Washington accessibility panels law stalls

Last week I posted about a bill, sponsored by state Rep. Deb Wallace in Washington, that would create groups in that state that would advise about local accessibility issues. The funds to support these groups were proposed to come from a steep increase in the fine for improperly parking in an accessible spot.

I shot Wallace a few questions about her bill via email. The following are my questions and her responses. If you thought this bill sounded promising, it did not have a happy ending.

Note that the story of this bill even has a travel angle.

dh: How did this issue come to your attention in the first place?

dh: How much money do you estimate the increase in parking fines could raise?
Wallace: The fees would increase by $100. 

dh:  What do you envision the Accessible Community Advisory Committees as doing?
Wallace: The committees would bring visibility to accessibility issues in a host of areas including reviewing local projects for accessibility, help businesses to increase their accessibility.

dh: What kind of chance does it stand for passage?
Wallace: Unfortunately, the bill did not get out of appropriations yesterday.  We will pick it up again next session.

Thanks to Rep. Wallace for the information

Photo of state Rep. Deb Wallace courtesy of Deb Wallace.