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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
A lot has happened since my last update, and things are about to get even busier with two weeks of floor session and a lot of controversial topics, starting next Tuesday. Before I get into all the details, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your continued support. This experience has been very challenging at times, given that we cannot meet in person.
I feel strongly that you would be better represented if we could hold session in-person. I believe the measures are in place right now to allow us to do that safely. The current remote setup makes it difficult to develop the relationships across party lines that help us collaborate on the issues we must tackle as a state. However, I will continue to do whatever I can to create these relationships and help find real solutions for everyone.
Budget and Taxes
As I mentioned, we will soon be voting on numerous bills, including the state’s operating budget. I came to Olympia (actually, my dining room table right now!) with a mission to fund our priorities without creating new taxes or increasing current ones. Earlier this week, House Republicans introduced our budget proposal for the next two years.
I’m so happy to report that our budget does not increase your taxes or create any new ones. In fact, this budget reduces taxes by $445 million. How is this possible? For starters, it includes roughly $608 million in fund transfers and other revenue assumptions. It also appropriates $1.8 billion from the state’s rainy-day fund to pay for a series of one-time, COVID-related expenses. There’s never been a rainier day than what we’re facing right now. That’s what these funds are for.
However, despite the difficult circumstances created by the pandemic shutdown, the state still has enough money to fund essential programs and services without adding more burdens to Washingtonians. The House Republican operating budget is designed to help those who need it the most, without raising taxes. Here are a few examples:
Working Families
- Funds the Working Families Tax Credit for the first time in its 12-year history ($600M)
- Sales tax exemption for basic necessities, like prepared food and diapers ($293M)
- $300 stipends to low-income families to defray cost of remote learning ($160M)
- Grants and higher rates for child care providers; copay assistance for families ($114M)
Students
- Increased federal allocations to school districts, contingent on reopening ($156M)
- Equitable enrichment funding for charter and tribal schools ($44M)
- Learning “catch up,” prioritized for historically disadvantaged populations ($500M)
- Additional STEM enrollment slots at state universities and community colleges ($30M)
Vulnerable People
- Rate increases for providers of developmental disability/long-term care (DD/LTC), behavioral health, and primary care ($430M)
- Flexible, ongoing homelessness funding for cities and counties that clean up encampments near schools, parks and playgrounds and ban injection sites ($736M)
- Investments in community behavioral health, triple the Governor’s proposal ($225M)
- Additional funding for testing, personal protective equipment, and infection control at DD/LTC facilities ($120M)
Small Businesses
- Replenishes the unemployment insurance (UI) fund to replace fraud losses and mitigate skyrocketing UI taxes ($500M), because our businesses should not be held responsible for government mismanagement.
- Temporary B&O tax relief for restaurants and other hard-hit businesses ($94M)
- Authorizes B&O, property tax and liquor fee deferrals for small businesses
- Boosts funding for the state’s tourism marketing campaign ($12M)
All of Washington
- No new taxes on anyone or anything
- Additional funds for foundational public health without taxing health insurance ($300M)
- Funds DNR’s forest health management plan, reducing wildfires and pollution ($260M)
- Maximizes production at state and tribal hatcheries to support fish populations ($12M)
These are real solutions that would help all of Washington. People don’t need tax increases; they need tax relief. I am profoundly grateful to be part of this hard-working caucus and I stand by our goal to sensibly fund the budget without new taxes.
Update on My Legislation
I’m happy to report that my first bill is still alive and well. House Bill 1119, which unanimously passed out of the House, would encourage the use of open source course materials at our four-year colleges, as well as inform students of the price of textbooks before they register for courses. This is a student led initiative. Thank you to all the students and faculty members who testified in support of the bill too! It now awaits a hearing in the Senate.
I also recently introduced House Bill 1473, which would help data centers in Pierce County compete with similar companies in other parts of the state. This legislation would level the playing field by addressing the taxation of Pierce County data centers, putting them at the same rate as rural areas in Washington.
I brought this bill forward because Pierce County is currently at a real competitive disadvantage when it comes to attracting data centers, which help create tech jobs. Our families need jobs close to home so we can get the economy moving again without getting back in traffic! There is no reason Pierce County should not have more high paying tech jobs right here. This bill is currently waiting for a hearing in the House Finance Committee.
Save the Date – Virtual Town Hall
I also want to let you know that I will be joining with other 25th District legislators, Sen. Chris Gildon and Rep. Kelly Chambers, for a virtual town hall meeting. This Zoom meeting will be held on Saturday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. I will share more details as we get closer to the event, so stay tuned for updates. I look forward to hearing your input and feedback.
Please Stay in Touch
Despite our remote circumstances, I have heard from many of you! Please continue to make your voice heard on taxes, gun control legislation, the budget, opening our state safely, and issues that matter to you. Despite this virtual remote session, your voice does matter, and it can change outcomes for the better.
You can testify regarding any bill or other important public policy or issue that will be addressed. Just use these links to sign up:
Lastly, please continue to reach out to me by whatever means you can. You can contact me via email, phone, or over Zoom. I’m happy to meet with you and discuss your concerns. Thank you for your trust and support. It’s an honor to represent you.
In service,
Sincerely,
Cyndy Jacobsen
