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News from 2002
Join John Carlson at our On To Victory Dessert Fundraiser! Kirkland (October 23, 2002) --
You’re Invited to join Master of Ceremonies and KVI Host John Carlson at the
On to Victory Fundraising Reception for State Representative Toby Nixon and
Elizabeth Bookspan, Candidate for 45th District State Representative, 45th District, Position 2
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Endorses Nixon Seattle (October 11, 2002) --
The Seattle P-I today endorsed State Representative Toby Nixon to be
retained as representative in the 45th District. Here are portions of the
endorsement editorial; for the full text, see
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/90661_45thed.shtml. Of course, Toby
disagrees with the P-I’s endorsement in Position 2; he supports Elizabeth
Bookspan. Eastside Journal Endorses Nixon Bellevue (October 10, 2002) --
The Eastside Journal today endorsed State Representative Toby Nixon to be
retained as representative in the 45th District. Here are portions of the
endorsement editorial; for the full text, see
http://www.eastsidejournal.com/sited/story/html/107930. Of course, Toby
disagrees with the Journal’s endorsement in Position 2; he supports Elizabeth
Bookspan. Dessert Fundraiser Scheduled Kirkland (October 9, 2002) --
You’re invited to join State Representative Toby Nixon, his supporters and
special guests as we enjoy scrumptious desserts, review the campaign, and
raise the remainder of the funds needed to win the election.
Woodinville-Duvall Bridge ReopensRep. Nixon and Mayor Nixon first to drive across updated structure Duvall (September 14, 2002) --
45th District State Representative Toby Nixon joined Duvall Mayor Becky Nixon
in the first vehicle to cross the newly-reopened Woodinville-Duvall Road
Bridge at 3:00 this afternoon. They drove from east to west across the
bridge, turned around, and returned to Duvall while several Duvall residents
cheered and waved.
State Representative Toby Nixon Files for 45th District Kirkland (July 22, 2002) --
State Representative Toby Nixon officially filed today at the King County
Elections department to retain his position representing the 45th Legislative district.
Count Our Blessings This 4th of July Kirkland (July 3, 2002) --
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I hope you will join me in
reflecting on the many blessings our nation and each of our families enjoys. As
a legislator, I’m always aware of the problems and challenges facing us -- the
threat of terrorism, the terrible budget mess we’re in due to Democrat
overspending, the growing traffic congestion, the government red tape burdening
our small businesses and threatening jobs, the big spenders who’d like to saddle
us with an income tax, the union bosses who block innovation and productivity,
and those who’d like to remove "under God" from our Pledge of Allegiance. While
those are serious challenges we must deal with, we cannot let those overshadow
the good things happening in our communities.
House votes down proposal to dedicate tobacco settlement money to senior prescriptionsOlympia (March 13, 2002) -- The House of Representatives late tonight voted down a proposal from Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, that would have dedicated a portion of the tobacco settlement money to helping low-income seniors with prescription drug costs. The proposal went down on a 50-46 party line vote.Nixon made his proposal as an amendment to Senate Bill 6828. That bill would authorize the state to borrow against future tobacco settlement payments in order to raise between $450-525 million as a one-time fix to repair the state operating budget. “Instead of spending $500 million on current expenses this year and another $500 million or more on interest over the next 30 years, let’s take this opportunity to use the entire $1 billion to guarantee our low-income senior citizens that they will have the assistance they need to meet their prescription drug costs,” Nixon said. The underlying bill to securitize future tobacco settlement monies has been criticized strongly by State Treasurer Michael Murphy, Attorney General Christine Gregoire and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson. All three are Democrats. All called the bill bad public policy and questioned its legality. “If we’re going to commit 20 percent of that settlement money, it makes much more sense to me to spend that 20 percent on helping our senior citizens with prescription drug costs rather than spending it on interest payments that will just go into the pockets of big insurance companies and others who can afford to buy the bonds,” Nixon said. (return to top) Nixon named to House regulatory oversight committeeOlympia (March 4, 2002) -- Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, has been appointed to the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee by the Speaker of the House. The committee, composed of members of both the House and Senate, reviews proposed and existing rules and regulations to ensure that those rules comply with legislative intent and that the rule-making process followed appropriate state laws.