Author Archives: brianzylstra

Schoesler backs Senate capital budget, lauds support for broadband access

The Senate today gave unanimous approval to its two-year capital budget, which includes $490 million toward expanding broadband access across Washington.

Sen. Mark Schoesler said the emphasis on broadband needs is especially important for rural parts of the state.

“Insufficient broadband is a problem in 9th District communities and other rural parts of Washington, so it is very good to see the Senate capital budget provide nearly half a billion dollars toward resolving it,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Better broadband in rural Washington will help students relying on the internet and help small businesses that want to engage in e-commerce. It is also critical to precision farming. This will help put rural and unserved areas of our state on a more equal footing with more populated areas of Washington.”

During his floor speech prior to the 49-0 vote on the Senate’s capital budget, Schoesler, the assistant ranking Republican on the Senate capital budget, called it a responsible spending plan that addresses various needs across the state.

“I’m very happy we didn’t borrow money from the 2023-25 biennium to reach the funding level we needed to with this budget,” said Schoesler. “The Public Works Assistance Account stays where we want it to be. This budget wisely uses the recently received federal funds for the betterment of our state. It leaves some bonding capacity available for the next biennium because when we come back here in 10 months, there will be corrections facilities needs, and other opportunities that we will want to address. This budget takes care of water needs very well in parts of the state, whether it is Lewis County, the Yakima River Basin or other areas. Those are all very important.”

Schoesler noted the Senate capital budget provides a large amount of funding for fish hatcheries. “No matter where we live, we value hatcheries, whether we’re tribes, commercial fishermen or sports fishermen. We did a good job for hatcheries in this budget,” the 9th District legislator said.

Schoesler pointed out the budget’s support for areas including K-12 education, higher education, public safety, community projects and infrastructure projects.

“I’m glad to see the Senate capital budget would provide funding for the Odessa groundwater project, which is important to many of the communities in our region,” added Schoesler, who also highlighted the $8 million included for fair health and safety grants.

The Senate capital budget would provide $907.4 million in bond proceeds and $40.2 million in other funds for K-12 school construction and modernization. The spending plan includes:

  • $837.3 million for the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP), with $781.7 million dedicated to fund 36 construction and renovation projects in 29 school districts;
  • $47.2 million for modernization grants to small school districts;
  • $14.2 million for skills centers;
  • $10 million to the school district health and safety grants program to address health and safety issues, equal access and emergency repairs; and,
  • $51.6 million for construction of new education facilities for those with disabilities.

The Senate capital budget also offers $1.51 billion in total appropriations and alternative financing authority for higher-education facilities, including $1.06 billion of state bond proceeds. Of the total spending authority, $963 million is provided for Washington’s four-year institutions and $551 million for the community and technical college system.

The capital budget funds the construction and maintenance of state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public lands and parks.

After the House passes its capital budget plan, Senate and House negotiators will start working to address differences between the two proposals and reach agreement on a final version for both chambers to pass.

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end April 25.

Schoesler opposes Senate panel’s passage of ‘climate commitment’ bill

A Democrat-sponsored “carbon cap and tax” bill passed tonight by the Senate Ways and Means Committee would punish Washington citizens and companies, argues 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.

The Ways and Means Committee voted 13-10 to pass Senate Bill 5126. Schoesler, a member of the panel, voted against the proposal.

“This is another bill that would punish people and companies, without any proof of even helping the climate,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “The bill is called the Climate Commitment Act, but I’m afraid the only thing it will commit Washingtonians to is handing over more of their hard-earned money for an environmental plan that won’t work.”

Schoesler said many residents in his legislative district would not qualify for any of the exemptions from the proposed tax.

“This cap-and-tax bill offers several types of exemptions, except for rural communities, middle-class families or individuals, and small businesses. This is a very unfair, inconsiderate and inconsistent bill to people in the 9th District and other rural districts in our state,” said Schoesler.

