GREG GILDAY: Budgets, local projects, and drug possession laws
State Representative Greg Gilday (R-Camano Island) sent the following update from his official email account on Wed., Mar. 31, 2021.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We have less than a month left in the 2021 session. The next big deadline on the legislative calendar is fiscal committee cutoff on April 2. Although bills that affect state revenues remain eligible for consideration until the final day of the session, it’s the last day for bills to pass out of committee or to be read into the record in the opposite house.
Budgets
For the rest of the session, the primary task of legislators will be reviewing and approving the state’s three main spending plans: the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. The tentative plan is for the House to vote on all three within the next few days. If you are interested in weighing in on any of these proposals, this short video explains how to do so.
Unnecessary tax increases
The much-feared catastrophic COVID-induced state budgeting shortfall never materialized. Despite the devastating impact of the pandemic on individuals and families, state tax collections are up more than $3.29 billion over the four-year outlook. In fact, the overall financial picture for the state is extremely positive. The last three revenue forecasts have put us back at pre-pandemic revenue levels.
You can watch the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council’s meeting at this TVW link.
Along with the federal stimulus money soon to arrive, bringing $4.1 billion in recovery dollars for local, county, and state governments, and $3 billion in relief for K-12 schools, higher education, and child care—the state has more than enough to fund its priorities and provide significant COVID-19 relief.
With no state budgeting shortfalls in sight, tax increases are not only unnecessary but downright absurd. And yet, both the proposed House and Senate operating budgets rely on an income tax on capital gains, and spend even more than what the governor originally proposed in December.
According to the latest ESD report, over 228,600 Washingtonians are still unemployed. Instead of emptying pocketbooks, legislators should focus on financial relief for those hit the hardest by COVID-19—struggling individuals, families, and small businesses. With tax revenue and federal money pouring into state coffers, supporters have few arguments left when explaining the necessity of imposing new taxes. The debate should be centered on cuts, not increases.
The House Capital budget
The House recently released its 2021-23 capital budget proposal. As a member of the Capital Budget Committee, I’m grateful to be part of the bipartisan team of legislators that created a well-mapped-out spending plan that looks to provide significant COVID relief to communities across the state.
Often called the “construction” or “brick-and-mortar” budget, the state’s two-year capital budget covers the cost of projects like schools and other public buildings. It’s funded through general obligation bonds, dedicated cash accounts, and federal funds.
With a total spending proposal of $5.7 billion, $3.5 billion of which is from the sale of general obligation bonds, the plan leaves $176 million in bond capacity for supplemental budget needs in 2022. By the end of this week, the House will vote on the proposal. If approved, House Bill 1080 will head to the Senate for further consideration.
I’m glad to announce that some local 10th District projects that I helped usher through the process made it into the proposed spending plan:
- Whidbey Health Medical Center Energy Project: $550,000
- Coupeville Boys & Girls Club: $1,030,000
- Island County Criminal Justice Renovation: $600,000, with an additional $275,000 included in the proposed House Operating Budget for the acquisition of body cameras.
Felony drug possession laws
In a stunning decision, the Washington State Supreme Court recently ruled the state’s felony drug possession law unconstitutional. Essentially, the mere act of finding an illicit substance on someone’s person or on their property is no longer considered an arrestable offense. The ruling in State v. Blake decriminalizes the possession of all drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
I’ve heard from law enforcement, local elected officials, and others from across the 10th District about how damaging this ruling has been. The court’s decision reverses decades of convictions, related fines, and imprisonment—leaving cities, counties, prosecutors, and law enforcement unsure how to proceed.
As local governments across the state scramble to deal with the aftermath, legislators have been responding with legislative solutions. A package of bills was introduced to address the public safety issues caused by the court’s decision, including:
- House Bill 1558 would promote recovery and improve public safety by providing behavioral health system responses to individuals with substance use disorder and providing training to law enforcement personnel.
- House Bill 1559 would provide a behavioral health response to juveniles consuming controlled substances.
- House Bill 1560 would consider the mental state element of a person’s intention to knowingly commit a crime (mens rea) involving offenses related to possession of substances.
- House Bill 1561 would expand offenses and penalties for the manufacture, sale, distribution, and other conduct involving controlled substances and counterfeit substances.
- House Bill 1562 would allow local governments to enact laws and ordinances relating to possession of controlled substances and counterfeit substances.
Washington State Annual Broadband Speed Test
Snohomish County recently declared March 29 to April 2, “Broadband Access Week.” They would like to raise the public’s awareness of broadband needs in the community. They are asking residents to take part in a “speed and access” survey. This will help them secure both public and private broadband infrastructure in the future. Click here to participate.
Make Your Voice Heard
Want to comment on a bill or perhaps one of the budgets mentioned in this update? Make your voice heard by signing up to testify:
Thank you for allowing me to serve you in Olympia. I welcome your input on the decisions being made by your citizen Legislature. Please do not hesitate to email, call, or send me a letter.
In your service,
Greg Gilday