“I am honored that Speaker Frank Chopp has selected me to join this committee,” Nixon said. “As the newest member of the state legislature, the appointment comes as a pleasant surprise.” Nixon said getting control of the state’s regulatory structure will be an important part of his efforts to get Washington’s economy moving again. “We have more than 15,000 pages of regulations on the books and each one of those regulations represents a cost to somebody,” Nixon said. “Employers spend billions of dollars each year trying to comply with these rules. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to make their burden less onerous, particularly for small employers who simply don’t have the people-power available to keep up with, never mind comply with, everything the state throws at them.” Nixon said the Legislature is responsible for setting policies and state agencies should focus their attention on implementing them. He said agency rule-making has been out of control and is one of the reasons that Washington has become a less attractive place to invest and to work. “I look forward to the opportunity to hold agencies accountable to the policies established by the Legislature and insure that administrative rules conform to law,” Nixon said. “We are trying to get legislation passed this year that will help make that a reality. The Senate already has approved those bills and I hope the House will be given the opportunity to do the same thing in the next 10 days.” (return to top) East King County lawmakers say Democrat gas tax package doesn’t address public concernsOlympia (March 13, 2002) -- Seven East King County legislators said the Democrat transportation tax package passed by the House March 1st fails to provide desperately needed congestion relief for King County commuters and businesses. House Bill 2969 would raise gas taxes by 8 cents over two years bringing the total gas tax to 31 cents per gallon. It would also raise the gross weight fee on trucks by 20 percent and would impose a new 1 percent sales tax surcharge on all new and used vehicles. House Democrats estimate their plan would raise about $6 billion over the next 10 years, but their proposed spending program puts only $3.7 billion of that into improving roads.Reps. Fred Jarrett, Cheryl Pflug, Glenn Anderson, Jack Cairnes, Luke Esser, Ida Ballasiotes, and Toby Nixon joined to vote no. However, the measure passed by a vote of 55-44. “Considering the dramatic impact of this proposed $6 billion investment in transportation and its impact on the future of the state’s economy, it is unbelievable that the majority party would suggest that we cannot afford accountability. This is an enormous red flag that undermines the credibility of this package,” said Anderson, R-Fall City. “The voters in the 5th District are willing to pay their fair share to relieve traffic congestion and to improve commuter mobility, but not if it means recklessly throwing more money at the situation.” “We need to show the taxpayers we are willing to make wise decisions on how to spend their money. This package is not going to earn the public’s support,” said Jarrett, R-Mercer Island, who offered an amendment to strengthen legislative accountability for the transportation solutions. “We’ve made real progress in making the Department of Transportation more accountable and efficient. We should be accountable too. It’s my hope that when the Senate gets this package, it will take the next step.” “The residents of King County support transit. In fact, we currently pay tax for a transit system,” said Cairnes, R-Covington. “I just couldn’t in good conscience vote for a transportation package that included more. Transit receives its fair share. Let’s put these gas tax revenues where they should be – pavement and roads.” “The people of the state repealed the motor vehicle excise tax at least in part because the value of a vehicle has nothing to do with its impact on road capacity or road maintenance costs,” said Nixon, R-Kirkland. “The gas tax is the closest thing we have to a user fee for roads. Placing the burden of solving traffic congestion on those who buy vehicles, through an additional sales tax, rather than on all users of roads is inequitable. I believe the sales tax component will lead to a voter defeat of this package.” “In this particular bill, I would have preferred that the gas tax was higher and that there would be no sales tax on car sales. That’s just a deal- breaker for me,” said Ballasiotes, R-Mercer Island. “I’ve talked to individual car dealers and they are not happy with that.” The section in the bill that would allow the state to use anticipated automobile sales tax revenue to purchase bonds for transit projects also came under heavy fire. The Eastside lawmakers said the plan to issue more general obligation bonds funded by anticipated sales tax would only lead to trouble down the road. They noted that if the sales tax fund can’t pay off the bonds, the money comes out of the General Fund Budget, taking dollars away from education, human services and criminal justice. “The legislation under consideration today makes a false promise,” said Pflug, R-Maple Valley. “It would not deliver enough money for the projects in our area. It exempts the bonding in this bill from the statutory debt limit, which will likely give the state of Washington the bond rating of Enron. Ten years down the road we will