Tag Archives: Sen. Mark Schoesler

Schoesler says state needs to do more to help stores combat retail crime

State government, including the Legislature, needs to do more to help combat the increase in retail crime in Washington, says 9^th District state Sen. Mark Schoesler.

“While we’ve seen a spike in many areas of crime, retail theft and other retail crimes are especially a problem,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Retail crimes hurt not only stores and shops, but also consumers because these crimes force retailers to raise prices. The Legislature, the governor and the attorney general need to take action to greatly reduce retail crime in Washington.”

From 2019 to 2020, the value of goods stolen from Washington stores more than doubled. The Washington Retail Association estimates organized crime groups stole $2.7 billion from retailers in 2021.

“Retailers have been forced to endure an increase in crimes occurring on their property, including theft and fraud,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Organized retail-theft rings have become more brazen, violent and sophisticated in targeting stores. They are putting the safety of customers and store employees in danger. Also, they’re often involved in other crimes within communities, including human trafficking, money laundering and narcotics. These theft rings go after not only stores and shops in big cities but also those in small towns. It’s a growing problem in many parts of our state and the U.S.”

Schoesler, a member of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, said the Washington Retail Association recently released a resource guide on how to deal with retail crimes.

“Retail crimes, especially theft, have become so much worse in recent years that the Washington Retail Association just released a retail-crimes resource guide for its members,” added Schoesler. “To me, that says the state isn’t providing enough help for retailers and local and state law enforcement agencies don’t have enough officers to effectively combat retail theft.”

The Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee last week held a work session on retail crimes.

“The work session was a sign that organized retail crime is on the Legislature’s radar screen, but we need to make it a high priority when the legislative session starts in January,” said Schoesler.

A national report on the impact of organized retail crime showed that Washington retailers lost just over $2.7 billion worth of goods and products due to theft in 2021, and that the per capita amount of stolen items in the state is $376.61, which ranks Washington second in the nation, only behind Pennsylvania ($436.25).

According to the 2021 state crime report released by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, 23,323 shoplifting cases were reported last year.

According to respondents to a 2022 retail security survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, Loss Prevention Research Council and Appriss Retail, organized retail-crime incidents have increased by 26.5%. The same survey reported that more than 81% of participating retailers said organized retail-crime offenders are somewhat or much more violent compared with one year ago.

In 2021, Seattle ranked eighth among large cities affected by organized retail crime.

Schoesler says it’s unfair for rural families to help pay tab for free rides

The statewide transportation package passed primarily by Puget Sound-area Democrats in March is now fully subsidizing public-transit and state-ferry travel in some parts of the state for anyone 18 or younger. An eastern Washington legislator, 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, says the free-rider program discriminates against kids in rural Washington.

“Unfortunately, this is another example of how the Democratic majority preaches about ‘equity’ without truly practicing it,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “They had to know offering free transit and ferry rides would benefit primarily kids in populous areas, rather than kids in rural counties, even though rural families help pick up the tab.”

Eight Puget Sound-area public-transit agencies began offering free youth fares last week. Other agencies statewide that implement a zero-fare program for riders 18 and under by Oct. 1 will also receive subsidies in the form of grants under the so-called Move Ahead Washington transportation package.

Schoesler also said most Washington motorists won’t be able to benefit from maintenance projects that are underway on parts of Interstate 5, I-405, I-90 and several state highways in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, even though they are helping to pay for the projects through the Move Ahead Washington package and the “cap-and-tax” legislation approved by Democratic majorities in the Legislature.

“I know the Puget Sound counties have important highway maintenance needs, but so do other parts of our state. I’d like to see the Department of Transportation be as committed to completing highway projects in eastern Washington as it is for the Puget Sound region. We pay taxes and fees, too,” said Schoesler.

“Governor Inslee has been playing up the free transit rides to kids and the Puget Sound-area highway projects. Instead of focusing on programs and projects that mainly help out his supporters, the governor should focus more on the transportation needs of the entire state,” added Schoesler.

Schoesler receives award from small-business organization

Sen. Mark Schoesler has been recognized for his efforts to help Washington small businesses.

The National Federation of Independent Business announced yesterday that the longtime 9^th District legislator has earned the group’s Guardian of Small Business award. The letter from NFIB Washington State Director Patrick Connor to Schoesler informing him of the honor can be viewed here.

