Author Archives: Laudan

Truth in government bill seeks to change state agency name

Taxpayer advocate and state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, has introduced truth-in-government legislation that accurately portrays the work of a state agency.

Senate Bill 5925 would change the name of the state Department of Revenue to the Department of Taxation. The simple name change required an over-500-page bill.

“I was at a conference and learned that Hawaii is doing it right,” said Fortunato. “They have what’s called the Department of Taxation. I think we need more truth in government, so I sponsored this legislation to make it clearer to people what our state agency does.”

According to its mission statement, the state Department of Revenue seeks “to fairly and efficiently collect revenues and administer programs to fund public services and advocate sound tax policy.”

“The reality is that this state agency doesn’t generate revenue,” Fortunato said. “Revenue is what businesses and people generate from the sale of goods and services. This is a tax collection agency and their name should reflect that.”

The measure was referred to State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections committee.

Transportation Survey

I need your input. Please take the survey below concerning transportation plans being considered in the Senate. Below are examples of revenue sources for a new transportation package. Note billions in new taxes and fees versus my proposal that uses existing revenues you already send to Olympia.

 

Create your own user feedback survey

Keeping more education dollars in the classroom

Many school districts are concerned about the cost of unfunded mandates from the state. Those can be solved with additional funding. The problem is where to get the additional funding from. As of the latest count, the state has passed over 1477 regulations down to the local school districts. I’ve introduced legislation that would allow districts to obtain waivers from these costly regulations that don’t directly contribute to the education of the child in the classroom.

Discussing Tolls and More with John Carlson

Earlier in the second week of the 2019 legislative session, I joined John Carlson for an update on transportation and other issues before the legislature.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Firearms test required for legislators to draft gun legislation

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, has introduced legislation in advance of the 2019 legislative session that would require legislators who draft gun legislation to be trained and pass a test.

“We have legislators drafting bills who have no idea how firearms work or any sense of firearm nomenclature,” said Fortunato. “When decision makers want to restrict someone’s constitutional rights, they shouldn’t go off half-cocked.”

Fortunato’s bill would require legislators who want to draft legislation to pass the state’s criminal justice firearms training for each firearm they wish to regulate. In addition to classroom and live-fire requirements, legislators would also need to pass range safety officer training, and be able to pass a knowledge test for calibers and gauges of firearms.

Fortunato points to actual quotes from anti-gun politicians to demonstrate the need for better education of policymakers.

“A weapon (AR-15) that shoots off 700 rounds in a minute.” – former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Florida.

A ghost gun that “has the ability, with a .30-caliber clip, to disperse with 30 bullets within half a second; 30 magazine clip in half a second.” – California state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D).

“…number of these high-capacity magazines is going to decrease dramatically over time because the bullets will have been shot and there won’t be any more available…” – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado.

“We have federal regulations and state laws that prohibit hunting ducks with more than three rounds. And yet it’s legal to hunt humans with 15-round, 30-round, even 150-round magazines.” – U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California.

“I guess no one told Sen. Feinstein that it’s illegal to hunt humans,” Fortunato added. “I just think that it is fair to require some competency training for legislators so they can better understand what the heck they are talking about.”

I want to hear from you!

Before the Christmas holiday, I sent out an e-newsletter with a survey link requesting your feedback. Thanks to all that have taken it so far. If you haven’t, here is another way below.

 

Create your own user feedback survey

Transportation Town Hall

Dec. 6, 2018
In actionGreetings Friends,

Now that election season is over, I’m once again able to provide updates on what’s going on in your state government. The 2019 legislative session is approaching. I need your feedback on important transportation issues in the Enumclaw-Buckley area.

In the 2017 session, I was able to get the study we needed to improve traffic flow along the entire 410 corridor. My main concern was the White River Bridge and the problem of traffic detours if the bridge gets damaged. My solution is to add a new two-lane bridge (without the trestle structure) next to the existing bridge to improve traffic flow and which can be used in case the trestle bridge becomes damaged.

With the study being completed, I want to get your input on the proposed WSDOT solutions and what you would like me to pursue next session.

The state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been holding some meetings throughout the community, but it seems the meetings are at times of day that preclude people from attending. That’s why I’m organizing a town-hall meeting Monday, Dec. 10, from 7-8:30 p.m. along with my House seatmates. The meeting will include a WSDOT briefing on transportation plans in the area; I hope you can attend so your voice can be heard.

Spiketon Bridge replacement moved from 2022 to 2019.

Thanks to lots of community support and our proactive 31st District legislative team, we were able to get the bridge replacement moved up to next spring. Your involvement and activism are invaluable. With your support, we as legislators are able to make a stronger case for issues that affect our districts, so keep it up!

I will be working on some innovative proposals this coming session to address our state’s infrastructure. At the same time I’ll be pushing back on attempts to just raise more taxes. I believe we can fund critical transportation projects to get people and goods where they need to go without making you pay more.

If you live in the Buckley, Enumclaw, Wilkeson and Carbonado areas, please tell your friends about the meeting; the more people who show up, the better I can serve as their voice in Olympia.

When: Monday, Dec. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Enumclaw Fire Station, 1330 Wells Street, Enumclaw

It is an honor serving as your state senator. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns you have about your state government.

Sincerely,

Fortunato Signature

Phil Fortunato,

Your 31st District State Senator

Legislative Update

May 11, 2018

townhallGreetings Friends and Neighbors,

This will be the last e-news update you’ll receive regarding my legislative duties due to election-year restrictions. Our state works hard to ensure fair and transparent elections and as such, we maintain stringent rules on the use of public resources during election years. Legislators who are up for re-election in 2018, including me, must follow specific rules and laws concerning our written communications with you.

