Tag Archives: News Releases

Rep. Drew MacEwen to host Belfair town hall event Feb. 22

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, invites 35th District residents to attend an upcoming town hall meeting in Belfair on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Citizens who attend will receive a brief update on the 2014 legislative session, then ask MacEwen questions and share comments or concerns about legislation, state government and issues affecting the 35th District.

The meeting time and location is as follows:

Belfair
2 – 3 p.m.
Theler Community Center, Evergreen Room
22871 N.E. State Route 3

Residents unable to attend the in-person town hall meeting can e-mail MacEwen with ideas, solutions and concerns at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7902.

Shelton High School teacher to be honored for civics education work

Joshua Parker, a Social Studies teacher at Shelton High School since 2008, was nominated for the Legislature’s Civic Educator of the Year Award by 35th District state Rep. Drew MacEwen. Parker will be honored for his nomination at the state Capitol in Olympia on Feb. 17.

The Civic Educator of the Year Award is sponsored by the Washington State Legislature to honor one outstanding civic educator in the state.

“Joshua has routinely brought his Advanced Placement students to the Capitol as an opportunity to engage them in the legislative process and interact with elected officials,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “Ensuring students understand the legislative process and how government impacts their lives is one of the most important things teachers like Joshua can do.”

In 2013, Josh was nominated for the Promising Young Educator of the Year Award in the Shelton School District. He serves as the moderator of the Climber Crew, a group of seniors that help sophomores transition into the high school setting. Additionally, Josh is the acting union representative for his building.

“I have had the opportunity to spend time with Joshua and his students throughout the past year, and have been greatly impressed by his abilities,” MacEwen said. “It is clear from talking with his students that he is enthusiastic about education and passionate about showing how they can give back to their communities. As a father of two boys, teachers like Joshua are great reminders that we have some of the best and brightest teaching in our classrooms.”

Parker has a Master’s Degree in Education from The Evergreen State College and is currently working on his National Board Certification.

Rep. Drew MacEwen to host 35th District telephone town hall Feb. 5

State Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, invites constituents in the 35th Legislative District to join him for an hour-long telephone town hall on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss state legislative issues.

To take part in the call, residents can dial in toll-free 1-800-761-5294. The phone line will open shortly before the call begins. To ask questions of MacEwen during the call, participants can press star (*) on their telephone keypads.

MacEwen will give a brief update on issues being discussed during the legislative session, then open the call up to questions.

“As busy as the session can be, particularly a short session like this year, many residents aren’t able to get to Olympia to share their thoughts with me,” MacEwen said. “My hope is this call makes it easy and convenient for residents in the Thirty-fifth District to participate in their government. I strongly believe that government is always better when citizens have a clear voice in what is being debated.”

Some of the major topics being discussed include:

  • Transportation tax package;
  • Low Carbon Fuel Standards for Washington state;
  • Education funding and teacher COLAs; and
  • Job creation and retention policies, such as business and occupation tax reform.

“We have a lot of weighty policy issues being discussed right now that could have major impacts on our economy – both positive and negative,” MacEwen said. “To represent the people in the district to the best of my ability, I need to hear from as many folks as possible. This call is a great way to get a lot of feedback from all parts of the district.”

Residents who are unable to participate in the call can send comments and questions to MacEwen at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, or call his legislative office at (360) 786-7902.

The 60-day 2014 legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn March 13.

Job creation, stable taxation is goal of MacEwen legislation

The debate on job creation and retention was finally taken to the next level in November 2013 when the Legislature convened to pass measures that create tax and regulatory certainty for the aerospace industry. Building on the concepts brought forward to encourage job creation, Rep. Drew MacEwen introduced House Bill 2264 that would refine our state’s business and occupation tax (B&O) structure and help small businesses succeed.

“I was very pleased to see the door open to a greater discussion on a long-held belief by me and others that how we structure our tax system matters to our job creators and job seekers alike,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “We cannot continue to do business as usual and expect to turn our economy around in a way that gets everyone seeking work a shot at a good-paying job. Aligning our tax structure with our goals of job creation is absolutely critical for the workers of today and tomorrow.”

