AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 11
March 16, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: SST Passes House
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

From the Director: SST Passes House

By Stan Finkelstein, AWC Executive Director

After years of debate, Streamlined Sales Tax legislation has finally passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor.

SSB 5089 was approved by the House on Friday, March 16, by a vote of 76-15. The legislation was not amended by the House and will be sent directly to the Governor. She will have five days to act on the bill from the day she actually receives it. This is Governor-request legislation and we are confident she will sign the bill. The only amendment attached to the bill in the Senate, advanced by her Department of Revenue, is intended to further align the bill with the SST National Agreement.

The Association is truly appreciative of the efforts of Governor Gregoire, Sen. Regala (D-Tacoma) and Rep. McIntire (D-Seattle) to secure passage of SSB 5089. All three have worked on this issue for years and AWC appreciates their leadership.

In my thirty-plus years at AWC, this was one of the most controversial issues the members encountered in terms of an internal disagreement. Three years ago we had cities with opposing views and entrenched in their positions. It was clear without some sort of "city" agreement, no SST bill would be advanced by the Legislature. We offer special thanks to former Federal Way city manager David Moseley and former Kent city administrator Mike Martin who were key to brokering a city agreement that lead to today’s legislation. A number of other city officials were instrumental to passage of this legislation, but David and Mike were leaders allowing for city agreement.

While we fully expect the Governor to sign the bill, it never hurts for her to receive phone calls, letters and e-mails reminding her of the importance of this legislation to cities. She can be contacted at (360) 902-4111 or by e-mail from her website, www.governor.wa.gov/contact. You can also send a letter to the following address:

Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Finally, thanks to all of you who have supported our efforts to secure SST legislation over the over the last few years. Every call, e-mail, letter and personal contact has helped. Forty-five senators and seventy-six representatives voted for the bill due in part to your efforts.

Thank you!