Author Archives: Erik Smith

Democratic majority rejects House Republican efforts to cut taxes for Washington families

Topics in this update include:

  • A word on last week’s town hall meeting in Shelton
  • Legislature working to fund coronavirus response efforts
  • Democratic majority rejects House Republican tax cut proposals

As always, I welcome you to contact me any time with your comments, questions or concerns. My email address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, and my phone number is (360) 786-7902.

A word on last week’s town hall meeting in Shelton

Before I get to policy updates, I first wanted to extend my thanks to everyone who attended the town hall meeting Rep. Griffey and I held at Oakland Bay Junior High School in Shelton last week. Being able to hear directly from 35th District residents, whether at sit-down meetings here at the Capitol or during meetings and town halls in district, helps me do my job more effectively. I strongly believe government is better when citizens get involved and make their voices heard, so thank you again to everyone who came out!

Legislature working to fund coronavirus response efforts

My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus. Yesterday, the House passed a bill (HB 2965) to allocate $100 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for response efforts. This is a serious virus, and we must do everything we can to stop its spread.

I believe this is an appropriate use of Rainy Day Fund dollars, as does every member of the House, which is why the bill passed 96-0. We are united in working to keep Washington residents safe and healthy. I talked about that this morning during my weekly session interview on IFiberOneNewsRadio.

I also touched on my education reform bill, HB 2040, which seeks to provide financial relief to non-high school districts in the 35th and around the state. You can learn more about the bill here. It was approved 98-0 in the House and 49-0 in the Senate, and now heads to the governor’s desk.

Democratic majority rejects House Republican tax cut proposals

Last month, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released the latest revenue forecast for the state. While many of us expected revenues to increase, we didn’t expect a massive surge of $1.1 billion in new revenue that would result in a $2.4 billion budget surplus. Upon learning about this new surplus, House Republicans immediately began thinking of ways to provide tax relief for Washington families. All 40 of us signed on to a bill (HB 2946) sponsored by Rep. Drew Stokesbary to provide $1 billion in tax relief. For their part, House Democrats began drafting a budget focused on spending almost all of our $2.4 billion surplus.

When the majority party brought their budget to the House floor for a vote this past Friday, we offered two alternative budgets that would have implemented the governor’s supplemental budget proposal in exchange for tax relief. One budget, proposed by Rep. Stokesbary, focused on delivering voter-approved $30 car tabs and sales tax relief on grocery items and personal necessities. The other budget, proposed by Rep. Jim Walsh, focused on providing meaningful property tax relief. House Democrats rejected both, opting to instead approve their own budget. Watch:

When the majority’s budget is signed into law by the governor later this session, the Legislature will have increased spending nearly 75% since 2013. That’s irresponsible, unsustainable, and extremely short-sighted.

As I said in my floor speech, a recession is coming. It may not hit this year or next year, but we know good economic times don’t last forever. Instead of spending almost all of our $2.4 billion surplus, we should’ve provided some tax relief for Washington families and saved the rest.

Contacting me

Please continue contacting me with your comments, questions and concerns. My email address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, and my phone number is (360) 786-7902.

It is an honor to serve you.

Town hall meeting tomorrow night; House Republicans propose $1 billion in tax relief

Tomorrow evening from 6:30-8 p.m., Rep. Dan Griffey and I will be holding a town hall meeting at Oakland Bay Junior High School in Shelton (3301 N. Shelton Springs Rd). During the meeting, which will be held in the commons area, we’ll provide a short update on the session and then take your questions.

One of the topics we’ll be discussing is our state’s $2.4 billion budget surplus. While the majority party is looking to spend every dime of this surplus, Rep. Griffey and I have joined with our House Republican colleagues in sponsoring a bill that would provide $1 billion in tax relief for you and your family. House Bill 2946 would:

  • Implement $30 car tabs and redirect 1/3 of vehicle sales tax to transportation accounts ($726M)
  • Exempt all food sold at grocery stores from sales tax ($149M)
  • Exempt diapers, feminine hygiene products and breast pumps from sales tax ($68M)

Along with this proposal, House Republicans have introduced bills to reduce the state property tax and reaffirm the prohibition of local income taxes. I also introduced a number of tax reform bills last session:

House Bill 1677 would exempt a business’s first $1 million in gross sales from the state’s B&O tax to give them the flexibility—and time—to grow.

House Bill 1420 would lower the manufacturing B&O tax rate for all manufacturers by 40 percent to incentivize them to stay here in Washington, hire more people, and expand their operations.

House Bill 1090 would offer stability and predictability for homeowners ages 65 years and older by capping the property tax rate on the first $250,000 of their homes’ value.

House Bill 1559 would create a three-day sales tax holiday for purchasing back-to-school clothing and supplies.

A variety of other tax relief proposals have been introduced as well. The bottom line is House Republicans want to put more money in your pocket, while the majority party wants to continue their tax-and-spend agenda. Instead of constantly asking you for more, I believe we should deliver the $30 car tabs voters approved and provide significant tax relief for you and your family. That’s what I’ll be advocating for during these last 16 days of session.

