Author Archives: brianzylstra

Sen. Mark Schoesler

Schoesler: November revenue forecast shows B&O tax hike isn’t needed

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, says the latest state revenue forecast shows that the Legislature should roll back the huge business-and-occupation tax increase that it imposed on certain services earlier this year.

The fourth-quarter revenue forecast, released today, shows an increase of $299 million over the third-quarter forecast from September. Combined with the June and September forecasts, revenues for the 2019-21 biennium are now projected to be $850 million higher than what was forecasted when the Legislature adjourned in April. The 20 percent B&O tax increase imposed by the Legislature’s majority party on providers of professional services is expected to raise $380 million in the current biennium.

“We said all along that tax hikes weren’t necessary, but the governor and his allies in the majority apparently felt our Main Street employers were undertaxed, and they went ahead with this huge increase,” said Schoesler, who is a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “I think the Legislature needs to acknowledge that there is already plenty of revenue coming in, and realize it’s time to listen to the taxpayers and rescind the B&O tax hike.”

The November forecast also shows a 2019-21 revenue projection of $51.7 billion. The ending-fund reserves for the current biennium total $3.5 billion, including $2.2 billion in the constitutionally protected rainy-day fund and $1.3 billion in unrestricted reserves.

“The state has plenty of money in reserve now. We can afford to give some of that extra money back to the taxpayers while still keeping a healthy budget reserve in case of an economic downturn in the future,” added Schoesler.

Columbia Basin Development League presents Schoesler with award

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, has received an award from the Columbia Basin Development League for his longtime legislative efforts on behalf of communities and irrigators in the basin area.

The organization presented Schoesler with its Perseverance Award Tuesday during its 55th annual meeting, held in Moses Lake.

“The league chose Senator Schoesler to receive the Perseverance Award for demonstrating the ability to fight for his constituents and the region, no matter the odds,” said Vicky Scharlau, the CBDL’s executive director. “We appreciate the longstanding commitment Senator Schoesler has provided to his district, especially irrigators and communities desperate for a reliable source of water.”

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” said Schoesler. “For the Columbia Basin to not only survive but thrive, it needs enough water for both communities and an agriculture industry that provides many jobs. That’s why I’ve devoted so much time and energy to finding ways to help this area meet its water needs. With the help of many individuals and organizations like the CBDL, we’ve accomplished quite a bit, but there is more to do.”

Schoesler is the sixth recipient of the award, which was created by the CBDL in 2011. He joins other recent recipients, including former 4th District U.S. Rep. “Doc” Hastings and state Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison, who formerly served as director of the state Department of Ecology’s Office of Columbia River.

The Columbia Basin Development League is a nonprofit organization that has supported the Bureau of Reclamation’s Columbia Basin Project and its future development since 1964.

Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which covers all or part of Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Spokane and Whitman counties.

Kahlotus, Lind, Ritzville awarded Community Development Block Grants

Three communities in the 9th Legislative District are among about two dozen Washington rural cities or counties that will receive Community Development Block Grants from the state Department of Commerce this year.

The local communities receiving grants are:

  • Kahlotus, $680,000 for well and water distribution improvements.
  • Lind, $750,000 for water system improvements.
  • Ritzville, $624,790 for sewer system improvements, and $24,000 for a sewer collection preliminary design report.

“These grants will help Kahlotus, Lind and Ritzville complete some important water or sewer projects that will improve their communities,” said state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “The Community Development Block Grant program has aided many towns in my district and other rural parts of Washington over the years. It’s one of the better programs operated by our state.”

The Department of Commerce is awarding more than $10.5 million in these block grants to 25 rural cities and counties in Washington in 2019. The grants and community partnerships are meant to improve rural water, sewer, streets, community facilities and fire protection systems; support affordable housing; and complete community planning.

The competitive grants are awarded annually and help Washington communities carry out priority local projects. Funding for the CDBGs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which covers all or part of Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Spokane and Whitman counties.

Schoesler applauds loan to Basin City water district

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is pleased that a Franklin County community will soon be able to complete an important water project.

The state Public Works Board is awarding a $495,000 loan to the Basin City Water and Sewer District, which will use the loan to complete a project in which flow meters will be installed for residents and businesses within the district.

“This is great news,” said Schoesler. “The new flow meters being installed in Basin City will allow people there to save water, which is not only good resource management, but will save taxpayers money.”    

