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Event: Recent law changes on policing - Community Townhall 08/06/21

Written by Douglas County Republicans on .

East Wenatchee Police and Douglas County Sheriff's Department will be addressing the public tomorrow (Thurs) at 6pm to 7:30pm at the Eastmont Community Park about recent Policing Reform laws and how it will impart policing in our community.

LinkClick Here

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Rep. Keith Goehner issues statement on operating budget

Written by Douglas County Republicans on .

On Sunday, the Legislature adjourned the 2021 legislative session by passing an operating budget that spends a record $58.9 billion over the previous biennium, an increase of $7 billion or 13.6%.

The spending plan passed on a party-line vote in the House of Representatives, 57-40. Rep. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, issued the following statement:

"There are some very important priorities funded in the operating budget such as the Working Families Tax Credit, long-term forest health management, the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, and public health.

"However, this was not a budget I could support. The minority party was left out of the budget negotiations, and we, along with the public, did not see the final 1,100-page budget document until Day 104 of the 105-day session. Our state government needs to be more transparent and accountable.

"This budget also continues a concerning pattern of increased spending. I fear as we come out of the pandemic with the unknowns surrounding our economy, this spending plan is unsustainable. Spending has increased 74% since 2013.

"There was enough taxpayer revenue this session to fund priority issues without cutting vital services. Unfortunately, this budget not only increases spending more than 13%, but it includes a capital gains income tax that is unnecessary and likely unconstitutional. It also drains the rainy day fund.

"With a more bipartisan approach, we could have come up with a fiscally-responsible, long-term budget plan that would benefit working families and our communities during a time of economic uncertainty."

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Washington State House Republicans
houserepublicans.wa.gov

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A legislative update from Rep. Mike Steele - Feb 2021

Written by Douglas County Republicans on .

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We reconvened for the 2021 legislative session nearly a month ago amid a set of entirely new challenges. The unique circumstances created by the ongoing effects of the pandemic have cast a shadow over most of our work. But if there is a silver lining to a completely virtual session, it would be the opportunity for people all over the state to testify remotely on bills being considered by the Legislature.

Remote testimony continues to be one of the most positive aspects of our new online work environment. Although the “pilot” program began in 2020, remote testimony has taken center-stage amid the pandemic. What many don't know is testifying via easy-to-access online tools was the brainchild of Republicans, many from eastern Washington, who pushed to get this option for their constituents.

In previous years, Washingtonians found it difficult and sometimes downright impossible to testify on a bill. For eastern Washington residents, it often takes more than a day to travel to Olympia and back. Because session begins in January, drivers can find themselves “cut off at the pass” when winter weather prevents them from coming.

That's why Republicans sought a solution. Remote testimony just made sense. Now it's become a bright spot in what has been a difficult transition to vetting legislation remotely. In the years to come, I hope it becomes a mainstay in the legislative process.

Want to learn more about how you can testify remotely? Click here. Additionally, my website contains a list of several other resources for navigating the 2021 virtual session. Click here to learn more.

Budgets and taxes

Good public policy in the aftermath of the virus means carefully examining statewide needs and prioritizing “wants” below policies that bolster recovery. Private development, new jobs, and business growth all need to be encouraged. That means—dare I say it—tough choices when it comes to budgeting.

Although the pandemic-driven recession initially caused a steep decline in tax revenue, the forecast has steadily improved. Our economy is in the slow process of recovery. Even with the economic impacts of COVID, state tax collections continue to increase year-over-year. In fact, state revenue has increased every biennium since 2011-13.

That means, while there are still hard decisions ahead, budget writers and legislative decision-makers have more than adequate numbers at their disposal for the next budget cycle, without making significant spending cuts to services or raising taxes. And, frankly, if there was ever a time not to increase taxes, it would be amid a global pandemic. People need relief, not more taxes.

Unfortunately, that's not the direction the governor's budget proposals seem to go. His 2021-23 operating budget includes more than $4 billion in new spending, with virtually no cost-saving measures. If enacted, it would represent a more than $13 billion increase in state spending since the 2017-19 biennium. And, even more concerning, in the governor's proposed 2021-23 capital budget—which funds local infrastructure projects across the state—the spending is so out of control he wants to borrow more than $1.25 billion from future bienniums.

As most of you know, I serve on the House Appropriations Committee, whose primary task is considering the operating budget, and I'm the lead Republican on the Capital Budget Committee. I can truthfully say, after listening to hours of testimony on both these budgets, I'm left wondering what the governor is looking to accomplish.

Although his plan includes some amount of COVID relief, raising taxes now on working individuals, families and businesses will negatively affect our state's fragile economic recovery. Despite high revenue numbers, many small businesses—including restaurants, retailers, and others in the hospitality sector—continue to struggle. According to the Employment Security Department, unemployment throughout the state continues to hover around six percent. Raising taxes now will hit people already severely impacted by the governor's continued restrictions doubly hard.

While taxes are one way of addressing budgeting priorities, there are several other solutions, including reducing spending, shifting costs, and making tough decisions on discretionary spending items. Tax increases are not the answer. We can and should do better.

Another attempt at a capital gains income tax 

Constitutionally dubious, Democrats have pushed for a state graduated capital gains income tax several times over the years. Senate Bill 5096 would impose a 9% income tax on capital gains as small as $25,000. Not only is a capital gains income tax prohibited by our state's constitution—and certain to be challenged legally—it's a wildly unpredictable way to collect revenue.

With all that said, even with its volatility, I might be willing to have a conversation about a capital gains tax if Democrats would roll back things like B&O taxes in exchange. But they won't. Instead, it would be yet another layer on top of our already hefty tax burdens.

