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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Would you agree with the statement that our communities and state are becoming more and more unaffordable?
Parts of our state are experiencing economic prosperity, while others continue to face challenges. We see these challenges in our district. Some of the economic prosperity that the Seattle and Puget Sound region experience stops at the mountain passes and isn’t experienced the same way on our east side of the mountains.
Under one-party control in Olympia, owning and renting a home – and raising a family – have become more expensive than ever. Onerous regulations and poor planning have caused a housing shortage. Inflexible state mandates have also driven up the costs of living, including childcare, and running a small business. Combined with an ever-growing tax burden, life has become increasingly unaffordable.
Working to create change: Unaffordable to affordable
Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their version of the American dream. The governor and Legislature should not get in the way of you pursuing these dreams. Instead of supporting expensive policies, onerous regulations, and new tax increases that drive up the cost of living, we must work together to make life more affordable for everyone.
Unfortunately, earlier this week, the Democrats passed off the House floor, by a 52-44 vote, a proposal to create a low-carbon fuel standard mandate. There is no doubt this is a regressive tax that will put more financial burdens on those who can least afford it.
According to the Puget Sound Regional Transportation Fuels Analysis Final Report, this bill would:
- Raise the cost of gas by up to 57 cents per gallon by 2030.
- Raise the cost of diesel by up to 63 cents per gallon by 2030.
- Result in job losses and impacts to many businesses, including our agricultural, wine, and farming industries.
We also believe this type of program would:
- Be an expensive and unaccountable state bureaucracy.
- Do very little to benefit our environment and air quality.
- Not generate any new revenue for transportation infrastructure projects.
- Increase the cost of construction and add to the cost of housing.
House Republicans stood together and fought a hard debate. Click here to watch a short video collection of our speeches as we stood up to fight to keep your way of life affordable.
We were fortunate this week to have Robb Francis from 610AM KONA Radio in Olympia to provide live coverage of this bad policy and debate. If you missed my remarks on his live show, please click the photo below to hear the full interview.
The low-carbon fuel standard bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s fate and chances of moving forward are unknown. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I’d like to hear what you think about this policy and how it would affect your way of life or how you operate your business. Please contact my office with your thoughts, concerns, and questions.
For more information and resources on the low-carbon fuel standard mandate, please click here.
Honoring Jerry Cummins
It was an honor to present Jerry Cummins an official Washington State House of Representatives resolution during one of our caucus sessions this week. He was recognized for his dedication to our district as an education leader, a passionate civic voice, a great countryman for his service to our great nation, his love for hot air balloons, and most of all his family.
It’s an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Bill Jenkin
