Washblog || Prefiled Bills: More power to local communities and a Rainy Day Fund (blackmail the majority)

Prefiled Bills: More power to local communities and a Rainy Day Fund (blackmail the majority)

By emmettoconnell
Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 06:52:45 AM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Legislation

On the prefiled bill list for this week (a cool tool I didn't realize existed until last week) a Democrat has introduced an idea to let local communities tax themselves at higher rates for their schools. A Republican has tipped the hand of the minority on how they're going to try to end around the Democratic majority.

I can see the Republican caucus meeting now: unnamed Senator addresses the depressed crowd: "I have three words for your fellas," now gesturing with each word, "Rainy. Day. Fund."

Senator Brian Weinstein has tossed into the hopper a bill that would allow local school districts to increase the size of their levy requests. I didn't realize there was an upper limit (though it makes sense to me now). On the other hand, if local communities decide they want to tax themselves at a higher rate, more power to them.

Senaor Joe Zarelli, the former opponent of U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, who cheated the state's unemployment system and who criticized Baird's behavior during 9/11 also has a couple of interesting bills in the hopper. Both bills (here and here) are aimed at creating a "rainy day fund" which sounds more like a way to guilt the Democratic majority into not spending any money.

One of the bills would create a constitutional amendment for a rainy day fund, so when the state had any money left over, they'd have to put in into the kitty rather than spending it on pressing needs. The second is a joint resolution that if the first passed, would require the secretary of state to put it on the ballot.

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Prefiled Bills: More power to local communities and a Rainy Day Fund (blackmail the majority) | 3 comments (3 topical)

Excellent

reporting! Yes, that is a cool tool.

Thanks for the legislative update.

by DWE on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 08:13:09 AM PST

* 1 none 0 *

SB 5008

I notice that Sen. Kohl-Welles is a co-sponsor of the "Weinstein" levy bill. I'm told that for several sessions she has introduced a bill that would institute an income tax for education. I don't agree with the senator about the WASL, but I believe she genuinely cares about education funding and backs it up with policy and action.

by DWE on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 08:19:14 AM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Rainy day fund

I think you will see the Gov and both Democratic majorities lead on the creation of a substantial rainy day fund.

Also, when looking at pre-filed bills from the minority it is important to understand that much of what gets filed is more about gamesmanship than good government. This is to say that it is easy to file a feel good bill when you know it will never get a hearing and when reading and gleening from the majority what is comming forward, it is easy to file a bill intended only as a basis for talking points.

So look for bills that have co-sponsors, including Democrats and better yet chairs, vice chairs and leadership in order to narrow down the field to those that have legs.

by Particle Man on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 10:03:13 AM PST

* 3 none 0 *

Prefiled Bills: More power to local communities and a Rainy Day Fund (blackmail the majority) | 3 comments (3 topical)

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