04/18/2007: "County Counts Successes at State Capital"

In January the County Council, with support from their County Administrator, developed a large list of legislative priorities , from which their top priorities were identified for action (they later moved ferry related issues to the top of the list).

Councilman Kevin Ranker recently presented a summary of the successes of San Juan County in the state capital during the 2007 legislative session;

Throughout the 2007 legislative session in Olympia, some members of the County Council spent a combined total of 31 days at the state capital testifying in hearings; working with legislators and staff; and meeting with WSAC (Washington State Association of Counties)..

Councilman Kevin Ranker has taken upon himself to travel to Olympia to ensure representation of San Juan County in discussions that may affect San Juan County, and has noted that he “spent every Wednesday through Friday in Olympia”. Ranker told the Council that together with the dozens of citizens who wrote letters, and also traveled to Olympia, the “community’s efforts showed some great successes.”

“Unless there are last minute, drastic changes in Olympia, we have much to be thankful for,” said Ranker. “We had twelve major priorities and were successful with ten of them. Ten out of twelve is pretty good,” he continued.

Ranker highlighted some of the highlights of San Juan County’s successes, which included:

• WSAC: After intense work by the County Council, WSAC, who represents all 39 counties in Washington State, unanimously passed a motion to support San Juan County’s position on Washington State Ferries fare increases. This was the first time in the WSAC’s history that all 39 counties supported a ferry issue ;

• Ferries: The State Transportation Commission passed a modest increase of 2.5% for our ferry user fees. This was inline with the positions of San Juan County and WSAC;

• Saving Lopez Hill: With strong support from Senator Harriet Spanel, Lopez Hill has been included in the Trust Land Transfer Program, protecting this recreational resource for generations to come;

• $2 Million Proposed for Local Salmon Recovery and Community Projects: Currently, San Juan County stands to receive approximately $2 Million for community-based projects to address salmon recovery efforts. This money will restore critical shoreline habitat and create local jobs as salmon recovery in San Juan County will be done in a way that also benefits people and our communities;

• $193K Proposed for San Juan Community Theatre: The County Council enthusiastically supports the San Juan Community Theatre’s expansion and urged the State Legislature to fully fund the grants submitted by the “Building for the Arts” program.