Senator Doug Ericksen

Republicans propose $1 billion property tax cut Ericksen bill provides $1 billion in property tax relief Democrats’ proposal is an income tax on capital gains Record tax dollars flowing into Olympia should be returned to taxpayers  OLYMPIA – Republicans are proposing a $1 billion property tax cut to provide relief to Washington taxpayers who will see a... Read More...

42nd District lawmakers to host town hall Feb. 17 Forty-second District legislators Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and Reps. Vincent Buys, R-Lynden, and Luanne Van Werven, R-Lynden, are holding a town hall meeting Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Blaine Senior Center. At the community meeting, attendees can ask questions, and the lawmakers will offer an update on the legislative session. Here are the details: Blaine... Read More...

Public-works budget passes Legislature, funds important Whatcom County projects OLYMPIA – A public-works construction budget that pays for projects in Whatcom County and across the state cleared the Legislature Thursday and is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Big-ticket items include funding for Bellingham-waterfront cleanup that will enable redevelopment along Bellingham Bay, and new buildings... Read More...

Ericksen: Legislature’s deal on household wells offers relief to Whatcom County OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers approved a deal Thursday to end a long-running water dispute that has brought rural construction to a standstill in many areas of the state, including Whatcom County. Republicans and Democrats passed a measure Thursday night in the state House and Senate creating new rules for household... Read More...

Ericksen bills slash property taxes, restore funding for Blaine interchange Tax measure would effectively keep state property tax for schools at 2017 level. Prevents one-year “spike” caused by phase-in of property tax plan. Blaine interchange bill restores project vetoed by Inslee last year. OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, introduced bills Jan. 16 that would prevent a short-term spike in... Read More...

Dems vote to make tax hikes easier — sets stage for massive tax increases The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Ericksen’s subscribers Jan. 12, 2018. To subscribe to Sen. Ericksen’s newsletters, click here. — Rule change on opening day of session eliminates taxpayer protection. — 2/3 vote of Senate was required for procedural votes on tax increases. — Dems insist on eliminating rule,... Read More...

Ericksen: Inslee energy tax is ‘death tax’ on Washington Would increase gas taxes 40 percent – plus large automatic increases every year. Electricity costs will rise; manufacturers will face higher costs. Inslee death tax impacts lower-income and middle-class families more than wealthy. OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest proposal for a tax on energy use in Washington state will... Read More...

Ericksen committed to serving the people of Whatcom County and Washington in state Senate OLYMPIA – State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, said Monday he plans to remain in the Washington Legislature – and will not be taking a job with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, contrary to erroneous press reports published Friday and over the weekend. “President Donald J. Trump is about to finish... Read More...

Ericksen encouraged by judge’s action against Inslee energy rule FERNDALE…Sen. Doug Ericksen today praised a recent court ruling that a core section of an energy-regulation rule adopted by Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration in 2016 is unlawful. The decision came Friday from a judge in Thurston County, where lawsuits against state agencies are considered, and prompted this statement from Ericksen, R-Ferndale... Read More...

Ericksen bill prevents property-tax spike in 2018 Corrects timing problem with last year’s levy reform that could lead to temporary increases. Keeps state property-tax rate low as local school levies are phased out. Maintains 2018 state basic-education levy at 2017 levels. OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, says the state ought to use an unexpected $1 billion... Read More...