Beyond the Fourth Corner | The Fourth Corner

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-03-06T18:12:12-08:00March 6, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Fourth Corner News|1 Comment

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-03-05T09:55:10-08:00March 5, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Fourth Corner News|8 Comments

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-20T15:55:08-08:00February 20, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Education, Elections, Government & Politics, Fourth Corner News|1 Comment

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-16T14:59:47-08:00February 16, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Education, Elections, Government & Politics|3 Comments

“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. ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-11T12:27:28-08:00February 11, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|1 Comment

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-08T13:18:09-08:00February 8, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|0 Comments

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 ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2021-04-23T16:18:59-07:00February 4, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|0 Comments

Carbon Tax: Governor may use proceeds to refill emergency fund that his plan empties.

Senate proposed legislation for a new carbon tax may add up to $.30 a gallon more to be paid directly at the pump by Washington Tax Payers. Governor Inslee In a speech made to the WSSDA (Washington State School Director's Association) conference on Jan 28th in Olympia the Governor spoke about the results of the McCleary Decision and stated that he wants additional money for education to be budgeted this year; spending ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-02T08:27:14-08:00February 1, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Environment and Climate Change|5 Comments

Alert: Realtors: CALL FOR ACTION… Hirst Update County Council: can we restrict more??

In an e-mail to their mailing list the Whatcom County Association of Realtors... Government Affairs Committee... Tell the Council to be open and transparent especially on Hirst. Background: From our reporter at the meeting: The County Council must remove the permit "Moratorium" on new wells and construction that was instituted on Land Owners after the State Supreme Court ruled in October 2016 to implement the legislature's passage of ESSB 6091 (the Hirst Fix). A ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-01-27T15:13:52-08:00January 27, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News|3 Comments

Washington State Republicans elect new Chairman to replace Susan Hutchison

Moses Lake WA... Jan 20, 2018 Four candidates campaigned to replace Susan Hutchison as Chair at the Washington State Republican Party Meeting in Moses Lake on Saturday. Susan Hutchison Chairman Hutchison on leaving the Chairmanship: "Now is a great time to turn over the party to new leadership...and I have been at it for five years. I could not find a better time to move on. Generally the 2018 Chairman election means ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-01-21T17:49:12-08:00January 20, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics|0 Comments