Two Green-Collar Jobs Bills Pass the House

Legislation sponsored by two House Democrats aimed at encouraging growth in renewable energy jobs and manufacturing has been approved by the House of Representatives

House Bill 1301, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris, improves an existing program that provides incentives for energy consumers who use renewable sources to meet their electricity needs. It also includes new performance measurement tools to increase accountability and ensure that the tax credits administered under this program are accomplishing what they are meant to – helping to create new jobs in our state.

The state will use metrics, such as how many consumers are receiving credits and where they are buying their renewable energy systems, to measure the success of the program and assess how credits are given out. This will help reward companies that manufacture their products in Washington, expanding our clean energy economy and creating good-paying jobs for Washington families.

The second piece of legislation is House Bill 1663, sponsored by Rep. Steve Tharinger. It extends an existing sales and use tax exemption for a kind of biomass called “hog fuel” which, incidentally, has nothing to do with hogs. Hog fuel is a wood waste product, created from the limbs and branches left behind when timber is harvested. Turning this wood waste into renewable energy eliminates the need for open pile burning at the timber harvesting site, which means fewer emissions into our atmosphere.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, the resulting biomass product is a commodity itself that helps support timber industry jobs.These family-wage jobs tend to be located in areas of our state that suffer from stubborn unemployment, so it’s important to preserve these jobs and help the industry find ways to stay competitive in the global market.

Both pieces of legislation will create or maintain jobs here in Washington while reducing our dependence on outdated fossil fuels – further proof that it doesn’t have to be a choice between growing our economy and protecting our environment.

Read this story in Spanish.

More scenes from opening day in Olympia

It's been about 24 hours since legislators took the oath of office yesterday. Here are just a few of our favorite shots from opening day action...

Reps. Roger Freeman and Dawn Morrell rise for the the oath of office (photo by Linda Barnfather)

Rep. Jamie Pedersen discusses gun control legislation with KIRO's Essex Porter

Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon (l) and Marcus Riccelli gather in the rotunda prior to taking the oath of office (photo by Linda Barnfather)

Speaker Chopp makes a few last-minute updates to his opening day speech

(L to R) Seatmates Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, along with Rep. Derek Stanford following opening day ceremonies (photo by Linda Barnfather)


Read this story in Spanish here.

Battery Recycling Day at Seattle Center today

They can be found in almost every household - unwanted, rechargeable batteries from cellphones, laptops, or other gadgets, taking up space in a drawer or closet.  We know they don’t belong in a landfill, but we're not exactly sure how to get rid of them responsibly.

Luckily, in Washington state it's pretty easy to recycle rechargeable batteries, so you can start cleaning out those drawers and closets today!  There are 700 drop-off locations throughout the state that participate in the Call2Recycle® program, a free rechargeable battery collection and recycling system.

Rep. Steve Tharinger

In order to call attention to the ease of rechargeable battery recycling, the City of Seattle is sponsoring Battery Recycling Day today at the Seattle Center.  From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., residents can bring their unwanted rechargeable batteries and cell phones to the International Fountain at the Seattle Center.  If you happen to be there around the noon hour, you’ll likely see state Representative Steve Tharinger or Senator Sharon Nelson, or even a member of the Seattle Mariners who will be signing autographs in support of environmentally-responsible battery disposal.

In the 2012 regular session, a bill was sponsored by Rep. Tharinger that would have formalized a program for rechargeable battery recycling in our state.  It received a hearing in two separate committees, but didn’t quite make it to a vote on the House floor.  This is an issue the Legislature may take up again, because even our current voluntary system is doing a stellar job – keeping 230,000 pounds of waste batteries out of our state’s landfills in 2011 alone.

You can read the press release about today's event here.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

Made in Japan

Photo credit:  NOAA

It may be an exaggeration to say that a tidal wave of debris from last year’s tsunami in Japan is headed our way (as well as too glib), but a heck of a lot of Japanese junk is expected to wash up on the West Coast of the United States over the next two years – and some bits of the flotsam and jetsam have reached Washington state beaches already. It’s enough of a concern that Gov. Chris Gregoire is marshaling state forces to cope with the unwanted invasion.

