9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler talks about the first week of the 2024 legislative session in Olympia, including his thoughts on Gov. Inslee’s state of the state speech and problems existing in Washington, including education, affordability and public safety.
Sen. Mark Schoesler announced today that he plans to introduce a resolution recognizing the contributions and service of Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson, who is retiring after 20 years in that office.
“Glenn Johnson is truly a dedicated public servant who has been an integral part of the Pullman community and Cougar Nation for decades,” said Schoesler R-Ritzville. “Glenn has done so many positive things for Pullman and Washington State University over the years, but he did not do them for the money. He did them because he always strived to do the right thing and because he cares deeply about the university and Pullman.
“We owe him debt of gratitude for dedicated service, and I am honored to lead the Senate in recognizing his work.”
Schoesler said that his resolution will not only highlight the role Johnson played in representing the community, but in serving individuals.
“As a WSU communications professor, Glenn Johnson mentored so many students who went on to have successful careers in radio and television,” said Schoesler. “He leaves a positive legacy in many stations and newsrooms across the Northwest and nation.”
Johnson is beloved as the public address announcer at Washington State football games. He became famous for leading fans with his iconic saying, ‘And that’s another Cougar first down!’ After the Pac-12 reprimanded him for his catchphrase, Johnson adjusted by just saying ‘And…,’ followed by WSU fans finishing his famous phrase with ‘…that’s another Cougar first down!’
Johnson is not only active in the Pullman community, he is committed to higher education, as he also is a trustee of the Community Colleges of Spokane.
“Over the years, I thoroughly have enjoyed working with Glenn in my capacity as a state legislator and his as Pullman mayor,” added Schoesler, who has served the 9th Legislative District since 1993. “As a longtime WSU fan, it has been a privilege to get to know this legendary member of Cougar Nation. Glenn is a beloved figure in this community and across the Palouse, and this resolution to recognize his contributions to Cougar Nation and all Washingtonians is but a small thanks for all he has done. When the resolution is read aloud, I hope everyone in the Senate will join me in saying, ‘And that’s another Cougar first down!’ Enjoy retirement, Glenn!”
The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to start on Jan. 8, and last 60 days.
State Sen. Mark Schoesler issued this statement following this morning’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that it will provide $1 billion to Washington, Oregon and Montana to establish eight hydrogen production sites across the three states:
“This would not happen without hydropower. Our state has a strong and reliable hydropower system that provides inexpensive electric power and allows water to be stored behind dams – with water being needed for producing hydrogen. I hope the people advocating for this new hydrogen production project in our state will recognize and respect the role that our dams and hydropower system played in Washington being part of this regional hydrogen hub.”
Schoesler, R-Ritzville, serves the 9th Legislative District, which includes the four lower Snake River dams between Clarkston and the Tri-Cities.
The recent carbon allowance auction held by the state Department of Ecology under the state’s costly cap-and-trade program will mean even higher fuel prices for drivers in Washington just as the summer driving season is about to start, says 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.
“Drivers across Washington will pay even more at the pump thanks to the cap-and-trade program,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Fuel prices typically rise when summer driving season arrives, and this latest auction by DOE will cause trips to the gas station to be even more expensive for both drivers here and those from other states who want to see Washington.”
Today’s release of the results from DOE’s May 31 auction showed that the price for a Washington carbon allowance was $56.01, up from $48.50 in the February auction. It is estimated that the new allowance price will translate to an additional charge of 45 cents a gallon at the pump. This is slightly higher than the estimated 39-cents-per-gallon impact from February’s auction by DOE.
A rough estimate for revenue raised in last week’s auction is about $480.8 million for current vintage allowances and about $76.2 million for future vintage allowances. The February auction collected nearly $300 million.
Schoesler said Gov. Inslee’s expensive cap-and-trade program, known as the Climate Commitment Act and approved by Democrat majorities in the Legislature in 2021, is taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of drivers’ wallets and handing it over to state agencies for various spending programs, all in the name of climate change.
“The latest carbon auction by DOE is just another example of the Democrats’ spending spree in Olympia that will affect people throughout Washington. Starting July 1, most workers across our state will also have to start paying an expensive payroll tax to fund a very flawed long-term care program.
“It’s shocking how Democrats actually seem to be proud about taking so much money away from citizens. Olympia needs to stop squeezing even more money out of hard-working taxpayers and instead start respecting them,” added Schoesler.
The report from Ecology’s May 31 auction can be viewed here.
A bill introduced this year by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that aims to help school districts in Washington address their building-maintenance needs was signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee.
The law created by Senate Bill 5403 will allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2% of a school district’s general fund each fiscal year.
“After introducing it the past three years, it’s good to see this bill finally become law,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “It provides another way for school districts to handle building- or facility-maintenance needs. 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, which is voluntary, is a way to help students learn in a healthy environment since school buildings will be in better condition.”
After passing SB 5403 unanimously in March, the Senate voted late in the regular session to unanimously support the version approved by the House, which makes the subfund option available only to school districts with fewer than 2,000 students.