We have had great conversations with constituents at the numerous events around the district. I want to thank everyone who has attended and lent their insights, shared their concerns, and helped me hold our state government accountable. I will be holding one final meeting this Saturday, May 12, at the Edgewood City Hall from 4-5:30 p.m. I hope you’ll join me for an informal conversation about what your state government should be doing.

There is a lot to reflect on from the 2018 legislative session. I’ve said before, too many in Olympia just can’t do anything simple. In reality, we can do the most good for our citizens by getting government out of the way! Here’s a prime example: The current majority introduces bills with ridiculous titles to “help” people.

“Concerning investing in Washington families by improving the fairness of the state’s excise tax system by narrowing or eliminating tax preferences, imposing a business and occupation tax surcharge while eliminating tax liability for small businesses, enacting an excise tax on capital gains, modifying the real estate excise tax, making administrative changes, and implementing marketplace fairness in Washington.”

In essence, they want to raise your taxes, or create new ones, to give you a small amount of relief on other taxes. This is the kind of nonsense I’m working to stop.

It is an honor serving as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns you have about your state government. I look forward to seeing you all around the district.

Sincerely,

Fortunato Signature

Phil Fortunato,

Your 31st District State Senator

Contact Me:

Mail: PO Box 40431 Olympia, WA 98504

Olympia Office: 201 Irv Newhouse Building Olympia, WA 98504

Phone: (360) 786-7660

Email: Phil.Fortunato@leg.wa.gov

www.SenatorPhilFortunato.com

STAY CONNECTED!

Due to election year restrictions, I will be limited in how I can communicate with you about what is going on in Olympia. Please be sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you already haven’t. You can also unsubscribe at anytime by clicking here. Feel free to share this with others that live in our district.

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Committee assignments

During the 2018 legislative session, I am serving on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and the Senate’s Transportation Committee.

Government guide

We have updated the 31st Legislative District government guide to make it easy for you to contact your federal, state and local officials. It’s a one-stop tool that gives you the phone numbers, emails and information you need for everything from schools and senior centers to members of Congress and the President.
You can access the online version of the guide anytime by clicking here or you can call my office for a physical copy while supplies last.

Connect with me on Facebook!

Please follow me @SenatorPhilFortunato to receive updates on my work here in Olympia. Invite others in our district to follow and like my new page!

Looking Ahead – Join me for breakfast or dinner

 

April 17, 2018
floorGreetings Friends and Neighbors,

Now that the dust has settled on the 2018 legislative session, it is time to get to work. I have several policies that I believe will help our district, but I want to hear from you and get your feedback on what you think I should be working on.

I think that these topics are important for our community:

  • Fixing Sound Transit
  • Car-tab relief
  • Creating an elected Board
  • Property tax relief
  • General citizen oversight and accountability (re-vote for over-budget projects)
  • Creating a New County

I sponsored a bill to separate Seattle from the rest of King County, similar to arrangements of other large cities in the country like Los Angeles. This will benefit suburban areas and Pierce County by giving more of a voice in regional council boards and provide better representation in decision-making.

Here are some successes from this past year:

  • Recreational trail extension while protecting private property rights in Bonney Lake
  • HWY – 410 Bridge Replacement

Join me for breakfast or dinner at locations around the district

I will be holding informal meetings around the district in the coming weeks, promoting small businesses and community outreach. Please contact my office to schedule a time or feel free to simply stop by and chat.

April 23 – Bonney Lake

Buttered Biscuit

7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

9801 219th Ave Ct E, Bonney Lake

 

April 25 – Buckley

Mariachi Alegre

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

29401 Hwy 410, Buckley

 

April 28 – Enumclaw

The Kettle

7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

1666 Garrett St, Enumclaw

 

May 5 – Wilkeson

Wilkeson Eagles 1409

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

534 Church St, Wilkeson

 

May 7 – Auburn

Auburn Senior Center

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

808 9th St SE, Auburn

 

May 9 – Lake Tapps

Al Lago

5: 30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

3110 Sumner Tapps Hwy E, Lake Tapps

 

May 12 – Edgewood

Edgewood City Hall

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

2224 104th Ave E, Edgewood

 

May 14 – Sumner

Farelli’s Pizza

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

15007 Main St E, Sumner

It’s an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns about your state government.

Sincerely,

Fortunato Signature

Phil Fortunato,

Your 31st District State Senator

Contact Me:

Mail: PO Box 40431 Olympia, WA 98504

Olympia Office: 201 Irv Newhouse Building Olympia, WA 98504

Phone: (360) 786-7660

Email: Phil.Fortunato@leg.wa.gov

www.SenatorPhilFortunato.com

Committee assignments

During the 2018 legislative session, I am serving on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and the Senate’s Transportation Committee.

Government guide

We have updated the 31st Legislative District government guide to make it easy for you to contact your federal, state and local officials. It’s a one-stop tool that gives you the phone numbers, emails and information you need for everything from schools and senior centers to members of Congress and the President.
You can access the online version of the guide anytime by clicking here or you can call my office for a physical copy while supplies last.

STAY CONNECTED!

Due to election year restrictions, I will be limited in how I can communicate with you about what is going on in Olympia. Please be sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you already haven’t. You can also unsubscribe at anytime by clicking here. Feel free to share this with others that live in our district.

Bookmark and Share

Connect with me on Facebook!

Please follow me @SenatorPhilFortunato to receive updates on my work here in Olympia. Invite others in our district to follow and like my new page!