“I’m very honored to receive this award from NFIB for my long support of small businesses,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “These businesses have long been the backbone of Washington’s economy, so it’s important for our state to create and maintain a business climate that allows them to grow and prosper, especially at a time when our state is struggling with record inflation and ongoing supply-chain problems.”

Schoesler has served the 9^th Legislative District since 1992 when he was first elected to the House of Representatives. Schoesler was elected to the Senate in 2004.

He currently serves on the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, which focuses on business issues in the state.

Schoesler receives award from hunting organization

A group has honored 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler for his work on behalf of hunters in Washington.

The Hunters Heritage Council, Washington’s largest hunting-rights organization, has named Schoesler a “Legislator of the Year” for 2022. The award was announced this week by Hunters Heritage Council President Mark Pidgeon.

“I’m honored and pleased to learn that I’ll receive this award,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Hunting has been a big part of my life since I was a boy, and I know that many people across the state enjoy hunting. Unfortunately, it seems that state government creates more hurdles for hunters, which is why I work hard in the Legislature to protect hunting in Washington and will continue to do so.”

Each year, the organization selects several legislators to receive the “Legislator of the Year” award. The other recipients of the award are 18^th District Sen. Ann Rivers, 7^th District Sen. Shelly Short, 17^th District Sen. Lynda Wilson, 18^th District Rep. Larry Hoff, 7^th District Reps. Joel Kretz and Jacquelin Maycumber, 40^th District Rep. Debra Lekanoff, 19^th District Rep. Jim Walsh and 2^nd District Rep. J.T. Wilcox.

The council will present the awards to Schoesler and the other legislators early next year.

Schoesler receives award from Habitat for Humanity for affordable-housing work

Sen. Mark Schoesler received a pleasant surprise this morning: an award from Habitat for Humanity of Washington State for his service and support of affordable housing.

Jennifer Wallace, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity’s Palouse affiliate, presented the award to Schoesler during a legislative breakfast hosted by the Pullman Chamber of Commerce and Lewis Clark Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“This is such a nice surprise to be honored like this,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Affordable housing has become a serious problem in many communities across Washington, and I’m glad that this year’s capital budget passed by the Legislature provides funding for Habitat for Humanity to help address housing needs in our state.”

The longtime 9th District lawmaker has helped craft the Senate capital budget the past two legislative sessions. He also has negotiated the final capital budget with other legislators.

“Senator Schoesler received this award on behalf of Habitat for Humanity for making an unprecedented investment in affordable homeownership,” said Michone Preston, chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity of Washington State. “People who are experiencing income scarcity can achieve the American dream of homeownership through agencies like Habitat for Humanity, and the Housing Trust Fund investment will provide for 500 more new homes in Washington.

“Habitat for Humanity of Washington State thanks Senator Schoesler for his work on the capital budget,” added Preston. “This funding will ensure that those 500 families working alongside affordable homeownership developers will receive their keys, and their affordable mortgage within the next few years.”

Schoesler praises supplemental capital budget passed by Legislature

The state supplemental capital budget passed by the Legislature this week addresses both statewide needs and local projects, says 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, who worked with legislators from the Senate majority and House of Representatives to negotiate the final version of the budget.

“This is a true bipartisan capital budget in which Republicans and Democrats worked together for the good of Washington. It funds several projects in the 9^th District, and also makes good use of one-time federal dollars by providing funding for housing projects that will help local governments and organizations like Habitat for Humanity to address the homelessness situation in several communities across our state,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “I’m pleased with it both from a local perspective and how it will help the state overall.”

The capital budget includes $440 million in funding for grants and loans for affordable housing, including $300 million for rapid housing.

The 9^th District projects funded by the capital budget include:

Tekoa Junior/Senior High School ($3.385 million)
St. John School District ($2.459 million)
Pullman Student Success Center Phase 1 project on Washington State University’s Pullman campus ($2 million)
Port of Clarkston river-dredging project ($1.55 million)
Whelan Community Building in Pullman ($153,000)
Rimrock Grange renovation in Washtucna ($105,000)

Schoesler also ensured the capital budget update (Senate Bill 5651) funds a project in Almira, a Grant County community that will be in the 9^th District after the state’s new legislative district boundaries take effect later this year. Nearly $13 million is included to help fund the replacement of Almira Elementary School, which burned down last year.

