Blogs

The legislature is adjourned with the House planning to meet on the floor Wednesday July 19 at 9:55 am, and the Senate scheduled to meet at noon of the same day.  

The Passing of Dr. Michael Coffman

From Freedom Advocates:

Dr. Michael Coffman, a friend, colleague and long time defender of private property rights died on June 21, 2017.  Dr. Coffman was an author, researcher, speaker, and founding contributor to the fight against Agenda 21 Sustainable Development. Dr. Coffman was President of Environmental Perspectives, Inc. (EPI), and Executive Director of Sovereignty International.

Hirst is Wrong and Must Be Fixed!

Many factors complicate fixing the Hirst Decision, ideology chief among the complicating factors!

Recently, CAPR’s Skagit chapter invited Elaine Willman, nationally renowned author and public speaker, to hold a workshop on water and property rights, specifically in the context of conflicts with tribal governments.  Ms Willman, who has written two popular books on that subject, is an expert on federal government and tribal decisions and how they impact land use inside and outside Indian reservations.  She also is vocal about threats to constitutional rights for both tribal members and other American citizens.

House Democrat Leadership has produced an alternative Hirst Fix Bill, HB 2239, http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2239.pdf   This bill could only be considered a compromise by those not able and willing to do so.  

Representative Jim Walsh of Aberdeen provides an insightful editorial in The Daily News. He wants the legislature to seize the opportunity to make sense of Hirst by passing SSB 5239! Thank you Representative Walsh for your clear look at the facts and your article!

http://tdn.com/news/opinion/seize-the-opportunity/article_a1e65609-549e-5b8b-b377-fcd06a904c0b.html

Clear and honest article in Washington Wire by Senator Sheldon. Basically what he is asking is will urban based democrats, heedless of the destruction wrought by their ideology throw rural democrats under the bus and themselves as well as the urban democrat fidelity to the environmental cartel finally costs too much for their urban constituents? The takings and cost of Hirst has been a step too far; it is time for democrats to save themselves, the property rights of rural citizens, and the pocketbooks of city citizens with a yes vote on a clean (no amendments) SSB 5239. 

http://washingtonstatewire.com/hirst-tipping-point-states-…/

CAPR has noticed certain practices in King County Governance that ignore the devaluation of a property caused by a nuisance.  Neighboring properties may have operations which cause enough of a nuisance to devalue the use and enjoyment of your property.  If you are living in such a situation, CAPR recommends and appeal to King County independent board of appeals for your property tax assessment.  The form is linked here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/independent/board-of-appeals/documents/2017/RealPropertyPetition.ashx?la=en 

SSB 5239 passed the Senate and now must also pass the House of Representatives and the Governor's desk to become law.