Recommended Actions for the Week of 20180209

Source: Representative Noel Frame (LD36), via Washington’s Paramount Duty Facebook page.

Description: Contact your state representatives and ask them to support Capital Gains Tax (HB 2967).

Background:

(From Rep. Noel Frame) “A $7B tax increase to meet a constitutional mandate to fund schools raised almost entirely on one source of revenue was going to hurt no matter what. That’s why Democrats proposed a diverse range of revenue options last year, and it’s why we’re back with this bill to propose a capital gains tax that will allow us to buy down the property tax and expand the tax exemption for seniors, veterans and disabled folks on fixed incomes. Capital gains will be paid by just 44,000 households in all of WA – those who profit from the sales of stocks and bonds. Other types of capital gains have been excluded: sales of small businesses, single family homes, retirement accounts, timber, etc. – all excluded. This is truly a tax only on portfolios, and a damn good investment to help the other 7 million Washingtonians.”

Contact Information:

42nd District

Representative Luanne Van Werven

(360) 786 – 7980

Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov

Representative Vincent Buys

(360) 786 – 7854

Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov

40th District

Representative Kristine Lytton

(360) 786 – 7800

Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov

Representative Jeff R. Morris

(360) 786 – 7970

Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov

Suggested Script:

To Representatives:

Hi, my name is [first and last name] and I live in [town name] in the [42nd or 40th] district.  I’m calling to voice my support for legislation that increases taxes on the most wealthy to bring in NEW revenue to increase Washington’s investment in public schools.  I respectfully urge you to vote yes on HB 2967.  Thank you for listening to my concern.

Comment on the bill online: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//2967

Additional Information:

https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/02/01/25773511/clock-ticking-on-mccleary-deal-with-no-sure-plan-in-sight

Source: Walk Bike Bus Bellingham

Description: Attend the Public Hearing on Monday the 12th at 7:00 pm at City Hall, or email City Council.

Background: Bellingham’s bike network plan includes adding bike lanes on Roeder Ave. The City Council must approve removal of curbside parking so that bike lanes can be installed.  Your action is needed to 1) Support parking removal, 2) Support
Two-way PROTECTED Bike Lanes on waterfront side – better than one bike lane on each side.

Public Hearing/Contact Information:

Public Meeting

Monday February 12, 2018, 7pm

Bellingham City Council Chambers

2nd Floor, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA  98225

Email City Council: ccmail@cob.org

Talking Points:

Safety Concerns for people on bikes:
*Posted speed limit is 35 mph.
*Heavily used truck route.
*Destinations along Roeder are mostly along the waterfront (west) side of the street.

Two-way protected bike lanes installed on Roeder’s waterfront side would:
1) Provide more direct access to Roeder Avenue destinations: waterfront parks, trails & jobs;
2) Increase physical separation of the bike lanes from vehicle traffic using bollards, curb segments, a bioswale, or even grass;
3) Complement & connect to the new protected bike lanes on Granary in the Waterfront District project;
4) Provide “truck-free” separate travel lanes & connections for bike commuters;
5) Maintain safe access for people on bikes to large community events such as Ski to Sea and Fourth of July.

* Bring your children, too! Protected Bike Lanes work for ALL Ages & Abilities!

Source: Department of Ecology

Description: Have you seen those white-tarped mounds at the end of Cornwall Ave on the Bellingham waterfront?  Learn about the preliminary design for cleaning up a portion of the site at a public meeting on February 15 and/or provide comment online.

Background: In December 2017, the Department of Ecology invited the public to comment on an engineering design report for the cleanup of a portion of the Cornwall Avenue Landfill cleanup site on the Bellingham waterfront.  The report provides the preliminary design for isolating contamination and controlling landfill gas. The report was prepared by the Port of Bellingham, the City of Bellingham, and the State Department of Natural Resources, with Ecology oversight.  Ecology has scheduled a public meeting for February 15 and extended the comment period through Thursday, February 22.

Public Hearing/Contact Information:

Public Meeting

February 15, 2018, 6 – 8 pm

Ecology Office (new location next to Squalicum Creek Park)

913 Squalicum Way, Unit 101, Bellingham, WA  98225

Click here to submit comment online.

Additional Information:

• Dept. of Ecology: Cornwall Avenue Landfill site status
• Cornwall Avenue Landfill Engineering Design Report

BALLOTS ARE DUE TUESDAY THE 13TH. The Riveters Collective Board voted unanimously to support the school bond.  For more information see the BPS 2018 bond information page.

Source: Re Sources for Sustainable Communities, Climate Solutions

Description: Call your legislators and ask them to support Oil Spill Prevention (SB 6269), phasing  out non-native Atlantic salmon farming (SB 6086; HB 2957), stabilizing funding for toxic cleanup (SB 6422), and bold climate action (SB 6253, SB 6203, HB 2338, HB 2328).

