About Vincent | News & Media | Email Updates | The Ledger | Contact
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative in the 42nd Legislative District. I am honored you have put your trust in me during this difficult time.
This session we are working to address our unsustainable budget, focus on job creation and education, create a much more transparent government, and support and strengthen local businesses and farms. As our state faces budget challenges, I believe it is especially important to preserve services for our state's most vulnerable population and protect taxpayers. I will discuss these issues and many more in future e-mail updates.
Unemployment Insurance
Last week, we were able to pass two strong, bipartisan unemployment insurance (UI) tax reform bills, House Bill 1091 and Senate Bill 5135, out the House of Representatives and get them on the governor's desk for her signature. This legislation will provide immediate assistance to our employers by reducing UI taxes for this year and also preventing a sharp tax increase in the near future.
The legislation also provides a stable and long-term fix by recalculating the UI tax rates for employers. I have heard from many employers in the 42nd District about how devastating the high payroll taxes have been. Addressing the UI tax rates will allow them to invest in their businesses by retaining or creating jobs. Now that these bills have been passed into law, it will help Washington transition into economic recovery more quickly.
Definition of a 'well'
My bill to provide some clarification of what constitutes a “well” has been voted out of the House Agricultural and Natural Resource Committee.
I introduced the bill because I am concerned, as are many in the agricultural community, the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is considering regulation for simple actions, such as surface soil sampling and evaluation. Under the current definition, there is potential for expanding well enforcement. Expanding state regulation on our farms and small businesses is not necessary, especially when this has not been an issue of concern.
The bill has been amended and the language in the bill identifies activities that do not constitute a well. It also creates a depth limitation for soil testing and analysis. I believe this is a reasonable compromise at this time.
Traffic safety education
I am working on a traffic safety education bill – House Bill 1537. This proposal would authorize a parent or guardian to provide traffic safety education to a person under the age of 18 if they are approved to do so by the Department of Licensing and have met all of the agency's requirements.
I will be providing you updates as the session progresses. We can also keep in touch during the interim with legislative news and what is happening in the district. However, I want you to know that I respect your time and privacy. If for any reason you would no longer like to receive my e-mail updates, you may go to this link to unsubscribe. Simply enter your name, e-mail address and select “Leave.” Your friends and family can also sign up for my e-mail updates by going to this same link and select “Join.” Please forward this to anyone else you think might be interested in receiving these updates and is interested in what is happening in Olympia.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have any ideas, concerns or questions to pass along. I am here to serve you and the 42nd District.
Sincerely,
Vincent Buys
