HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCApril 16, 2019
Senator Judy Warnick
Senator Brad Hawkins
Representative Alex Ybarra
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
F O Box 37
EPHRATA WA 9BB23
(509) 754-2011
Representative Tom Dent
Representative Keith Goehner
Representative Mike Steele
RE: GRANT COUNTY SUPPORTS SB 5993 — REFORMING THE FINANCIAL
STRUCTURE OF THE MODEL TOXICS CONTROL PROGRAM
Dear Legislators:
The Grant County Board of Commissioners supports SB 5993. It will help create stability and
sustainability for the Model Toxics Control Program as authorized by the Model Toxics Control
Act (MTCA). The bill also enhances transparency and accountability for the use of MTCA
funds. Additionally, it will help our economy by creating jobs and improving our environment.
Counties play a leading role in managing solid waste programs across our state's numerous and
diverse communities. We share the responsibility for managing waste streams, including
recycling and hazardous materials, in a sustainable and environmentally -friendly manner with
other local government agencies, the state and private industry. As stewards of this critical
public service, we consider this among our paramount responsibilities.
We receive funding support from the hazardous substance tax (HST), which funds MTCA
through the Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance program. Our county relies on this funding
each year for mandatory solid waste planning, recycling, litter cleanup, household hazardous
waste events and the MTCA cleanup of the old Ephrata landfill.
Unfortunately, funding for local solid waste programs was cut 62% in recent years. Funds were
diverted from the MTCA program for other uses and never repaid. When HST revenues were
high, $75 million in programs supported by the State General Fund were paid for through MTCA
instead. Those programs were never moved back to the General Fund. As a result, MTCA funds
are now over -appropriated with programs that are not part of MTCA's original purpose. Our
solid waste programs and our local ability to protect our communities and environment have
suffered.
Richard Stevens Tom Taylor Cindy Carter
District 1 District 2 District 3
"To MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."
Washington State is the 6`h fastest growing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. Our county's ability to manage solid waste, including toxic substances, is impacted by
that growth. With a growing community, our waste management needs are increasing and
changing. However, funding has not been keeping up with the demand for traditional solid
waste services and emerging issues such as food waste and in recycling market barriers.
If passed, SB 5993 will provide the needed restoration of revenue to support current state and
local waste management programs. It will also allow new investments in managing waste and
cleaning up toxic sites so that land can be repurposed for continued economic opportunity, job
growth, housing opportunities, and a healthy environment.
Included with this letter is a copy of an informational flyer that further explains our support and
the benefits SB 5993 will provide for Grant County and all of Washington State.
We urge you to support passage of SB 5993.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
-TTf1-C-1t---
Tom Taylor, Ch r
bjv
Cindy Ca er
Cc: Washington State Association of Counties
Jeff Tincher, Public Works Director
Richard Stevens
Barbara Vasquez
From: Thomas H. Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 8:37 AM
To: Barbara Vasquez
Subject: Re: Legislative Alert - Action Request
Yes please.
Tom Taylor
Grant County Commissioner
District 2
On Apr 15, 2019, at 4:15 PM, Barbara Vasquez <bvasquez@grantcountywa.gov> wrote:
Do you want me to put this on letterhead for you?
Barbara J. Vasquez, CMC
Clerk of the Board/Administrative Assistant
Grant County Commissioners Office
PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823
509-754-2011 ext 2928
509-754-6098 fax
www. grantcountywa. gov
"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to man*y."
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RCW 42.56, regardless of any claim of confidentiality or privilege asserted by an external party.
From: Paul Jewell imailto:piewell@wsac.org]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2019 4:04 PM
To: WSAC County Lobbyists <wsac countylobbyists@wacounties.or >; WSAC LSC Members Assts
<wsac Isc membersassts@wacounties.org>; WSAC LSC Mtg Notification
<wsac Isc mtgnotification@wacounties.org>
Cc: Jaime Bodden <ibodden@wsac.org>; Mellani McAleenan <mmcaleenan@wsac.org>
Subject: Legislative Alert - Action Request
Good afternoon LSC members and interested others,
As you are aware, LSC voted a couple of weeks ago to support SB 5993 — MTCA Reform. This bill is
assumed in the Senate Capital Budget and is critical to the Senate Operating Budget proposal for
restoring funding in the Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance (LSWFA) program to $28.4
million. LSWFA provides substantial funding support for a variety of solid waste management
programs in your county.
The bill has received a hearing in Ways and Means, but hasn't been moved out of committee. We have
heard from Senator Frockt, the prime sponsor of the bill and the Senate lead on the Capital Budget, that
this bill may be moved out of committee this week at some point. Senate staff is currently working on a
revised version that we have yet to review.
At the same time, opponents of the bill are organizing lobbying efforts to try to keep the bill from
moving forward. Oil refineries are organizing labor representatives on the capital campus today to
speak against the bill with legislators.
Timing is very important in politics, and the timing for you to write, email, text, and call your legislators
to show your support for SB 5993 is now. It is critical that our efforts work to offset those who are
trying to kill this proposal before it even gets a chance to get on the floor for a vote.
Attached you'll find a sample advocacy letter for your use. Please modify it appropriately, including
using your county letterhead and filling in the sections which are particular to your delegation and your
county. Feel free to personalize it in any way as its only intended as a model to help you get started.
Also attached is our support flyer. Please include this with any correspondence.
Please act quickly and reach out to your legislators letting them know you support SB 5993. Also, please
let me know when you send it out and to whom you sent it.
Thanks for all your help and hard work. Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.
Sincerely,
Paul Jewell
Policy Director - Water, Land Use and Natural Resources
Washington State Association of Counties
206 10th Avenue SE I Olympia, WA 98501-1311
0. 360.753.1886 1 C. 509.929.1943 1 D. 360.489.3024
pjewell@wsac.org I www.wsac.ora
This email may be considered subject to the Public Records Act and as such may be disdosed by W5AC to a ffiirdparty requestor
<SB 5993 Advocacy Sample Support Letter.docx>
<Counties_Support_SB_5993 Document 05.pdf>