be left with debt to service and no revenue to finish the projects. We absolutely need a package that will allow us to relieve congestion on our roadways. Although I remain hopeful that we can still get a transportation bill that would make a difference in our community, this measure is very disappointing.” House Bill 2969 does not include language to address regional transportation funding needs, which has been a priority for Eastside legislators since the 2001 session. “The regional transportation plan is more important to the Eastside right now than the statewide plan,” said Esser, R-Bellevue. “Unfortunately, the regional plan is still deadlocked in negotiations. We need to get that moving and approved. Without it, the statewide plan will not make the improvements being promised.” The measure now goes to the Senate for further consideration. (return to top) House honors Microsoft employees for post-September 11th responseOlympia (February 27, 2002) -- The House of Representatives gave unanimous approval today to a resolution honoring the employees of Microsoft Corporation who developed a family registration web site for victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. At the request of the American Red Cross, a Microsoft team developed and deployed the site to aid in reuniting family members and friends who had been displaced. Microsoft had the site running only ten hours after the attacks.Rep. Luke Esser, R-Bellevue, was prime sponsor of the resolution. The Microsoft campus is located in his legislative district. Esser said that people from around the world know the Microsoft campus as an international landmark. “It is the one place in my district that everyone recognizes,” he said. “It’s not because there’s anything particularly special about the buildings on the Microsoft campus – it’s because of the people who work there,” he said. “Their fabulous efforts on behalf of the victims of September 11th are only the most recent example of their generosity.” Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, a current Microsoft employee, pointed out that the September 11th attacks were not the first time workers at the company had responded quickly to an international challenge. A similar effort to reunite families and friends through an advanced communications system occurred in response to the ethnic fighting in Kosovo in the 1990s. “More than 400,000 refugees made use of the system during the Kosovo crisis,” Nixon said. “Since then, the system has been expanded, enhanced, and used by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help people in Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and with Afghan refugees in India. “The responses to these crises and others capture the spirit of giving from Microsoft employees,” he said. (return to top) House bill expands fundraising options for performing arts centers and museumsOlympia (February 18, 2002) -- The Kirkland Performance Center, as well as other non-profit museums and performing arts facilities, will benefit from a new fundraising avenue if a bill passed by the House today clears the Senate and is signed into law by the Governor.Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, co-sponsor of House Bill 2750, said non-profit cultural institutions need help to bridge budget gaps brought on by a soft economy and declining financial support from local governments. Under current law most cultural institutions are exempt from paying property taxes. However, as soon as they raise money by renting out their facilities to organizations that are not tax exempt, they lose their tax exempt status. “KPC is working hard to fill its budget shortfall through fundraising, but with the downturn of the economy, finding individuals and corporations who can donate is becoming more difficult,” Nixon said. “At the same time, these kinds of organizations are losing support from local government agencies who are facing their own budget problems. The City of Kirkland has been providing about $50,000 a year in various kinds of support to KPC but, with state assistance to the city likely to be eliminated this year, that source of funding is at risk.” Nixon’s bill would allow organizations like KPC to raise up to ten percent of its gross income by renting its facilities to for-profit organizations without losing the existing property tax exemption. Funds raised in that manner that exceed ten percent of gross income would result in a partial loss of the exemption. Nixon said private-sector groups like restaurants and hotels that would be most affected by the change in the law have raised no objections. “This is just the right thing to do,” Nixon said. “Local non-profit cultural institutions like arts centers and museums deserve to have these options available to them.” (return to top) House approves bill to revoke driving licenses of juvenile car thievesOlympia (February 17, 2002) -- The House of Representatives today approved a bill that will take driving privileges away from juveniles convicted of motor vehicle theft. More than 100 vehicles are stolen every day in Washington and juveniles are responsible for more than half of them.