Gas taxes

Gasoline is not a luxury item. It is a costly necessity. That's why lower- to moderate-income households are hurt the most when gas prices increase. This is especially true in eastern Washington. Unlike big urban areas like Seattle, we don't live in small, self-sufficient communities where our workplaces, families, and friends are nearby.

That's why it's particularly troubling to me that the House Democrats have introduced a massive $26 billion transportation package that includes an 18-cent increase in the gas tax over the next two years, plus a fee on carbon emissions. This increase could result in about $1 of taxes for every gallon of gas—giving Washington state the highest gas tax in the nation.

Here's the bottom line: raising transportation costs will cut deeply into household budgets, forcing many in lower-income brackets to forgo other necessities like rent, food, and health care. For thousands across the state struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, raising gas taxes will only drive them further into poverty.

Thank you!

Despite the frustrations of participating in a virtual session, I encourage you to stay engaged in the legislative process. If you need help or would like to share ideas or comments on public policy issues, contact me. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Mike Steele

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Douglas County 2018 Election Results

Written by Douglas County Republicans on .

First off, we want to thank all our volunteers for their hardwork that helped all our Republican candidates in keeping Republican values in Douglas County.  

November 6th, 2018 Election Results

Number of Precincts: 47
Number of Registered Voters: 21,969
Ballots Received: 15,199
Voter Turnout: 69.18%  (12.07% increased over 2014)

Federal Races:

    Susan Hutchison - 63.83% 

    Maria Cantwell - 36.17% *

Congressional Races:

District #4

    Dan Newhouse - 69.44% *

    Christine Brown - 30.56%

District #8

    Dino Rossi - 59.29%

    Kim Schrier - 40.71% *

Legislative Races:

District  #12 Position #1

    Keith Goehner - 61.05% *

    Ann Diamond - 38.95%

District  #12 Position #2

    Mike Steele - 69.24% *

    Valerie Sarratt - 30.76%

County Races:

County Commissioner #3

    Marc Straub - 64.80% *

    Norman Tupling - 35.20%

Sheriff

    Kevin Morris - 65.81% *

    Leeon Leyde - 34.19%

County Assessor

    Jim Ruud - unopposed

County Auditor

    Thad Duvall - unopposed

County Clerk

    Tristen Worthen - unopposed

Prosecuting Attorney

    Gordon Edgar - unopposed

Treasurer 

    Natalie Marx - unopposed

District Court Judge

    Eric Biggar - 69.84% *

    Robert Hunter - 30.16%

Judicial Races:

Supreme Court Position #2

    Susan Owens - unopposed

Supreme Court Position #8

    Nathan Choi - 41.19%

    Steve Gonzalez - 58.81% *

Supreme Court Position #9

    Sheryl McCloud - unopposed

____________________________

* -- election winner

 

 

 

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2018 WA Ballot Initiative Voter Guide

Written by Lauren J. Miehe on .

Here is our official voters guide for upcoming 2018 ballot initiatives for Washington State.   The goal of this guide is to help Douglas County Republicans make the right choice in the November elections.  In this election cycle we have ballot initiatives that could potentially have wide-sweeping affects on Washington state residents.  Issues at hand are gun rights, taxes and law enforcement policy.  

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Ballot Initiative1639  (Gun Rights)

Summary: If enacted, this law would vastly infringe on the gun rights of Washington State citizens.  Here are the majors changes: 

  • 1) Classify semi-automatic rifles as semiautomatic assault rifles 
  • 2)  Increase the buying age of semiautomatic assault rifles from 18 to 21 years of age. 
  • 3) Mandatory training before firearms can be semiautomatic rifles could be transferred
  • 4) Sheriffs or Chiefs of Police are required certify a person can own a semiautomatic assault rifle.  
  • 5) Criminal penalties for unsecured firearms if a person possesses the firearm and has lost their gun rights.  
  • 6)  Waiting period increased to 10 days.

Voting AdviceVote No

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Ballot Initiative1631 (Carbon Tax)

Summary:  This would make Washington State the first state in the union to place an energy tax on carbon output.  The fee would be $15 per metric ton of carbon beginning on January 1, 2020, and would increase by $2 per metric ton each year until the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals of 2035 are met and the 2050 goals were on track to be met.  This will result in high energy prices for residents and business all across Washington State.   Higher costs will be passed along to residents from businesses that are affected.

Voting Advice:  Vote No

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Ballot Initiative1634 (Prohibit Local Taxes on Groceries)

Summary:  If enacted, This measure would prohibit local government entities from imposing any new tax, fee, or other assessment on grocery items. It would not prevent the state from imposing taxes on groceries.  This would prevent at least prevent food from be used as a revenue generation item. 

Voting AdviceVote Yes

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Ballot Initiative940 (Law Enforcement Restrictions)

Summary: If would create a good faith test to determine when the use of deadly force by police is justifiable, require police to receive de-escalation and mental health training, and provide that police have a duty to render first aid. It would remove the requirement that prosecutors show that a law enforcement officer acted with malice to be convicted.  The Good Faith test is vague and would put grey area into policing that will make is harder for our law enforcement to do their jobs.  We agree that high quality training is the corner-stone of professional policing but their are better and more productive methods of achieving this goal.  

Voting Advice:  Vote No

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Closing Note:  Most important thing to do and tell your friends and family, VOTE.  We need high voter turnout in this mid-term election cycle to elect quality Republicans and stop the increased taxation and limiting of rights for Washington State residents.