Post by: Humptulips on June 13, 2013, 12:39:10 PM
We need to call in to oppose this bill.
Read the history of the bill http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5866 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5866)
Short explanation of bill http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Digests/Senate/5866.DIG.pdf (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Digests/Senate/5866.DIG.pdf)
Read the full bill http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5866.pdf (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5866.pdf)
I think at this time it is best to ask all Senators to vote against the bill.
Well, I put up e-mails for Senators but it didn't seem to work for me so I'm kind of stuck.
Anyone care to help?
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 13, 2013, 01:33:26 PM
SB5866 would give tax exemptions for companies which produce hog fuel in this state, in an attempt to keep these companies here and employing Washingtonians. It's not a bad bill, but it's missing something, in my opinion. The companies that would most benefit from this Bill are those like Weyerhaeuser and Hancock. These are the same companies who've recently started closing their massive plots of land to public hunting and have started charging large fees to limited numbers of people to use their lands. Many lower income and fixed income hunters no longer have access to hunting land within their area and either have to travel further or do without.
Although I'm a firm believer that land owners should do what they want with their land, I also believe that if those same land owners want tax breaks, they need to add value to the population as a whole, not just that part of the population which is supported by the timber industry.
I oppose the bill as it stands. However, if the timber companies were to stop charging for hunting access and open up their plots to the general public as a recreational use policy, I would support the bill with the appropriate language added.
Please join me and sportsmen from around the state in asking these large timber companies to open up their lands if they want these enormous tax breaks. Thanks Don. I look forward to hearing back from your office on this legislation. Thanks for your work for us in Olympia.
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Most Sincerely,
John W
Post by: Atroxus on June 13, 2013, 01:55:56 PM
Post by: fireweed on June 13, 2013, 05:23:46 PM
Here's Mine
Dear Senator Braun,
I have concerns about SB 5866, the hog fuel tax exemption. On the surface, this bill seems fine, but taken in context of existing industry tax breaks and current industry action, further tax breaks are inappropriate until the timber industry resends the "pay to enter" model of public access. Timberland already enjoys exceedingly low property tax values. The legislature and voters created the "current use" tax system to encourage timberland owners to keep lands open to the public and provide other public benefits. Now the largest players in the industry are charging access to their lands while they are also enjoying their full property tax break for timberland, as well as other benefits and tax exemptions like the one in SB5866. I wrote to you about the land closures last month, and there was little that could be done. Well, this same industry has there hand out again, but now there is something you can do. Vote against SB5866, and tell them no more tax breaks until they re-examine their pay-to-enter land access policies. Better yet, insert language that ties tax breaks to land access into this bill and any future tax breaks for industrial timberland.