“I don’t think for a moment that this bill will do much to stop gang members or professional car thieves, but if it helps to deter that young person who is thinking about stealing their first car, then it will have done some good,” said Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland. Nixon is the prime sponsor of House Bill 2741 which passed the House 94-0. The Department of Licensing already can revoke driving privileges of juveniles who are convicted of firearms, drug or alcohol violations. A first violation brings on a one-year revocation, or until the child reaches age of 17, whichever is longer. A second violation results in a revocation for two years, or until the juvenile turns 18, whichever is longer. House Bill 2741 adds auto theft to the list of offenses that will result in immediate revocation in addition to any other penalties the court might impose. The bill is one of several measures being considered in the House in response to the explosive growth of vehicle thefts in recent years. While all other categories of property crime in Washington have declined in the past ten years, auto thefts are up 60 percent. Nixon said he supports the other bills, most of which toughen sentencing guidelines. Under current law, jail time doesn’t become mandatory until a seventh conviction. “Our jails are crowded and the state has a big hole in its budget, so it isn’t likely that judges are going to send these kids away,” Nixon said. “But if there is one thing that will get a kid’s attention, it is taking away his or her driving privileges.” The bill goes to the Senate for further consideration. (return to top) Nixon says state government collective bargaining the wrong doorway to the 21st centuryOlympia (February 13, 2002) -- Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, said that House of Representative approval of a measure granting collective bargaining rights to state employees is the wrong doorway to the future. The House approved the bill 54-43. In now goes to the Senate.“The leading private sector companies, the most successful companies in our state, are not moving in this direction,” Nixon said. “What they’re doing is focusing on their core competencies, and outsourcing, through competitive bidding, everything that isn’t a core competency. If we truly want to bring this state into the 21st century, we should follow the lead of our most successful companies,” he said. House Bill 1268 provides for state employee unions to bargain with the Governor over future wages, benefits and working conditions. In essence, it takes more than one-quarter of the state budget authority away from the State Legislature. The Legislature’s role would be limited to approving or disapproving the contract agreement with no power to amend it. Nixon said that approach is wrong, and also said he was disappointed at provisions in the bill that discourages contracting public services to the private sector. “To use the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of this state as efficiently as possible, we should be privatizing every function that currently competes with the private sector,” Nixon said. “Government agencies, which operate tax free and often exempt from the same regulations that govern the private sector, should not be competing in the marketplace with private sector companies. Every function that is not a core competency should be subject to competitive bidding -- and existing state employees should have every right to compete in that bidding process,” he said. (return to top) Nixon says the future of transportation is being developed in WashingtonOlympia (February 6, 2002) -- Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, said today he has seen the future of transportation, and it is being developed in Port Angeles.Nixon was one of six state legislators to witness a demonstration of the “LevX” system at Magna Force, Inc. in Port Angeles. The system uses magnetic levitation, using powerful permanent magnets, to lift, propel and guide a vehicle on a cushion of air over a guide-way system. “It is low cost, has very low power consumption, it’s quiet and it’s safe,” Nixon said. “It has the potential to be a great economic boon for the state of Washington. It is a new industry that will have a worldwide market and presents outstanding opportunities for other Washington companies like Boeing, Microsoft and others.” According to the company, no other transportation system on the market today can offer full levitation while consuming no energy from onboard or outside sources. Because of that, no other system can offer a fail-safe system in the event of a power outage or other system failure. The company plans to build a two-mile long demonstration track in Port Angeles by this summer. The first phase of its program is to demonstrate how people can be moved at up to 40 miles per hour. The second phase of development will focus on a light rail system that could run up to 100 miles per hour. Nixon said the technology’s potential should cause the state’s transportation planners to step back and re-evaluate existing mass transit projects like the Seattle light rail system. “Rather than plunging ahead with a multi-billion dollar system based on 19th century technology that won’t have any measurable impact on traffic congestion, we should take a close look at LevX,” Nixon said. “Washington has the opportunity to be the leader in leveraging the latest technology