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Dear Friends,
The Freedom Agenda is alive and well, thanks to your support in our efforts to advance the cause of freedom in Washington and across our great nation. Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law the following Freedom Agenda bills that I authored and shepherded through the Legislature:
- Restricting taxpayer-funded lobbyists – House Bill 1093 – would impose a personal penalty of $100 per statement on a state agency director who knowingly fails to file
lobbyist disclosure statements. It would also establish penalties against any state agency official, officer, or employee who is responsible for or knowingly spends public funds in violation of lobbyist restrictions. - Conversion kits on motorcycles – House Bill 1334 – would allow disabled veterans and other riders requiring additional stability the opportunity to place stabilizing conversion kits on motorcycles, giving them the freedom to enjoy motorcycle riding. The kits have been in production for at least 15 years.
Click here to read my press release on the bill signing.
Our fight against higher taxes continues. House Democrats insist taxes must be raised by $879 million on mostly small employers and family-owned businesses before they will approve an operating budget. House Republicans and the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus have provided responsible budget plans that would fund priorities of government, including the education funding expectations of the state Supreme Court's McCleary decision, without raising taxes. It is this chasm that resulted in the regular session closing on April 28 without agreement on an operating budget. Gov. Jay Inslee has called a special session to begin Monday, May 13. As of today, budget negotiators have not come anywhere close to reaching an agreement and lawmakers have been told to stay home next week as the special session goes into what is known as a “rolling recess.” What that means is that budget negotiators will remain in Olympia while the rest of us remain on call, waiting to be called back to the state Capitol at the moment an agreement is reached.
Some things are worth fighting for. And that includes standing firm against a push for tax increases that are unneeded, unnecessary and would create undue hardship among employers and families across our state.
Please contact my office if you have questions, comments, or suggestions. I have closed my Olympia office and re-opened the Spokane district office. My phone number, e-mail address and other contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Matt Shea