According to Basin City Water and Sewer District Commissioner Dan Winder, the loan will allow the district to complete the project to install flow meters. The project is expected to start in late October or early November and end in January 2020.

Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which covers all or part of Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Spokane and Whitman counties.   

Schoesler encourages public to attend an agriculture fair

As summer enters its final month, fair season is fast approaching in many communities on both sides of the Cascades. Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, encourages the public to support Washington’s agricultural community by attending one or more fairs in the coming weeks.

Schoesler, a fifth-generation wheat farmer whose land has been farmed by his family since the 1880s, says fairs play an important role in many rural communities and help educate attendees about agriculture’s importance in eastern Washington and throughout the state.

“Fairs are very educational and really provide a showcase for all that is great about farming and our rural communities,” Schoesler said. “They are a great annual tradition for all ages, and they are a perfect place to take the family.

“When you go to a fair, you see firsthand what farmers raise, from crops to livestock and other animals. Fairs provide a great place to see old friends and meet new ones, and to sample many different kinds of tasty food that you only find at a fair. Fair season is upon us, so I encourage people to attend their local fair or one nearby,” Schoesler added.

According to the Washington State Fairs Association, several area fairs are set to start in the coming weeks:

Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which covers all or part of Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, Spokane and Whitman counties.   

9th District legislators secure support in new capital budget for local projects

The 9th Legislative District team of Sen. Mark Schoesler and Reps. Mary Dye and Joe Schmick applauded today’s passage of a new two-year state capital (construction) budget that includes funding for dozens of projects in the district.

The $4.9 billion capital budget funds the construction and maintenance of state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public lands, parks and other assets throughout Washington. 

The Senate voted 48-0 to pass the final version of the capital budget (Substitute House Bill 1102) Saturday night. The House approved it 97-1 today.

“There were many local and community projects that Representatives Dye and Schmick and I asked to be put in either the House or Senate version of the capital budget early this session, and I’m pleased to see they are included in the final version negotiated during the past several days,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “It’s good to see that this budget will help fund our local projects.”   

“Citizens across the 9th District send a lot of their hard-earned money to Olympia in the form of taxes. The capital budget is a way to get some of that back to provide needed improvements and projects that create jobs and benefit the folks back home,” said Dye, R-Pomeroy, and a member of the House Capital Budget Committee. “I’m honored to be able to work with my seatmates and colleagues on the Capital Budget Committee to help fund these projects in the 9th District.”

“Local projects such as these help strengthen our rural communities and provide much-needed infrastructure improvements that might otherwise be financially unattainable,” said Schmick, R-Colfax.  “Legislators from the 9th District work as a team to get these needed projects into the budget.  I’m pleased with the results and know our citizens will benefit from our efforts.”

Nearly $85.7 million is appropriated for 9th District projects funded in the final capital budget, including these local projects:

  • Pullman Airport Utility Extension – $1.626 million
  • Asotin Masonic Lodge – $62,000
  • Colfax Pantry Building – $247,000
  • Garfield County Hospital HVAC system, Pomeroy – $250,000
  • Washtucna Historical Museum and Community Center roof replacement – $24,000
  • Othello regional water project – $425,000
  • Pomeroy booster pumping station – $96,000
  • Prairie View Schoolhouse Community Center, Waverly – $112,000
  • Ritzville Business and Entrepreneurship Center – $350,000
  • Rosalia sewer improvements – $500,000
  • Lions Park infields and restroom renovation in Othello – $347,000

The capital budget’s Library Capital Improvement Program provides $923,000 for the Asotin County Library Building Phase II project.

The capital budget also funds several projects at Washington State University, including $36.4 million for its Global Animal Health Building, $700,000 for improvements to facilities related to animal care, $800,000 to replace the Dairy Heifer Barn, and around $20 million for more than a dozen infrastructure or minor works projects on the Pullman campus. 

The budget provides $1.75 million for the Student Activity Center project at Walla Walla Community College’s Clarkston campus.

A request by Schoesler and 13th District Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, for funding for the North I-90 Odessa Aquifer Groundwater Replacement Project was successful, as the final capital budget provides $15 million for it.

The Othello Aquifer Storage and Recharge project receives $500,000 through the Columbia River Water Supply Development Program.

