March 16, 2020
My well-developed sense of cynicism aside, I am pleased the 2020 Legislative Session has ended with Sine Die proclaimed after 8:00 pm on March 12. I have read of rumors there will be a possible emergency session at some undefined time. That aside, I have not experienced a more disheartening session since we began our lobbying efforts in 2015. A sense of corruption, weakness, and agenda building permeates our state capitol.
March 16, 2020
By Cindy Alia January 16, 2020
By Cindy Alia, December 16, 2019
There are two ways to deal with a problem, one is to work to create legislation and regulation factually based on actual, real, and measurable impacts, consequences, and effects on the citizens of Washington state, as do those individuals currently losing or spending revenue to solve the problem. Alternatively, the problem can be dealt with by driving emotional pleas and litigation enabled by building a base of those who have bought into the emotional landscape as acolytes of a distinct group of serial sue and settle organizations also referred to as the environmental cartel, those standing to benefit financially.
By Cindy Alia December 13, 2019
Early in December, the State Supreme Court quietly and somewhat contradictorily reversed a Superior Court Decision that disallowed King County's ordinance to charge a fee for utilities use of rights of way.
A tax by any other name…
Timeline
On November 7, 2016, the King County Council adopted Ordinance 18403 to authorize the imposition and collection of rent from water, sewer, gas and electric utilities using county roads and rights-of-way. According to the county the Ordinance would generate $10,000,000 yearly, which will be deposited to the County’s general fund. On December 29, 2017, the county Facilities Management Division adopted the rule for Determining Franchise Compensation to implement the Ordinance. The rule was effective as of January 29, 2018.
By Cindy Alia
November 12, 2019
CAPR has submitted comments to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in response to solicited comments from WDFW for public input to Post Recovery Wolf Management. You may comment as well at this link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/post-recovery-planning/public-input CAPR used Option 2 for commenting as it is the easiest way to submit a comment. The commenting period ends on November 1.
CAPR comments are reflective of the concerns we have heard from many in various areas regarding the management needs of Washington State.
Public comment to WDFW re Post Recovery Wolf Management
Submitted by Cindy Alia
Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights
The U.S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service have been attempting to push a Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan for the North Cascades Ecosystem Environmental Impact Statement Draft onto the People of Washington State. There were four alternatives to the Plan, with the most popular comment at the most recent two public comment sessions in Chelan and Okanogan Counties being the do nothing option, Option A.
By Jeff Wright, President, CAPR Legal Fund
July 27, 2019
Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights supporters are well aware that we are living in a political environment that is unfriendly to property rights, especially in Washington and California. Examples of this run the gamut from politicians and groups who don’t care for our constitutional rights to new layers of regulations which, even if well intentioned merely exacerbate the problem. Think the homelessness problem for instance. With so many “opportunities” to fight for property rights, CAPR Legal Fund continually looks for ways to stretch your support dollars. One of the ways we do that is by collaboration with like-minded organizations.
July 19, 2019 by Cindy Alia
On June 26, 2019 the King County Charter Review Commission has taken up the task of changing your right to vote for a sheriff, replacing that right with an appointment by the county executive:
“AN ORDINANCE proposing to amend the King County Charter to reestablish the office of county sheriff as an executive appointed position; amending Sections 5 350.20.40, 680.10, and 890 of the King County Charter and repealing Sections 645 and 898 of the King County Charter; and submitting the same to the voters of the county for their ratification or rejection at the next general election to be held in this county occurring more than forty-five days after the enactment of this ordinance.”
June 13, 2019 by Cindy Alia
The deadline is fast approaching for commenting on Wolf Delisting, here you can see comments submitted by CAPR on May13, 2019.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2018–0097; FXES11130900000C2–189–FF09E32000] RIN 1018–BD60 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights 718 Griffin Avenue, # 7 Enumclaw. WA 98022
Comments on rule-making document Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0097
