Author Archives: Laudan

Homelessness crisis requires different kind of action, Fortunato says

As the ranking member on the Senate’s housing committee, state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn has been looking at innovative ways to address the state’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis.

Despite billions of dollars being spent on the problem, homelessness and housing insecurity continue to rise. In a recent hearing on Fortunato’s SHELTER Act, advocates for the “homelessness industrial complex” came out of the woodwork to say why his approach wouldn’t work but offered few solutions aside from the same policies that have left countless people to languish on the streets.

“The recent court decision in Martin v. Boise basically says you cannot remove people from the streets if they do not have a place to go and this bill solves that problem,” said Fortunato. “My proposal provides the homeless on our streets security and services so that we can help them work their way out of homelessness. They can focus on recovery knowing that they and their possessions will be safe while they’re accessing treatments or finding employment. Unless we provide drug and alcohol treatment, we are not breaking the cycle.”

Fortunato offered an amended version of Senate Bill 5107 that removes criminal penalties for camping in public spaces. Under his legislation, cities and counties with a population of at least 50,000 must have an emergency overnight shelter to accommodate the unsheltered homeless equal to the last point-in-time count.

“I’ve worked to improve this legislation, but I’m open to suggestions to make it even better. However, simply saying ‘No’ without addressing the underlying problem for taxpayers and the homeless is unacceptable,” Fortunato said. “I’m working to ensure that families can safely take their kids to parks without finding needles all over the ground by providing a safe and secure place for the homeless to go. To me, it is not compassionate to let people sleep in cardboard boxes, on the side of roads or in public parks. We have to do something different.”

In addition, Fortunato’s bill stipulates that the sites must provide treatment for substance abuse as well as mental health and employment counseling. It would prohibit use of alcohol or other unprescribed drugs and require a police presence for security.

“Much of the opposition to this proposal focused on the requirement for treatment,” Fortunato added, “but I cannot take taxpayer money to fund someone’s continued substance abuse that could be contributing to their struggle with homelessness.”

Stark contrasts revealed in approach to state’s transportation needs

Transportation policy leaders have been working to address Washington’s ailing infrastructure since the passage of the last major package, known as “Connecting Washington,” in 2015. Despite record increases in the state gas tax and other transportation-related fees and charges, the state’s transportation needs have remained woefully underfunded.

State. Sen. Phil Fortunato is continuing his 20-plus-year push for a reset on how transportation projects are funded altogether. This on the heels of a new, massive tax-increase plan, dubbed “Forward Washington” by the Democratically controlled Senate Transportation Committee. The funding proposal, largely crafted to appeal to Democrat legislators, not taxpayers, held a work session on the proposal.

“Everyone testified that they loved the project list without much mention of the tax package to fund it.” said Fortunato, R-Auburn.

“The Legislature has bought into this ‘Project List – Tax Package’ concept as a sales tool for tax increases to the public,” said Fortunato. “Twenty years ago, while on the House Transportation Committee as a 47^th District state representative, I made the observation that in the future people are going to buy more fuel-efficient cars and electric cars, gas tax revenue will flatten out and the cost of right of way and construction will continue to rise with inflation. My solution was to take the then $512 million in sales tax from the sales of motor vehicles and put that into the gas tax account to provide an inflation-linked funding source. While the state sales tax rate has remained the same, 20 years later revenue is now more than $2 billion, keeping up with inflation.”

The package unveiled last Thursday includes projects throughout the state but relies on nearly $16 billion in new taxes, including unpopular proposals to tax carbon and another gas-tax hike, bringing the state’s portion to 55.4 cents per gallon.

“What is being discussed right now won’t ensure safe bridges or less congested roads. We are just putting an expensive Band-Aid when the state should be looking at creative ways that address the main cost-driver of transportation costs – inflation,” Fortunato said. “My proposal includes an inflation-linked funding source and would yield more money for transportation without raising taxes. Telling drivers they’ll have to pay almost a dollar in taxes per gallon at the pump to drive on the same roads is wrong. We must put the brakes on this Forward Washington tax plan and fund it with existing revenue. Every dollar we take from the taxpayer is one less dollar in our economy to create jobs and return sales tax to the General Fund.”

