Show Issue How did state lawmakers vote this week, 2-3-17

WashingtonVotes.org provides a free periodic roll call service to media outlets as long as the legislature is in session. The reports are customized to the legislative districts in your market area and feature individual legislator’s votes on key issues, including recorded votes on amendments. We encourage you to publish this report in print or on-line to help keep your readers informed and engaged about how their representatives perform in Olympia. To update your information, or to let us know you will publish the report, please drop us an e-mail at wavotes@wavotes.org. Both chambers moved a number of bills to the floor for debate and vote by their respective members this week. The House passed fourteen bills, mostly on uncontested unanimous or nearly unanimous votes. The Senate also passed a few bills on unanimous votes, but engaged in robust debate over the Senate Republican-led majority’s basic education funding proposal in an early evening vote on Wednesday. The measure, SB 5607, passed on a narrow party line vote of 25-24. with one Democrat voting with the Republicans, Sen. Sheldon who caucuses with the Republicans.

Senate Bill 5607, Concerning education. Passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 by a vote of 25-24.

This bill is the Senate Republican-led majority’s plan to comply with the state Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary ruling that the state must fully meet basic education funding needs. Under this measure, local property taxes would be reduced and state property taxes would be increased. This so-called “levy swap” would create a flat statewide property tax levy of $1.80 per $1,000 of assessed value, replacing the current system of local levies that vary among school districts. The plan would replace the current school funding formula with a minimum annual funding level of at least $12,500 per student and the state would make up the difference for any school districts whose tax base is not large enough to reach this minimum. Such payments are estimated to be about $1.4 billion every two years, which, according to the bill’s proponents, could be met without additional taxes. The legislature could increase per-student dollar amounts in future years based on inflation and other expenses. The bill also includes a number of reforms and accountability provision, as well as a referendum clause that would require voters to approve the plan in the coming November election.
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House Bill 1125, Limiting the total number of retail marijuana licenses that may be held by a retailer and co-owners. Passed the House on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 by a vote of 69-28. One seat vacant.

This bill would restrict, to a maximum of five, the number of retail marijuana business licenses that may be individually or collectively held by a person, partnership, or corporation. A marijuana retailer’s license entitles the holder to sell marijuana products at retail prices in retail outlets. There are currently no statutory restrictions on the number of marijuana business licenses that may be issued to individuals, partnerships, or corporations.
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