washington state senate

As the debate over a capital gains tax in Washington continues, it’s looking more and more likely that the farming community will be subject to those taxes, despite earlier assurances that they wouldn’t be.  At issue is the constitutionality of the capital gains tax passed by lawmakers in April 2021, that looks to issue a 7% tax on all transactions of $250,000 or great.  The issue is curren... Rea

Efforts to pass a carbon tax in Washington have failed for the time being.  Governor Jay Inslee as well as the prime sponsor of the legislation announced Thursday there were not enough votes to pass the measure out of the state Senate.  Washington was looking to become the first state to impose a straight tax on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. But I...

The Washington Legislature has approved a measure that bans certain toxic chemicals from paper food packaging if state regulators identify safer alternatives.  House Bill 2658 cleared the state Senate Wednesday and now goes on to Governor Jay Inslee for his signature.  Th...

The Washington senate Ag, Water Trade and Economic Development Committee could be dissolved in early 2018.  Senator Judy Warnick who chairs that Committee said she received that information following Tuesday’s election, in which Democrats claimed control of the state senate.   “...

A bill that would limit liability for farmers and ranchers who take part in agritourism passed the Washington State Senate last week with a vote of 42-6.   Senator Judy Warnick said, “Life on a farm is hard, sometimes dangerous work, and this bill clarifies liability when they open up their operations to the public to cut down their own Christmas trees, or pick their pumpkins for Halloween.”   ...

A bill designed to limit the costs of obtaining water supplies in rural counties, a response to the recent Hirst Decision, has passed the Washington State Senate.   Sponsor Judy Warnick said, “It’s truly a bill that is needed in the rural areas especially for anyone who has property, property rights, water rights, that need to drill a well just simply to build a home. Those are the w...