mark schoesler

Last week, Tacoma Representative Jake Fey, chair of the House Transportation Committee, introduced legislation establishing a Road Usage Charge in Washington.  Fey said an RUC is a "fair and sustainable way" to fund Washington’s transportation system as gas tax revenue declines.  He added with gas tax revenue exp...

Currently, Washington is one of two states charging sales tax on farm equipment.  But several lawmakers in Olympia are trying to change that.  Senate Bill 5092 would provide a sales and use tax exemption for farm machinery and equipment with a price tag of over $10,000.   “It's not ...

Several key ag issues have taken center stage during the current Washington legislative session.  But is the farming community getting a fair shake in Olympia?   No, says Ritzville senator, Mark Schoesler.   He noted the 2022-2021 session was horrible for Washington’s farming community, but this session isn’t much better thanks to the deaf ear the ag community has received.  He pointed to the Cap

State, local and farm leaders were on hand Thursday, as Darigold officials broke ground on the company’s $600 million facility north of Pasco, WA.  According to company officials, the state-of-the-art facility, slated to open in early 2024, will process approximately 8 million pounds of milk per day when fully operational from more than 100 dairy farms in surrounding communities.  Darigold... Read

“This is the premier field day for WSU,” noted Washington State University's Drew Lyon. After a two-year absence, Washington State University’s Lind Field Day returns Thursday June 16th, near the Lind Dryland Research station. Lyon said the f ...

Starting October 18th, Washington government employees, including teachers, police officers and others, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Add to that list 4-H volunteers across the state. Washington lawmakers connected with the farming community worry this mandate will hurt the program and discourage people from volunteering ...

After a year of work, it appears the Port of Pasco will be the destination for Darigold’s new large scale milk protein facility. Earlier this month, the Port announced the approval of the sale of approximately 150 acres of the Reimann Industrial Center to the dairy coop for construction of an over $500 million facility. Dar ...

Despite being rejected by voters multiple times, lawmakers in Olympia are looking at putting a capital gains tax on the books in Washington. What impact would such as tax have on the farming community across the Evergreen State? State Senator Mark Schoesler, a wheat farmer from the Ritzville are, called the capital gains idea a gateway drug ...

As Washington lawmakers continue to debate the idea of requiring overtime pay for ag workers, one farm legislator says the conversation is not good for either the producer or the employee. Senator Mark Schoesler, a wheat farmer from Ritzville, said the idea of initiating overtime pay is counterproductive for both sides of the equation ...

During the Washington legislative session, the farm community will watch a variety of issues very closely. But for state Senator Mark Schoesler, one of the top issues is Unemployment Insurance taxes, with some farmers already reporting an increase of 500% or greater on their April bill ...