Latest news with #SenateTransportation
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans accuse Democrats of being killjoys with proposed taxes; Democrats say revenue needed for preserve 'prosperity'
Mar. 26—OLYMPIA — While taxes on some of Washington's largest businesses and wealthiest residents have grabbed the most attention in recent days, Republican lawmakers said Tuesday that the revenue plan released by Democrats would impact the everyday lives — and overall happiness levels — of citizens throughout the state. "Democrats are raising billions of dollars in taxes on businesses, but not content with that, are also nickel -and -diming Washingtonians out of every last joy they can find in life," House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said Tuesday. Stokesbary pointed to several tax proposals introduced in the Legislature, including an increase to the cost of the state's Discover Pass and a new fee on tickets to large events, as examples of ways Democrats have proposed making everyday life just a little more expensive. Discover Passes are what's required to use Washington state parks. In response, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, said she took "umbrage" with the characterization of the proposals, noting that many of the proposed taxes and fees fund needed public services. "The joy that is had by Washingtonians is the prosperity," Berg said. "And what we're trying to bring back through a series of modest and careful and fair taxes, we are trying to bring back that hope and joy to Washingtonians that frankly, have been living under a very regressive tax structure." As lawmakers continue to fine tune their revenue packages and budgets ahead of formal passage, here's a look at some of the new taxes and fees that could be coming to the state in the coming months: Discover Pass A bill that could increase the price of Discover Passes has cleared the Senate and is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. Introduced in 2011, the pass provides access to millions of acres of state-managed land, including state parks, natural areas, wildlife areas and nearly 2,000 miles of trails. While the cost of the annual pass has remained consistent at $30 since its inception, the legislation states that "the costs to maintain recreational access have steadily increased" in the last 14 years. If adopted, the bill would increase the annual fee to $45, though the price of a family pass would remain $50. A single-use day pass would continue to be available for $10. A fiscal note for the proposal shows that it could bring in $15.3 million between 2025 and 2027. Berg noted that residents can check out a Discover Pass at public libraries, something "we'll continue to have in our state." "We are raising the price, potentially, so that we can continue to have well-funded state parks," Berg said. "Those state parks bring joy." Ticket tax A $1 surcharge for spectators at "large events" that would help fund projects in the state was included in a bipartisan Senate Transportation package unveiled by Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, and Ranking Member Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. The fee would only be applicable at venues with more than 20,000 seats and would not be assessed at area fairs, county fairs, community fairs, or youth shows and fairs. The new fee would not take effect until Jan. 1. While event holders would be required to collect the fee, they would be allowed to disclose the new fee on a ticket or receipt. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said that the transportation package, and fee, were sponsored by both King and Liias. Liias added that there were tax proposals in the transportation budget "that were not my first choice." "But the result of a bipartisan conversation is that there are things that I'm not thrilled of, and there are items that Senator King's not thrilled of, but we found consensus and agreement on the core issue, which is that our transportation system is dramatically underfunded," Liias said. Studying liquor tax The Legislature may also direct the nonpartisan Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study the state's liquor taxes and fees, though that study wouldn't affect the price of drink for more than a year. So far, the bill has cleared the Senate and is under consideration in the House Finance Committee. If passed, the bill would direct the Institute to study the "current system of alcohol taxation and fees" and submit a report by June 30, 2026. The study would include, among other topics, the estimated tax rates for spirits, beer, and wine "that would have to be applied to maintain a revenue-neutral tax system in the state, if tax rates were based solely on the alcohol content of products." The study would also consider the potential economic impact on breweries, wineries, and distilleries if the new tax structure took effect. Increased hunting fees Hunters' next outings could cost just a little bit more. A bill in the Senate Rules Committee could increase the cost of most recreational hunting and fishing licenses by 38%, though certain discounts would continue. For example, the cost of a permit for hunting big game could increase from $85 to $117.30, but seniors still would receive a roughly 66% discount.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Who are the real killjoys in Olympia? Democrats for taxing fun or Republicans for cutting programs that spread joy?
