Ringing in the year with Rich Riddell
Richard Riddell, Official Town Crier and resident of Anacortes, earned international recognition by winning first place at the 2013 World Invitational Town Crier Competition in Kingston, Ontario. Riddell was honored with a House resolution on Monday, Jan. 20. He is pictured here with myself and Rep. Kris Lytton.
Welcome Tad and Tara!
Our office has had some recent changes to the staff. I would like to welcome my new legislative assistant, Tara Nelson, and public policy intern, Tad Dillman. Tara earned her Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University in editorial journalism with a minor in economics. She also spent the past few years working in radio and on local political campaigns in Whatcom County. Tad is a senior at Evergreen State College majoring in economics and has a strong interest in economic growth and business development in Washington State. I am excited to have both of them on board and look forward to the work they will do for the people of the 40th District!
Ferry vessel replacement bill 1129 passes transportation committee
Our state ferry system – the largest in the United States – plays a critical role in the economic and recreational life of the Puget Sound region. We need to make sure ferry travel is safe, reliable and efficient. That means replacing the system’s outdated boats, some of which date back to the Eisenhower Administration.
My ferry vessel replacement bill, HB 1129, would give our state a much-needed new boat to modernize its aging fleet. It will also provide improvements to the ferry system that are especially important to residents of the 40th Legislative District.
The measure sets a fee of $5 for each new or renewed vehicle registration and $12 for each vehicle title transaction processed by country auditors or the state Department of Licensing. That money will go to the financing of a new, 144-vehicle ferry in the system’s Issaquah class. Those charges are currently assessed and pocketed by the private licensing agents that many car and truck owners go to for registrations and title paperwork – but the transactions currently are exempt from the fees when they are performed by county auditors or the DOL.
The state Department of Transportation has already contracted with Vigor Industrial to build two new 144-vehicle ferries at its Puget Sound shipyards. Construction of the third boat would take advantage of the worker skills, expertise and efficiency developed by Vigor, reducing the vessel’s cost.
The bill was approved by the House Transportation Committee on Thursday and the bill will now go to the full House for consideration.
Keep track of my bills!
This session I am sponsoring several other important pieces of legislation related to renewable energy, telecommunications, and invasive technology. You can find out more about these bills by clicking on the following link:
https://www.leg.wa.gov/house/Representatives/Pages/BillSponsorship.aspx?m=morris
As always, contact my office if we can be of assistance.