Thank you to those of you who joined me for my first and very successful telephone town hall meeting March 5.  I truly enjoyed hearing from my constituents in the 48th Legislative District, and was pleased to answer questions with regard to what’s happening here at the state capital.  I also hope you can join my seatmates and me tomorrow, March 16, at Redmond City Hall for an in-person town hall meeting.  We are getting together from 10 a.m. to noon, and I hope you have a chance to drop by.

We have been working long days (and in some cases into the night) passing legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives.  Each bill we pass will head over to the Senate for consideration in that chamber.  Wednesday was the deadline for House approval of bills (other than budgetary measures) that originated in the House, and we now begin considering bills that the Senate has passed to us.

 

Helping families and protecting consumers

 

You may remember that in my last newsletter I wrote about my constituent Jeff Schwartz, who inspired me to introduce House Bill 1216.  Jeff’s son Jacob was born with a rare disorder called eosinophilic gastritis.  The treatment for this disorder is extremely expensive and not covered by most insurance policies. HB 1216 directs the Department of Health to determine current coverage for this treatment and how best to ensure that this life-saving treatment will no longer be out of reach for Washington families in the future.
This bill passed out of the House overwhelmingly and with bipartisan support. It received a public hearing yesterday in the Senate Health Care Committee, where it was well received by the committee chair and other members. I want to thank Jeff, his family, and all the individuals who have worked hard to move HB 1216 forward.

I am also the prime sponsor of House Bill 1870, which passed out of the House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate.

This bill helps consumers by requiring businesses to disclose when a surcharge will be imposed on a consumer who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means. It also requires a business to clearly and conspicuously disclose when a discount is offered for use of a payment method other than a credit card.
Surcharges like these have actually been prohibited in a number of states, including California, New York, Texas and Florida, by both Democratic and Republican legislatures. HB 1870 is a step in the right direction when it comes to providing consumers the information necessary to make smart and thoughtful purchasing decisions. It received bipartisan support in the House and now moves to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for further consideration.

 

Ensuring fairness for 520 Bridge drivers

 

Under another one of my proposals, drivers on the SR 520 bridge would be able to plead their case before a judge if they feel unfairly penalized for late payment, and could have the penalty reduced or eliminated if the judge agrees.

House Bill 1941 gives us an opportunity to advance both due process and consumer protection in our tolling system. Currently, judges in the state’s special “toll court” don’t have the authority to reduce or waive penalties assessed for late payment of tolls on the bridge, regardless of circumstances. My bill gives the judges the leeway to do that.

 

New role with Innovate Washington

 

I am honored to have been appointed by the speaker of the House, Frank Chopp, to a position on the board of directors of Innovate Washington. I look forward to utilizing my skills and expertise in working with high-tech entrepreneurs in a public-private partnership that seeks to spur cutting-edge economic development in the state.

This is a great opportunity for me to intensify my commitment to making Washington the No. 1 state for job creation and business innovation.

Innovate Washington was created by the Legislature in 2011 to catalyze job creation and 21st-century economic development by bringing together business and government leaders to focus expertise and investment on emerging technology businesses. It draws on public and private financing to foster growth in the sectors of aerospace, advanced materials and manufacturing, clean energy, information technology, agriculture and  life sciences.

 

High-tech start-ups bill still active

 

House Bill 1693, which I sponsored, would grant a $1 million annual business-tax deduction to certain start-up ventures in their first three years of operation. The proposal is tailored for the high-tech and manufacturing industries. The state’s business and occupation tax falls especially heavily on new and smaller ventures, and the bill is designed to help Washington vie for 21st-century companies with states where the tax system is more favorable for start-ups.

I believe this is a smart and focused tool to help fledgling businesses thrive and grow and expand their workforce. It provides a compelling reason for entrepreneurs to invest in our state and its future. The measure has the support of Gov.  Jay Inslee, who stated that the bill represents the kind of fresh, creative approach Washington needs. Governor Inslee has included the bill in his economic policy blueprint on his official state web site.

Bellevue Mayor Conrad Lee also spoke in favor of the bill during committee hearings.  Mayor Lee stated that providing this form of tax relief for new businesses in high-growth sectors will help our area’s technology and knowledge-economy jobs base, and help make our area competitive with other parts of the country.

House Bill 1693 incorporates accountability in the program, requiring state-agency reports on the effectiveness of the tax break in stimulating employment.
Although this bill has yet to be voted out of the House Appropriations Committee, it is still eligible to pass into law this session.