Colville Republican Wants Juvenile Jail

Republican Cathy McMorris wants two more years in the state House of Representatives to push for a new prison for juvenile criminals and tax relief for property owners.

In announcing her expected campaign for re-election, the 27-year-old Colville resident also said she had “unfinished business,” such as fewer and simpler state regulations.

“People tell me they don’t know what regulations they’re supposed to be following (for their business),” McMorris said. “And even when they call (a state agency) and ask, they don’t get a clear answer.”

She hopes to use her position as chairwoman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee to force a “thorough review of what’s on the books.”

One of her main priorities would be construction of a proposed 300-bed juvenile prison in Newport.

“Until we have that, it doesn’t matter what laws we have on the books,” she said. Too many juvenile offenders are released because there’s no place to put them, she added.

“After we have a place for juvenile offenders, we need to start cracking down on them.”

The facility, which could cost $30 million, should be at the top of the list for state construction projects, she contends.

To provide tax relief for landowners, McMorris said she would like the state to stop collecting its share of the property tax. That would cut the state’s general fund budget by more than $1 billion but she suggested the state economize and privatize some government services to make up for the loss.

McMorris, who works out of her home as an independent travel agent, has served nearly three years in the House.

She was the legislative assistant to Republican Bob Morris, and was appointed to the seat in 1994 after he was appointed to the state Senate.

, DataTimes