Under this bill, the state would set statewide emissions limits. Companies could purchase a “permit to emit” at an auction run by the Department of Ecology. The proposal calls for allowable emissions to decline each year.

“If this bill becomes law, it will tax people to the tune of $500 million just to have a permit to emit,” said Schoesler, “and judging by the 75-page fiscal note for this bill, this ‘cap and tax’ bill is extremely complicated, which is never a good thing for taxpayers.”

Schoesler said when the Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on the bill, one opponent testified that a 2019 analysis found carbon emissions from oil and gas have actually increased since a cap-and-trade policy began in California.

Senate Bill 5126 now goes to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.

Senate passes Schoesler bill offering property-tax relief for residents rebuilding homes ruined by wildfires

The Senate today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would provide property-tax relief for Malden-area residents and other Washingtonians who are rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by wildfires last September.

Under Senate Bill 5454, passed 49-0, Washington residents who lost a home to wildfire between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19, 2020, would be exempt from paying property taxes on the full value of the original structure for three years, if the home is being rebuilt or physically improved.

Nearly 300 homes, including more than 120 residences in or near the Whitman County towns of Malden and Pine City, were destroyed by wildfires torching different parts of Washington last September.

“The terrible wildfires last Labor Day destroyed many homes in Malden, Pine City and other communities throughout our state,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, whose district includes Whitman County. “These homeowners lost practically everything, and it’s been a struggle for these families and individuals to recover. Some of them didn’t have homeowner insurance. This bill is just a way to offer a little bit of relief by helping ease their financial burden as they try to rebuild their homes and their lives.”

Two leading Democrat senators, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Christine Rolfes and Senate Majority Floor Leader Marko Liias, also spoke in favor of the bill during floor debate.

Before passing the bill, the Senate approved a floor amendment by Schoesler that he developed with the state Department of Revenue. The amendment:

  • Expands the exemption to single-family dwellings damaged by any type of natural disaster occurring on or after August 31, 2020, that has been reduced in value by more than 20 percent.
  • Limits the exemption to persons who owned the property at the time that it was reduced in value by a natural disaster.
  • Ends the exemption on June 30, 2026.
  • Requires the value of the improvements to be considered as new construction.
  • Gives the Department of Revenue rulemaking authority for purposes of administering the new property tax exemption.
  • Adds definitions for “improvement” and “qualifying single-family dwelling.”
  • Makes other technical and administrative changes.

Senate Bill 5454 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

According to a Spokane news report, 121 homes, eight commercial properties and 94 other structures were destroyed by the Labor Day wildfire in or near Malden and Pine City.

Statewide, 298 homes were lost in the September wildfires. In all, more than 700 structures were lost. More than 600,000 acres burned in Washington during the two weeks after Labor Day.

Schoesler blasts Senate for passing state income-tax proposal

The state Senate’s approval of a bill today is the first step toward the possibility of a state income tax on all Washingtonians, argues 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.

Schoesler voted against Senate Bill 5096, the proposal would impose a 7% state income tax on capital gains. The proposal passed 25-24. It now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve heard a myth that this kind of tax proposal will take care of certain needs,” said Schoesler. “We were told not that many years ago that the ‘death tax’ would fund education, but it did not turn out that way. We’ve heard for years how regressive our tax code has been and how it needs to be fixed. But when this bill was in the Ways and Means Committee earlier this session, we offered an amendment that would lower the state sales tax, which affects everyone. It was rejected.”

Schoesler said his vote today allows him to keep a promise he made nearly three decades ago.

“When I first ran for the Legislature in 1992, I said I would never vote for a state income tax. Now, 29 years later, I still won’t.”

Schoesler said one of Washington’s advantages when it comes to attracting talent and companies to the state has been the lack of a state income tax.

“But if this bill becomes law, we will lose that competitive advantage and I’m very concerned that many wealthy Washingtonians will leave the state, taking their money with them. That will hurt our state.”

