Olympia Legislative Report, April 26, 2013

Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Public Policy

Washington Clean Tech Alliance
Prepared by:  Boswell Consulting

We have reached the end of regular session and it is clear that we are headed into a special session.  At this point, we are not sure when the special session will be called, but rumors indicate that there might be some kind of a break between the end of regular session and the start of the special session.  Driving the need for the special session are budget negotiations. The House, Senate and Governor remain far apart on general fund budget negotiations.  The House passed $900 million worth of new taxes in a variety of areas, the Senate has so far been steadfast in its refusal to create any new taxes, and the Governor has indicated a desire to continue policy work around strengthening DUI laws, reproductive parity and gun control.

We expect the Governor will make an effort during special session to incorporate some elements of his clean tech account proposal as well as trying to continue the sales tax exemption on renewables.  All of these are expected to be somewhat controversial as general fund negotiations play out.

Find the entire report including Bill Tracking here.

Olympia Legislative Report, April 12, 2013

Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Public Policy

Washington Clean Tech Alliance
Prepared by:  Boswell Consulting

The House put out its version of the budget, but unfortunately, there was no funding within either the House or Senate Capital budget for any of Governor Inslee’s clean technology fund proposal.  The House also proposed changes to the R&D:

• Modifying the tax credit for high tech R&D – Limits the credit to businesses with annual gross income of $10 million or less. The incentive expires July 1, 2015; therefore, the 2015 estimate reflects 6 months of revenues.
• Repealing the high tech R&D sales tax deferral program – Businesses already in the deferral program are grandfathered in. Provides an expiration date of July 1, 2013 for the issuance of new deferral certificates.

These could have impacts on WCTA membership.  The House specifically ties the revenue from these tax changes to higher education.  Negotiations will now begin between the House and Senate and, unfortunately, they appear to be far apart and not likely to come to resolution before session comes to a close.  We are expecting some form of special session.

See the full report with Bill Trading here.

Olympia Legislative Report, April 5, 2013

Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Public Policy

Washington Clean Technology Alliance
Prepared by:  Boswell Consulting

Policy cutoff was on Wednesday and the Senate Majority Coalition caucus presented their proposal for the state budget.  Unlike the Governor’s proposal, they do not include any new tax increases nor do they extend the temporary taxes on services and beer like the Governor proposed.  They do include an additional billion dollars for education, as well as the Federal Medicaid expansion associated with Federal Health Care Reform.  The budget is expected to pass out of the Senate with a bipartisan vote count on Friday.  The House is expected to have their version out sometime mid-next week.  Negotiations will be ongoing on what is expected to be a very controversial budget, with the House Democrats clearly signaling a desire for new tax revenues and the Senate maintaining its “no new taxes” position.

As expected, the Senate has put out its version of the budget and, unfortunately, it currently does not include any of the Governor’s proposal for a clean technology fund.  There are also significant reductions within the Department of Commerce that could impact the clean technology industry including elimination of innovation research grants and reduction to the state energy policy office.  Also eliminated in the Senate operating budget proposal was Innovate Washington.  The budget negotiations are expected to be long and controversial between the House and Senate, and the Senate has not yet put out a draft capital budget proposal which is where the resources for the Governor’s clean technology funds would most likely come from.  HB 1301 (creating clean energy jobs in Washington state through renewable energy incentives) did not pass out of the Senate Environment Committee and is considered dead for this session.

Find the entire report including Bill Tracking here.

Governor Proposes New Investments in Cleantech

Posted by Tom Ranken | No Comments | Categories: Complete Digest, Public Policy

Governor Jay Inslee addressing the WCTA

Governor Jay Inslee has called for over $100 million in new cleantech-related investments.  The Governor released his Working Washington:  Budget Priorities 2013-15 on Thursday, March 28, 2013.  He says that “Our number one priority is revitalizing Washington’s economy and building a 21st century workforce.”

To do that , Governor Inslee is proposing increases in the funding of STEM degrees, a UW Clean Energy Institute, the WSU Center for Bioproducts and Biofuels, a fund for building efficiencies, grants to utilities to improve the management of renewable and distributed energy, matching clean energy research funds, and more electric vehicle charging facilities.  The Governor has proposed funding to implement the recommendations of the Ocean Acidification Panel, partnerships that improve biofuel production methods, and the Governor’s Climate Legislative and Executive Work Group. Read More…