Timber Company Access in Grays Harbor

[blackdog]

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/county-commissioner-presents-plan-tax-timber-companies-then-changes-his-mind

[bobcat]

Very interesting. It's good to see some politicians are at least thinking about the issue, and working to come up with solutions. Although I seriously doubt anything will change for the better.

[fluentvoo]

I would agree with his initial claim that timber companies should be limited to profiting from permit sales if the land is considered no-tax or reduced-tax while not being actively logged.
What's more disturbing to me is the government quit claiming property to timber companies while its harvested, then the timber companies quit claiming it back. That seems corrupt to me.

[Curly]

Too bad the commissioner changed his mind.  Hopefully he is still thinking up solutions to the access problem.  Hopefully other counties follow suit. 

[Special T]

Let me interpret this for some of you. He makes the comment, and then some one in industry or in his office says "Hey dummy do you realize you just made this office and yourself an enemy to an industry with DEEP pockets that employs lots of voters in this area! You might want to re think how your going to address this."

[dreamunelk]

This is a bad report on the part of the Daily world.  This still could happen.  Other counties and legislators are watching this.  What you need to do is call your commissioner and legislators and let them now how you feel about fee access. 

[6x6in6]

Let me interpret this for some of you. He makes the comment, and then some one in industry or in his office says "Hey dummy do you realize you just made this office and yourself an enemy to an industry with DEEP pockets that employs lots of voters in this area! You might want to re think how your going to address this."

I think you just nailed it.

[pianoman9701]

That's exactly what I thought when he changed his mind so quickly. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Blackdog.

[blackdog]

Listen to dreamunelk this County Commission is going to pursue this! They need your support. The reporting is inaccurrate. Now is not the time to get lazy or complacent. People are watching to gauge whether hunters care about this issue.
 

[Special T]

Don't get me wrong, if the timber companies want to keep tax breaks then tey need to keep the forrests open. I just stated my reaction to the article.

[huntrights]

This may be a good opportunity to bring timber companies, hunters, and politicians together to work toward a positive solution that will work for all.

[fireweed]

Its too bad this commissioner commented before sitting down and seriously talking with the assessor to figure out how property taxes work.  There really is no "Tax Break"  here, instead it is a TAX SHIFT.  Timber companies, and other "current use" lands pay taxes on less than fair market value, which makes the rate go up for everyone else.  If big timber paid more, no more taxes would be collected, and the rate would drop a little for everyone else.  If existing property is reclassified and valued differently, the amount collected overall doesn't change, it's just reshuffled.  In conservative Grays Harbor,  tax raises won't fly--but readjusting the tax shift--timber pays more and everybody else pays a little less--is only fair if public benefits are taken away.  (and affects way more voters, too.)

[Curly]

In conservative Grays Harbor

I could be wrong, but last I checked the people in Grays Harbor would not be classified as conservative.  They almost always vote democrat. 

[snowpack]

In conservative Grays Harbor

I could be wrong, but last I checked the people in Grays Harbor would not be classified as conservative.  They almost always vote democrat. 

Strangely there are some 'conservative' Dems.  Hargrove is Dem from Hoquiam and is rather conservative.  It really annoys the liberals around the peninsula.  But they'll vote a conservative D before any R.

[blackdog]

The Commissioner understands the tax shift involved.