April 12, 2017 - Important Status Update Dear Washington State Martial Arts Supporters, ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS REMAIN - A quick update on our fight to pass a law to remove the damaging, but currently mandatory, retail sales tax from martial arts schools in Washington State. Through the work of our association, school owners, concerned citizens like you and the lobbyists we hired through donations we're very close to a positive resolution! We're not quite there yet but some amazing things have happened to update you on: 1. The House passed HB1032 on April 6, 2017 by a vote of 93-3! 2. The Senate passed SB5205 on April 10, 2017 by a vote of 47-0! Both bills are in the necessary committee on the other side. SB5205 is in the House Finance Committee and HB1032 is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. This is fantastic news because with those votes both sides of the Legislature indicated their desire to fix this mistake THIS YEAR. Big thanks to Rep. Cindy Ryu, Rep. Frank Chopp, Sen. Judy Warnick, Sen. Joe Fain and Sen. Mark Schoesler for their help and leadership getting us this far! What's next? From our understanding leadership in the House and Senate must get together and decide which bill is the one that will pass. Either the House must pass SB5205 or the Senate must pass HB1032. We are not privy to those negotiations unfortunately. Honestly...we are in a very, very good position but there is a small possibility of disagreement leading to stalemate and neither bill being passed. We have no reason to believe this will happen but this is what we're working to prevent over the next couple weeks. We need your help in a couple ways. Here is what you can do: 1. Respectfully contact your legislator in person and via letter, phone and email. This is really important if you want this fixed. Remember nearly all Representatives and Senators are in support this year so be nice. Just tell them you live, or own a business, in their district and you want either HB1032 or SB5205 passed this year. You can find your legislators by entering your home or business address here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ 2. Donate: $10, $25, $50 or more from enough people goes a long way. The current tax costs participants $100 a year or more...every year...forever! The WSMAA is volunteer and 100% of proceeds go directly to our lobbyists. We had hoped to raise $35,000 but only raised $2,035. This means a few Board Members from the WSMAA are responsible for a very large bill. Please help. It's safe and secure: https://www.change.org/f/help-hire-lobbyists-to-fix-dept-of-revenue-mistake 3. Email friends, SHARE and LIKE on Facebook and other social media. Ask them to do 1 and 2. 4. Make sure you LIKE our Facebook Page and check it daily. https://www.facebook.com/nosalestaxonmartialartsinwashingtonstate/ Fingers crossed! WSMAA Board http://www.wamartialartsassoc.com