The governor met June 18 with state agency officials and Rep. Steve Tharinger in Ocean Shores to discuss the situation and announce an initial response plan. On June 25, the state Department of Ecology deployed three six-person crews at spots along the state’s coast where debris has reportedly washed up to assess the need for a cleanup.

If you find debris on the shore that could be hazardous or contain oil, call 1-800-OILS-911.

Read about the governor’s June 18 announcement by clicking here. Learn more about what the Department of Ecology is doing, and find links to lots more information, by clicking here.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

Legislators laud Hood Canal “Puget Sound Champions”

Hood Canal

Yesterday, four honorees were singled out by the Puget Sound Partnership for their efforts in helping to restore our region’s major waterway to good health.  In a ceremony at the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Center, PSP’s Executive Director Gerry O’Keefe and former King County Executive Ron Sims handed out awards to three coalitions and one individual.

The coalitions include local jurisdictions and tribes that have teamed up to protect habitat, identify pollution sources, and/or engage in clean-up efforts to improve water quality.  Additionally, Pat Pearson of the Jefferson County WSU Extension was honored for her 20-year career in education and outreach on water quality issues.

Legislators whose districts include the areas bordering Hood Canal had plenty of praise for the honorees and their ongoing efforts.  Representatives Steve Tharinger, Drew Hansen, Sherry Appleton, Fred Finn and Kathy Haigh all weighed in to offer their congratulations and underscore the importance of the work being done.  A clean and healthy Hood Canal – and Puget Sound – are vital to the economies and quality of life in their respective districts.  Of course, the health of Puget Sound impacts our entire state, which is why we should all tip our hats to the work these awardees are doing.

You can read the Puget Sound Partnership’s press release on yesterday’s ceremony here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege ensure President Obama hears rural business concerns, too

Small business owners on the Olympic Peninsula, along with civic and Tribal leaders, had the opportunity this week to share feedback on the economy with those who have President Obama’s ear – members of the White House Business Council.  Specifically, two representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration came to Clallam County this week for roundtable discussions organized by Representatives Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege. 

Calvin W. Goings, a former Washington State Senator, is now an Assistant Associate Administrator with the SBA.  He and Jennifer Clark, an SBA Regional Advocate for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, listened to the concerns of Clallam small business owners as they navigate the economic recovery. 

While the business owners represented many different sectors of the economy – retail, food production, real estate, hospitality and manufacturing, to name a few – they seemed to uniformly agree that the major hurdle facing small businesses right now is lack of access to capital.  Tightening of the credit market nationwide means many small businesses can’t expand or hire new employees, even though they want to. 

Their concerns will be relayed, unfiltered, to the Obama Administration by Goings and Clark.  With half of all American workers employed by small businesses, and two-thirds of all new jobs created in small business, we’re pretty sure the President will take these concerns very seriously.  Additionally, these roundtables provided the unique perspective of rural business owners from outside the I-5 corridor, where recovery is proceeding, albeit more slowly than in urban centers.

The SBA is a small federal agency with a big economic impact.  It helped small businesses across the country save $12 billion last year.  Here in Washington, the SBA has helped to provide 5,000 loans (representing $2 billion) to small businesses since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed in 2009.

(Photo, from left:  Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, SBA Assistant Associate Administrator Calvin W. Goings, Clallam County business owner Bret Wirta, and Rep. Steve Tharinger at the May 30 White House Business Council roundtable in Sequim.  Photo courtesy of Linda Barnfather.)

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

More Puget SoundCorps work crews forming this summer

Puget SoundCorps is helping to clean up the Sound.

We have previously told you about jobs offered by the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) back in August and September of 2011. This year they are again looking for hard workers to help clean up Puget Sound.  Read on to see if one of those jobs is for you.

A little background:  in April 2011, Gov. Gregoire signed a bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Tharinger , which put all WCC activities under the Department of Ecology and created the Puget SoundCorps to clean up the Sound. You can read more about this legislation in Rep. Tharinger’s press release .

This year, the state capital budget included $13 million for WCC’s Puget SoundCorps projects, which will put 20 new crews throughout the Puget Sound region to work starting this summer. They will be cleaning up beaches, installing native plant species in urban areas, reclaiming land previously used for mining operations, restoring in-stream habitat, and controlling noxious weeds.

