Update: Tuesday, March 15, 2008
It was a roller coaster ride through this year’s legislative session, but when all was said and done and the session came to close, an amended version of SB 6638 passed out of the House with a vote of 67-30, passed by the Senate with a 43-6 vote, and has been sent on to Governor Gregoire to be signed into law.
Congratulations!—It was thanks to you and your commitment to arts and heritage that SB 6638 was successful this year. With the committed leadership of prime sponsors Representative Ross Hunter and Senator Ed Murray, Rep. Lynn Kessler and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, and the help of hundreds of your emails on this issue, SB 6638 took us one step further toward extension of King County’s Lodging Tax for Culture. You all really rose to the occasion, responding wonderfully to all our pleas for help. It made the difference.
Now, about that amendment…SB 6638 passed with an amendment adding an expiration date of July 1, 2009. You mean this bill is only good for a year? What does that mean? Having legislation passed this year, even with an expiration date of next summer, is an important statement by the legislature of the need to solve the looming arts and heritage funding crisis in King County. By passing this bill, the legislature has said “culture matters.”
Passing a bill this year puts us further ahead next year, when Lodging Tax legislation is expected to be finalized. SB 6638 will serve as a marker for a Governor-appointed study group being convened before next session to review proposals from various other interests for visitor tax supported projects.
So, while it’s not quite all over, passing SB 6638 this year was a huge accomplishment, and one that you should feel proud to have played a part in. Thank you for your calls, letters, emails, and trips to Olympia. Your efforts this year were heroic.
Looking for one last thing to do? Send a note thanking Representative Hunter, Senator Murray, Rep. Kessler, Speaker Chopp, and your representatives for their support of arts and heritage in King County. You can also contact your own legislators - See how below.
FIND MY LEGISLATORS
Follow the link below. You'll travel to the State's website where you can type in your street address and then be taken to a map with the names of the three legislators that represent you. Click on their names and you'll find all of their contact information. CLICK HERE TO FIND MY LEGISLATORS
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