Blogs

We are about half-way into the 2020 Washington State legislative session and are dealing with the legislative clearing 1200 new bills in addition to bills that did not pass last year being forced through the session for yet another try having been thwarted last session.  The most important way to back up the minority fighting for you and your rights in Olympia is to call legislators and thank them, or if your legislator has shown a tendency to vote in favor of bills you disagree with, be sure to call, and email to show your disapproval. 800 562 6000

By Cindy Alia January 16, 2020

Ecology gets it wrong in the birthplace of Hirst, WRIA 1, Nooksack Rule does not comport to legislative intent in ESSB 6091, "Hirst Fix" legislation. Senators Ericksen, Honeyford, Short, and Warnick provide Ecology with comment regarding legislative intent, and the proposed rule errors which make the rule unlawful.  The rule wrongfully would restrict water use on lawns and gardens, includes drought triggered water use restrictions, deviates from the "maximum annual average" method of measuring water use, and proposes to meter future water use.

CAPR Whatcom has prepared analysis and review of the proposed rule in this comprehensive document which provides deep insight into the proposed rule and the flaws within it.

By Cindy Alia, December 23, 2019

On December 1, 2019 the Rampart Group released to the Washington State House a report of their investigation into Representative Matt Shea.  The report is authored by Kathy and Paul Loedler, owners, executives, and senior investigating team of Rampart Group, LLC. 

The House contractually engaged Rampart with what is stated in the report as a requested scope to assess if Representative Shea engaged in political violence, and if there was a threat of violence posed by Representative Shea or any individuals or groups of individuals.

The Rampart Group expended their efforts over 4 months to investigate Representative Shea and maintains that the investigators have no professional, social, or other kinds of relationship to any member of the House of Representatives or witnesses interviewed.

By Cindy Alia, December 16, 2019

There are two ways to deal with a problem, one is to work to create legislation and regulation factually based on actual, real, and measurable impacts, consequences, and effects on the citizens of Washington state, as do those individuals currently losing or spending revenue to solve the problem. Alternatively, the problem can be dealt with by driving emotional pleas and litigation enabled by building a base of those who have bought into the emotional landscape as acolytes of a distinct group of serial sue and settle organizations also referred to as the environmental cartel, those standing to benefit financially.

By Cindy Alia December 13, 2019

Early in December, the State Supreme Court quietly and somewhat contradictorily reversed a Superior Court Decision that disallowed King County's ordinance to charge a fee for utilities use of rights of way.

A tax by any other name…

Timeline

On November 7, 2016, the King County Council adopted Ordinance 18403 to authorize the imposition and collection of rent from water, sewer, gas and electric utilities using county roads and rights-of-way.  According to the county the Ordinance would generate $10,000,000 yearly, which will be deposited to the County’s general fund. On December 29, 2017, the county Facilities Management Division adopted the rule for Determining Franchise Compensation to implement the Ordinance. The rule was effective as of January 29, 2018.

By Cindy Alia

November 12, 2019

CAPR has submitted comments to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in response to solicited comments from WDFW for public input to Post Recovery Wolf Management.  You may comment as well at this link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/post-recovery-planning/public-input  CAPR used Option 2 for commenting as it is the easiest way to submit a comment.  The commenting period ends on November 1.

CAPR comments are reflective of the concerns we have heard from many in various areas regarding the management needs of Washington State.

Public comment to WDFW re Post Recovery Wolf Management

Submitted by Cindy Alia

Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights

The U.S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service have been attempting to push a Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan for the North Cascades Ecosystem Environmental Impact Statement Draft onto the People of Washington State.  There were four alternatives to the Plan, with the most popular comment at the most recent two public comment sessions in Chelan and Okanogan Counties being the do nothing option, Option A.

Whatcom Chapter, Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR)                                                                                             September 23, 2019