to meet the transportation needs of the 21st century. People and products will be able to move more quickly and more safely if this technology reaches its potential,” he said. System promoters say they can see a time in the future where people will travel in their own vehicles from Seattle to Los Angeles in just five hours. A vehicle and its passengers can be moved with as little as a three-quarter horsepower engine and a car battery. (return to top) Rep. Nixon says anti-bullying bill needed to protect the youngOlympia (February 6, 2002) -- Statement by Rep. Toby Nixon on the House Floor Concerning H.B. 1444:“Thank you Mr. Speaker and members of the house. I rise to speak in support of this bill. “We, every one of us, are minorities in some way. Every one of us possesses some characteristic that has or could make us the object of ridicule and derision. You may ask, how is this Christian white guy a minority? Well, to start with, I’m a Republican, and am reminded of my minority status on a fairly frequent basis right here in this chamber. At least everyone here is good natured about it, but there are some places I wouldn’t venture to go wearing my elephant pin, and our children, who share our conservative views, are often in a distinct minority in today’s public schools. “I’m also fat -- I admit it -- have been since third grade. I don’t get too much derision about that any more, except from people who have to sit next to me in coach, but back in junior high kids were pretty merciless. I’ve never been much of an athlete, and sometimes made up for it by being a little too smart for my own good. And growing up, we were on welfare, I got free lunches, and that kind of branded me, too. “We’re all too fat, too thin, too tall, too short, have too much hair or not enough, talk funny, have some unusual mannerism. And if we all think hard, we were probably picked on about something, at some point in our lives. Maybe at some point, that went just a little too far, and we felt very alone, and didn’t know what to do. We were too afraid to ask an adult for help, because we knew telling would just get us in even more trouble. We longed to feel safe. “I’m the father of five children. All but one of them has, at some point, been the object of fairly intense ridicule or harassment over something they could not control. As a parent, you can only sit beside your son or daughter, consoling them after they came home from school in tears yet again, just so many times before you ask yourself, “how do we stop this?” We as parents have a right to expect that when we send our kids to school they won’t be attacked and belittled. “This bill isn’t the whole answer, but it’s a step in the right direction. Our existing assault laws are NOT sufficient. The pain that I experienced growing up, and that my children have experienced more recently, never reached the level of assault, but was terribly hurtful just the same. This bill will allow schools to act before the teasing, taunting, and harassment escalate to violence. “Some people have objected to this bill because of the detailed process it required of school districts to establish and enforce an anti-harassment policy. That language is gone in the version before us today. Some people have objected that the bill would infringe on our right to free speech, or freedom of religion, or of assembly. In the bill before us today, the bar has been raised on the definition of harassment, and I see no constitutional violations in the bill -- the level of threat and intimidation required to trigger the sanctions envisioned in the bill go far beyond the level of civil discourse that is protected by our constitution. “And some people have objected that the bill is in some way part of the gay rights agenda. Perhaps it is. And perhaps it should be part of the fat people’s agenda, and the short people’s agenda, too. None of the things my kids or I were ever picked on about had anything whatsoever to do with sex or sexual orientation. “And I must ask: if your Christian son or daughter were being picked on for their beliefs, and ridiculed for having high moral standards, to the point where they felt threatened and intimidated -- and it does happen, in this state, every day -- would you not want to know there was a policy in place that required the school to act? And if you don’t have children of your own to think about, please think about mine.” (return to top) Hearing Wednesday on youth drivers license suspension billOlympia (February 4, 2002) -- The House Juvenile Justice and Family Law Committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday (Feb. 6) on a bill that will revoke driving privileges for youths convicted of motor vehicle felonies.State Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, is the primary sponsor of the measure. The bill is aimed primarily at the growing problem of youth auto theft. The license revocation penalty will be in addition to any other punishment provided by the court. “Kids frequently receive only probation or community service sentences when they are convicted because the jail facilities are overcrowded,” Rep. Nixon said. “It can take five or six convictions before they have to go to jail under current law. “But if you want to get a teenager’s attention, threatening their driving