Lawmakers report successful tele-forum

More than 200 people participated

COLUMBIA BASIN - Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, and Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, reported a successful Wednesday night tele-forum.

"I was not sure about this new technology and whether folks would get involved," Warnick stated. "But I am so pleased with amount of participation and the great discussion."

The lawmakers held an hourlong phone conference allowing 13th Legislative District constituents to call into the forum to participate in discussion and ask questions.

More than 200 people participated in the forum. Callers unable to speak during the allotted time were given the opportunity to leave a voice mail for the representatives.

"We'll now be returning calls to those who left us voice mails and calling the listeners who didn't have a chance to ask their questions on air," Warnick stated.

The representatives discussed the newly enforced watercraft lift fee. The fee is $175 per year for a permit to store a lift on Moses Lake enforced by the Department of Natural Resources.

Hinkle said people were frustrated with the permit because they said they weren't receiving any services in exchange for their money.

Last year Hinkle and Warnick introduced legislation to prevent the fee from being imposed on citizens. The bill died without a hearing.

"Everyone pretty much agreed with us," he said about the legislation.

The reason for the fee is unclear, Hinkle said. He questioned how natural resources would use the collected funds to remove milfoil from the lake.

A portion of callers participated in a three-question poll during the forum.

Callers were asked what they thought Hinkle and Warnick should do to address a projected $2.4 billion budget deficit next year.

Of the 90 participants, 74 percent wanted to eliminate some programs, 22 percent wanted to cut programs and raise taxes, and 3 percent wanted to raise taxes.

Participants were asked what they wanted to do about tolling roadways.

Of the 96 participants, 53 percent did not want to pay a toll, 18 percent wanted to pay a toll before project construction begins, 17 percent wanted to pay a toll after a project is completed and 13 percent advised any option was acceptable.

Callers were asked to determine what affordable health insurance approach they preferred.

Of the 77 participants, 61 percent of callers wanted the state regulatory environment to be improved so health insurance carriers are more competitive, 17 percent weren't sure, 6 percent wanted to expand government-controlled health care and 16 percent did not prefer either choice.

"It's important for us to stay tuned-in with our constituents and this allowed us to do that," Hinkle stated. "Lately we've had reduced participation at our face-to-face town halls, so we're glad to have this option to reach out to more constituents."