House Bill 2264 would offer businesses relief from the state’s B&O tax, which is the tax applied to businesses’ gross receipts. “Gross receipts” is defined as gross income, or total sales receipts before payroll and other business expenses. Different rates are applied at various rates based on business activity classifications, such as manufacturing, retail, or service sectors.

Instead of the current structure of B&O tax and credits for certain industries, MacEwen’s bill would give businesses a choice of three deductions from the B&O tax in each filing year:

  • Costs of goods sold;
  • 30 percent of gross revenue; or
  • Up to $300,000 in employee compensation.

Businesses could choose whichever deduction results in a greater benefit to their tax liability.

“My legislation mimics the efforts Texas has made to entice employers to locate and expand in the state,” MacEwen explained. “It’s not about pitting the environment against jobs or education against tax collections; it’s about creating an environment that allows for responsible and reliable job growth through enticing inward migration of businesses and small start-ups. By expanding employment, we grow revenues to the state that supports education, social services and the myriad of programs we all support.”

MacEwen, who is a small-business owner, added that the state would gain momentum on other states attempting to lure our employers away by modernizing the state business tax structure. It is estimated, he said, House Bill 2264 could create 2,200 jobs in the first year alone.

“If we want to know why Boeing looked to Chicago, South Carolina, Alabama and Utah, we need only look at the unpredictability of taxation and the onerous regulatory scheme that costs businesses billions each year,” MacEwen said. “As a state with one of the highest start-up business failures, legislation like mine could start to turn this trend around. I firmly believe we can fix our state’s economy by retooling how we tax businesses to compete seriously with other states and countries.”

House Bill 2264 has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

MacEwen appointed to 777X Legislative Task Force

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, this week was appointed to serve on the 777X Legislative Task Force aimed at addressing Boeing’s need to expand their operations in Washington state to keep up with growing demand for the high-tech, fuel-efficient Boeing 777X airliner. Currently, Boeing assembles approximately 8.3 777s per month, or 100 airplanes per year, at its factory in Everett. The company would like to bump production up to 10 to 12 777s per month, which would require expansion of the current facility.

“Washington is the home state for Boeing and the hundreds of aerospace companies that supply the company. Finding ways to help Boeing expand here, and not look elsewhere to create jobs and build the airliners of today and tomorrow, we must find ways to streamline regulations and permitting and ensure state government is a partner with industry to make our state prosperous,” said MacEwen, who is a small-business owner. “I’m excited to work with my legislative colleagues and the governor to find common-sense solutions to ensure Boeing’s current and future operations stay right where they belong – in Washington state.”

The initial meeting of the task force will take place Wednesday, October 2, following the Aerospace Futures Alliance’s Governor’s Aerospace Summit taking place 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room on the first floor of Comcast Arena in Everett.

At the first meeting, the group will discuss organization and operation of the task force, receive background on the 777X, and hear from the Washington Aerospace Partnership’s consultant team that has been conducting an analysis of the state’s competitiveness and its high level recommendations. Stakeholders in the outcome of the 777X siting decision have been invited to attend the first task force meeting, which will include representatives from the Washington Aerospace Partnership, Aerospace Futures Alliance, International Association of Machinists (IAM) 751 and Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA).

“As a small-business owner, I understand that turning over every stone to ensure the success of your business is paramount,” MacEwen said. “I applaud the governor for taking the first step of speeding up the permitting process for Boeing to expand into new space to assemble enough planes to meet demand. I’m sure aerospace workers were encouraged by this as well. But we can do more, and must do more, to firmly plant this home-grown company here for the long haul.”

MacEwen added that he is excited to hear some new ideas to make Washington state more competitive to both retain and grow good jobs. The questions the Legislature must ask, he said, are where will Boeing fabricate the composite wing and where will the company assemble the 777X? Until now, Boeing officials have announced they are considering Everett for the expansion, but that the company is also exploring options in other states.

“The Legislature knows that confronting the high cost of workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance as well as addressing the long delays in project permitting are keys to keeping employers in the state. I believe we can come to a middle ground on these and many other recommendations from consultants studying competitiveness at the state level. I look forward to supporting legislation that comes out of this task force to encourage the creation of jobs that will come with some reforms to how the state does business,” MacEwen said.

