Morton defends Ferry County against having to hold an election to receive funds from the state City-County Assistance Account

February 8, 2008

Olympia…In an unusual play, a King County senator has offered a bill that would require all counties that receive more assistance from the real estate excise tax than they contribute to hold a special election for the citizens in that county to acknowledge they are receiving “government welfare.” 

During a public hearing on the bill yesterday, Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, took strong exception to the term “government welfare” being used, and told the committee that four of his counties would qualify under the bill. He used Ferry County as an example of why his counties could not afford to hold such an election. 

“Ferry County is the ninth-largest county in our state in area,” Morton said. “However, 86 percent of our land is government or tribal owned and is not taxable. We have only 7,300 residents and 2,003 of those are children. 

“Since 1990, private entities have tried to mine our rich mineral resources in our northern counties. The first company spent more than $80 million and finally gave up. A new company has spent another $20 million and still no mining is taking place. Our economy is being strangled by overregulation.” 

Morton told the committee that the presidential primary is costing Ferry County $8,000. 

The measure, Senate Bill 6291, is sponsored by Sen. Eric Oemig, D-45th District, Kirkland.

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Additional contact: Penny Drost (360) 786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov