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After the pomp and circumstance was accomplished, the silliness began.  Reportedly the Senate ran an hour behind on their duties to swear in Senators though no explanation was given.  Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib had his Nancy Pelosi moment when he declared he did not feel safe because the Senate had not banned concealed carry weapons from the Senate Gallery.

Symbolism accomplished the legislators got down to the business of how to capture that most prized and coveted thing, other people’s money.

By Guest Columnist Steve Busch

December 27, 2018

December 2018

Help protect your property rights—add an ally

By Glen Morgan, Executive Director

It is obvious to most that there is strength in numbers. This is true with most endeavors in life, and protecting our freedoms and our property rights is no exception. Unfortunately, the challenge with protecting our freedoms or property rights is the usual paradox associated with concentrated costs and distributed benefits. Everyone benefits from strong property rights, but few are willing to lead the fight to protect them.

Until this summer, property owners have never been represented on the Washington State Department of Health Onsite Sewage System (OSS) policy and technical rule revision Committee (basically an ad hoc committee to determine Washington State’s rules regarding septic systems).

Historically, only bureaucrats, environmental extremists, and industry representatives (septic pumping, designers, etc.) were involved. This may have been one reason why these policies seem to keep getting worse and more hostile to property owners over the years.

by Cindy Alia, December 8, 2108

The Energy and tenacity of Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR), Spokane Treasurer Rob Chase who pursued coordination under the  the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, Idaho based Avista Customer Group, and many concerned and commenting citizens of both Washington and Idaho were very effective in putting pressure on the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Committee (WUTC), who in Washington State had the final say in determining if Avista, a United States owned utility company could be purchased by a Canadian utility company, Hydro One! 

Skagit County – Winning The Fight to Defeat the Charter Initiative

Twenty-one days after the November 6^th election, the excruciating slow process of counting votes in Skagit County was over.  However, after only a week of sorting through ballots, it was evident the initiative to transform Skagit into a county that resembled its dysfunctional neighbors was soundly beaten back.  In the end, voters turned down charter government by a 2 to1 margin.    

When the Washington State legislature begins the 2019 session in mid-January, civility matters.

Civility impacts our governance, it does not matter where one stands politically, our form of representative governance is dependent on the courteous and orderly participation of citizens and legislators.  This is the best way to get the most information exchanged in the least time-consuming manner.

Civility matters because our form of governance depends on citizen/legislature communications and effective communication depends on getting facts to our legislators int the most efficient way.  Most legislators are operating under a very tight schedule which includes caucus meetings, committee meetings, meetings with constituents, and private lobbyists representing a wide array of business and ideal based civic groups.

The citizens of Washington State have overwhelmingly rejected the proposed sale of US utility company Avista to Canadian Company Hydro One.  What will be the reaction of the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission at a hearing scheduled for October 23rd?

CAPR has created a database of candidates' voting records, and responses to questionnaires and property rights pledges.  We don't endorse candidates, we let their records speak for them, and then rate them accordingly!  If you would like to see the ratings this campaign season check out this link, and feel free to share it with your friends!  https://proprights.org/Vote/Candidates.php

Our friends at This West is Our West are offering a conference Saturday October 13, at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish Montana, where "We truly hope that each of you will consider joining us on October 13th at this remarkable one-day conference in Whitefish, Montana. The array of speakers and subjects will provide an updated overview of “The Deep State” and its impact in the West, bureaucratic agency over-reach, federal Indian policy, public vs. private property rights, environmental and jurisdictional issues affecting our country and each of our communities. We will also have discussions on critical legislation impacting our western states."