A nonpartisan estimate in 2019 showed that Fortunato’s “Fully Fund Transportation” methodology would result in nearly double the amount of money for projects in the same time frame being proposed now. In addition, Fortunato’s proposal would result in $54.4 billion in economic benefit to the state, while returning almost $4.6 billion is direct sales tax revenue back to the state by keeping more money in taxpayers’ wallets to spend.

Republican senators announce formation of ‘Freedom Caucus’

Freedom is the watchword for the new Senate Freedom Caucus, announced Thursday by lawmakers to advocate for lower taxes, responsible state spending, individual liberties and a government that gets out of the people’s way.

The Freedom Caucus will advocate for core conservative principles. Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, said the new caucus will tackle big-picture issues that often cannot be encompassed by broader political caucuses that must represent a wide variety of views.

The new caucus will put its emphasis on the direction and role of government. Key issues include the rights of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution, with a particular emphasis on the economic freedoms that underpin the free-market economy. Top concerns include the sweeping agenda being pushed by Gov. Jay Inslee and majority Democrats this year as the public is excluded from Olympia by COVID precautions. Also of concern are arbitrary edicts from the governor’s office regarding the shutdown of the Washington economy, and the lack of public input into decision-making.

Founding members of the Freedom Caucus are Ericksen, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, and Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham.

“Never has the need for a Freedom Caucus been so great,” Fortunato said. “Legislative Democrats this year are pushing one of the most radical agendas in Washington history. While the public is forced to stay home, a narrow band of urban activists are pushing an income tax, measures to increase gas prices, and legislation to erode the people’s rights under the Constitution. Rather than working to make these bad ideas somewhat better, we need to draw the line and make ourselves heard. We don’t want to throw a drowning person a life preserver. We want to pull people out of the water.”

Fortunato files state constitutional amendment expanding protections for citizens’ right to bear arms

While many policies that emanate from Olympia concerning the right to bear arms focus on restricting Second Amendment protections, state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is pushing to expand them.

He’s filed a state constitutional amendment to enshrine an individual right to own high-capacity magazines, a popular target for anti-gun advocates. Senate Joint Resolution 8205 would amend Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington Constitution by adding, “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state includes the right to possess firearm magazines and firearm loading devices of any size.”

“Arguments for banning high-capacity magazines focus on preventing a mass shooting. However, banning these magazines only puts the public at more risk,” said Fortunato. “An outright ban ignores the number of magazines already on the market. A conservative estimate based on gun ownership of the types of rifles that use them is about 50 million with each owner having an average of 5 magazines. Add handguns and the total number of magazines is over 250,000,000. The reality is that a person intent on killing innocent people is not going to be concerned about a law that bans some kinds of magazines.”

A 2019 study on shootings shows that trained police officers have about a 25 percent accuracy rate with firearms, typically using a 9mm due to the larger magazine capacity. With the highest accuracy rate of 35 percent, about 14 rounds would need to be fired to stop one threat. Fortunato argues that average citizens exercising their rights deserve every tool to protect themselves as outlined in the state constitution.

“All citizens deserve to have every means of protection at their disposal,” Fortunato added. “In no other area do we have a conversation about restricting rights enshrined in our constitutions. This should be no different. As technology advances, we should be looking at ways to expand protections for law-abiding citizens, not constrain them.”

Fortunato thanks Biden for ESD commissioner promotion

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, offered the following statement on the news of Washington’s Employment Security Department commissioner leaving to join the Biden-Harris administration.

“There is a strategy in corporate America that if you have an incompetent manager, you promote them to a job where they cannot do any harm,” said Fortunato. “I’d like to thank President Biden because it seems he’s helping our state by promoting incompetence. I didn’t see what position the outgoing commissioner will be taking in the new administration, but perhaps she’d fit well as the ambassador to Nigeria.”

Fortunato continues tax-relief efforts for seniors

OLYMPIA… State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is keeping his promise to some of the state’s most vulnerable.

“Seniors and disabled people are particularly affected by rising property taxes and health-care costs – and that was before the economic uncertainty related to COVID-19,” said Fortunato. “This issue is one that I hear about at almost every town hall.”

The focus of Fortunato’s three property tax reduction bills filed this session are to help expand access to existing state programs for those most in need.

