Sen. Bev Scalze
[This was my testimony on March 10, 2015, to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on S.F. 1132. My statement was not prepared in advance and may have varied a little from this after-the-fact writeup. The authors of S.F. 1132 are listed as Senators Scalze, Ingebrigtsen, Saxhaug, Benson, and Schmit. Scalze appeared to be the manager of the bill. She said repeatedly that “it came from the counties.” She also said repeatedly that “the hauler community” (garbage haulers) had input. During the meeting Scalze seemed to consult closely with one Trudy Richter, who she also presented as a witness on behalf of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, a joint powers board closely associated with the incineration industry. Ms. Richter is Executive Director of the state garbage incineration lobby group. Audio recordings are available here. Consideration of S.F. 1132 began in the morning session and continued in the afternoon.] Continue Reading →