It is an honor to serve you. And I hope to see you at the town hall tomorrow!

35th District Reps. Drew MacEwen and Dan Griffey co-sponsor House Republican tax relief plan

With last week’s state revenue forecast revealing a $2.4 billion budget surplus, House Republican budget lead, Rep. Drew Stokesbary, introduced a bill that would provide $1 billion in tax relief for Washington’s working families. Thirty-fifth District Reps. Drew MacEwen (assistant budget lead) and Dan Griffey joined every member of the House Republican Caucus in signing on to the measure.

The lawmakers issued the following statement Monday:

“While House Republicans are looking to deliver $1 billion in tax relief for Washington families, it’s clear the majority party is only interested in raising taxes and growing the size of government. Washingtonians don’t want higher taxes. They want $30 car tabs and for us to be responsible with what they’ve given us. We can think of no better way to be responsible than to put money back in their pockets and let them choose how to spend it.”

House Bill 2946 would:

  • Uphold voters’ demand for $30 car tabs, while ensuring stable funding for roads and transit.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on prepared food items sold at grocery stores.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on personal necessities like feminine hygiene products, breast pumps, and diapers.

In a news release last week, Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said the following:

“House Republicans are intent on delivering $30 car tabs this session. Unfortunately, the majority party has not shown any willingness to uphold the clear will of the voters. House Bill 2946 provides a path forward to implement $30 car tabs without compromising transportation projects, while also offering meaningful sales tax relief on food and many personal necessities. I’m proud to be united with my House Republican colleagues in working to make life more affordable for all Washingtonians.”

Along with Stokesbary’s bill, House Republicans have also introduced bills to reduce the state property tax, provide a back-to-school sales tax holiday, and reaffirm the prohibition of the imposition of a local income tax.

The 2020 session is scheduled to adjourn March 12.

House unanimously approves education reform bill sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen

With a 98-0 vote Tuesday, the Washington State House reaffirmed its support for House Bill 2040, an education reform measure sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union. The House approved the bill 97-0 last year.

House Bill 2040 seeks to provide financial relief to non-high school districts by changing the calculation of how much they’re required to reimburse neighboring high school districts for educating their students.

In order to reimburse high school districts for educating transferred students, non-high school districts can raise funds locally through enrichment levies. However, since the law requires them to pay the per-pupil levy rate of the high school district, they may find themselves in a situation where they’re not able to collect enough revenue to make the full payment. As a result, non-high school districts could be forced to tap into other resources.

MacEwen’s bill would change the law to stipulate that non-high school districts are only required to pay whichever per-pupil levy rate is lower between the two districts.

“This bill would help balance out some of the inequity that exists between the two divisions of school districts in Washington state,” said MacEwen. “Providing this financial relief for our non-high school districts would result in more funds staying in the district for local educational needs. That would be a big win for students and families across the state, especially in our more rural areas.”

House Bill 2040 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

35th District Reps. Drew MacEwen and Dan Griffey to hold town hall meeting in Shelton

Thirty-fifth District Reps. Drew MacEwen and Dan Griffey will be holding a town hall meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Oakland Bay Junior High School in Shelton. During the town hall, which will run from 6:30-8 p.m., the lawmakers will provide an update on the 2020 legislative session and then invite constituents to voice their concerns, share ideas for legislation, and ask questions.

Details of the town hall are as follows:

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Venue: Oakland Bay Junior High School
Address: 3301 N. Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton, WA 98584

Residents with questions are invited to contact Rep. MacEwen’s office at (360) 786-7902 or via email at drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov. To contact Rep. Griffey’s office, please call (360) 786-7966 or email him at dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov.

MacEwen sponsors Bremerton student as page in state House

Imara Bhanji, a 15-year-old student at Washington Virtual Academy, recently traveled to Olympia to serve as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives. She was sponsored by 35th District Rep. Drew MacEwen.

Imara has a passion for programming, and has learned a variety of programming languages. Her other interests include golf, piano and watercolor painting. During her week at the Capitol, Imara attended page school every day to learn about the three branches of state government, the lawmaking process, and the importance of civil discourse. She also carried out a number of duties critical to the efficient operation of the Legislature.

“The House Page Program is a fantastic way for students to get involved in their state government, and for us as lawmakers to meet the young leaders of tomorrow,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to sponsor Imara as a page here in the state House. She’s bright and hard-working, and I’m certain she’s going to do great things wherever her path in life leads. Thank you for your service to the Legislature, Imara!”

To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program. For more information about the House Page Program, click here.

Rep. MacEwen joins KVI’s Kirby Wilbur to discuss the 2020 legislative session

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, joins KVI’s Kirby Wilbur to discuss a couple of bills passed by House Democrats this session that would hit Washington families and businesses hard. The 35th District lawmaker also provides an update on the status of legislation regarding $30 car tabs, comprehensive K-12 sex education, and gun rights.