Tag Archives: Senate Ways and Means Committee

Schoesler impressed by opposition to property-tax increase bill

This is no April Fools’ Day joke: A proposal introduced by Senate Democrats that would significantly raise property taxes in Washington saw more than 43,000 people sign in to oppose it, more than four times the opposition received for any previous bill to receive a public hearing in the Senate.

Senate Bill 5978 would eliminate the 1% cap on annual property-tax increases by state and local governments without requiring voter approval. Future rate increases would be tied to inflation and population growth, potentially raising property taxes by 8% to 9% annually.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, who as a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee sat through Monday’s public hearing on SB 5978, said the record number of people reaching out to the Senate to express opposition to the measure is a crystal-clear sign from the public that it strongly opposes efforts to raise property taxes. The video of the public hearing on SB 5798 can be viewed here.

“Throughout this session, the strongest opposition that my office has received on any tax-increase legislation has been on bills to raise property taxes, especially the bill we heard in Ways and Means Monday night,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “I already knew how unpopular it would be to raise property taxes. But the hearing on SB 5978 was very historic when you realize that over 43,000 people – which is greater than Martin Stadium’s seating capacity at WSU and almost would fill up T-Mobile Park in Seattle – signed up to say they are against this terrible bill.”

Despite the record-shattering public opposition, Democrats on the committee are expected to pass SB 5978 during its meeting on Thursday. If that happens, the proposal will advance to the Senate Rules Committee, the final hurdle before SB 5978 can reach the Senate floor for a full vote.

“Not a single constituent in my 9th Legislative District has told me they support this bill. In fact, everyone I’ve talked to about this bill has clearly said they don’t want to have more taxes on their home. It’s really disappointing the Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee don’t seem to respect the public’s wishes by killing this bill. When over 43,000 people take time to tell committee members they oppose a certain bill, you’d think those members would listen and think twice about passing it. Unfortunately, the Democrats’ overzealous desire and commitment to squeeze more money out of hard-working Washingtonians knows no bounds,” said Schoesler.

2025 session week 6 video update

Schoesler to serve on Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

Sen. Mark Schoesler will return to the Senate committee that addresses agricultural issues when the Legislature’s 2025 session begins next month.

The 9th District senator today learned he has been appointed to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Schoesler, a fifth-generation farmer who grows wheat, barley and fall peas and raises cattle, is pleased about coming back to the ag panel. For many years, his Senate leadership responsibilities prevented him from serving on that committee. Schoesler stepped down as Senate Republican leader in November 2020 after eight years.

“In addition to being a longtime farmer, I represent and serve a district that relies on agriculture,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Ag remains an important part of our region’s economy. I understand the challenges that farmers and ranchers face. I look forward to again offering an ag-friendly voice on this committee when session starts.”

Schoesler will continue his long streak of serving on the Senate Ways and Means Committee when the Legislature convenes Jan. 13 for 105 days. The 2025 session will mark the 21st straight year Schoesler has been a member of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee since joining the Senate in 2005.

“I take great pride and responsibility in serving on the Ways and Means Committee and I’m pleased to continue doing so,” said Schoesler. “Tax and spending issues have always been among my highest priorities as a legislator. As a Ways and Means member, I watch out for families and businesses in my district and our state by working to keep taxes and spending in check.”

Schoesler will again be the Ways and Means Committee’s lead Republican on the capital budget, which helps fund construction projects for state government buildings, state parks and colleges and universities.

“In this role, I work with my fellow Republicans and lead Democrats on the committee to produce a list of worthwhile projects to include in the state capital budget for the next two years, including those impacting local school districts and higher education institutions like WSU and Eastern,” said Schoesler, whose district includes the Pullman-based Washington State University and Eastern Washington University in Cheney.

Schoesler also will continue serving on the recently renamed Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. He says he will continue advocating for regulatory reform and other issues that will benefit Washington’s job creators and working families.

“My years of experience in the business of farming have helped me understand regulatory issues, which along with workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance are among the key topics this committee addresses. I know how overzealous regulations imposed by government agencies can be as hard on employers as taxes,” said Schoesler.

Schoesler said the Labor and Commerce Committee should focus on shrinking and simplifying Washington’s vast, complex regulatory system.

