rest of the state sinks into the mire.

More fun reading from KQED