Paul Harris

The 2012 legislative session adjourned March 8, but without a supplemental operating budget. State lawmakers failed to address a $1.1 billion shortfall in the state’s operating budget. Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, issued the following statement: “Once again we are leaving Olympia only to return for another special session. Frustration and...

‘This is a blatant attempt by the majority party to pass the buck to local governments and get around taxpayer protections continually approved by voters’ says Rep. Paul Harris   Democrats in the state House of Representatives introduced legislation this week that would give local governments new authority to raise...

Lack of priorities in spending taxpayer money is problem, say House Republican lawmakers, not lack of tax collections   Washington state is realizing a nearly $2 billion, or roughly 7 percent, increase in tax collections this two-year budget cycle as the economy slowly begins to turn a corner. Yet today,...

Sen. Don Benton and Rep. Paul Harris, will host a town hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 18. Residents in the 17th District are encouraged to attend and bring their questions and concerns. The morning meeting will be a discussion about legislative and community issues. The time and location of the...

Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, issued the following statement today on the governor’s proposed budget cuts: “The governor has worked hard to find solutions to address our budget shortfall. However, her proposal hurts education and nursing homes, lacks reforms and has yet to establish priorities. “The proposed levy equalization cuts would...

Last month, the state’s chief economist, Dr. Arun Raha, announced we can expect another drop in tax collections over the next biennium, creating an estimated shortfall of $1.27 billion in the 2011-13 general fund budget. In fact, the governor has suggested the shortfall is closer to $2 billion if you...

Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, issued the following statement after the governor announced she will be calling the Legislature to Olympia for a special session on Nov. 28, 2011: “Given last week’s announcement by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council that we can expect another drop in tax collections...

I hope you are enjoying your summer. You may have seen the 2011 Legislative Session Review from Sen. Don Benton and myself in your mailbox. If not, you may link to it here:  https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/Harris/Harris2011EOSNewsletter.pdf. It provides an overview of the key issues from the sessions and legislation that impacts the...

Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, issued the following statement on today’s budget action in the Legislature: “I cannot support a budget that goes against my principles or those of my caucus. I know there was a concerted bipartisan effort to craft the operating budget. However, the final product is harmful to...