By Marianne Lincoln

It was a cold, February, Tuesday afternoon. Julie, Michelle and I piled into the car and drove to Olympia. We arrived a few minutes early and had a chance to check out the Capitol Gift Shop and peek into the Rotunda before heading to Room No. 4 in the Cherberg Building.

There, we met up with Phil and Wendy. We have been at this for over two years, so we are on a first name basis. Senator Conway walked into the Hearing Room and smiled. He came over to shake our hands and share some kind words about us being there, before the Ways and Means Committee meeting started.

Then the meeting began and we sat through 8 other bills on the agenda, trying not to fall asleep and start snoring as all the professional lobbyists and agency reps did what they do all day during session, over and over. Of course, the bill we came to support was last on the list. Our only amusement was watching the State Senators trying to stay awake too.

Finally, it was the turn for SB5516. Senator Conway sat up straight, eye twinkling. He spoke of how this group of local community members rescued the historic public-school building from demolition, raising money from a small, unincorporated community only to find that the building would now be subject to paying property tax for this first time in its history. A small glitch in the law, allowed PLU to buy it from a public school and not pay property tax, but since Parkland bought it from PLU, not a public school, the building was no longer exempt. SB5516 would correct that glitch, as long as the use was for community services.

Senator Conway’s voice was cheerful as he pointed out the community’s 5 members present and a 6th online. The rows of senators perked up and smiled. They make sounds of approval because here was a group of regular people who came to see them and ask them to help them assist their community. It wasn’t the same old suits they see every day. It was the kind of moment where even Senators remember what they are really there to do. Of course we were all in our bright, cheerful red shirts as well.

Wendy and Phil testified, followed by Lori on Zoom. Then the meeting ended. Senator Conway bounced down from the dais, smiling and shaking everyone’s hand. He expressed his please at assisting us and remarked on how it also affected the other Senators to hear us tell our story. I was sure we had made his day. I know saving on the property tax will make ours too.

Please write to your Senator and House members to support SB5516.

Thank you to Lori Curtis, Wendy Freeman, Phil Edlund, Michelle Garrett, Julie Collison, Marianne Lincoln for being there! Hopefully it will pass out of committee and we will visit the House next.