b'100 Years: 1919-2019Events to RememberSummer 2009 WPMN Clips all politicians, the Administration and the Legislature spentWA: (ED) Lea McCullough (LM) In the final hours of the it all. So why did we have a surplus and are now in a deficit?2009 Legislative session, deep cuts were made in all areas One reason and one reason onlyTHE PRICE OF OIL ANDof the general budget to fill the $9.2 Billion gap. Hardest NATURAL GAS . it is time to tighten up the budget belt. hit this session was unfortunately education . Bio-Fuel ID: Executive Director (ED) Suzanne Budge (SB) The Legis- UT: (ED) John Hill (JH) Motor Fuel Theft Penalties wereChanges due to cost and supply limitations, it is unlikely that lature adjourned . the second-longest session and one daypassed and became law on May 12, 2009. This new lawthe bio-diesel mandate set in statute will be met this year short of the record, which was 118 days in 2003. Highlightscreates a separate theft offense for stealing gasoline, and if. What is disturbing about this change by the Legislature of the 2009 legislative session were reviewed. convicted, may include a suspension of the persons driveris whats good for the government is not good for the con-MT: (ED) Ronna Alexander (RA) Ive decided that the term- license for 60sumer. While the Legislature offered an $8M savings to the limited legislators just cant stand the thought of seeing itdays for a first of- State Ferry System by allowing them to purchase lower-cost all end, so they throw any monkey wrench they can into thefense, six monthsconventional diesel fuel, the consumers are still mandated to final process of approving budget and tax bills. Kind of likefor a secondpurchase a more costly blended product.that tired old quarterback that retires from one team andoffense and one15 Years Agothen signs with another.year for a thirdSummer 2009WPMN Clip2004 (JUN/Summer NV: (ED) Peter Krueger (PK) legislative session is overor subsequentWPMN) On the cover Schol-and you know what new taxes business must pay to fundoffense . On May 14, 2009, Utahs Solid and Hazardousarship Foundation Recipients state government . In the end, the Legislature was able toWaste Board adopted new rules for Underground Storagewere Kimberly Woodley balance the budget by raising taxes to the tune of more thanTank training of operators in response to The Energy Policy(AZ), Ashley Bordewyk (ID), $800 million. Each new or increased tax will affect how youAct of 2005 created by EPA. Dustin Fuller (MT), Morgan do business in Nevada. The increase of the payroll taxOConnor (NV), Ciara Mowrer (aka modified business tax) and new diesel taxes,(NM), Stephanie Wilson (UT), especially in Washoe County, will not make it anyDaniele Gardner (WA), andSummer 2004 WPMN Cover Clip easier to prosper in Nevada. Nathaniel LaNasa (Associate-at- Large). NM: (ED) Ruben Baca (RB) The state went into theAdios, hasta luego wrote outgoing WPMA President 2009 60-Day Legislative Session with a $400 millionBenny Hodges. As I reflect upon this past year, (with the deficit. Just a year ago the state was in an economicSummer 2009enhanced optical benefit of hindsight), I am extremely proud boom with a surplus of over $300 million. One mightWPMN Clip ask what happened to the surplus. The truth is, likecontinued on page 26WPMA News / Summer 201923'