Schoesler pointed out that Washington voters have rejected a state income-tax proposal 10 times over the past 85 years. The most recent rejection happened in 2010 when 64 percent of voters shot down Initiative 1098. A strong majority of 9th District voters opposed I-1098.

“Voters here have a long history of not wanting a state income tax,” said Schoesler. “A recent statewide Elway Poll shows that is still the case; it revealed only 41 percent of respondents support a tax on capital gains.”

Schoesler, who serves on the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee, pointed out that the state’s long-term revenue outlook is solid and improving, disproving Democrats’ argument that a state income tax on capital gains is needed to help add revenue to Washington’s coffers.

“Despite last year’s temporary drop in revenue caused by the COVID-19 shutdown, we are again in good shape in terms of revenue. Washington doesn’t want or need a state income tax.  It’s disappointing that the Democrats chose to ignore the numbers and voters’ sentiments and pass this unnecessary and harmful bill anyway.”

Before the bill was passed, the Senate approved an amendment removing language declaring the tax’s enactment to be an emergency. Had the so-called “emergency clause” stayed in the bill, it would have prevented citizens from filing a referendum to place SB 5096 on the state’s next general-election ballot, for voters to confirm or repeal.

“I’m very glad the emergency clause was removed because otherwise it would have preempted the voters’ right to challenge this bill later, should it become law,” said Schoesler.

If SB 5096 is approved by the Legislature and eventually becomes law, it likely will end up on the statewide ballot as a referendum or in court before it can take effect.

“Throughout Washington’s history, the state Supreme Court has rejected similar state income-tax measures several times. The Internal Revenue Service is clear that income from capital gains is taxable income. If this issue reaches the high court again, I’m hopeful it will again be struck down,” said Schoesler.

Senate OKs Schoesler bill helping school districts address maintenance needs

The Senate today voted 44-4 to approve a bill introduced by Sen. Mark Schoesler that would help school districts in Washington address their building maintenance needs.

Senate Bill 5202 would allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2 percent of a school district’s general fund each fiscal year.

“This bill would provide another path for school districts to handle building- or facility-maintenance needs,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Sometimes it can be better for a school district to pay cash for a building repair or to set aside money for emergencies when they arise. Establishing this subfund is a way to help students learn in a healthy environment since school buildings would be in better condition.

“School administrators have recognized the value of this proposal, and I’m pleased the vast majority of my Senate colleagues approved this bill.”

Senate Bill 5202 now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Senate panel passes Schoesler bill offering property-tax relief for residents rebuilding homes ruined by wildfires

A Senate committee has approved a bill sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would provide property-tax relief for Malden residents and other Washingtonians who are rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by wildfires last September.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee last night unanimously approved Senate Bill 5454. Under the bipartisan proposal, Washington residents who lost a home to wildfire between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19, 2020, would be exempt from paying property taxes on the full value of the original structure for three years, if the home is being rebuilt or physically improved.

Nearly 300 homes, including more than 120 residences in or near the Whitman County towns of Malden and Pine City, were destroyed by wildfires torching different parts of Washington last September.

“I’m thankful everyone on the Ways and Means Committee approved this bill that would help homeowners in Malden, Pine City and other parts of our state that were destroyed or damaged by the terrible wildfires last Labor Day,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, whose district includes Whitman County. “These homeowners lost practically everything in the wildfires and it’s been a struggle for these families and individuals to recover. This bill would help ease their financial burden as they try to rebuild their homes and their lives.”

Senate Bill 5454 now advances to the Senate Rules Committee, the final hurdle before bills can reach the Senate floor for a full Senate vote.

According to a Spokane news report, 121 homes, eight commercial properties and 94 other structures were destroyed by the Labor Day wildfire in or near Malden and Pine City.

Statewide, 298 homes were lost in the September wildfires. In all, more than 700 structures were lost. More than 600,000 acres burned in Washington during the two weeks after Labor Day.