This is great news for young adults and veterans ages 18 to 25 who have been disproportionately affected by the recession in our state and are willing to work hard. No experience is required. All SoundCorps members receive first aid and career skills training. They also get specialized training to help assess wetlands, use electronic equipment, fight fires and support other types of emergency incidents.

With the new funding, the expansion of Puget SoundCorps projects will increase the WCC roster to 325 members—the largest it has been in almost three decades!

If this is a good fit for you or someone you know, you can learn more about the Puget SoundCorps program and prepare to fill out the online application to become a crew member.  The recruitment opens on July 15, 2012.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Tonight, back by popular demand: 24th District telephone town hall

Rep. Steve Tharinger

Back in March, Representatives Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege held a town hall by phone, and over 8500 constituents participated in it.  The response to that event was so positive that the two legislators have decided to hold another town hall by phone to discuss the recently-concluded legislative session.

Tonight, beginning at 6:00 p.m., they will call residents of the 24th Legislative District - which includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties, as well as parts of Grays Harbor County.  Anybody who wants to participate in the town hall needs only to pick up the phone.  To ask a question, participants can press STAR 3 (*3) on their phone.  While Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege will try their best to get to everyone's question during the one-hour event, there is also an opportunity to leave a voicemail at the conclusion of the call with questions, comments or feedback.

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege

Also, if you live in the 24th District, be sure to check your mailbox to see if you've received this year's Legislative Report from Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege (together with Sen. Jim Hargrove).  It was mailed at the beginning of May, and includes information about the state budget and government reform efforts, as well as newly-passed legislation.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Live in the 24th LD? Join the Tharinger/Van De Wege telephone town hall on 3/28

Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege in Montesano, 2/1/12

The 24th Legislative District is geographically one of the largest legislative districts in the state.  It includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties, and parts of Grays Harbor County.

With that much ground to cover, it isn't always easy to reach every community with a live town hall during the legislative session, but Reps. Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege have been trying to host as many as possible.  Last month, they held town hall meetings in Montesano, Quilcene, Forks, and Port Angeles. 

Now they are hosting a telephone town hall that will enable constituents from every corner of the district to participate at the same time.  This Wednesday, March 28, starting at 6:00 p.m., households in the district will receive a phone call, and participants only need to stay on the line to be part of the conversation.  For one hour, Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege will take questions and comments on topics related to issues before the legislature or about the special session.

More information about this upcoming event can be found here.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Fresh ideas for Washington's future

 

A group of 13 House Democratic freshmen kicked off a conversation this morning to discuss plans for the long-term fiscal health of Washington and bringing fairness to the state tax code. These lawmakers are bringing a number of issues to the table such as simplifying the B&O tax, requiring periodic legislative review of tax preferences, and adopting a capital gains tax.

Washington is the only state exempting out-of-state residents from paying sales tax. Rep. Kris Lytton has plans to end this loophole and, by redirecting the estimated $52 million/biennium, is pushing to fully fund all-day kindergarten.

Rep. Steve Tharinger stressed the need for careful analysis of the tax giveaways that have been in the books for almost a century, to see if those funds could be used in better ways to help rural communities that have not been spared from budget cuts.

A measure to re-balance the tax burden was put forth by Rep.Laurie Jinkins, which would apply a five percent excise tax on capital gains in excess of $10,000/year. This would generate approximately $1.4 billion per biennium that would be used to protect education and health care from further devastating cuts. 

The House Democratic freshmen realize these aren’t solutions to the state’s immediate budget problems, but rather emphasized this new approach to funding our state’s most vital services, ensuring long-term stability for Washington residents.

The legislators are planning a summer ‘listening tour’ in their home and neighboring districts to discuss these proposals with their constituents.

To read the press release about this morning’s news conference, click here.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Watch the press conference below:

Making the Discover Pass work better

The House passed a measure today that makes the Discover Pass more user-friendly while helping bring in more money for our state parks and recreational lands.

House Bill 2373, sponsored by Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, makes changes to legislation from last year that ushered in a new user fee at our state parks.

