I have to give credit where it's due. Rep. Monica Stonier made a major move towards keeping her seat for a long time by voting "no" on the CRC Scam, joining with the majority of the GOP caucus as she, at least, has read her constituency and put their positions ahead of those of the special interests running the democrats.
Thank you to Rep. Monica Stonier. Well done.
CRC hits funding snag in Washington state House
Lawmakers reject raising gas taxes to pay for new bridge, other projects; Democrats plan to vote again Thursday
A transportation tax package that would provide Washington’s share of the Columbia River Crossing project received a setback today, when the Democratic-controlled House rejected part of the plan. Democrats say they need just one more vote to pass the bill and that they will be back on the floor Thursday to try again to pass it.
State Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, was one of a handful of Democrats to vote against the bill, which would have increased gas taxes by 10.5 cents per galllon. The money raised through the measure would help pay for many transportation projects around the state, including the CRC.
Stonier said Wednesday that her vote against House Bill 1954 was based on a promise she made to the 17th District that she would not raise taxes.
Forty-eight legislators voted for the proposal, 42 voted against it and 7 were excused from voting. A simple majority, or 50 votes, was required for the bill to pass.
This story will be updated.
4 comments:
I'm hearing bonding portion actually requires a 60 vote majority, not a 50.
We'll see what kind of hissy fit Jim Moeller throws now ;-)
That sure puts to rest that the D's are all for the CRC. Wonder how many R's will apologize for telling that lie?
But the two-vote shift that saved the bill probably should not be taken as a sudden and resounding expression of confidence. Prospects appear dim for the tax increase in the Senate, where the measure may not even receive a vote. For one thing, there is a political problem. Members of the Republican-leaning Majority Coalition Caucus say they won’t consider the measure unless it contains a public referendum – one big sticking point – and several key members also oppose a controversial bridge project over the Columbia River at Vancouver that is launched by the House plan.
Then there is a procedural issue. State Sen. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, notes the House hasn’t passed a bonding bill, HB 1956, which is necessary to implement a portion of its plan. “It’s pretty hard to take it seriously in the Senate until they pass a complete package,” he said. The hitch, of course, is that a bonding bill takes 59 votes, and the House had enough trouble getting to 51.
Wonder if Jim will give stonier the haugen treatment.
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