Background:

• Oil Transportation safety (SB 6269): Orcas, salmon, and our way of life in the Salish Sea are constantly at risk of a devastating oil spill, whether by vessel in our marine waters or by pipeline crossing our rivers. To make matters worse, the state Department of Ecology’s Oil Spills program is severely underfunded and may not be able to adequately respond to an oil spill. Ecology has no way to adequately contain an oil spill of this type. Our fishing economy, tourism, and quality of life could be devastated if we aren’t prepared.  The Oil Spills Prevention Act would secure stable and reliable funding for oil spill prevention and preparedness work, fully implement marine protections, and strengthen protection tools.
• Non-native Atlantic salmon farming (SB 6086, HB 2957).  In August 2017, over 160,000 Atlantic Salmon from an open water net-pen operation managed by Cooke Aquaculture escaped due to a structural failure. This was a wake-up call to many in our community about the fact that these non-native salmon are being cultivated in our marine waters. Raising non-native Atlantic Salmon poses a wide range of risks — from water pollution, with the use of antibiotics and concentrated feces, to disease outbreaks that can harm our already-endangered native salmon populations.
• Stabilizing Funding for Toxic Cleanup (SB 6422).  The state’s Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) provides funding to clean up areas polluted by chemicals and toxics from decades of industry that are harmful to human and animal health. This funding is put to use locally for the Bellingham Waterfront and the Blaine Marina cleanups, to name a couple examples. Unfortunately, funding for MTCA is often uncertain due to the volatility of the Hazardous Substance Tax (HST) which is a tax on the importation of oil, pesticides, and other chemicals. As we’ve seen, the price of oil can drop or rise dramatically, making it difficult for budget forecasting.  SB 6422 is similar to a bill introduced last year (HB 2182), which have stabilized MTCA funding through a tiered tax structure.
• Act on Climate.   2018 is the year for meaningful climate action. Climate impacts have been felt across the state, from longer and more severe droughts impacting farmers, raging wildfires and smoke, to warmer, rising, more acidifying seas threatening coastal communities and livelihoods. Now is the time for our state to show national leadership. Elements of comprehensive climate action includes effectively reducing carbon pollution, addressing the needs of impacted communities, mitigating climate impacts by investing in clean water, healthy forests, and sustainable infrastructure, investing in state’s growing clean energy economy, and providing protection for workers and energy-intensive, trade-exposed businesses.  Climate Solutions recommends asking legislators to support all of the legislation below.
  • 100% Fossil Free electricity (SB 6253) would end development of new fossil-fueled power plants in Washington. Let’s stop making it worse so we can make it better!
  • Investing in a just transition to clean energy (SB 6203) would charge fossil fuel suppliers  for their climate-warming carbon pollution. Let’s invest in ensuring that clean energy and transportation choices are available and affordable for everyone.
  • Clean fuels (HB 2338).  It’s time to start busting up the oil monopoly and increasing the availability of cleaner alternatives!
  • Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) (HB 2328).  In California and Oregon, they have more affordable electric vehicles available at car dealerships. You know why? Because they have a ZEV law. We need that!

Contact Information:

42nd District

Senator Doug Ericksen, (360) 786 – 7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov

Representative Luanne Van Werven, (360) 786 – 7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov

Representative Vincent Buys, (360) 786 – 7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov

40th District

Senator Kevin Ranker, (360) 786 – 7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov

Representative Kristine Lytton, (360) 786 – 7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov

Representative Jeff R. Morris, (360) 786 – 7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov

Suggested Script:

To Senators:

Hi, my name is [first and last name] and I live in [town name] in the [42nd or 40th] district.  I’m calling to voice my support for legislation that supports oil spill prevention, phases out Atlantic salmon farming, stabilizes funding for toxic cleanup, and bold climate action.  I respectfully urge Senator [Last Name] to vote yes on SB 6269,SB 6086, SB 6422, SB 6253, and SB 6203).  Thank you for listening to my concern.

Or

To Representatives:

Hi, my name is [first and last name] and I live in [town name] in the [42nd or 40th] district.  I’m calling to voice my support for legislation that would phase out Atlantic salmon farming and promote a transition to a clean energy economy and future.  I respectfully urge Representative[Last Name] to vote yes on HB 2957, HB 2338, and HB 2328).   Thank you for listening to my concern.

Or click on hyperlinked bills above to comment online.

Additional Information:

Re Sources: Legislative session: what we’re watching, what you can do

Environmental Priorities Coalition: 2018 Environmental Priorities

Source: Riveters Collective, Co3 Consulting, Bellingham Community Food Co-op and Cascadia Deaf Nation.

Description: We are excited to see you this Sunday!  If you’re on Facebook, join the event for updates.  If not, find all relevant information here!

Contact Information: riveterscollective@gmail.com