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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well and safe. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as your state representative in the 25th Legislative District. As your representative, I am committed to keeping you informed about the critical issues that affect our community and our great state of Washington throughout the entire year. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on a few issues happening in our state and some of the things I’ve been working on during the interim, including tax relief for hardworking families.
High Gas Prices in Washington State
I share your deep concern over the recent surge in gas prices across our state. Families are feeling the pinch at the pump, and businesses – including farmers – are struggling with increased operational costs. These rising gas prices have a direct impact on our daily lives and the overall economic health of the entire state.
Washington currently has the second highest gas prices in the nation, after spending a few weeks this summer at the top of the list. Prices continue to hover around $5 a gallon and it affects everyone, especially those who can least afford it – the working middle class, people on a fixed income, those who travel long distances for work, and farmers struggling with the cost of producing affordable food. Additionally, on Aug. 10, 2023, The News Tribune reported more than a third of Washington drivers canceled summer travel plans over high gas prices.
There are many theories as to why the price of gas is so high, and the governor would have us believe it is the oil companies’ fault. However, his cap-and-trade program is the real culprit. Since it took effect in January, fuel prices have already increased by 50 cents per gallon in Washington. That’s an average annual increase of about $500 more for fuel for Washington families.
House Republicans are working on several real solutions to address the rising cost of fuel, including giving taxpayers some of the excess revenue already collected through the cap-and-trade program, which has already tripled expectations. For example, the Carbon Auction Rebate or CAR, program introduced by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, would send a $100 Carbon Auction Rebate (CAR) on July 1, 2024, to registered vehicle owners in Washington state. Click here to learn more about this innovative program and how it would work.
Long-term Care Insurance Program and Payroll Tax
You have also probably noticed your paycheck is smaller. The reason your take home pay has shrunk is due to the payroll tax to cover the cost of the state’s new long-term care insurance program. This is a problem that House Republicans have strongly opposed since 2019 when the majority party passed House Bill 1087 to create the program.
The legislation created a new payroll tax of $0.58 per $100 of earnings for virtually everyone working in Washington state unless they were fortunate enough to meet the narrow criteria allowing them to opt out. The new tax will cost those earning $50,000 a year nearly $300 annually.
This unpopular tax that shrinks your paycheck is unfair and fails to provide adequate benefit to almost anyone. This is another program House Republicans are trying to repeal or improve.
Continuing Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility has always been at the forefront of my legislative agenda. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we exercise prudence in our budgeting and spending decisions. While we address pressing issues like gas prices, we must also safeguard the long-term financial stability of our state.
I am committed to working to ensure our state budget reflects the priorities of our district and allocates resources efficiently. It’s crucial that we carefully check every proposed expenditure, eliminating waste and inefficiency while preserving essential services for those who need them. I continue to look at new ways and solutions to bring real tax relief to Washington. This includes exploring options to cut taxes for low and middle-income families, stimulate economic growth, and create a more business-friendly environment.
Other Legislative Activities
Although our next session isn’t scheduled until January, I’m still participating in many legislative duties and activities in the 25th District. Here are a few of the projects I’ve been involved with this interim:
Envisioning and planning for a bright future in Pierce County, I met with stakeholders and constituents about various topics including childcare zoning, job security for professors, and innovative programs that benefit parents, children, and young adults entering the workforce. I visited the young men and women in our Pierce County Civil Air Patrol and attended Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce wake-up and ribbon cutting events at several businesses across Pierce County. I visited and toured the Commercial Driver School in Lakewood and met with local auto dealers to hear their concerns and receive a brief on all things EV (electric vehicle). I attended the Hop Harvest in Yakima and visited Work Source to learn about their programs that match individuals with jobs.
Maintaining my commitment to a safer community, I toured Thun Field to observe plans for an emergency operations center which was an approved $1 million budget item this session. I conducted a ride-along with Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and toured the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island with the Department of Social and Health Services. I visited and toured Puyallup Community Court where I learned about the neighborhood-focused court program that combines the power of both the community and the justice system to address local problems and improve community safety.
I also attended committee, policy, and organizational meetings to gain knowledge and to discuss various issues such as budget outlook, conservation district elections, and ongoing criminal justice funds.
I participated in the special session to fix the state’s drug law and attended Memorial Day services sponsored by VFW #2224 and American Legion Post #67.
I attended the Association of Washington Businesses Policy Summit in Spokane in September and will participate in a tour of Chelan County with the Local Government Committee in October. The tour will include visits to areas where riparian access is an issue, limited areas of more intensive rural development, and areas involved in the voluntary stewardship program.
Save the Date – Constituent Coffee
I enjoy meeting with you in the 25th District and I always appreciate your input. If you’d like to share your ideas with me in person, please join me at FIKA on Friday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. for a “Constituent Coffee” chat. I look forward to seeing you and listening to your questions and concerns.
Address: 3303 8th Ave. SE, Puyallup 98372
Please Stay in Touch
I would like to sincerely thank you for your continued input and support. I appreciate hearing from you, and I value your feedback, insight, and opinions. Please continue to reach out to me via phone or email to share your ideas and concerns. My contact info is listed below.
It’s an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Cyndy Jacobsen
