Once again demonstrating his indifference to the affordable housing crisis plaguing Washington State, Gov. Gary Locke vetoed HB 1430, legislation requiring all state agencies to conduct a housing impact statement on proposed regulations.

The bill enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the Republican-controlled Senate 33-16 and the Democrat-controlled House by 95-0.

The legislation would have forced the state to estimate the cost impact of any proposed regulation on housing before adopting a rule, and consider alternatives if it was determined that the proposed regulation had a significant economic impact. Locke’s veto was anticipated after his policy staff testified against HB 1430 before the House State Government Committee in February. Locke’s testimony against HB 1430 focused on the cost to state agencies, ignoring the fact that most working families in Washington State can no longer afford a home.

“No one should be surprised that Locke vetoed HB 1430,” said Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) President Randy Gold. “Locke has vetoed virtually every piece of affordable housing legislation that has come across his desk. But how does one explain Locke’s opposition in making housing more affordable for working families? Especially when 60 of his Democrat colleagues in the Legislature recognize there is a serious problem and took a good first step in providing a partial solution to the problem?” he asked.

Washington State is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. The median home price in the state is $188,600 (far above the national average of $157,000) while the median household income is $41,715. The general rule of thumb is a family can afford a home three times its income. In Washington, that pencils out to around $125,000, meaning families earning the median are still unable to afford most of the homes on the market.

Why are homes in Washington State so expensive? Government taxes and regulations add a whopping 25 percent to the cost of an average home in our state – making them among the most unaffordable in the nation.

“Governor Locke may not care about keeping housing affordable for working families, but at least the Legislature cares about this important issue,” said Gold. “Maybe Locke will get his priorities straight by the 2004 Legislative Session,” he said. “Hey it’s nice to have dreams, right? After all, that is all most working families in Washington State have when it comes to owning their own home.”.