Tag Archives: News Releases

House committee approves MacEwen bills aimed at providing flexibility for liquor licensees

Two bills sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen aimed at providing flexibility for liquor licensees have been approved by the House Commerce and Gaming Committee.

House Bill 1011 would extend the expiration date of certain liquor licenses. Renewal fees for these licenses, which can range into the thousands of dollars, would not be due until May 31, 2022.

House Bill 1480 would extend through July 1, 2023 a number of curbside, takeout and delivery privileges granted to liquor licensees as a way to mitigate the impact of Gov. Jay Inslee’s shutdown orders.

MacEwen, R-Union, who serves as the ranking Republican on the House Commerce and Gaming Committee, says both bills would help struggling businesses stay afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

“The governor’s shutdown orders have created tremendous financial hardship for thousands of leisure and hospitality businesses across our state. Many of these businesses cannot afford to hang on much longer, which is why it’s so important we pass these two bills,” said MacEwen. “Delaying the collection of liquor license renewal fees and extending curbside, takeout and delivery privileges would provide much-needed support and flexibility for licensees struggling with cash flow. I urge the House to move quickly so we can get these bills to the governor’s desk and help our businesses keep their doors open.”

House Bills 1011 and 1480 have been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

MacEwen sponsors companion bill to move entire state to Phase 2 of governor’s lockdown plan

Rep. Drew MacEwen has introduced House Bill 1321, the companion to Senate Bill 5114, which would immediately move the entire state to Phase 2 of the governor’s “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan. Both versions of the bill have bipartisan support.

Currently, every region in Washington is under Phase 1 restrictions. Fitness centers and indoor entertainment venues are operating at extremely limited capacity, and restaurants are prohibited from offering indoor dining to patrons.

Under Phase 2, fitness centers, indoor entertainment venues and restaurants could return to 25% indoor capacity if following the proper protocols to protect Washingtonians and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“This bill is about giving our small business owners a fighting chance,” said MacEwen, R-Union, who serves as assistant House Republican budget lead. “They have done everything that has been asked of them, and somehow still find themselves in Phase 1 ten months later. That’s unacceptable. Many of these businesses are barely hanging on and will not make it under the governor’s plan. We need to send this bill to his desk and he needs to sign it into law.”

Earlier Wednesday, dozens of individuals testified before the Senate State Government and Elections Committee in support of Senate Bill 5114. In total, more than 1,000 Washingtonians signed in to support the bill.

MacEwen bill to provide financial relief for Washington’s non-high school districts signed into law

Governor Jay Inslee has signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen that will provide financial relief for non-high school districts in Washington state.

House Bill 2040 will change the calculation of how much non-high school districts are 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 current 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 will change the law so non-high school districts are only required to pay whichever per-pupil levy rate is lower between the two districts.

“This is a good bill that’s going to help balance out some of the inequity that exists between the two divisions of school districts in our state,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “As a result of HB 2040 becoming law, more funds are going to remain in our non-high school districts for local educational needs. That’s important for thousands of students and families across the state, especially in our more rural areas. I’m grateful for the unanimous approval this bill received in both the House and Senate, and want to thank the governor for signing it into law.”

House Bill 2040 will go into effect on June 10, 2020.

35th District Rep. Drew MacEwen to host telephone town hall Monday, April 13

Rep. Drew MacEwen invites 35th District residents to join him for a telephone town hall Monday, April 13, from 4-5 p.m. During the call, MacEwen will take questions from constituents and ask a number of survey questions.

“Tens of thousands of people in our district have had their lives turned upside down due to the coronavirus outbreak. I wanted to host this call to bring our community together and provide relevant information, resources, and guidance that I hope will be helpful,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “While this is a difficult time for everyone, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt we’re going to overcome this situation. I’m looking forward to talking with folks on the 13th.”

To participate in the telephone town hall, 35th District residents are invited to call (360) 226-6940 from 4-5 p.m. on Monday, April 13.

For more information, residents may contact MacEwen at (360) 786-7902 or Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

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.

House approves MacEwen bill to provide greater access to career and technical education

For the second time in as many years, the Washington State House of Representatives has approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen to provide greater access to career and technical education (CTE).

Under House Bill 1304, approved with a 95-1 vote Wednesday, the Vocational Alternative Learning Experience Pilot Program would be established. MacEwen, R-Union, believes the program would showcase the value of providing state funding for the expansion of CTE instruction in alternative learning experience (ALE) schools. Under current law, ALE schools are ineligible to receive enhanced funding for CTE.