Hoh Rainforest
Photo credit: IdLoveOne

One of the major changes came from massive constituent feedback.  The annual Discover Pass, which permits a vehicle to park for more than 15 minutes at any of our state parks, was initially not transferable among vehicles or family members.  Households with more than one vehicle complained about having to buy more than one pass, and sales didn’t live up to expectations, which ultimately meant less money for the parks.  In fact, the parks system is making deep cuts due to lack of anticipated funds.  While all parks will still remain open to the public, there will be deferred maintenance, and many park ranger positions are being cut or shifted from year-round to seasonal.

The bill advanced today allows the pass to be transferable between two vehicles, and also creates the opportunity for a “family pass” that will cost more than a Discover Pass but can be shared among all members of the same household.  As HB 2373 moves on to the Senate, supporters are hopeful it will make it all the way to the governor’s desk so that the changes can be implemented and many more Discover Passes can be sold this year than last.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

Rep. Tharinger joins WWRC board

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition board announced the appointment of six new members in a press release yesterday.  Among the new appointees is state Rep. Steve Tharinger.

Rep. Tharinger, who served on the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board from 2002 to 2010 and chairs the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council, is a longtime advocate for Washington's natural resources and agricultural lands.

He is also a member of the House Capital Budget Committee, which allocates grant funding for the protection of wildlife habitat, natural resource recreation areas, and working farms through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP).  WWRC administers the WWRP grants.

In 2007, the WWRC gave former state representative and then- House Capital Budget chair Bill Fromhold its "Award for Outstanding Legislative Leadership."  Fromhold passed away in 2010 from leukemia.

"I didn't have the privilege of working with Bill Fromhold in the House, but his legacy is one of protecting our natural areas for the benefit of future generations," Tharinger said.  "Like Bill, I believe our state's economy and environment are closely intertwined, and both can thrive simultaneously."

Legislators help inaugurate new Peninsula College building today

If you happen to be near Port Angeles this afternoon, you may want to head over to Peninsula College and join in the Grand Opening Celebration of Maier Hall, which begins at 2:00 p.m. today.

Maier Hall is a new 62,950 square foot Business and Humanities building that includes writing, math, computer and foreign language labs, music classrooms and practice rooms, and a 131-seat performing arts space for music, film, and the spoken word.

The building's sustainable features, which include geothermal energy, daylight harvesting, natural ventilation, wetland restoration, and an innovative moss roof, will promote lower energy costs and a smaller footprint. 

Maier Hall was built with funding from the state's building construction account, part of the Capital Budget. The funds were allocated in 2009, although funding for the design phase of the project was awarded in 2007.

The 2011-2013 state Capital Budget included money for Peninsula College to renovate former military barracks at Fort Worden State Park into classroom space, which will enable the college to expand higher education access to residents of neighboring Jefferson County.

Today's celebration will include remarks by state Representatives Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege, whose district includes Port Angeles. The public is invited to join the celebration and tour the new building.

Photo:  Maier Hall, Peninsula College - Doug Scott 

To read this blog post in Spanish, please go here.

Attention returning veterans: Puget SoundCorps wants you

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a bill creating the Puget SoundCorps within the Washington Conservation Corps. This new subgroup of the WCC will provide paid job opportunities for youth and returning military veterans on projects to help restore the health of Puget Sound.

Now, the state Department of Ecology and the Department of Veterans Affairs have put out a joint press release encouraging returning veterans to apply for the first SoundCorps crew, which is forming now. Not only do veterans receive wages for working on SoundCorps projects, but they also receive a $5,550 AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay off student loans or toward future tuition expenses.

Youth and returning veterans are two groups that are having a particularly difficult time finding jobs in the current tough economy. State Representative Steve Tharinger, who sponsored the original legislation, hopes the chance to work on Sound restoration projects will help launch conservation and natural resource-related careers for those currently looking for work.

The DOE announced last month that it would be hiring 245 people for one-year WCC positions that will begin in October. 

To read this blog post in Spanish, please go here.

Four years later, Grays Harbor IPZ businesses remain optimistic

The mood at two Grays Harbor County employers was decidedly optimistic last week. Despite the lingering effects of the national recession, these businesses are doing well and either have plans to expand or hope to be able to expand in the future, which is good news not only for Harborites, but all Washingtonians.

Rep. Steve Tharinger toured Paneltech and Imperium Renewables as he swung through Grays Harbor on August 10 and 11. At both locations, he met with managers who seemed upbeat about the future.