privileges is one good way to do it, and it won’t cost taxpayers anything,” he said. Under the terms of House Bill 2741, a first offense results in revocation of driving privileges for one year or until the offender turns 18, whichever is longer. A second offense will result in loss of driving privileges until the age of 21, or for three years, whichever is longer. “This will provide a real, concrete deterrent and make young people contemplating stealing their first car think twice about the consequences,” Nixon said. The hearing on House Bill 2741 is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the John L. O’Brien Building. (return to top) Eastside legislators say more work is needed on regional transportation financing measureOlympia (February 1, 2002) -- A regional transportation financing bill which passed the House Thursday falls short of providing needed solutions to relieve Central Puget Sound traffic congestion, say Eastside Republican lawmakers.Reps. Cheryl Pflug, Glenn Anderson, Ida Ballasiotes, Fred Jarrett, Steve Van Luven, Luke Esser, and Toby Nixon joined together to vote no. However, Democrats passed the measure, 51-44. “We do need a regional transportation financing package for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. However, this bill has many problems,” said Pflug, R-Maple Valley. “It can’t be just any regional package. It needs to be one that’s really going to deliver projects that are important to the region and gives voters an opportunity to vote for something that will make a difference in their lives.” The “Eastside Seven” say they are concerned that House Bill 2359 takes too much money away from “mega-projects” that could relieve traffic congestion. Instead, it siphons those funds for maintenance and operations of existing roads and provides 30 percent for cities and counties to be used on smaller projects. “Unfortunately, the House Democrat-sponsored regional bill relies on the same failed practices that got us into this mess in the first place,” said Anderson, R-Fall City. “The bipartisan Senate bill is a much better opportunity to deliver results.” “We need a regional bill that is focused on reducing congestion and solving problems, and this bill doesn’t do either,” said Rep. Luke Esser, R- Bellevue. “The Senate passed a bipartisan regional bill that will make it possible to expand I-405 and other major highways, and the House should follow suit.” Rep. Fred Jarrett, R-Mercer Island, offered an amendment that, among other things, would have provided 90 percent funding for major traffic congestion relief projects. Ten percent would have gone to city and county local projects to address arterial needs. Jarrett’s amendment also would have provided specific performance audits, exempted motor vehicles from a proposed 0.5 percent sales and use tax increase, and eliminated language calling for highway tolls. “I believe the House Republican amendment combined the best of the Senate proposal and the best of the House Democrat proposal,” said Jarrett. “I am eager to move forward and work with the Senate and House Democrats to perfect this bill so we can finally begin to relieve the traffic congestion in our state.” The Democrat-approved measure would allow counties to authorize voter-approved revenue sources as well as modify existing taxes to provide additional revenue for transportation within their boundaries. Counties would be able to select from a list of revenue options, including:
“One thing is certain. We need to have final legislation that will work,” added Nixon. “Failure is not an option. Any funding package that comes out of negotiations with the Senate will have to be connected to a specific list of projects that we can support. And it will have to be credible.” The Eastside Republicans say they hope to get a place at the negotiating table to provide a regional financing package that will effectively address traffic congestion on the major local highways. (return to top) Nixon sponsoring bill to open unused farm land to recreational usesOlympia (January 31, 2002) -- Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, is sponsoring legislation that will open up for recreational purposes farmland that is lying idle. House Bill 2743 authorizes use of the land for playing fields and other recreational activities so long as no permanent structures are built. The bill is in the House Local Government and Housing Committee.The legislation stems from a legal dispute that prohibited the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association from using land it had purchased at NE 116th St. and Willows Road. At the time of the purchase, the land was zoned for agricultural purposes, but it has not been commercially farmed in more than 16 years. “The only thing growing on that land now is weeds that are about knee- high,” Rep. Nixon said. “I understand the importance of preserving farmland in our state, but it seems to me that if the land is not being used to raise crops, we ought to be able to use it to help raise our children.” Nixon said that by not allowing construction of permanent structures on the land, it can be quickly converted back to agricultural uses at some point in the future. King County originally amended its comprehensive plan and zoning to permit limited placement of