The MVCC Action Fund (MVCCAF), MVCC’s advocacy focused 501(c)(4) has been tracking bills and encouraging participation in the legislative process throughout this spring’s  short 6-week session. Now that the session has wrapped up and bills are being signed by the governor, MVCCAF has compiled a legislative roundup of bills and budget items that could benefit the Methow Valley. For the full roundup visit the Action Fund’s website here. Highlights of the session include:

•  A Historic $17 Billion Transportation Package: Move Ahead Washington (SB 5974 and 5975) is a big, green 16-year transportation budget package that can help Washingtonians move themselves around the state in more climate-friendly and efficient ways.  Here in the Methow Valley, this bill will help improve our existing transit system, fix and preserve existing roadways and fund potential electrification and clean transportation programs.
• Affordable Workforce Housing: Senator Hawkins was a champion of SB5868 which will allow rural counties to use their 0.09 local-option sales tax funds for housing infrastructure or facilities. This bill will provide an important new tool to help address the affordable housing crisis in the Methow Valley.
• Funding to Study the Removal of Enloe Dam: $250,000 has been allocated from the general fund over the next year for the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to analyze options for removing Enloe Dam and the sediment backed up behind it. Removing the dam would help to restore the Similkameen river and give steelhead and native salmonids access to over 300 miles of habitat.
• Strong Climate Commitment: The final budgets approved by the legislature reflect more than $2 billion in new commitments to climate programs and projects.
• Plus: A Pilot Project to Support Biochar Production, Organic Materials Management, Appliance Efficiency Standards and much more!