Schmick talks Hirst, taxes with Othello council

OTHELLO — The state legislature’s recently-concluded session was “a hectic 60 days” that ended up resulting in a lot of good work.

That’s what Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, told members of the Othello City Council at a regular meeting Monday night.

“It’s sure nice to be on the right side of the mountains for a change,” said Schmick, whose 9th state House district covers much of Eastern Washington from Othello to the Idaho state line.

Schmick was in Othello as part of a post-session tour of his district, meeting with city councils and answering questions.

“I’m trying to get around to every city and every council in my district,” Schmick said.

Schmick said he was very happy with the legislature’s “Hirst fix.” For much of the state — including the Columbia Basin — rules and fees governing rural wells will remain unchanged, while being tightened up in counties with “in stream flow rules.”

In Whatcom County vs. Hirst, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that Whatcom County failed to adequately protect water resources and required counties — rather than developers — to determine if there is enough water available for rural development.

“It’s a good fix, and I’m pretty happy with that,” Schmick said.

Council members were also interested in any looming changes to the state tax code.

“I keep reading different information in regards to a carbon tax,” said Council Member John Lallas.

“There is no carbon tax,” Schmick said, noting that Washington state is already one of the cleanest states in the country thanks to an abundance of hydropower.

Mayor Shawn Logan wanted to know if sales tax mitigation — which was eliminated by the state legislature in 2017 — would be put back in the state budget.

Logan said the mitigation payments, which make up for the difference in local tax rates when Othello goods are purchased and shipped to parts of Washington with lower sales taxes, amounted to a roughly $100,000 hit to the city’s general fund.

“I don’t know if that was even discussed,” Schmick said.

Schmick also told council members he was more than willing to help Othello seek additional state funds for things like ball park improvements and engineering studies for water system improvements.

“I’m happy to help with applications and letters of support,” he said.