athletic fields on agricultural lands, but the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board overturned the decision. The case went to Superior Court which reversed the Hearings Board ruling. However, in December, 2000 the Washington state Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court decision putting a stop to playing field development. “I think the court misinterpreted the Legislature’s intent with the Growth Management Act,” Nixon said. “The Legislature never tried to say that agriculture and recreation are incompatible.” Robert Young, Executive Director of the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association, said he and other youth sports organizations support the bill. “The Legislature was trying to preserve soils for future use, and as long as recreational activities can take place on the land without damaging its future agricultural potential, we ought to be allowed to use it,” Young said. “This bill will correct the misunderstanding or misinterpretation of what was intended by allowing recreational activities to take place that won’t hinder agricultural uses at some future time.” (return to top) ‘Transportation efficiencies’ doesn’t meet the efficiencies test, Nixon saysOlympia (January 28, 2002) -- State Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, said today that an amended version of a so-called transportation efficiencies bill that received final legislative approval today is less than voters deserve. The House of Representatives voted 67-28 in favor of ESHB 2304 and sent it to the Governor for signature.“This bill is better than the original, but it still gives the Department of Transportation a way out if we are not willing to pay higher taxes,” Rep. Nixon said. “The message this bill sends to the voters is ‘give us more money or we won’t get more efficient.’ That just isn’t acceptable to me.” Nixon said he will continue to work during this session of the Legislature to enact more meaningful efficiencies that aren’t tied to a statewide transportation tax increase. “As much as all of us want to spend more time with our families and less time stuck in traffic, voters in the district aren’t going to support a new revenue package until DOT gets its act together,” Nixon said. (return to top) Transportation efficiency bill a sham, say Eastside legislatorsOlympia (January 21, 2002) -- A so-called transportation “efficiency bill” which passed the House today is anything but efficient and will end up costing taxpayers more than it will save, say Eastside Republican lawmakers.Reps. Cheryl Pflug, Glenn Anderson, Fred Jarrett, Steve Van Luven, Luke Esser, and Toby Nixon joined together to vote no. However, Democrats passed the measure, 51-46. “How can we say this bill will save taxpayers money when it will cost an additional $25 million to implement the bill? The word ‘efficiency’ is meaningless if it doesn’t provide true efficiencies that will provide taxpayers more for their dollars. We need real solutions that will get Washington moving again, not empty promises that only pretend to do something,” said Pflug, R- Maple Valley. The idea behind the bill is to increase efficiencies in highway construction projects by reforming the state’s prevailing wage requirements and allowing contracting out for private services if it would save the state money. However, Eastside Republicans say the final bill was watered down so far that its title, “transportation efficiencies,” is only an empty promise. “There are very few genuine efficiencies in this bill, and even those are conditional. The public can see right through that,” said Rep. Luke Esser, R- Bellevue. “The taxpayers can’t afford ‘efficiencies’ like these,” said Nixon, R- Kirkland. “I wanted to vote on a bill that contains true reforms that will give citizens the cost savings and accountability they want. This bill doesn’t do that.” “This is a missed opportunity,” said Anderson, R-Fall City. “We were told by Boeing on Wednesday that the Legislature was ‘in denial’ and ‘just didn’t get’ the connection between effective transportation investments and our state’s ability to compete. The fact that the House would go ahead and pass this so-called ‘efficiency’ bill, which will cost $25 million and produce no identifiable savings, validates that description. We’ve missed an opportunity to deliver for the citizens of Washington, and to show that the public trust is not an issue for compromise.” The Eastside lawmakers say they were hoping to work into the bill real reforms in the prevailing wage law and provide contracting out provisions that would actually save the state money. Most of the Republican amendments offered were turned down by the Democrat majority. “My district, which contains Interstate 405 and the 520 bridge, is one of the worst traffic congested areas in the state. Since last year, I’ve continued to offer innovative alternatives that would make the most of taxpayer dollars and provide results to clear the gridlock from our local highways and communities,” said Van Luven, R-Bellevue. “The majority party has all but ignored our suggestions, instead offering legislation that contains no substance, will be more costly and does nothing to solve our problems on the Eastside.” Rep. Fred Jarrett originally signed onto the measure, and