“The ‘age wave’ is here and its effects are going to be significant,” Fortunato said. “Seniors have worked all their lives and saved for retirement, only to be hit with property and other tax increases that severely hurt when on a fixed income. I believe that at some point in time you have paid enough property taxes and under this legislation, that time is your 75^th birthday.”

Senate Bill 5289, would exempt people 75 and older from paying property taxes on their primary residence.

Existing senior and disabled property tax programs are based on income qualifications, with a combined income limit of $40,000 or less per household. Senate Bill 5290 would change how eligibility is determined for a property-tax reduction. Under the bill, if one member meets the eligibility requirements, the household would qualify.

“A single person making $40,000 a year after deductions may be able to live on that, but a couple cannot. This means that a couple could be eligible for the deduction if one of their incomes is $40,000 or less.”

The third proposal, Senate Bill 5305, has bipartisan support and would permit applicants to deduct Medicare supplemental insurance premiums from their income calculations to qualify for property-tax programs.

“Seniors deserve every bit of help the state can provide to make their later years comfortable,” added Fortunato. “Property values are rising, the cost of everything is going up, and the state’s tax policies aren’t making it easier to live in this state. I’m hoping at least one of these proposals will pass so that seniors and disabled residents can stay in their homes, hopefully easing their financial burdens.”

All three bills have been referred to the Senate’s budget committee (Ways and Means) and are awaiting public hearings.

Week 2 Update – Virtual Town Hall

The second week of the 2021 legislative is coming to an end. As promised, I’d like to connect with you personally to provide an update and get your insights. So, I’m hosting another virtual town hall and if timing permits, I’m hoping to hold an informal discussion every two weeks during session. Join me this Friday evening.

Join here!

Meeting ID: 932 2745 3875

Passcode: 289423

Or Telephone:

Dial: (253) 215 8782

Passcode: 289423

Fortunato bill seeks relief for families from school taxes

Most of Washington’s public schools have been closed to in-person learning for nearly a year, forcing countless families to struggle at balancing work and childcare in addition to ensuring their children are learning remotely. State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, sees the massive shift in how schools operate as a reason to bring fairness to the state tax code. His Senate Bill 5257 would exempt property owners from state and local school levies if their students are homeschooled or attend a private school.

“We’ve seen significant changes in how people are educating their children,” said Fortunato. “More and more parents have chosen to homeschool or send their students to private schools in the wake of this pandemic, and because of recent policy decisions on mandatory sex-ed policies. “Since the state is not living up to its obligation to provide basic education, parents are forced to pick up the slack, which is hitting family budgets. This bill will provide some financial relief and provide the children with the education they deserve.”

Projections indicate Washington’s public-school enrollment has declined by as much as 5 percent, equal to about 50,000 students. That has saved the state roughly $500 million this fiscal year alone, not including an additional $600 million in savings from reduced transportation costs.

Despite an economic downturn tied to the pandemic, and dire predictions for the 2021-23 budget made in mid-2020, state revenue growth is expected to remain positive. The state’s already bloated spending level could grow by an additional 7 percent without new taxes. Even so, and despite the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Fortunato noted, the Legislature’s majority Democrats are still pursuing more taxes to further boost state spending.

“The state’s budget is in good shape. We can afford to give parents some timely tax relief instead of growing government even more,” Fortunato said. “They can use those resources to help their children get the education they deserve – something the state is failing to do.”

Legislature Convenes for 2021

FLASH:

If you are a first-time home buyer, I hope you can testify on my American Dream Home bill (SB 5189) Tuesday Jan. 19 at 8:00 am. You can register to testify here if you’d like to testify remotely or just list your support (Pro) or opposition (Con) to the bill to the committee using the same link.

The bill would eliminate government impact fees and reduce permit costs to bring down the cost of an entry level home by as much as $60,000, saving about $280 per month in mortgage payments.

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

It has been an eventful start to the 2021 legislative session. The first week is generally reserved for ceremonial aspects of the Legislature like swearing in officials, speeches, and the like. Much of that still occurred, although we are meeting mostly remotely under what I’d consider undemocratic rules that shut out the minority’s voice and limit the public’s engagement with their government.

