House votes to pump money into housing

OLYMPIA — The House approved a $100 million expansion of the state's housing program Saturday.

The proposal would pump $25 million into the Housing Trust Fund from the state treasury each year for the next four years.

The money would go for rental vouchers for low-income people, services to the homeless, housing for victims of domestic violence, weatherization projects, farmworker housing and development of affordable housing.

"The increasing gap between incomes and housing prices has led to a major housing crisis in our state," said Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland, the prime sponsor.

"Much of the additional state revenue we have seen this past year is directly linked to the real-estate boom. It only makes sense that we reinvest this money to offset the high price of housing."

The bill, HB2418, passed 72-24 and was sent to the Senate.

The House also approved a crackdown on driver-training schools. The measure would strengthen the authority of the Department of Licensing to oversee such operations.

It also would increase the training requirements for an instructor's license and would require inspection of each driver-training school and its business practices. Staff members would have to undergo criminal-background checks.

Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, the prime sponsor, said the state has more than 200 driver schools. The legislation, along with new rules from the Department of Licensing, would upgrade the quality and background checks would help ensure the safety of youth, she said.

Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center, recalled having lousy driver's education in his day. Now that he has two daughters, he said, he wants only the best possible instruction.

The measure, HB2829, passed 82-13 and headed to the Senate.