MacEwen chosen for prestigious training institute

Rep. Drew MacEwen was chosen to participate in the Council of State Governments – West (CSG-West), which is a prestigious training institute for lawmakers in their first four years of service. The council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving 13 Western states and the many legislators from both political parties. MacEwen is one of 39 state legislators, from among the 114 applicants, chosen to participate in the group’s Western Legislative Academy.

The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators. Admission to the Western Legislative Academy is very competitive and is based on commitment to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and interest in improving the legislative process.

“I am excited to participate in the Council of State Government’s training institute,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “It is always a privilege to serve the people of the Thirty-fifth District, and to learn to be even more effective is a great opportunity. I look forward to being a member of Western Legislative Academy’s graduating class of 2013.”

MacEwen was elected as state representative for the 35th District position two in 2012; next year will be his second legislative session. During his freshman year, MacEwen was appointed Assistant Ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee and House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the House Business and Financial Services, Early Learning and Human Services committees and the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs. Recently, MacEwen was elected Assistant Republican Whip for the House Republican Caucus.

The CSG-West is the Western region of the national Council of State Governments, which is based in Lexington, Kentucky. Regional CSG offices are located in Sacramento, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.

MacEwen chosen for Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, was appointed to the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs earlier this week. MacEwen  received word of his new appointment from House Speaker Frank Chopp. MacEwen was chosen, in part, because of his six years of service in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force and graduation from the elite U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.

“I am honored to have been appointed and I look forward to working on behalf of our service men and women,” said MacEwen. ” As a veteran myself, I hope to bring first-hand perspective to a committee that makes critical recommendations that impact our military.”

The 16-member Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs was created in 2001 and studies issues regarding veterans, active military forces and the National Guard. Members are tasked with making recommendations to the Legislature. The committee also studies the structure and administration of the Washington State Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the military department.

MacEwen district office grand opening event

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, recently opened a district office in downtown Shelton. The office has officially joined the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce and there will be a ribbon cutting to commemorate the grand opening on August 8.clip_image002

The office is located at: 327 W. Railroad Avenue, Shelton, Wash. 98584. The public is invited, and encouraged, to attend. Refreshments will be provided, there will be a brief legislative address and participants will have an opportunity to speak with MacEwen.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Mason County residents to make our communities stronger. Not all legislators take the time and effort to invest in a district office,” MacEwen said. “However, I believe that the best ideas do not come from politicians and lobbyists in Olympia – they come from our citizens. I hope my local office will give residents more chances to be a part of the law-making process.”

MacEwen’s efforts result in long-awaited investments in the 35th District

Saturday, June 29, marked the end of the 2013 Legislative Session. While it wasn’t historically the longest session on record, the six month slog was very close.

The weeks were even longer for some legislators like Rep. Drew MacEwen. MacEwen, the assistant ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, spent many hours in Olympia after most other legislators had called it a day. However, the freshmen legislator has no complaints.

“It was worth staying in Olympia until the sun came up in order to reach this capital budget agreement. The 35th District has finally received an overdue investment that was overlooked in previous years,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “I am pleased to have been a part of negotiating this capital budget. It makes tremendous investments in our state such as the Yakima Water Basin, continued clean up of Puget Sound, and key investments in the 35th District.”

Key projects that will benefit the 35th District include:

  • City of Shelton wastewater treatment plant: $1.5 million
  • Mason County Transit and Community Center: $800,000
  • Safe Harbor, an enterprise to strengthen youth and families: $100,000
  • Belfair Senior Center: $500,000
  • Skokomish River floodplain restoration and management: $1.38 million
  • Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound: $800,000
  • Deschutes River hatcheries: $7.3 million

“Other beneficial parts of the capital budget will directly help residential and commercial development in Shelton,” said MacEwen.”I fought for critical investment dollars for our area to increase the quality of life for the people back home. I am proud of the results.”

The capital budget is scheduled to be signed into law by Gov. Inslee today, July 1, at 1:30 p.m.