Quall, Morris, Ranker Salute League of Women Voters

State Legislators attend the May 10 Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans. From left, Representative Dave Quall, Senator Kevin Ranker, Representative Jeff Morris. Photo courtesy Don Jarrell

Annual League Meeting Brings State Legislators to Orcas

The league of Women Voters of the San Juans’ received kudos from State Legislators Dave Quall, Jeff Morris and Kevin Ranker at their annual meeting May 10 at the Orcas Hotel.

The luncheon meeting was open to the public, and among other business, thanked Orcas Islanders for forming a sub-unit that will meet on Orcas Island. Longtime LWV of the San Juans’ members Libby Blackwell and Sara Jane Johnson attended the luncheon, as did new LWV members Marian O’Brien, Cathy Ferran, Barbara Kline and Margie Doyle.

After conducting the annual meeting, the floor was turned over to the three state legislators who expressed their appreciation to the work of the LWV in the San Juans, saying their forums were always well-attended, informed and civil.

Morris lauded Quall, who is retiring as Representative from the 40^th District this year, saying he was “the moral center of our caucus; I learned more about life than politics from Dave.”

Quall, who retired as a teacher before serving in the Legislature for 17 years, most recently as as the Chair of the Education Committee, sponsored a League of Women Voters’ initiative to require a half-year of civics instruction in school.

Quall praised the LWV’s non-partisan candidates’ forums, saying “A lot of forums over the years and many are not that pleasant; the fairness and support on the San Juan Islands are phenomenal.”

League of Women Voters of the San Juans Officers, from left, Co-Presidents Liz Illg and Ann Jarrell, Treasurer Pat Curtin and Secretary Beverly Zapalac.

Doris Esterbrook, San Juan Island member of the LWV, who championed the new county-wide ordinance banning styrofoam food containers, received a special certificate of appreciation at the meeting. When asked how this ban could be extended throughout the state, Ranker suggested starting to state agencies and schools “and show people the sky doesn’t fall when you do something like [banning styrofoam].”

“We vision as broadly as we can and then take a step back into reality,” Ranker advised.

The legislators discussed the past legislative session, noting that in the budget finally passed in special session, they “raised revenue as well as made cuts…. $4.40 in cuts for every $1 in revenue raised.” While the State House of Representatives was in favor of taxing discretionary activities (such as smoking); the Senate supported some sales tax increases so that there was a more universal effect on all taxpayers. Morris also noted that it was the first time in Washington State history that the budget included less in expenditures than the previous bi-ennium.

Ranker brought up that the  tax and revenue discussion in the legislature resulted in  doubling the small business credit for Business and Occupation (B& O) taxpayers this year, and increased the B & O taxes for businesses making over $80,000 per year. He justified his opposition to an increase in sales tax after discussion among those in the construction industry who pointed out that 1/10 or 1% is about $25 to $35 thousand for construction businesses in the county.

“We need to continue looking at overall tax reform; it’s worthy of significant discussion,” Ranker said.

Quall noted that a state income tax, aligned with Bill Gates, Senior’s proposal, “could be a good first step.” He added that former Governors Dan Evans, Republican and Booth Gardiner, Democrat, proposed a state income tax.