matt-manweller Archives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 5, 2014

CONTACT:
Sarah Stewart, Public Information Officer (Rep. Warnick inquiries) – (360) 786-7720

Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer (Rep. Manweller inquiries) – (360) 786-7794

Booker Stallworth, Deputy Communications Director (Sen. Holmquist Newbry inquiries) – (360) 786-7536

13th District lawmakers invite constituents to telephone town hall

Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry and Reps. Judy Warnick and Matt Manweller invite residents in the 13th Legislative District, which includes Kittitas, Lincoln and most of Grant counties, to a telephone town hall meeting Thursday, Feb. 13. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., allows constituents to speak directly with their lawmakers while they serve in the 2014 session in Olympia.

“I know who my bosses are, and the more convenient I can make it for people to get involved with government, the better,” said Holmquist Newbry, R-Moses Lake. “This technology allows us to hear directly from the people back home, including our many employers and workers. Making sure that we help create a business climate conducive to job creation is my top priority in Olympia, so hearing directly from employers, workers and those looking for work is important to me.”

People who wish to join the event should call toll-free 877-229-8493, then enter pin number 112393. At any time during the hour-long conversation, participants can press star (*) then 3 on their phone to ask a question live of their legislators.

“This is a great way for us to connect with the people back home while we’re in Olympia,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “We can reach a large number of people and they can participate from the comfort of their homes. I look forward to hearing what’s on people’s minds and answering their questions.”

“There are a number of legislative proposals being considered that impact the citizens of the Thirteenth District and our state,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “The telephone town hall is a great tool to get feedback and input on those issues and other legislation before us this session.”

No RSVP is required to join the event, and the media is encouraged to call and listen in as well.

For more information about Rep. Warnick, visit: www.representativejudywarnick.com. For more information about Rep. Manweller, visit: www.representativemattmanweller.com. For more information about Sen. Holmquist Newbry, visit: www.janeaholmquistnewbry.src.wastateleg.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan. 27, 2014

CONTACT:
Laudan Espinoza, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7504

Warnick, Manweller join in re-commitment to employers and modern manufacturing in Washington

Lawmakers in Washington are determined to learn from California in the state’s treatment of cutting-edge employers. Reps. Judy Warnick and Matt Manweller co-sponsored House Bill 2671 to clarify Washington’s intention to welcome innovative employers in our state, one of which is located in the 13th District they represent. The proposal would change current law defining electric vehicles as those “directly” powered, instead of “exclusively” powered, by a clean alternative fuel. The bill also specifies that “‘Directly powered’ does not include auxiliary sources of power used to regenerate a battery that acts as a direct source of power to a drive train.” This would ensure buyers of this vehicle, partially made in Washington, would qualify for a sales tax exemption.

Automaker BMW was told its latest electric car, the i3, would not qualify as a purely electric vehicle in California even after it had worked with the state to design its low emission vehicle to compete with other automakers. California said the vehicle’s optional “range extender,” which provides a 2.4 gallon gas tank as a backup in case electric power is reduced to less than 5 percent, meant it was not purely electric. This setback meant drivers of the i3 would not qualify for carpool lane access in California or for the state’s $2,500 tax rebate, hurting BMW’s ability to compete effectively in the clean vehicle market.

When Washington lawmakers looked into it, they were told by the Department of Revenue that the i3 vehicles would not be classified for a sales tax exemption in Washington either, because the vehicle would not be “exclusively powered” by electricity if power was used from the optional onboard generator.

“SGL in Moses Lake provides dozens of jobs for people in our area to make carbon fiber for BMW’s lightweight electric cars. We appreciate them and other employers for locating in Central Washington to provide manufacturing jobs. I am supporting this legislation because it ensures the state is fair to employers who have taken a chance in Washington based on certain assumptions,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “We need to support products that are made in Washington, from apples to carbon fiber, and this legislation is one way we ensure this kind of manufacturing continues.”

SGL recently announced its expansion with two new production lines. Every BMW i3 made includes carbon fiber manufactured at the Moses Lake plant.

“I hope this bill is the first step in making Washington the preeminent carbon fiber producer in the world,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “If Washington could become the Silicon Valley of carbon fiber, we would be leaving a high tech legacy to our children for generations to come.”

The legislation has bipartisan support and was referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. The 2014 session is scheduled to adjourn March 13.
Rep. Warnick’s media: