Special Session Critical for Agriculture

Legislators returned to Olympia Monday to begin the special session, largely to tackle a two-year operating budget that covers fully funding education.

Director of Government Relations for the Washington State Farm Bureau Tom Davis said they avoided any new regulations through the regular session, but taxes are another story, particularly a hazardous substance tax.

“And as we described to the committee, for wheat production for instance, over half of their production costs fall within that range of fuel, fertilizers and pesticides. So it would be a direct attack on agriculture with that tax increase.”

Other concerns are research buildings at WSU, a proposed capital gains tax, and funding WSDA programs.

Davis said it is likely that the average citizen can make an even bigger difference now and that some legislators might have more availability to talk with you.

“Always be polite and succinct because if you yell at them or you’re rude, you know how you feel when someone talks to you like that, it’s much more influential to get your message across if you do so in a polite manner.”

There is also hope for a Hirst fix that has been floated by many legislators.

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