February 19, 2015 meeting 


There were 20 members, one guest and one guest speaker at the meeting.  Our guest was is the assisted care resident who organizes the plastic egg preparers at the Cheney Care Center.  Bob reported that 5 members will visit the Medical Lake club at noon on February 25 at the Pizza Factory. 




Our speaker was Chris Cargill from the Washington Policy Center (WPC).  The WPC is a non partisan, state wide public policy research group.  He gave a legislative update and also spoke about an upcoming vote on increasing sales tax for STA services.  He said that the voters have repeatedly approved a required 2/3 vote to implement any tax increases; the legislature is debating a 2/3 vote for 'brand new' taxes only.  He reported that the Governor is proposing a gas tax hike of 11.5 cents per gallon (current state tax is 37.5 cents and federal tax is 18.4 cents) and the transportation budget he proposed with this tax would fully fund the North/South freeway in Spokane.  The legislature is also debating implementation of a higher minimum wage (either $12 or $15 per hour).  The average minimum wage earner's household income is approx. $47,000 due to other family members' earnings.




 Regarding the vote on sales tax increase for STA:  he said the increase is expected to provide $300 million and about $76 million would be used for an electric trolley line from Brown's Addition to Gonzaga and continuing on to SCC (6 mile distance).   The WPC questions whether the trolley would generate significant increased ridership and also questions STA assertions that the trolley would enhance business development.  When an electric trolley was implemented in Portland, Oregon economic development only happened in conjunction with government subsidies.