Mar. 25—OLYMPIA — While taxes on some of Washington's largest businesses and wealthiest residents have grabbed the most attention in recent days, Republican lawmakers said Tuesday that the revenue plan released by Democrats would impact the everyday lives — and overall happiness levels — of citizens throughout the state. "Democrats are raising billions of dollars in taxes on businesses, but not content with that, are also nickel -and -diming Washingtonians out of every last joy they can find in life," House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said Tuesday. Stokesbary pointed to several tax proposals introduced in the Legislature, including an increase to the cost of the state's Discover Pass and a new fee on tickets to large events, as examples of ways Democrats have proposed making everyday life just a little more expensive. Discover Passes are what's required to use Washington state parks. In response, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, said she took "umbrage" with the characterization of the proposals, noting that many of the proposed taxes and fees fund needed public services. "The joy that is had by Washingtonians is the prosperity," Berg said. "And what we're trying to bring back through a series of modest and careful and fair taxes, we are trying to bring back that hope and joy to Washingtonians that frankly, have been living under a very regressive tax structure." As lawmakers continue to fine tune their revenue packages and budgets ahead of formal passage, here's a look at some of the new taxes and fees that could be coming to the state in the coming months: Discover Pass A bill that could increase the price of Discover Passes has cleared the Senate and is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. Introduced in 2011, the pass provides access to millions of acres of state-managed land, including state parks, natural areas, wildlife areas and nearly 2,000 miles of trails. While the cost of the annual pass has remained consistent at $30 since its inception, the legislation states that "the costs to maintain recreational access have steadily increased" in the last 14 years. If adopted, the bill would increase the annual fee to $45, though the price of a family pass would remain $50. A single-use day pass would continue to be available for $10. A fiscal note for the proposal shows that it could bring in $15.3 million between 2025 and 2027. Berg noted that residents can check out a Discover Pass at public libraries, something "we'll continue to have in our state." "We are raising the price, potentially, so that we can continue to have well-funded state parks," Berg said. "Those state parks bring joy." Ticket tax A $1 surcharge for spectators at "large events" that would help fund projects in the state was included in a bipartisan Senate Transportation package unveiled by Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, and Ranking Member Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. The fee would only be applicable at venues with more than 20,000 seats and would not be assessed at area fairs, county fairs, community fairs, or youth shows and fairs. The new fee would not take effect until Jan. 1. While event holders would be required to collect the fee, they would be allowed to disclose the new fee on a ticket or receipt. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said that the transportation package, and fee, were sponsored by both King and Liias. Liias added that there were tax proposals in the transportation budget "that were not my first choice." "But the result of a bipartisan conversation is that there are things that I'm not thrilled of, and there are items that Senator King's not thrilled of, but we found consensus and agreement on the core issue, which is that our transportation system is dramatically underfunded," Liias said. Studying liquor tax The Legislature may also direct the nonpartisan Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study the state's liquor taxes and fees, though that study wouldn't affect the price of drink for more than a year. So far, the bill has cleared the Senate and is under consideration in the House Finance Committee. If passed, the bill would direct the Institute to study the "current system of alcohol taxation and fees" and submit a report by June 30, 2026. The study would include, among other topics, the estimated tax rates for spirits, beer, and wine "that would have to be applied to maintain a revenue-neutral tax system in the state, if tax rates were based solely on the alcohol content of products." The study would also consider the potential economic impact on breweries, wineries, and distilleries if the new tax structure took effect. Increased hunting fees Hunters' next outings could cost just a little bit more. A bill in the Senate Rules Committee could increase the cost of most recreational hunting and fishing licenses by 38%, though certain discounts would continue. For example, the cost of a permit for hunting big game could increase from $85 to $117.30, but seniors still would receive a roughly 66% discount.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Utahns might need to show ID in order to download apps
