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No joke: governor signs bill to expand the GMA
Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses
Lake, said she
is disappointed that Gov. Gregoire signed a bill today that would
lead to an expansion of the Growth Management Act (GMA). Despite
a request from Warnick to veto a section of the bill, Gregoire affixed
her signature to the measure, but removed an emergency clause that would
have made the legislation effective immediately.
"Proponents argue that
there are no mandates under this legislation, but it is very clear the
direction of the Legislature with the signing of this bill," Warnick
said. "Even though the governor removed the emergency clause, I'm disappointed that many have been so rushed to address climate
change without thinking of the side effects this will have on the
economic development of our smaller communities and farmers."
Though the measure was
heavily amended,
Senate Bill 6580 states an intent to address climate
change through the GMA: "The Legislature finds that the state, including
its counties, cities and residents, must engage in activities that
reduce greenhouse gas emissions..."
"There are actually quite
a few directives in the legislation, which set up requirements for the
future," Warnick said. "I'm afraid proponents are not being honest with
citizens about what this law will really do. Businesses, farmers and
myself are concerned this will lead to hundreds more lawsuits from
environmental groups while locals try to fight to keep their economy
growing."
The law as signed by
Gregoire:
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directs the Department
of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to report the
current actions being taken by communities to address climate
change;
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creates a grant
program to provide communities for financial and technical
assistance to address climate change; and
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establishes a task
force to look further into the issue.
The law will go into
effect July 1, 2008.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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