Although a flurry of legislative action is expected in Olympia this weekend, it is not too soon to look ahead to future meetings of elected officials.
The regular session of the 2023 Legislature will close by Sunday. The Washington State Constitution limits odd-year sessions to 105 days — a deadline that arrives this weekend. Any unfinished business would have to wait for a special session, but indications are that lawmakers will complete their work on time.
That work must include formulation of state budgets for the next two years. And while there certainly will be notable developments, it also is worth taking a look at bills that died during this session but should be revived next year.
One of those involves the Washington Future Fund, an idea promoted by state Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. Designed to tackle generational poverty in the state, the proposal would set aside $4,000 from the general fund for each newborn who is eligible for Apple Health, the state’s health care program for low-income individuals.
That money would be invested by the state’s investment board. Between the ages of 18 and 36, qualifying recipients could then draw on their account to help pay for college, professional training, seed money for a business or a down payment on property. Taxpayers would be making an investment that will grow over time and provide people with a hand up when they reach adulthood.
As Pelliocciotti told The Columbian’s Editorial Board last year: “If you want to transform people’s lives, only with a long-term outlook can you pull this off.”
The plan was introduced as Senate Bill 5125 this year and attracted 22 co-sponsors, including Sens. Ann Rivers and Annette Cleveland of Southwest Washington.
It failed to make it out of committee, which probably is to be expected with a bold new idea — the kind that requires time to generate consensus. Pellicciotti and supportive lawmakers should continue to promote the proposal and bring it before the Legislature again next year.
Another issue that requires consideration is the theft of catalytic converters. From January through August of last year, more than 8,000 thefts were reported — a fact that requires attention.
Senate Bill 5740 was introduced to target the black market for catalytic converters — which are part of vehicle exhaust systems and are coveted because they include precious metals. The bill would require that purchasers of catalytic converters be licensed and would implement record-keeping requirements for them. It also would require police inspections of licensed purchasers.
Unless the wave of catalytic converter thefts dissipates, which is unlikely, lawmakers should revisit the issue rather than ignoring the concerns of victims.
Lawmakers also need to address the state’s gas tax, which provides funding for the construction and repair of roads and bridges. At 49.4 cents per gallon (not counting the federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon), Washington has one of the nation’s highest fuel taxes.
But changes are needed. With an increase in hybrid and electric vehicles, fewer and fewer motorists are paying gas taxes. That is beneficial for the environment, but it is detrimental for the state’s transportation needs. Some sort of per-mile fee will need to be implemented so drivers of electric vehicles also contribute to the roads they are using, but proposals did not advance this year.
To summarize, even as the Legislature closes up shop for this year, there are plenty of reasons to begin planning for the future.