Lawmakers on Utah's Capitol Hill advanced a bill that would require digital app stores to verify the ages of users in an effort to protect underage Utahns from accessing potentially harmful content and having personal data collected by apps. The bill is similar to the state's previous attempts to require age verification on social media platforms, though several opponents said the bill opens kids and families to even more invasive data collection while potentially violating constitutional free speech protections. Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, presented his proposal to the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee Tuesday, comparing app privacy agreements to car rental agreements — saying most parents would never allow their children to sign agreements with a car rental company. "You would never let your child or your grandchild enter into a legally binding contract, and yet, we parents are doing this every day by allowing our children to carry around smartphones with apps that can be easily downloaded," he said. Weiler's SB142 — also known as the App Store Accountability Act — is similar to a federal piece of legislation introduced last year by Utah Sen. Mike Lee. It requires app stores, such as the Apple's iTunes or Google's Play, to verify the ages of users and sort them into one of several categories: children under age 13, younger teenagers between ages 13-15, older teenagers aged 16 and 17, and adults. If a minor in Utah tries to create an account with an app store, Weiler's bill would require that they associate with a parent account before being allowed to download apps or make in-app purchases. The bill prevents app store providers from entering contracts with minors without parental consent and requires app developers to enforce any age restrictions on their apps. The proposal requires the state Division of Consumer Protection to create standards for age verification and allows parents of harmed minors to sue over violations of the bill. Several members of the public spoke for and against the proposal — including three teenage girls who shared personal experiences with social media use. Rachel Williams, 16, spoke in favor of the bill, saying her parents closely monitor her phone. "Unlike other kids, I don't mind. It keeps me safe," she said. Some opponents, however, said the bill could prompt lawsuits over freedom of speech rights. David McGarry, with the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said requiring age verification "would create acute privacy-related dangers for children," adding that he believes the measure is unconstitutional. He said it violates the First Amendment, particularly the "rights of adult users forced to submit sensitive personal data as a precondition to accessing constitutionally protected speech online." Amaya Mueller, with the Utah-based Sutherland Institute, disagreed, sayingt the bill "empowers parents" without restricting free speech. "This bill does not prohibit app developers from creating content," she said. "This bill would simply prohibit app stores from giving children free reign access to potentially harmful app downloads," Mueller said. Weiler said he doesn't believe his bill is "any less constitutional than asking for an ID at a 7-Eleven when you buy a six-pack of bear." None of the app stores or social media platforms directly impacted by the bill addressed the committee, but several tech industry groups weighed in, including NetChoice, a trade association that has sued Utah over its social media regulations. Justin Hill, a representative of NetChoice, argued against SB142, saying there are already other tools for parents to monitor and regulate their children's app usage. Caleb Williamson, with the App Association, also spoke against the bill, saying it would potentially harm small businesses that develop apps because they will have to navigate the new regulations imposed by the state. The App Association receives a majority of its funds from Apple, which operates one of the two most popular app stores, per Bloomberg. State lawmakers have been focused on mitigating the alleged harms of social media platforms on minors for several years, and have made efforts to require that social media platforms check the ages of users and turn on parental controls for underage users. Large social media platforms have largely been resistant to Utah's efforts, but Meta — the owner of Facebook and Instagram — has lobbied to shift age verification responsibilities to the app stores themselves, according to the Washington Post. Supporters of app store verification argue it evens the playing field for all apps that might have age-restricted material and the approach is thought to be a way around free speech issues raised by other social media laws. In a Deseret News op-ed published Monday, Weiler and several co-authors alleged that app stores "routinely treat kids like adults, steering them into accepting exploitative terms of service with billion-dollar corporations," which they said can potentially "give apps sweeping access to personal data — photos, contact lists, exact locations, even microphones and cameras — all without meaningful consent or oversight." SB142 cleared the committee with unanimous support and now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
