Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week's newsletter provides updates on flood preparations, ballot mishaps and our state's national tax standings.
FLOOD PREPARATIONS
A team of state and local governments are working hard to meet a Sunday deadline to have plans in place for the possible winter flooding of the Green River Valley.
First and foremost, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has posted four different water release scenarios to it’s website. Check out the maps here. It’s important to note the maps give us a realistic perspective but are very general. They don’t take into account the daily improvements that are being made to give the dam the best chance get through this winter. More than 400,000 gallons of grout has been pumped into an abutment at the dam so far. Check out TVW’s recent report on its weekly news program “The Impact.” You can find the report here by scrolling in about 14 minutes and 30 seconds.
WSDOT and the Corps are working closely to coordinate information and evacuation plans. See the maps here. Be sure to check back frequently during the winter for the most current updates. The Regional Preparedness Information Network (RPIN) is another helpful site to subscribe for advanced warnings, weather alerts, how to make a family contact list, etc.
http://www.regional preparedness information network.
BALLOT ESSENTIALS
Make sure your mail-in ballots count in this year’s general election by making sure it is postmarked by Tuesday, November 3. You’ve probably heard there is concern about the location of one of the statewide initiatives on the ballot and the possibility voters might miss it when filling out their ballots. The Seattle Times wrote about it here and urges voters to examine their ballot carefully before mailing it in.
STATE AND LOCAL TAX RATINGS
Here’s some news we don’t get to share very often. A new report using federal data indicates Washington’s state/local tax burden ranks 26th highest in the nation. 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. Read the press release here and the full report here. The report includes an analysis of property, business, sales taxes, etc. that are voted on by city councils, county commissions and state legislators.
KEEP IN TOUCH.
Thank you for your emails, phone calls and letters - they are essential to my representing our district. Of course, you are always welcome to contact me on these and any other issues of interest so that accurate information can be provided to you.
Sincerely,
