Peninsula lawmakers and environmental legislation

Recently Representatives Van De Wege and Tharinger sat down with a group of environmental activists that represented a wide range of issues on the Olympic Peninsula. In leaving, many were concerned that the words they heard during the conversation were ‘not possible’.  I posed the question to Representative Van de Wege and Tharinger, via email, as to what they saw as the environmental issues that might be supported in this session of the legislature. Here’s Kevin’s thoughts first:

“You are correct, Al,  in saying that “not possible” is a big word this session.  Any new program, law, or idea that costs state general fund dollars is “not possible” this session.  Having said all that though, I think the environmental community is sitting very well this session and with a lot of work that has the potential for some big wins.  Steve (Representative Tharinger) has a huge bill he is sponsoring that I will let him talk about, and I have co-sponsored it.  I have also co-sponsored the Rolfes bill  (an oil spill prevention bill) and Upthegrove has an additional one.  I personally am doing the prescription drug take back bill that is aimed at keeping unused prescription drugs from being thrown away and ending up in our water.  I will be working on saving state parks with some funding options, and also will be helping with a proposal to start working on turning biomass into jet fuel, which sounds very promising.  “

Steve had this to say:

One potentially big win this session would benefit both Puget Sound cleanup efforts and job creation.  I’m prime-sponsoring a bill in the House, HB 1294, that would consolidate the Washington Conservation Corps programs – currently administered by four different state agencies – under the Department of Ecology.  Within the WCC, a “SoundCorps” program would be created, which wouldn’t cost the state a dime but would enable us to possibly leverage more federal dollars for Puget Sound restoration.  “SoundCorps” crews would be made up of WCC participants, as well as veterans who would come through the Veterans Conservation Corps.  We have a lot of unemployed people in our state right now, and our veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and finding the job market difficult.  Hoping to  create jobs that forward the Puget Sound Action Agenda, so that we stay on track on clean up Puget Sound by 2020.  That’s my objective with this bill, and I’m optimistic about its chances this year.
 

We will be following the work of our Representatives and Senator in the upcoming weeks.  More on the bills that are discussed above as we get details. You can also follow these bills and other legislative issues at People For Puget Sound’s web site, www.pugetsound.org 

If you are interested in coming to Olympia on February 15th and taking part in Environmental Lobby Day, also go to the People For Puget Sound web site, as they are co-sponsoring the day. Not sure what to expect? See my video on last year’s Environmental Lobby Day at http://pugetsound.org/programs/policy/lobbyday