Imperium, which currently has 42 full-time employees, is hoping to be able to approximately double its workforce at the Hoquiam plant if it is able to secure a long-term contract with the U.S. military to produce aviation biofuel. The Hoquiam plant is already the nation's largest BQ-9000®-certified biofuel refinery.

Paneltech, another Grays Harbor-headquartered company, is also a recognized leader in the manufacturing of eco-friendly wood products. In fact, Paneltech uses 100 percent post-consumer paper waste combined with resin from manufacturing waste to create sustainable products that are used by homeowners, businesses, and even the U.S. military.

Both Paneltech and Imperium are part of the Grays Harbor Sustainable Industries Innovation Partnership Zone. Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs) were created by the Legislature in 2007 as a way to bring together public, private, and nonprofit entities to further research and job creation in fields that show exciting promise for economic development. The Grays Harbor site was one of the 12 original IPZs named by Governor Gregoire.

Photo: Rep. Tharinger examines a piece of Paperstone, a product made by Paneltech at its Hoquiam manufacturing facility. To his right is Roy Nott, Paneltech's president.

Are you 18-25 years old? Like working outdoors? Apply for one of 245 conservation jobs!

The state Department of Ecology announced yesterday that the Washington Conservation Corps will soon be hiring 245 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 for work on environmental projects around the state.

Most of the new hires will be part of the WCC's "Puget Sound Corps," which was created this year through legislation sponsored by state Rep. Steve Tharinger. Puget Sound Corps crews will work in at least 10 of the 12 counties that border Puget Sound on projects that align with the goals of the Puget Sound Partnership's Action Agenda, which centers around restoring Puget Sound's health by 2020. This includes habitat restoration projects along streams and shorelines.

By working with the state Department of Veterans Affairs, the WCC will also be able to provide work opportunities on Puget Sound Corps crews for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The one-year positions begin in October. An online application for WCC positions can be found here.

Newest ferry sets sail today

Washington’s newest ferry, the beautiful 64-car Salish, takes to the seas at noon today to begin decades of service to the people of Washington. The historic trip comes a day after a joyous celebration at the Port Townsend Ferry Terminal welcomed the Salish to the state ferry fleet.

House Transportation Chair Judy Clibborn and 24th District Reps. Steve http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifTharinger and Kevin Van De Wege were among the leaders who spoke about the importance of the Sahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflish and our state ferries at the welcoming ceremony, which also featured songs and dances by local Native American performing artists.

The Salish and its sister, the Chetzemoka, will serve the Port Townsend/Coupeville route, and today’s sailing marks the first time since 2007 that two ferries have been available to provide full service the route.

This summer marks the 60th anniversary of the Washington State Ferry System, the largest ferry fleet in the nation. There will soon be more celebrations. Another 64-car boat, the Kennewick, will enter service in early 2012, and, thanks in large measure to Rep. Clibborn’s leadership, funding was secured this year for a new 144-car boat that will add another jewel to the fleet.

Tuesday night in Grays Harbor County

Last night's legislative town hall meeting in Montesano showed that people in rural communities are no less concerned about education funding than those in urban and suburban communities.

In fact, one attendee told Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, who were hosting the town hall for their Grays Harbor County constituents, "Children in Grays Harbor deserve the same education as children in Bellevue."

She implored the legislators to fight for levy equalization funding in the state budget.

Around 90 people showed up at Beacon Elementary for a question-and-answer session with the two representatives, who are seatmates in the 24^th Legislative District. The 24^th District is one of the largest legislative districts, and is made up of mostly rural communities in Grays Harbor and on the Olympic Peninsula.

Education was by far the number one topic. In addition to worries about more costs shifting to local school districts, people expressed concern about the rising cost of higher education in Washington. Some said it was putting college out of reach for middle and working class families, while others said that it was forcing today's students to take on an excessive amount of debt.

Both representatives agreed that rising tuition costs are a concern, but Rep. Van De Wege added that what is even more worrisome to him is the possibility of lawmakers cutting enrollment slots at higher education institutions.

"If someone can't get in to a community or four-year college, or into one of our state's technical schools, that is going to affect the rest of that person's life," Van De Wege said.

Concern over education funding is clearly something that unites Washingtonians. In every corner of the state, families are worried about their children's future, and how they're going to pay for it.