Small Town News

Look, theres hope in Olympia!

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In an otherwise dismal legislative session where the gloom of drastic budget cuts rules the order of the day, there is an unexpected bright spot.

His name is Glenn Anderson, the 5th Legislative District representative from Fall City.

We've always known Anderson to be colorful, but this year he seems more inspired to make waves even if it's just for the sake of discussion. He has been doing less finger pointing and sometimes more inclined to follow his heart than his political party.

Take, for example, Anderson's proposal to increase busi-ness-and-occupation taxes on high-revenue corporations.

What, a Republican wanting to raise taxes ever let alone in the year when all the talk is about sparking businesses by lowering the B&O tax? Anderson is following his passion and commitment to higher education. The temporary increase would have bumped the financial support for colleges and universities.

That proposed amendment to the state budget went nowhere, but he has introduced House Bill 2032 that would eliminate the onerous B&O tax, opting instead for a flat-rate corporate income tax. If approved as part of a proposed constitutional amendment, the voters would get their say in November.

More in line with his conservative roots, Anderson wants a 7 percent cap on state sales tax, and the total state and local government sales tax to be capped at 10 percent. The sales tax in Issaquah is 9.5 percent. We hope other legislators are listening.

On the lighter side, Anderson proposed a joke amendment that would reimburse the price of pizza eaten by medical marijuana patients to help combat the food cravings while under the influence of medical cannabis. Anderson went so far as to limit the reimbursement to no more than three toppings, no delivery charges and no tips.

We like your light side, Anderson. Thanks for the chuckle. But we also like the initiative to put forth some creative solutions.

Put up your dukes and keep fighting for a better Washington.



Copyright 2011 The Issaquah Press, Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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