FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2022

Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, today released the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s partial veto of SB 5901:

“The governor’s decision to partially veto SB 5901 — to strike a line that would save our neighbors money and broaden access to a tax exemption for small businesses — is a short-sighted attempt to apply a Seattle-centric, one-size-fits-all policy to our whole state.

“This bipartisan bill made it to the governor’s desk with broad support because it was an overdue investment in our communities beyond the I-5 corridor. Now, with this partial veto, SB 5901’s impact will not expand beyond the biggest warehouses in King County, and the smaller facilities and businesses — like those that might grow and scale at the Port of Bremerton’s industrial park — will not see the benefits of this tax exemption.

“I am extremely disappointed in the governor’s decision to ignore the needs of our more rural local economies, but I remain as committed as ever to policies that bring good paying jobs to all our communities across the state and invest in the strength of our small businesses.”