charlie

About Charlie Crabtree

Long time observer of State and Local Politics. Charlie was born and raised in Whatcom County Washington. Served in the US Air Force in the 70's and served for 12 years on the Meridian School Board (north of Bellingham Washington) and a stint on the County Charter Review Commission. Retired except for Blogging and enjoying life.

Same Day Voter Registration Passes Legislature… VOTE March 13th

Same Day Voter Registration Legislation Passes- Rules yet to be written. Another Registration bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 29 to 20;  and the House by a vote of 50 to 48.  It covers same day voter registration. It is SSB 6021 located here.  The page showing the digest of the bill and other information is here.   Main Provisions of the Bill as listed on the legislative web page: Requires ...

Breaking: State House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen to Retire

Breaking: House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen says he will not seek re-election this fall. After 16 years in the 39th District, he says "its time" to leave the Legislature. He said he will finish his term. New Caucus leader could be chosen this week. From Rep Luanne VanWerven: "He has served the House Republicans with honor and distinction. His wise and steady leadership will be greatly missed." This brings the total Republicans retiring in ...

Whatcom County Meeting Reports Feb 26 to Mar 2nd

Report from the trenches A summary of Local Meetings of Interest from February 26th to March 2nd 2018 Tuesday, February 26th PUD (Public Utility District) meeting, From 8:00 AM-9:30 AM, ESSB6091( State Mandated Hirst Fix) , took up much time and discussion. Also on Tuesday Februrary 26th Whatcom County Council meeting, From 10:30 AM Tuesday until  1:15 AM Wednesday Morning Included: An hour presentation by attorney Brown of Cascadia Law Services reporting to the  ...

Age to Register To Vote Dropped to 16 & 17.

Sixteen and Seventeen Year Old Voter Registration in Washington State clears the State House and Senate. The bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 27 to 22;  and the House by a vote of 52 to 46.  It is 2SHB 1513 located here.  The page showing the digest of the bill and other information is here. Main Provisions of the Bill as listed on the legislative web page: 16 and 17 year ...

Water Meeting REPORT 2/17/17 Stay informed…. Water Control: …” is about control of our Lives and Freedom”

  Highlights of the February 17th Well Owners meetings Held at Rome Grange: Rep Van Werven; Councilman Tyler Byrd attended. Paul Isaacson, chairs this ad-hoc committee, and represents well owners in the fix hirst planning process. Goals: Well Owners will have a greater understanding of very basic state water-law concepts Well Owners will have a greater understanding of key policies affecting well-use. Well Owners will have a greater understanding of how these policies are ...

More Spending; No tax relief in Senate Democratic Supplemental Budget in 2018

 Under Senate Democrat proposal property tax bills will have the largest increase in some time. The Democratic Senate Caucus State Budget that was presented today (Feb 19th) does NOT provide any Property Tax Relief... in 2018... to State Tax Payers hit this year by dramatic increases. Instead the Majority Democrats have proposed a budget that increases education spending by nearly a Billion Dollars over the next 4 years. They have identified 403 million for ...

Billions in excess taxes collected in State Government coffers! Senator wants to give back this excess collection.

With the announcement Thursday Feb 15th that even more money than predicted over budget is coming into State Coffers.  Sen. Doug Ericksen's bill introduced early in the session picks up momentum. Please note There is a Townhall of 42nd Legislators Saturday Feb 17th at the Blaine Senior Center at 763 G Street Blaine from 2 to 4 PM. The bill number is below with the description and status SB 6439 - Reducing the state ...

“Hirst Whatcom”- keep in mind: its not over yet.

From County Councilman Tyler Byrd: "Make certain you stay involved.. this Hirst legislation is not the end for property owners in rural  Whatcom County who need wells; Tyler Byrd we need to continue to be vigilant as the County Council steps through this process." Background: The  State Legislature passed its Hirst Fix, not as a consistent solution over the 39 Counties of Washington State but as groups of Watersheds throughout the state.  ...

RE-Sources refuses to talk to farmers on CAFO issue

The RE-Store run by RE-Sources RE-Sources, in a slickly worded video; responds to some of the concerns more and more Whatcom Countiains are having about the goals of "RE-Sources for sustainable communities" as far as RE- Sources capability of being a positive part of our community.  Is RE-Sources being open and do they wish to work with those parts of the community their legal activities affect? You Decide. In this case we ...

Carbon Tax: where does government want us to go? Telephone Town hall Monday

Special Note: 42nd District Legislator' Telephone Town Hall Meeting Monday Night... Click for more information. Carbon Tax: where does government want us to go? Carbon tax gets out of state legislature committee pushed by those pictured at the Left.  Left to right... Sen Guy Palumbo,1st District (East of Bothell) Sen Kevin Ranker, 40th District (South Whatcom and Skagit and San Juan Counties) Sen. Reuven Carlyle 36th district (Downtown Seattle) THIS IS a follow up ...

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