even voted earlier this week to move it from committee. However, in the final minutes, he too voted no. “My name is on this bill because I anticipated that we would begin a process that would lead to a bipartisan program of transportation investment. I voted to move the bill out of committee because I had hoped that it still had that opportunity. We’ve had bipartisanship on good transportation bills in the past that have made a difference. However, this measure is a timid bill,” said Jarrett. “I think there is still an opportunity for us to find a bipartisan solution for transportation. This bill as it stands right now is not that solution.” Earlier this week in his session-opening speech, House Speaker Frank Chopp, D- Seattle, stated that “a real transportation plan can’t just be a revenue package. The public has made that clear.” The Eastside lawmakers say today’s vote shows that threshold has not been met under the new leadership of the Democratic majority. The measure now goes to the Senate for further consideration. (return to top) Town hall meetings scheduled for Duvall, WoodinvilleOlympia (January 17, 2002) -- State Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, will hold two town hall meetings this month. Residents of the 45th District are invited to attend the meetings, scheduled for Saturday, January 26.Nixon will discuss the critical issues facing the 2002 session of the State Legislature. Topics will include traffic congestion relief, the deficit in the state’s operating budget, Washington’s business climate, tax policies and education. Nixon also will take time to answers questions from participants on other topics of interest to them. The town hall meetings will be held at the following times and locations: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Duvall Library, 15619 N.E. Main Street, and 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Road N.E. No reservations are necessary. For more information, call Rep. Nixon’s Olympia office at (360) 786-7878. Individuals who are hearing impaired should call 1-800-635-9993. (return to top) Nixon says family wage jobs at stake unless business climate improvesOlympia (January 16, 2002) -- Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, said today that reforming the state’s business regulatory environment is just as important for the future of Washington’s economy as relieving traffic congestion.“Family-wage jobs are at stake,” Nixon said. “Business people have been saying for a long time that the problems we face in Washington go beyond bad traffic. Boeing made that clear again today.” Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Alan Mulally told the House Commerce and Labor Committee today that Washington is the least competitive of all its locations in the aerospace industry. Mulally said he wants to keep production in Washington, but that he will do whatever it takes to keep the company competitive. He said traffic congestion, high taxes, unemployment insurance rates and the cost of business regulations contribute to the state’s lack of competitiveness. Nixon said the message is clear. “If we are going to keep family-wage jobs in Washington and be able to create more, we have to improve the business climate,” he said. “This isn’t just a Boeing issue. It is about having good jobs all over the state.” (return to top) Nixon sworn in as 45th District RepresentativeOlympia (January 14, 2002) -- Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, was sworn in today as the newest member of the state House of Representatives.“I am honored to have this opportunity to represent the people of the Eastside,” Nixon said. “We have some enormous challenges facing the Legislature this session and I am looking forward to meeting them.” Nixon said reducing traffic congestion, closing the gaping hole in the state’s operating budget and protecting taxpayers’ investments in education will be his top three priorities this session. “Driving to work, school or the grocery store shouldn’t be the greatest frustration we face every day,” Nixon said. “All of us on the Eastside miss time we would like to spend with our families because we are fighting traffic instead. We can start to do something about that in this session.” Nixon said Gov. Gary Locke’s proposal to close a state budget gap of about $1.2 billion protects state bureaucrats at the expense of critical services. “We need to cut the bureaucracy and protect funding for front-line services,” he said. “We cannot balance the budget on the backs of working families and the most vulnerable citizens of the state.” Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Sanders conducted the swearing-in ceremony on the House floor. Nixon was appointed to fill the unexpired term of former 45th District Rep. Kathy Lambert. Nixon was joined at the ceremony by his wife of 19 years, Irene, and their five children, all of whom attend public schools in Kirkland. Nixon is a software architect in the Windows Networking and Communications Group at Microsoft Corp. in Redmond. During the session, Nixon can be contacted by mail or in person at 441 John L. O’Brien Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600. His telephone number is 360-786-7878 and his e-mail address is nixon_to@leg.wa.gov. (return to top) | |||||||