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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's great to be back home after what was arguably one of the most difficult legislative sessions in Washington history.
We could have – and should have – wrapped up our work in Olympia March 11. But the governor called a special session that lasted the full 30 days allowed under our state constitution, with each extra day of voting costing around $14,000.
When it was all over, on April 13, the legislative majority had passed a tax package that totals nearly $2.5 billion over the next three years. It hits employers who provide services, from architects to hair stylists, the hardest – with a 20 percent hike in business taxes. Then there are the new or increased taxes on bottled water, carbonated beverages, candy and gum, beer and tobacco. Nearly a dozen other tax hikes won't hit consumers as directly, but will pull millions of dollars from the economy and hand it to state government.
All 37 House Republicans voted against the tax package, as did all Republicans in the Senate. In the end, however, rather than restraint and responsibility, we wound up with the largest tax increase in state history.
My sincere thanks to everyone who has taken the time to contact my office — or spoken with me in person — to share their comments and opinions about what transpired this year in Olympia. In fact, I've received a steady stream of calls, letters and e-mails from constituents, many of whom are worried about how the tax increases will affect their families, jobs and the state's economic recovery.
Your concerns are important to me. I value your views and ideas, and that's why I have scheduled four in-district town meetings in June. The public forums will be held in Stevenson, Goldendale, White Salmon and Zillah.
Please check the dates and locations below and plan to join me at the meeting that's most convenient for you.
- Stevenson
Thursday, June 3
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Rock Creek Community Center
710 SW Rock Creek Drive
- Goldendale
Thursday, June 10
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Klickitat County PUD Building
1313 S. Columbus Avenue
- White Salmon
Thursday, June 17
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
White Salmon Community Library
5 Town and Country Square
- Zillah
Thursday, June 24
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Pacific Arts Center
Zillah High School
I'll make a presentation at each of the meetings with an overview of some of the major issues we dealt with this year, including the overtime session, and then open it up for comments and questions. There will also be time afterward if you would like to talk with me individually.
The open forum allows informal give-and-take discussion, and the input I get from constituents is valuable in guiding the decisions I make as your state representative. Our conversations can also spark ideas for legislation and improvements in the way state government operates. That's citizen involvement at its best, and I look forward to seeing you!
Need a guest speaker?
If you belong to a club, civic group or community-service organization and would like a guest speaker at your next meeting or event, please contact my office to arrange a convenient date. I'm glad to report on the issues we addressed during the 2010 session, or I can tailor my remarks to address particular areas of interest or concern.
In closing…
My responsibilities as your state legislator continue year around, but because this is an election year, I will not be allowed to send further e-newsletter updates after May 12. Initiative 134, which imposed the election-year restrictions, allows me to respond to requests for information, so please write or call whenever you have a question or a comment on legislative issues or other matters. I am always glad to hear from you.
And if you're having difficulty dealing with a state agency or program, my legislative assistant and I are available to lend a helping hand.
Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
David Taylor
