Joe Schmick

Colfax Republican Joe Schmick says rural patients may not have a choice from where they get their prescription drugs, and he’s looking to change that.   He noted this past summer, the Washington Public Employee Benefit Board as well as the School Employee Benefit Board approved Kaiser Permanente as a health insurance provider.  He said ...

Despite assurances it would not happen when proposed by Governor Jay Inslee and cleared by the Washington legislature in 2021, cap-and-trade is impacting farmers across the Evergreen State.  While farmers and those that transport food are to be exempt from the 40 cent per gallon tax, many have been paying it since implementation January 1st.  In resp...

A Washington state lawmaker has introduced legislation to provide fuel rebates to farmers impacted by new climate policies.  When Governor Jay Inslee’s cap-and-trade bill passed two years ago, it contained an exemption for fuel used to produce and transport farm goods.  However, seve...

On Wednesday, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that established overtime for the Ag community. The new law will step the hours per week need to trigger overtime until it hits 40 hours in early 2024. Colfax Republican Joe Schmick said for him, that Ag overtime legislation was the biggest win for the farming community during the virtual session ...

Over the weekend, Washington lawmakers approved a cap and trade bill, which opponents say will cost consumers more money and the state jobs. Colfax Representative Joe Schmick said there are a lot of exemptions, such as Ag fuel, but it may not be that way long after the bill is put into law ...

In late February, the federal government released its draft EIS saying that removing the four lower Snake River dams would be detrimental to the region, and those dams should remain. However, supporters of the dams are quick to point out that the fight is not over ...

Earlier this week, the Washington Senate passed legislation that would ban chlorpyrifos by January 1st, 2022.  Senate Bill 6518 passed primarily along party lines.  Bill author Senator Christine Rolfes said the legislation will reduce prenatal exposure and reduce harm to children.   Now ...

By a 12-2 vote Wednesday, the Washington House Ag Committee voted to approve HB 2696 to the floor for a full vote.  According to legislation author Tom Dent, the bill addresses meat and poultry misbranding.  Dent said he’s not opposed to alternative proteins in the marketplace, but he wants consumers to know what they are purchasing.   “If it...

It’s a struggle many rural portions of Washington face; manning their volunteer EMT staff to ensure when an emergency happens help is on the way.  Colfax representative Joe Schmick has proposed legislation he thinks will make serving as an EMT more attractive.  House Bi...

The window to make comments on a study looking at the economic impact of removing the four lower Snake River Dams will close soon.  Throughout this month, the Lower Snake River Stakeholders presented the findings of their study during workshops in Clarkston, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities.  St...