“Washington’s regulatory code has over 196,000 separate regulations, which is more than all but five states have. That should tell you there is serious need for reform – and this committee is the place to start,” added Schoesler.

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

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 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.

Schoesler criticizes committee passage of bill creating state income tax

Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and a member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, issued this statement following the Ways and Means Committee’s approval tonight of Senate Bill 5096, the Democrat-sponsored proposal requested by Gov. Jay Inslee that would create a state income tax on capital gains.

“This bill is a classic example of the majority party cramming a very bad and unnecessary bill down the throats of Washingtonians,” said Schoesler. “Voters have rejected a state income tax proposal 10 times over the past 85 years. A recent Elway Poll revealed that only 41 percent of respondents support a tax on capital gains, which is even less support than what a similar poll showed two years ago. Our state’s long-term revenue outlook is better than Democrats claim. Washington doesn’t want or need an income tax on capital gains. Yet the Democrats still insist on creating one.

“What adds insult to injury is that this bill includes an emergency clause, which means that if it’s signed into law by the governor, the very person who requested this tax in the first place, then it cannot go before the state’s voters as a referendum. It’s laughable for them to say an emergency clause is even needed when the tax created by this proposal would not be owed until 2023.

“Before the committee voted on the bill tonight, Republicans offered many common-sense amendments to try to improve what is a very bad bill. Unfortunately, all of these amendments were defeated by the Democrats. Chances are that this bill, if passed and then signed by the governor, will end up in court.”

Schoesler bill would offer property-tax relief for residents rebuilding homes destroyed by September wildfires

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.

Sen. Mark Schoesler has introduced legislation that would offer property-tax relief for those who are rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by these wildfires.

Under Senate Bill 5454, 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.

“The horrific wildfire that struck Malden on Labor Day last year literally burned down nearly that entire town, leaving more than a hundred families homeless and with barely any possessions left,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, whose district includes Whitman County. “Many other families in different parts of Washington also lost their homes to wildfires last September. It’s been a terrible situation for all of them. This bill would help ease their financial burden as they try to rebuild their homes and their lives.”

Senate Bill 5454 has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The bipartisan proposal has nine co-sponsors from districts on both sides of the state, including the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Sen. Christine Rolfes.

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. In all, more than 600,000 acres burned in Washington during the two weeks after Labor Day.

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

Sen. Mark Schoesler

Schoesler to continue serving on budget, labor and commerce committees

Sen. Mark Schoesler will continue his long streak of serving on the Senate Ways and Means Committee when the Legislature convenes in January.

The 2021 legislative session, which starts Jan. 11 and lasts 105 days, will mark the 17th straight year Schoesler has been a member of the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee since joining the Senate in 2005.

“I’ve taken great pride in serving on the Ways and Means Committee, and I’m pleased to continue doing so,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Tax and spending issues have always been among my highest priorities as a legislator, and by serving on Ways and Means, I can provide a voice for families and businesses in my district and our state to keep taxes and spending in check, and I will strongly oppose creating a state income tax.”

Schoesler has been named the Ways and Means Committee’s ranking Republican on the capital budget, which helps fund construction projects for state government buildings, state parks and colleges and universities.

“This role will allow me to work with my fellow Republicans and lead Democrats on the committee in producing a list of worthwhile projects to include in the state capital budget for the next two years, including those impacting local school districts and higher education institutions like WSU,” said Schoesler, whose district includes the Pullman-based Washington State University.

Schoesler also will continue serving on the recently renamed Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee. He says he will continue advocating for regulatory reform and other issues that will benefit Washington’s job creators and working families.

“My years of experience in the business of farming have helped me understand regulatory issues, which along with workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance are among the high-profile topics this committee addresses. I know how overzealous regulations imposed by government agencies can be as hard on employers as taxes. The more money and time you have to spend complying with rules, the less likely you are to prosper or even survive as a business owner, especially during this difficult period with COVID-19,” said Schoesler.

Schoesler said the labor and commerce panel needs to focus on shrinking and simplifying Washington’s vast, complex regulatory system.

“Washington’s regulatory code has over 196,000 separate regulations, which is more than all but five states. That should tell you there is serious need for reform – and this committee is the place to start,” added Schoesler.

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