Issued: June 26, 2003
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Okanogan, June 26 -- Delegates attending the 114th annual convention of the Washington State Grange were provided an update on the recent legislative session by one of their own members -- a high-ranking state senator who has made appearances at many conventions over the years.State Sen. Bob Morton (R-Orient) spoke to his fellow Grange members on Thursday morning, June 26, at the state convention being held at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds. Morton is a member of Kettle River Grange, Stevens County.
The senator began his overview of the legislative session by reviewing the status of the state's budget. He noted that the Legislature had approved a budget for state government and when it was adopted the budget was balanced. Latest projections, however, received after the budget work was completed indicate that a deficit may remain.
Rural economic development is a concern that Morton feels deserves much more attention. He pointed to the wide gap that exists between income levels of citizens in rural regions and those in urban areas of the state.
"There is a great disparity in family income between those living in rural areas and those in our cities. It is growing considerably," he said. "The chasm between Ferry County, for example, and King County is three times -- the average income in Ferry County is a little over $16,000 and it's $48,000 in King County. With that great of a chasm, there is no way we can look at our lifestyles the same."
Morton then discussed ongoing issues related to fish runs and spoke briefly about legislative attempts to alleviate some of the disputes revolving around fisheries in the state. Morton said that rural residents are disproportionately affected by fisheries problems and they shoulder much of the effort to protect those species.
Morton spent some time discussing recent legislative solutions to difficult water issues. Gov. Locke has signed three significant bills that emerged from the Legislature including the Methow Valley Irrigation District Bill which Sen. Morton worked on as chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. This bill, Morton explained, attempts to clarify a practice of the Department of Ecology that resulted in defining any use of water as a "polluting" of the water source.
This rigid interpretation comes from the view that drawing water away from its source necessarily lowers the level of that body of water. This lowering, in turn, allows for a boost in the water temperature at certain times of the year resulting in more hostile conditions for fish. DOE lumped this condition into the category of "pollution."
"What the bill did is attempt to divide how the Department of Ecology is to address this issue," Morton said, "and to separate water quality from water quantity." The governor has signed this bill.
Livestock water rights and relinquishment of water rights were two issues Morton said needed further work. He also came out strongly in favor of retaining the 5,000 gallon per day residential water use exemption.
"Forest health, particularly in eastern Washington and Oregon, is deplorable," he continued. Because of this, the Legislature adopted a memorial to Congress asking that they "deal more aggressively with forest health in our state." Forest diseases, Morton said, are killing trees, thus creating more dry fuel for potential forest fires. He suggested the Grange pursue this topic by passing a strongly worded resolution.
"I want to ask a favor of you," he said in conclusion. "Keep us [in the Legislature] informed." Despite advances in modern communication, he explained, legislators still rely heavily upon input from their constituents. They welcome that input, he emphasized.
The senator further suggested that local Granges adopt pertinent resolutions and forward those directly to their legislators.
"Thank you for the time and the sacrifice you make to be here at this Grange convention and for attending those regular meetings of your community Grange," he said. "We must keep the Grange active. Keep up that strong Grange voice in Olympia."
The Washington State Grange was organized in 1889 to provide educational, social and legislative support for the state's rural citizens. The convention in Okanogan is the organization's 114th annual session.
There are approximately 50,000 Grange members in Washington and more than 300,000 across the United States.
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For information about the Grange, including please see our media kit, or go to www.wa-grange.org
For more information contact Larry Clark, Communications Director, (360) 943-9911