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a compromise version of the capital budget last night. The Senate this morning also unanimously passed the spending proposal, which funds construction of state buildings and higher-education facilities, as well as other state and local projects. The capital budget now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for final consideration.

Legislature passes Schoesler bill to improve firefighter, law-enforcement officer retirement benefits

The Legislature has unanimously passed a measure introduced by 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would increase retirement benefits for firefighters and law-enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 5791 would provide Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Plan 1 members with a one-time lump sum equal to $100 per month of service for retirees and a minimum of $20,000 for catastrophic and duty-disability retirees, and duty-death beneficiaries. The lump sum payments would come from a nearly $2 billion surplus in the LEOFF 1 system, which closed in 1977.

The House of Representatives passed the proposal 98-0 Thursday night. The Senate approved it 49-0 on Feb. 15. The bill now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for final consideration.

“This bill would help our courageous law-enforcement officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line year after year,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Using the budget surplus to give LEOFF 1 pension members a one-time payout means some more money for their retirement years, while making only a very small dent in the state budget surplus.”

Schoesler added that increased benefits would create incentives for law enforcement officers and firefighters to stay longer in their jobs.

The Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) provides retirement benefits to full-time, fully compensated law-enforcement officers and firefighters employed by the state, cities, counties and special districts. Law-enforcement officers and firefighters who entered service between 1969 and October 1, 1977, were enrolled in LEOFF Plan 1. Those entering service after that date are part of the LEOFF Plan 2.

Schoesler says two full years of emergency orders is too much

Today marks the start of the third year of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 state of emergency. To 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, it’s a frustrating reminder that Washington was not meant to be controlled by one person for so long.

“No governor in our nation has exercised emergency powers as long as Jay Inslee since the COVID pandemic began more than two years ago, and people throughout Washington have had enough,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “His various mandates, especially requiring state employees under his control to be vaccinated against COVID or lose their job, have harmed people’s trust in our state government. People are tired of one-man rule in Washington.”

Schoesler said the two-year anniversary of Inslee’s emergency declaration is a strong reminder that the Legislature needs to pass meaningful reform of the state’s emergency-powers law. The only changes supported by majority Democrats this session would have little practical effect.

“My Republican colleagues and I think that all emergency proclamations made by a Washington governor should have a time limit, and be extended only if the Legislature agrees. It’s time to restore the balance of power in Washington so that the legislative branch can have a say in all emergency orders – including the proclamations that really control people’s lives. We’ve seen other states already do this because their governors and legislatures trust their citizens. We need to do the same thing here in Washington.”

Inslee recently announced that he is relaxing the indoor mask mandate in Washington starting March 12.

Schoesler says record surplus means it’s time for tax relief for Washingtonians

The February state revenue forecast adopted today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reveals that state government now has a $15 billion revenue surplus – proof that some of that extra money should be returned to Washingtonians in the form of tax relief, said 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.

“For over a year now, our state’s revenue projections have improved with each revenue forecast, and today’s forecast reveals that we have a record-setting revenue surplus of $15 billion,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville and a member of the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee. “With so many hard-working people in our state struggling to cope with higher gas prices and rampant inflation, the Legislature should do the right thing and give back some of this extra revenue to our state’s taxpayers. They deserve it and we can afford to do it.”

The February forecast – the first quarterly forecast for 2022 – shows revenue projections increased by over $2.8 billion for the four-year outlook budget period ($1.45 billion for the current biennium and $1.32 billion for the 2023-25 biennium). The main reasons for the latest revenue increases are due to revenue collections coming in $450 million higher than forecast since the previous forecast in November and the number of unemployed in Washington, as measured by unemployment insurance claims, being at historic lows.

The state operating budget is now expected to collect over $10 billion in additional revenue during the four-year outlook than expected when the Legislature finished its 2021 session in April.

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projects that the state has $61.691 billion in revenue for the current biennium, a 16.1% increase over the 2019-21 biennium. The state is projected to have $65.368 billion in revenue in the 2023-25 biennium.

To view the February forecast, click here.