Issue

• Washington State has always been about quality of life, the beauty of our state, and enjoying the outdoors.
• Investments in the environment have high returns for our state, our businesses, and our people’s health.
• Contaminated storm water runoff is a major pollution issue in our state.  Up to 75% of the pollutants entering the Puget Sound come from storm water runoff.
• Urban sprawl is taxing our environment, increasing the state tax dollars we must spend, and taking away from existing services in established cities and towns.

Solution

• Sustain environmental protections in our state budget in the areas of toxic contamination clean up, air quality, water resources, and habitat protection.
• Fully enforce the existing environmental regulations by stepping up the enforcement for polluters and violators, and stiffening penalties.
  
• Provide tax incentives, as appropriate, to private industry for participation in environment clean up.
• Provide incentives for our land owners and land developers to profitably support “Smart Growth.”