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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature has one week left until it is supposed to adjourn April 26. Budget
negotiations are in full swing, and the House has been on the floor passing legislation nearly every day the past two weeks.
I’m hopeful our budget negotiators can come up with a final, fiscally responsible budget within these next few days for the full body to consider.
As session winds down, I encourage you to contact me via email or telephone if you have any questions, comments or concerns about issues before the state. It’s important I hear from you at this critical time.
House Transportation Committee passes transportation tax package
In my last update, I shared with you some details about the House and Senate 2015-17 operating budget proposals. For a brief overview of the two budgets, click the image to the left.
During a late evening committee session on Tuesday, the House Transportation Committee, on which I serve, passed a transportation tax package, calling for an 11.7 cent gas-tax hike, increased car fees and other taxes and fees. This package currently includes $85 million to complete the I-5 triangle vicinity project and a total of $1.9 billion for the SR 167/SR 509 Puget Sound gateway project.
Also in the package is $15 billion ask to voters in funding for Sound Transit 3, which includes: a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) of up to 0.8 percent of the value of the vehicle, an up to 1.4 percent sales tax increase, a property tax of up to 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Local tourism promotion area bill passes the Senate
My bill to allow Federal Way to create a local tourism promotion area to attract tourists to the city passed the Senate this week 46-3. It now awaits the governor’s signature. You can read more about the bill here.
I proudly call Federal Way home, and I know it has a lot to offer visitors. I hope the governor signs this bill so Federal Way can begin to promote the many amenities and attractions in the city.
Sincerely,
Linda Kochmar
