OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives passed legislation by Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) to build infrastructure in timber and farm country.
“It’s tough for many of our rural counties to find the funds to build what we need,” Tharinger said. “I’m happy to we’re making progress this year with House Bill 1267 to extend a successful infrastructure program for another 20 years.”
This program existed since 1998 and is used in 27 rural counties and uses part of the sales tax paid in that county that would ordinarily go to the state. Instead, those funds are used in partnership with federal or local funding to build housing, water systems, sewer systems, or other construction that can create jobs.
Watch Rep. Tharinger’s floor speech here.
“Extending this program an additional 20 years is crucial,” Tharinger said, “because it gives local counties the certainty they need to sell the bonds used to finance these projects. And those bonds are paid through the stream of revenue provided by this legislation.”
The bill passed by a vote of 95-0. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.