Meeting Minutes

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

Minutes:

Julie H. moved to accept Sept. 25 meeting minutes, seconded by Jack G. Motion passed.

Announcements:

Peggy N. announced that Sunday is the Historical Society History Tales, 2:30p-3:30p at First Methodist Church. 7th & Laurel.

Gayla announced a CCRP event Sunday at Clallam County Fairgrounds to hear the candidates from 1p-4p, dessert style snacks provided.

Edna spoke about the ice rink and thanked everyone for their support. Over 10K has been raised so far.

Matthew said the PABA Board voted by email to donate $1K to the ice rink and a banner will be made to be hung at the rink. Kaj moved that membership approve the donation, seconded by Debby F.  Kaj stated that this is a tremendous step forward for the city to provide a worthwhile event for off season that will benefit the community and businesses. Motion passed.

Program:  State Rep Mike Chapman and candidate Jodi Wilke. Jodi is unable to attend, campaign manager Donny Hall will speak on her behalf.

Julie H. will moderate. Matthew reviewed rules.

Opening Statements:

JW: Donny said to visit Jodi’s site and gave her professional background. Her passions are taxes, jobs and housing. They must look at regulations and how the burden of funding for housing falls on job creators and builders. A serious look at Growth Management Act needs to happen. She is also pro Second Amendment.

MC: Mike said his wife is a small business owner and his mother-in-law grew up in Joyce. He has an 18 year history of representing the community. He voted against the largest property tax increase in history and voted for a property tax cut for next year. A billion dollars is being added to the Rainy Day Fund, more than ever before. 556 bipartisan votes were on the House floor and 18 partisan, meaning the government is working together. Eight bills became law by him, all bipartisan.

Gayla asked about increased spending.

MC:  Due to basic education and they have complied with the courts now. Yes, spending went up since 2011. State economy continues to grow.

DH: They need to look at the budget and what it’s doing to the American people. Special interests would like to see an income tax. Jodi does not support a Carbon Tax. She would examine tax cuts before agreeing to any new tax proposal.

MC: Voted for property tax cuts, supports a rural manufacturer’s tax break, implemented a small business tax credit, and will not raise taxes unnecessarily.

Kaj asked the candidate’s position on Carbon Tax and whether they would repeal or modify it if passed.

MC:  This is not the right way to enact policy. The I-5 corridor has the votes to pass it but it should come out of the legislative process. If the initiative fails, there are groups pledged to work with legislature for good policy. He is working on ways to protect the 24th District.

DH: Opinion is the tax is regressive. Jodi is opposed to it. It will throttle businesses making the cost of moving product more expensive. Farmer, truckers, commuters, working people will be more impacted. Seattle has the 4th. most regressive tax structure per a WA DC report. She would vote to repeal it.

MC: He is respectful of not instantly overriding voters. Climate change is real and he said we are a carbon sink, 30% of carbon is sequestered in Pacific coast forest. WE sequester more than we can product and we need to thin the forest. It’s sequestered forever when turned in to a wood product including cross laminated timber.

DH: Jodi feels she represents the voters of her district and it would not be disrespectful to her voters if she voted to repeal it.

Carol asked about the candidates’ position on wilderness designations and preservation for potential habitat for single species management. Older trees produce carbon, how would they balance preservation?

DH:  A managed forest is the best chance for survival and he is happy that Olympia is on board. He thinks privately held forests are the best way and that individuals and companies have a vested interest in preservation. Regarding the single species issue, they shouldn’t go too far in protecting a potentially threatened species and should not rope off more land.

MC: Sponsored a small forest land bill where credit is given for carbon sequestered in buffers, and for carbon storing. He also helped pass an advisory committee for the marbled murrelet to advise the DNR in complying with federal regulations for 500k acres along the Pacific coast. No additional lands will be taken out of production.

DH: Took the time to announce that Commissioner Peach has been invited to WA DC to take part in discussions about federal impacts on counties and will talk to the Dept. of Interior about protecting species and confirming definitions.

Randy J. asked about unfunded mandates.

DH:  Indigents deserve adequate defense but not the best money can buy. He doesn’t think the state should cover the entire cost, control should be at the local level.

MC: Indigent defense is a constitutional right, the question is how to fund it. Best thing for counties is tax from marijuana sales which is starting to pick up. If counties sue the state it will be difficult to pass a bill. He asks for a long session to work something out.

Edna stated the legislature messed up on school funding. How would they fix the McCleary decision?

MC:  He’s not making excuses. He voted no and tried to craft a bipatisan solution. Most are saying to make changes. Every district is getting more money. The court said it’s done, they just need to stay in compliance.

DH: He has issues with centralized control. If money all comes from Olympia that’s where the power resides. Sequim schools changed their curriculum, that’s how it works locally.

MC: Stated he didn’t say he has no idea what happened. A good idea for change is that when timber is harvested in a school district, that district should have the revenue. It is a new school funding model.

Shenna asked about thoughts on Opportunity Zone ideas for driving affordable housing.

DH: State he does not have direct knowledge of Jodi’s view but would rather see WA state be an opportunity zone than have specific zones.

MC: Said these zones will help with more rural broadband and they are still figuring that out. For housing ideas: condominium-ize lots as a separate tax parcel, city and county reduce the requirement for square footage, low or zero-interest loans, property tax exception, tax breaks for builders if they commit to affordable housing. Condos are not built because of litigation and he is working on a condo liability bill to set up a mediation process.

DH: Said Mike is a true politician. He himself babbled while Mike was able to change the subject.

Closing Statements:

MC: Said he will be on KONP today. He is running because he feels he has done a good job and worked hard on: The Elwha Bridge, new access point for Hoh Tribe and generator, money for suicide fencing. Clallam County Housing Authority project, new broadband funding, money for the pool and VIMO, increased Medicare reimbursement rates for Grays Harbor.

DH: Said Jodi is strong willed and believes in personal freedoms and liberties. With most traditional issues she will be conservative and does not like special interest groups. She would like to see balance restored. He said more citizen legislators are needed like Jodi who have risen through the ranks.

Upcoming Meeting:

October 9:  US Representative Steve Tharinger and candidate Jim McEntire.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.