During the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions, the Senate twice easily passed an earlier version of Schoesler’s bill. Senate Bill 5202 reached the House Rules Committee and was placed on the House voting calendar in both sessions before stalling.
State Sen. Mark Schoesler, the Senate Republican leader on the capital budget, issued this statement after the Legislature passed a new state capital budget for 2023-25. It funds the construction and maintenance of state buildings, public-school matching grants, higher-education facilities, public lands, parks, water infrastructure and other assets.
“This is a win for the people of Washington. It is truly a statewide budget that lives within our means and funds the priorities of government.
“This capital budget responds to needs all throughout our state and provides funding for important projects in a wide variety of categories, from affordable housing to K-12 and higher education, from water supply and water quality needs to salmon recovery, state parks and outdoor recreation.
“I’m pleased by the support for the many projects that will help our colleges and universities, and especially glad to see money for school seismic-safety grants, since Washington is in earthquake country. The funding for water-supply projects, which benefits agriculture and other water users, is a big plus as well.
“Our capital budget takes a statewide approach, as it should. It will benefit many communities throughout Washington.”
Overall, the state capital budget (Senate Bill 5200) appropriates a total of $9 billion in spending, including nearly $694 million for affordable-housing projects; $872 million for K-12 education projects; $1.5 billion in total funding for higher education; $884 million to address behavioral-health needs; and $2.4 billion for natural-resource projects that address water quality and supply, salmon recovery, outdoor recreation and conservation, state parks, state trust lands and more.
The Senate passed the capital budget 48-0 today after the House approved it 96-0 on Friday. It now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for his consideration.
Schoesler, R-Ritzville, serves the 9th Legislative District.
The 2023 legislative session is scheduled to end tomorrow.
State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement after Democratic majorities in the Legislature passed House Bill 1240, which would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons in Washington, and House Bill 1143, which would prohibit someone from buying a firearm from a dealer unless the buyer has passed a background check and has completed a firearm-safety program.
“The rights of law-abiding people to buy and use firearms in in our state took a major step backward with the passage of these two bills by legislative Democrats. Banning specific weapons and requiring people to undergo background checks and take training programs won’t stop certain people who don’t care about laws yet are determined to shoot others.
“House Bill 1240 is written so the ban goes into effect once Governor Inslee signs it – which also means the people cannot challenge it through a referendum. I expect a lawsuit will be filed that eventually puts this before the U.S. Supreme Court — which will probably strike it down as unconstitutional.
“What is especially inconsistent and ironic about the Democrats’ approach to gun violence in our state is that they have approved proposals that would deny law-abiding people to buy certain weapons, yet House Democrats passed a bill that would have decriminalized the illegal use of firearms by repeat offenders. Fortunately, that bill died before reaching the Senate floor. If Democrats really care about gun violence as much as they claim, they need to ensure that crimes committed with a firearm receive stronger punishment, not weaker punishment, as I have proposed.”
Schoesler serves the 9th Legislative District.
HB 1240 and HB 1143 have been sent to Gov. Jay Inslee for his expected signatures.
The 2023 legislative session is scheduled to end Sunday.
A bill introduced by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that aims to help school districts in Washington address their building-maintenance needs is heading to the governor’s desk after being passed by the Legislature.
Senate Bill 5403 would allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2% of a school district’s general fund each fiscal year.
“It’s good to see this bill finally get through the Legislature,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “It provides another way for school districts to handle building- or facility-maintenance needs. 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, which is voluntary, is a way to help students learn in a healthy environment since school buildings would be in better condition.”
The Senate unanimously passed SB 5403 in March. After the House added a floor amendment and then approved the altered proposal on an 89-8 vote on April 12, the Senate today voted 48-0 to concur (or agree) with the House’s amended version. The House floor amendment would make the bill applicable only to school districts with fewer than 2,000 students.
During the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions, the Senate twice easily passed an earlier version of Schoesler’s bill. Senate Bill 5202 reached the House Rules Committee and was placed on the House voting calendar in both sessions before stalling.
State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement after Senate Democrats introduced Senate Bill 5770, which would triple the annual growth rate of both state and local property taxes in Washington.
“The Senate Democrats’ bill to raise property taxes is just another example of their incurable addiction for more money. Their operating budget this year is the most expensive in state history and calls for record spending in virtually all areas. Their cap-and-tax program is costing drivers far more in fuel prices. The state Supreme Court just upheld their tax on capital-gains income, so you know they’ll eventually try to squeeze even more money out of people with that new tax. And there is a bill still alive that would make the ‘death tax’ more expensive for some. But all of that is not enough for them. Now, the Democrats want to pass an 11th-hour bill that would triple the growth rate of both state and local property taxes. Many people around our state are asking for tax relief and this is the Democrats’ response?! Unbelievable. Taxpayers have had enough!”
Schoesler, who serves the 9th Legislative District, is a longtime member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which deals with budget and tax issues.
