Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Matthew Rainwater at 7:30am. Matthew led the flag salute.

Peggy N. read the quote of the day.

Minutes:

Luke R. moved to accept June 26 minutes, seconded by Dick P. Motion passed.

Announcements:

• Marc Abshire announced Chamber lunch.
• Sam Phillips will be on KONP.
• Debbie announced EDC/SBDC small business fair.
• Gaven at Around Again is holding recycling & upcycling on Sunday 10am – 4pm.

Program:  Jim McEntire and Steve Tharinger

Please ask questions appropriate for both members to answer. Video will be on YouTube.

Introductions by both candidates.

JM:  Real wealth in our area is growing / creating and exporting items. GDP in Clallam has shrunk by 6%. Wages increased by .5% since 2010. That the economic reason he is running. 46% school kids are from families who are economically distressed and have school free lunch. 24th District should respect the Constitution: public records act, modification of law enforcement’s use of force decisions.

ST: Has been here in business for 40 years, knows the district and serves as chair of the Capital Budget Committee. He sits on State Appropriations Committee which is good for expanding healthcare assistance. Jefferson Health and OMC are hiring nurses out of Seattle, he is partnering with the college to change that and can drive healthcare costs down 10-15%. Work on regulatory challenges for adult family homes to lessen costs.

Where do you stand regarding the bill to lower bond vote requirement from 60% to 55%?

ST:  Supports it. The constitution says 60% and it  needs to be a bipartisan effort to bring it down. Infrastructure and school investment are important. Since 2010 state passed close to $3B in bonds, he will work to match.

JM: Doesn’t support it. State is #6 for per capital state debt. If passed, it should to go vote by the people. Let them choose what their threshold is. Legislature does not have to fund schools. Should increase timber harvest to generate revenue to legislature that doesn’t involve raising taxes. People can’t afford to harvest to generate revenue to legislature that doesn’t involve raising taxes.

ST: For servicing debt, we have a robust economy – our bond rating is very good. The initiative process affects rating.

JM: www.fiscal.wa.gov. Legislature should be finding money without taxation.

What’s the role of government in climate change?

JM:  Climate will continue to change. Biggest single source is forest fires. Science says models are too imprecise for policy to be created. What we can do is increase government efficiency and examine cost vs. benefit. Not in favor of carbon fee/tax. Affects heavily rural areas because items are transported here and may increase inflation.

ST: Science is very clear that climate change is caused by carbon emissions. Ice core samples give a good timeline and begins at industrial revolution showing levels have increased. Weather activity around the globe and a number of tipping points show the planet is warming and wants a fossil free economy by 2050. New technology can be developed over time.

How do you feel about term limits?

ST:  A proponent. It takes some time to learn the ropes.

JM: If you elect someone public spirited, that person understands when they’ve done their duty. Thee has been a legislative lack of restraint – Initiative 940 and also diverting funds from the Rainy Day Fund.

ST: Regarding the budget stabilization account, last year they bypassed that account and funds went right to education. It was filled for a tax break.

JM: That mechanism wouldn’t pass muster in a lawsuit. Legislators did it to spend with bare majority. Rules are clear.

What is the state doing to seismic retrofit buildings and to help finance??

JM:  Doesn’t know for current buildings.

ST: DNR was directed to overlay fault maps with schools. WA is behind. Seattle areas was given to retrofit.

How do we address human and environmental toll from rare earth mineral use in battery storage?

JM:  We can’t be held hostage in needing these materials. What is the cost? The need for good legislature and legislators. The cell phone wasn’t a goal of the government. It was the genius of America. Government is not well suited to make those goals.

ST: The race to the moon was government. Most of the rest of the world is leading with entrepreneurial spirit.

Closing Statements:

ST: Has built a good team in the county while here and has done the same in Olympia. Equal pay for women, funded the Elwha bridge, ruling on bump stocks, (and more) all in 60 days and has been working 20 years to solve problems. He’s invested in broadband and is in a position to incentivize.

JM: Who is best prepared to represent our district and its working families? He has a singular focus on the attributes of 24th District and its unique challenges. Who will reflect the values and internal fortitude to exercise boundaries in legislature?

Upcoming Meeting:

July 17:  Jodi Wilke and Representative Mike Chapman. Government Affairs Meeting to follow.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.