I fought against the adoption of such rules in the Senate that bar the public from in-person participation. While I agree that digital access to legislative proceedings does expand access in some ways, in others it makes it more difficult. That is particularly true when the governor completely barricades the Capitol Campus with fences and the armed National Guard.

Already, there are significant policies moving forward, such as the governor’s climate scheme that will increase fuel costs, and a new proposal to implement a type of state income tax.

While the state is doing well concerning tax collections, the majority is bent on raising taxes during a time when businesses are being forced to close, and families are struggling. I think that is the wrong thing to do.

I encourage you to stay involved during this challenging legislative session. Know that I am working as hard as I can to represent you and bring your voice to the proceedings in Olympia.

Staying Connected

We’ve had some great success reaching people in the district via virtual town halls. I’ve held two so far. I made the commitment to do more during the session so that you can get the news on what’s happening straight from the source and so I can get your input directly. So, I’ll be holding another virtual town hall next week on Friday, Jan. 22. Please keep your calendar open. More details to come.

Capitol restrictions are hypocritical

Security remained tight at the state Capitol for the opening of the 2021 legislative session. The Capitol Campus was fenced off from the public over the weekend after demonstrators had trespassed onto the grounds of Gov. Jay Inslee’s official residence Jan. 6. The governor also had called hundreds of armed National Guard and State Patrol to be present, effectively preventing other protests or demonstrations.

The people have a right to access their government, to protest, or be present for the deliberations of the Legislature.

The points I made in my floor speech are that for 10 months my constituents have been asking for my help to do something. We are finally in session, and the first thing the majority did was to give our authority away to the Governor. I’ve contended that since May this is no longer an emergency, it is a crisis that needs to be managed with legislative oversight. Ceding legislative authority to the Governor takes away my ability to represent you.

Watch my floor speech here.

It’s not necessarily the proclamations

The discussion around emergency proclamations has been overshadowed by the more controversial mandates by the governor that have ruined our state’s economy and hurt Washington families. However, some of these are good policies, like those to protect privacy, reduce regulatory burdens, and provide tax relief. That is why I’ve introduced legislation to make those permanent.

The recent passage of SCR 8402 takes us down the wrong path because it removes a necessary check on the governor’s power via the Legislature.

Find out more.

Want to help open up Washington?

There is a bipartisan proposal, Senate Bill 5114, that would allow for all businesses affected by the governor’s shutdown to reopen safely and immediately under the standards of Phase 2. There will be a hearing on this legislation Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 8 a.m.

If you are interested in lending your voice to this conversation, I welcome it. I’ve co-sponsored the bill.

You can testify remotely from your computer by following this link. It will take you to the testimony sign up page. The window closes one hour before the start of the hearing.

Please feel free to share this information with your family, friends, colleagues, and coworkers.

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Log in and create an account to customize reports, manage personal bill tracking lists, and more.

It is an honor to serve you and my office is here to help you with any questions you may have about your state government.

Sincerely,

Phil Fortunato,

Your 31st District State Senator

Fortunato introduces legislation to make some emergency proclamations permanent

Senator slams Democrat effort to sideline legislative oversight

On Wednesday the state Senate’s majority party approved a measure which would extend many of Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency proclamations indefinitely, and take away the opportunity for continued legislative oversight.

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, believes some of the policies should extend beyond the governor’s state of emergency. He has introduced Senate Bill 5113 to make permanent the proclamations that are taxpayer- and business-friendly, and took time during the Senate debate to chide his colleagues for ceding the Legislature’s authority.

“The discussion around emergency proclamations has been overshadowed by the more controversial mandates by the governor that have ruined our state’s economy and hurt Washington families,” Fortunato said. “However, some of these are good policies like those to protect privacy, reduce regulatory burdens, and provide tax relief. That is why I’ve introduced legislation to make those permanent.”

Fortunato argues that the proposal, rammed through the Senate on a caucus-line vote, goes too far by removing a necessary check on executive overreach.

“For 10 months my constituents have been asking for help, asking for us to do something,” Fortunato said. “We are finally in session, finally here and the first thing the majority wants to do is give our authority away. It’s madness. I’ve contended since May that there is no emergency. What we have is a crisis that needs to be managed.”

The measure was approved 28-19 and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.