“Career and technical education is vital to Washington state and our future economic prospects in an ever-evolving world,” said MacEwen. “Students who choose to pursue a non-traditional educational path deserve the state’s full backing. If House Bill 1304 becomes law, I’m confident the pilot program will yield the relevant information we need to secure CTE funding enhancements for ALE schools for years to come.”

As many as 10 school districts would be chosen by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to participate in the pilot program, including two with multidistrict online school programs. Each district would participate for four complete school years, starting in the 2020-21 school year.

By Jan. 1, 2026, OSPI would be required to submit a report on the following:

The number of students participating in the pilot program that received the vocational program funding enhancement;
The impact of the program to career and technical education programming;
The fiscal impact of the program;
Recommendations for statewide implementation; and
Any other information deemed relevant by the OSPI.

The 2020 legislative session began Monday, Jan. 13.

Washington House Republicans roll out plan to implement $30 car tabs, establish new funding source for transportation – without raising taxes

Barkis: “We have put solutions on the table that would respect the will of the voters and meet future transportation needs.”

Washington House Republicans have unveiled a plan that would implement $30 car tabs, establish a new funding source for transportation and cut bureaucracy at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The plan would not rely on any new tax increases.

Nearly 53% of voters statewide supported I-976 in the November election. However, lawsuits have been filed to overturn the initiative.

“Washingtonians have spoken on car tabs and it’s the job of the Legislature and governor to respond,” said Rep. Andrew Barkis, ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee. “We need to put policy over politics. This means implementing 30-dollar car tabs, establishing a permanent account for preservation and maintenance, and setting priorities at WSDOT. We have put solutions on the table that would respect the will of the voters and meet future transportation needs.”

House Bill 2227 would limit state and local taxes, fees and other charges relating to vehicles, and establish $30 car tabs. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Jesse Young, assistant ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee.

“Regardless of what some elected officials might think, we are not chosen to be kings. We are elected as public servants. It’s our job to listen and then work hard to find solutions,” said Young, R-Gig Harbor. “The voters have clearly spoken on this issue, and the Legislature should honor the will of the people.”

Washington House Republicans acknowledge that the implementation of I-976 would create a transportation revenue shortfall. The Office of Financial Management’s fiscal impact statement for the initiative says it will reduce revenue by $478 million.

“Our state needs a stable, permanent transportation funding source,” said Rep. Drew MacEwen, assistant ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee.

House Bill 2323, sponsored by MacEwen, would phase in a shift of state sales tax on motor vehicles to pay for cash-based preservation and maintenance projects in increments of 10% for 10 years. This approach would generate an estimated $117.5 million in revenue for transportation in 2021.

“Vehicle sales-tax revenue has a direct nexus to transportation and would not be a new tax burden on Washingtonians,” added MacEwen, R-Union. “If we implement this reform over time, our operating budget could absorb the change and we would address the preservation and maintenance needs of our transportation system for years to come.”

House Bill 2285, sponsored by Rep. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, would also make preservation and maintenance a priority for transportation goals by taking care of the existing system rather than funding new services.

Washington House Republicans also believe more should be expected from Gov. Inslee and his WSDOT in adjusting to I-976 fiscal realities. They believe the agency should be able to cut bureaucracy – not projects – to maximize existing tax dollars. Implementing 10% targeted reductions in transportation spending – without impacting preservation, maintenance and special needs – could result in $269.7 million in savings.

Rep. Jim Walsh, ranking Republican on the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, says it is time for Gov. Inslee to be a part of the solution – not the problem. Last year, following the 2019 legislative session, Inslee unilaterally increased transportation spending for fish-barrier removal by $100 million.

“Governor Inslee should join us in developing state transportation solutions that are truly progressive – that is, innovative and forward-looking. The old, stale tactic of threatening good projects with the chopping block isn’t necessary,” said Walsh, R-Aberdeen. “We can – and must – do better. We’ve got the plan. We just need our colleagues, including the governor, to put the people’s voice ahead of partisan agendas.”

House Bill 2194, sponsored by Walsh, would restrict executive discretion in adjusting transportation budgets.

The 2020 legislative session began on Jan. 13 and will run 60 consecutive days.