Schoesler pleased SR-26 passing lane project funded in final transportation budget

Washington State University students and other members of “Cougar Nation” will be among those benefiting from a passing-lane project for State Route 26 that is accelerated in the new two-year state transportation budget passed by the Senate today, said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

The 2019-21 transportation budget provides $11.15 million for the project, which will add climbing lanes on SR-26 between Dusty and Colfax in Whitman County.

“There has been a real need for climbing lanes along this stretch of Highway 26 because of how unsafe it is for drivers to pass due to limited visibility caused by hills. Adding these climbing lanes will make trips on this part of the highway much safer for drivers,” said Schoesler, who noted construction could begin as early as next year.

“Seventy percent of the students who go to WSU come from western Washington,” said Schoesler during his floor speech in support of the final version of the transportation budget. “Their safety and Coug Nation’s safety is important when they come to Pullman for Dad’s Weekend, Mom’s Weekend or the Apple Cup. Hopefully, when folks come over to the 2020 Apple Cup, they’ll be able to see the completed passing lanes.”     

Schoesler praised Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson for organizing a grass-roots effort to secure funding for the SR-26 climbing lanes. Schoesler also lauded Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, and Yakima Sen. Curtis King, the committee’s ranking Republican, for moving up the project’s timeline so it can be completed sooner.            

Schoesler joined the rest of the Senate Sunday in voting 49-0 to approve the final version of the state transportation budget. The House passed the final transportation budget 96-2 today.

Schoesler: Democrat tax increase will hurt rural Washington, key state industry

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler blasted the Senate’s approval tonight of a bill that would raise fuel costs through a higher tax on one of the state’s leading industries and be particularly hard on rural Washington.

Substitute Senate Bill 5993 was passed virtually along party lines, 27-22. It now goes to the House for consideration.

During his floor speech opposing the bill, Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said he was voting against a war on rural Washington, higher taxes and oil refineries, an industry that provides family-wage jobs to many workers.

“This increase in the hazardous-substance tax is just the first of several massive tax increases planned by the Senate majority, even though the proponents say it’s ‘only’ $133 million in new taxes. Only $133 million,” said Schoesler. “It’s a continuation of the war on rural Washington. These refineries are primarily located in rural areas, with salaries that nothing else in those areas will match. The people who use heating oil don’t live in hip urban neighborhoods. They tend to live in small towns that you and many others have never heard of. They drive their cars long distances. They will be punished. Agriculture will be punished. This is part of a war on rural Washington that needs to stop.”    

Schoesler said the bill would pull $475 million out of the state economy over the next two years, with little of this additional money going to toxic cleanups.

“It will hurt high-wage, blue-collar jobs in the oil industry, which in turn will have a ripple effect on local economies,” said Schoesler. “This proposal will result in higher fuel prices, which will especially hurt commuters and those who have to drive long distances. It will be like another gas tax on drivers without any benefit to roads. And it basically will allow the hazardous-substance tax to be indexed for inflation by growing upward. It’s just another way to squeeze more tax money out of Washingtonians under the guise of trying to clean up toxic substances.”       

Of the $475 million in tax revenue on petroleum products that would be generated under SSB 5993 for the 2019-21 biennium, only $106 million – or 25 percent – would go to the state capital budget for toxic cleanup. Meanwhile, $255 million would go to the state operating budget.  Of the revenue collected from the tax on petroleum products, only 15 percent would be devoted to stormwater-cleanup programs.   

“In a session full of terrible bills passed by the Democratic majority in the Senate, this one is among the worst,” said Schoesler. “This bill offers a false promise. It is less about actually helping with toxic cleanups and more about pumping more money into the state’s operating and transportation budgets.  It’s a step backward for actually cleaning up toxic sites in Washington.”

Republicans introduced several amendments to soften the proposal’s negative impacts, but majority Democrats defeated all of them. One amendment, offered by 42nd District Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, would have removed the annual inflationary growth factor from the tax rate.

Another amendment, sponsored by 13th District Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, sought to preserve an exemption for crop protection products, many of which are stored in Franklin County. Schoesler was especially disappointed by its defeat. “By rejecting that amendment, the majority eliminated a very useful and friendly exemption that served Franklin County and producers with safe crop production products across the state.”  

The state model toxics control program is administered by the state Department of Ecology to ensure that most sites where hazardous substances were released are cleaned up. MCTA is funded by the hazardous-substance tax. About 95 percent of the revenue comes from the HST on petroleum products.