Bill would help state fairs

While the Spokane Interstate Fair prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, lawmakers are looking to fix what some are calling a "fair fund crisis."

Until eight years ago, the state gave the Spokane County fairgrounds more than $90,000 a year, said Dolly Hughes, the director of the Spokane County Fair and Exposition Center.

"The last three years we've received half that," Hughes said.

The reason? A shortage of gamblers. Past funding for fairs was tied to horse racing. A winning bet was taxed and a percentage of the tax given to the state fair fund.

When gambling on horses declined, so did the fair fund. More recently, the state's support for fairs has been carved out of the general fund. Last year a legislative task force recommended the state provide $3million a year to make up for lost revenue. Gov. Gary Locke's proposed budget for the next two years includes $2million a year for fairs.

That's not enough, Eastern Washington lawmakers say. Rep. Bob Sump, R-Republic, submitted a bill last week that would give fairs $3million from the state's general fund.

"The governor just doesn't realize how important these agricultural activities are to kids all across the state," Sump said.

The governor's office sees it differently.

"We do feel that the amount proposed for the fairs is a reasonable amount under the circumstances," said Hal Spencer, spokesman for the governor's budget office. "We have many, many demands and relatively little money to meet them."

If the governor's proposal wins out, the $2 million would be skimmed from a surplus stream of money. A combination of lottery games, car rental taxes and restaurant taxes - all from King County - currently pay for the bonds that built Safeco Field in Seattle. According to the governor's office, more money comes from these three sources than is needed to pay the bonds. The result is an extra $2 million per year that can be sent to fairgrounds around the state.

Sen. Larry Sheahan, R-Spokane, said the money for fair funding should come from the state's general fund because it is more stable.

Fairs are a vital part of the state's heritage and history, said Sheahan, who supports a Senate version of Sump's bill with the $3 million recommendation.

Fairs are especially important to youths in rural communities, Heather Hansen of the Washington State Fairs Association said.

Without state assistance, "the youth shows and community fairs would be hardest hit," she said. The state's second largest youth show is Spokane's Junior Livestock Show, she said.

The two main youth programs are Future Farmers of America and 4- H. The programs range from raising livestock, to rocket building and cooking.

About 85,000 kids in Washington are involved in 4-H, Hansen said. "Not all of them participate in the fairs, but most do."

To Sump, that's the reason for funding.

"The fairs and youth shows represent an enormous time investment and are an important afterschool and summer activity," he said. "We must secure permanent funding for our state fairs, 4-H activities and FFA."

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