Well said and appreciated. Welcome to the big city.

As the chair of the Finance Committee, I am disappointed in your rhetorical assault on the purpose, tone, framework and content of the meeting. Indeed we are 100% focused on taxation and the hearing highlighted the assertion (by me and others) that if we pretend medical and recreational markets are two unrelated and uncoordinated markets we will absolutely fail to realize any meaningful revenue as a state. Mr. Garza provided information and content appropriate to our exploration of that core policy question.

Here’s the inside Olympia story: The manufacturers where unenthusiastic at best about negotiating with Tesla until Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Ellensburg) and I introduce an amendment to strip the anti-direct sales to consumer provision from the bill. The agreement to specifically allow Tesla direct sales but not future entrepreneurial auto efforts was made under duress for those of us who support direct sales options. We fought for open and free markets and got at least partial victory.