Base closure war chest proposed

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, January 1, 2004

Gov. Gary Locke is trying to take a more active role for the state in the upcoming battle to protect local military bases from the latest round of closures.

Locke has proposed spending $500,000 in his draft 2004 supplemental budget to help the lobbying efforts of communities with bases nearby.

Chris Rose, an executive policy director for the governor, said the money would be managed through the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

"The idea is basically this money will be distributed in grants to the local communities that have military bases," Rose said.

Assuming the Legislature approves the new fund, the $500,000 would be used as seed money for matching grants. Each community would have to raise its own share and apply for the state to kick in more.

The governor’s proposal is a direct response to requests from base communities such as Everett and Whidbey Island that the state should do more to help them.

Pat McClain has helped the city of Everett during the four previous rounds of base closures in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995. He said the state money is a welcome change.

"Frankly, in ‘93, we passed the hat," McClain said. "In those days, the state was not involved. It was a local issue. So it is very heartening."

McClain is co-chairman of the city’s naval planning team and was recently hired by Mayor Ray Stephanson to be the city’s governmental affairs director.

Local politicians also welcomed the news.

Rep. Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, has worked for many years with efforts to retain Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He said the money would help, especially if it is combined with other efforts from the governor as well.

"The appropriate role for the executive branch is a focused and concerted lobbying effort," Sehlin said. "And I think the governor has certainly indicated a willingness to make our case in Washington, D.C."

Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, whose 38th District includes Naval Station Everett, said the money would be a good idea.

"The state should be a player in it," McCoy said.

Despite a very tight two-year budget that passed with much difficulty last year, McCoy said this year’s supplemental budget should be able to cover $500,000 without cutting elsewhere.

Both Everett’s and Whidbey Island’s bases have survived close scrutiny before, thanks to local lobbying efforts.

McClain said Sehlin and many others in Whidbey Island once prevailed upon federal officials to remove that naval base from the closure list during the 1990s. They succeeded because their local lobbying efforts were focused and well organized, he said.

"They were able to present their case very articulately," McClain said.

State money would help boost such local efforts, he said. Even communities whose bases do not end up on the base closure list might have to suddenly defend their facility.

That was the case for Everett in 1993 when Alameda, Calif., challenged federal officials to nix Everett instead. Alameda’s aging base was on the list, while Everett’s — which was not even built at that point — was not.

"That did not give us a lot of time," McClain said.

A lobbying trip from Everett to Washington, D.C. was hastily organized. At one point, McClain had to think quickly after getting interrupted in the shower by an important phone call.

"I literally stood there with a towel around myself while a commission official asked me to respond to every objection raised by the public," McClain said.

Starting the lobbying efforts now at a statewide level should help base communities be better prepared, he said.

Sehlin emphasized that no list has been prepared yet, despite persistent rumors.

Rose, the governor’s advisor, said a list might not be ready until 2005. In February, the Department of Defense is scheduled to present Congress with a detailed analysis of military needs for the next 20 years. Those needs will likely drive many of the considerations for base closures.

The state Legislature could decide on the supplemental budget as soon as March, after which a grant process would have to be set up by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.