Area bills are awaiting Inslee’s signature
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 4th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Two bills, one to allow local governments to share certain tax revenue and another to help ease Washington’s shortage of public defenders and prosecutors, are now headed to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk for his signature.
Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla) said he’s looking forward to seeing how the cities of College Place and Walla Walla, which are both located in his district, will take care of his bill, House Bill 2428, as both already work together on many things, including infrastructure, and their efforts to recruit larger scale retail to the area.
House Bill 2428 would allow cities and towns to voluntarily enter interlocal agreements to share a portion of general-purpose local government sales and use tax revenue.
“Allowing local governments to create these types of agreements would eliminate the competition between cities for much-needed sales tax revenue,” Klicker said. “That would help both parties increase revenue and spur more infrastructure and economic growth.”
Sen. Nikki Torres’ criminal-justice bill received unanimous approval from the House of Representatives. The Pasco Republican warns there aren’t enough public defenders and prosecutors to ensure fair, competent, speedy trials.
“We see this across the state and it’s especially hitting hard in our rural communities,” Torres said.
Her legislation, Senate Bill 5780, places an emphasis on getting current law school students and recent graduates to participate in public-defense and prosecution professions in rural and underserved communities.
Both bills now head to the governor’s desk.
