Holmquist session bio-fueled

Moses Lake Republican describes session as 'mixed'

COLUMBIA BASIN — It was an energy-driven session in the Legislature for state Rep. Janea Holmquist, highlighted by the passage of a bill aimed at making the state a leader in the development of biofuels.

Legislation creating a renewable fuel standard for Washington biodiesel and ethanol is something Holmquist continues to champion, and currently awaits the signature of Gov. Chris Gregoire.

"This bill we passed this year is going to set a standard for future economic development and I'm really excited about that potential," Holmquist said.

Holmquist was initially encouraged to present biofuels legislation by farmers in the Columbia Basin. Biofuels were the high point of the session for the Moses Lake Republican. She called the overall session a mixed one, but cited a number of capital projects secured for constituents in her 13th District.

Her seatmates in the Legislature voted against the mandates in biofuels legislation, and Moses Lake Republican Sen. Joyce Mulliken has asked for the governor's veto. But Holmquist feels those mandates were necessary in this case, and said they are an economic development tool to further the production of biofuels.

"I received only positive feedback from our farmers, from our local economic development folks," Holmquist said, adding she did hear a few concerns about the process, but no outright opposition to the proposal.

Legislators ultimately passed Senate Bill 6508, a companion bill to the biofuels bill Holmquist introduced this session. SB 6508 will require two percent of the state's aggregate consumption of gasoline and diesel to be ethanol and biodiesel by Dec. 1, 2008.

As soon as the bill made it through the senate, Holmquist said she began receiving calls from private companies looking to make Moses Lake their home. One of those is Washington Biodiesel, which is looking to develop operations at the Port of Warden.

Money for a biodiesel plant in Warden was one of many capital projects Holmquist said the Legislature secured funding for this session. She also cited other funding projects at the Port of Ephrata and the Port of Quincy in the budgets she supported. The Legislator's capital budget secured $9.2 million for projects the 13th District, which includes portions of Grant and Yakima counties and all off Kittitas County.

The Columbia River water package was another positive point during the session for Holmquist, who said the big victory was in getting money set aside for funding for storage. Another bill dealing with water was one introduced by Ritzville Sen. Mark Schoesler, which allows farmers in the Odessa Sub-Area a "time out" from relinquishment of water rights.

Holmquist was also pleased by bills passed she described as improving farming and business climate, including exemptions on their farm fuel and a business and occupation tax credit on pop syrup.

Holmquist was defeated by majority legislators toward the end of the session in an attempt to get legislation passed that would seek constitutional protections for the definition of marriage. Legislators are awaiting a state supreme court decision on the constitutionality of the state's Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage between one man and one woman, and Holmquist said she wanted to have voters decide the issue.

"I really believe it should be the people's right, not the courts, to decide," Holmquist said.

No action was taken this year on legislation Holmquist was seeking on the repeal of the estate tax, and she said she was disappointed to see little movement on legislation on tip credits or the state's minimum wage.

The ugliest part of the session for Holmquist was the passage of the supplemental budget, which including spending increases that she called an assault on taxpayers. She said the supplemental budget is supposed to be for taxpayers for small fixes, but decried spending in that budget and said its passage would force legislators to either cut programs or raise taxes next year.

Holmquist is up for re-election in November, and said she looks forward to continuing work for Grant County and the 13th District. Holmquist called serving her constituents an honor.

"I've just worked hard, I feel good about what I've accomplished," Holmquist said, adding she looks forward to continuing to help her constituents.