Session ends with boost for Clark County

The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)

March 15, 2006 Wednesday
Sunrise Edition

KAYLA WEBLEY
The Oregonian

OLYMPIA --State lawmakers say Southwest Washington fared better in this year's legislative session than in years past, pointing to funding for the Vancouver crime lab and the Columbia River Initiative as major victories for the region.

Bipartisan maneuvers and last-minute deals kept projects alive and in the budget, legislators from both houses said.

"We didn't think we were going to get everything, but we pulled a lot off at the eleventh hour," said Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vancouver. "I don't think we can complain at all."

The highlights:

Columbia River: The Legislature passed what's being called a historic compromise to balance fish protections with commerce in the Columbia River Basin. The $200 million, 10-year bond package will be used to increase water storage in the basin by building new reservoirs. Two-thirds of the extra water will go for out-of-stream uses such as industry, agriculture and commerce, and one-third to enhance in-stream flows, said Rep. Daniel Newhouse, R-Sunnyside.

The river's management will have implications for Southwest Washington as it continues to expand, Newhouse said. "As the population grows there is more demand on the river, water is an essential part of any kind of growth," he said.

Capital projects: The Legislature set aside $2.94 million for the Washington State Crime Laboratory in Vancouver, making it the fifth full-service crime lab in the state. The lab can now do DNA testing on firearms, drugs and trace evidence that it previously had to ship off to other parts of the state or nation.

The Legislature also approved $57,000 to help build a Miracle League Baseball field for people with disabilities, provided several million dollars for no- or low-interest loans to the Clark County for water, road and sewer improvements, and $500,000 for the Lewis and Clark Confluence Project, a series of environment- and history-themed artworks in the Columbia River Basin.

Criminal justice: The Legislature devoted much of its time to cracking down on methamphetamine abuse and sex offenders. Attorney General Rob McKenna spearheaded bipartisan omnibus legislation on each issue.

McKenna's meth package unanimously passed both houses and was delivered to Gov. Chris Gregoire on the final day of the session last week. The state hopes to curb meth production by targeting cleanup of contaminated sites, increasing community protection and providing more treatment.

Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, also won approval of a bill to restrict the purchase of two main ingredients used in meth cooking: iodine and methylsulfonylmethan (MSM).

Lawmakers also passed a package of bills that will keep some sex offenders in prison for a minimum of 25 years. Other bills require around-the-clock monitoring of released sex offenders and increase penalties for those who fail to register with authorities.

One measure prohibits repeat sex offenders from living close to schools and from going to parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and community centers.

Other legislation will increase the penalty for sex offenders who communicate in a sexual nature with minors over the Internet or possess child pornography.

Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, said he was disappointed that the Legislature failed to take action against auto theft and identity theft.

"These are two crimes we hear the most about and they are about the most challenging crimes in our generation," Chandler said. One of the failed bills would have restricted access to a person's credit history and prohibited financing in their name if they reported their credit cards stolen.

Environment: Legislators took action to jump-start the state's biofuels industry, requiring biodiesel to make up 2 percent of the overall diesel market in Washington by Dec. 1, 2008. The bill also requires gasoline to be a 2 percent ethanol blend.

Lawmakers also approved a bill by Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, to require manufacturers to develop and implement a recycling program for televisions and computers. "E-waste was landmark legislation," Pridemore said. "States all over the country are looking to that to follow our lead."

Development: Urban redevelopment got a boost with a bill that will give money to developers in private-public partnerships to help pay for local infrastructure for renewal projects.

Under the bill, $500,000 would go to Killian Pacific to build housing, retail, offices, parking and possibly a public library on a four-block downtown Vancouver site. The lot is currently home to an auto dealership.

Legislation aimed at makingVancouver's annexation process easier failed to make much progress. Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, said legislators are waiting to hear more from residents before taking the next step. But he said he expects the issue will be raised again next year.

The transportation budget included $24 million to help fund rail and road projects across the Clark County area, including an additional $4 million for the Interstate 5-Interstate 205 widening at Salmon Creek.

To provide more direct access to Battle Ground, $8.6 million was set aside for the new Interstate 5-Highway 502 interchange near the Gee Creek rest area. The budget also included $1 million for a sound wall near the Pioneer Meadows neighborhood to relieve the roar of traffic near Fourth Plain Road and Northeast 162nd Avenue.