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6th Legislative District October 29, 2009
Friends and neighbors,
Here’s hoping you and your little trick-or-treaters have a safe and happy Halloween.
In this week’s edition of my e-newsletter we’re going to shed some light on how the state and local tax burden in Washington compares to other states and talk about some of the efforts I’ve made between legislative sessions to get to know some of our small businesses a little better.
So read on.
Getting down to business
As a former business owner, I came to the Legislature with my own appreciation and understanding of the challenges our employers are facing. And oftentimes, the most visible picture we get of our economy is viewed through the collective lens of our major employers — the ones that make headlines when they lay people off or build an expansion.
But every business is different and has its own special needs to ensure a prosperous economic future.
That’s why I’ve made a point this summer and fall to visit an array of Spokane’s lesser known businesses that contribute every bit as much and more to our local economy. The ones I’ve visited so far include Triumph Composite Systems, Absolute Aviation, Hotstart, Wilbert Precast, Cyrus O’Leary’s Pies, Option Home Health Care, SCAFCO and Inland Power and Light.
In some cases I just want to learn what it is they do. In other cases I’ve been able to help with complications they’ve encountered in working with state government.
These employers provide good, living-wage jobs and deserve no less respect and attention than all the big businesses you’ve heard about.
Innovation Partnership Zone
On Tuesday, I was honored to speak at the grand opening of the new data center at the Spokane University District Innovation Partnership Zone. The Spokane IPZ was one of the first such zones in the state and at the time it was designated in 2007, the University District received a state grant in the amount of $1 million to develop a state-of-the-art data center that would be used for research and development. Current users of the data center include WSU Spokane, WSU Applied Sciences Laboratory, EWU Spokane, the WWAMI and RIDE programs, WSU College of Nursing, Sirti, and the Institute for Systems Medicine.
Every time I visit the U-District campus, I’m impressed once again with the energy and sense of purpose embodied there.
State and local tax burden below average
Here’s some news you don’t hear every day. A new report using federal data indicates Washington’s state and local tax burden ranks 26th highest in the country. In fact, the $109.25 in state and local taxes Washingtonians paid per $1,000 in personal income during the 2007 fiscal year is a bit below the national average of $113.32.
If you’d like to read more you can find the press release here and the full report here.
The report includes an analysis of taxes — such as property taxes, business taxes, sales taxes and the like — that are voted on by city councils, county commissions and state legislators such as myself.
Rankings of states’ full tax burden, which includes federal taxes voted on by Congress in Washington, D.C., often depict Washington much higher. That’s largely due to the federal income tax burden shouldered by those with unusually high incomes in the Puget Sound region.
Touring the 6th District
As you may have read previously, I’ve been posting a seven part video series touring the Spokane area on my website. Each week we’re visiting different businesses and locales in the region to talk about what makes Spokane tick, the major issues it faces and projects we’ve finished or are working on.
Last week’s video, found here, explored the emerging role of aerospace in our regional economy. This week’s video, found here, takes us to Sacred Heart Medical Center where we talk about how the Spokane area, with six major hospitals, has become a health care hub.
Stay in touch
I encourage you once again to give my office a call or send me an e-mail if you have a question or concern. This is what I’m here for.
Again, I wish you a safe and happy Halloween and I’ll be back in touch in a couple weeks with another update.
