Plan now for the 2009 WA State legislative session

[eridani]

Leading off--help reform Three Strikes--

Justice Works! has been gearing up its 3-Strikes reform campaign for the past several months and I've been spending a good deal of my time on this project. This is a central human rights issue for the state.

I'm hoping you'll be available to take part in a gathering next Tuesday, Sept. 16th -- to hear about the issue and what we've been doing in our campaign. It's at Justice Works! new headquarters and Thrift & Gift store -- very informal (if more than 10-15 people come, it'll be a squeeze). I'll be giving a presentation that we'll soon be taking "on the road" -- and asking for your feedback and brainstorming input.

There will also be a related story going up that day that I've been working on with a 3-Striker for several months. The draft is available now -- final version will appear on Washblog that day -- if you have a chance to read it in advance and comment on the day it's posted, that would be much appreciated:
A WA 3-Strikes Story: From Abusive State Foster Care to Life Without Parole
(http://www.osculatrix.info/cruze.html)

By the way, the 16th happens to be my birthday (I'll be 47), so my family's coming and we're bringing a couple of cakes!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where When

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where: Justice Works! HQ and Gift & Thrift shop.
4206 Rainier Avenue S. Seattle
When: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30PM

RSVP to this email or to my phone # [phone]. And pass on the word. (No gifts please) Thanks!

Noe

[eridani]

1. ACLU to sponsor legislative preview in Seattle 1/9

The ACLU-WA co-presents a discussion of priorities for the upcoming legislative session with Olympia's top leaders. Speakers include Senator Lisa Brown, Senator Mike Hewitt, Rep. Frank Chopp and Rep. Richard DeBolt. Moderated by Austin Jenkins, Olympia Correspondent for Public Radio Northwest News Network.

CityClub Signature Series: 2009 Legislative Preview
Westin Hotel, 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle
Friday, January 9, 11:30am-1:30pm
11:30am Registration
12:00-12:15pm Lunch
12:15-1:30pm Program
Cost: $45/CityClub Members, $50/Guests and co-presenters, $55/General public

Click here to purchase tickets.
http://www.seattlecityclub.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CE&Category_Code=legprev

[eridani]

2. Workshop on how to influence state legislation in Seattle 1/11

January 11, 2009

The ACLU-WA co-sponsors a workshop led by former state representative Laura Ruderman on how best to influence the elected officials who make policies that affect our lives. Presenters will share tips to demystify the legislative process and promote effective meetings with legislators. Organized by the National Council of Jewish Women and co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women, Equal Rights Washington, Hadassah, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Planned Parenthood, Washington Alliance for Reproductive Choice, Washington Ceasefire, Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Sunday, January 11, 2009
1:00-3:30 pm
at the American Red Cross, 1900 25th Ave. S. in Seattle
$10.00 suggested donation (no one will be turned away due to inability to make the donation)
Space is limited. RSVP by January 9 to [phone] or Lsimonds {at} ncjwseattle.org

[eridani]

3. Reproductive Rights Lobby Day 2/23

http://www.ppaction.org/ppaow/events/wa_lobby_day_09/details.tcl

After a successful election season, we in Washington State are preparing for the upcoming legislative session.

Your next chance to make a difference is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for:

Reproductive Health & Rights Lobby Day

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Olympia, Washington

Don't miss this opportunity to be a voice for women's health. Sign up now.

2009 will bring great opportunity for us to expand access to reproductive health care, but it will also pose great challenges, given the economic crisis affecting our communities. This will be a tough year- program cuts are already happening all around us. We need all hands on deck to send a strong message to our legislature: protecting family planning services is critical to the health of our communities.

Join hundreds of citizens from across Washington State for a day of lobbying to ensure access to basic health care services and information. No experience necessary - just a desire to make a difference in your community.

As a special bonus this year, Planned Parenthood has teamed up with a coalition of women's organizations to host a legislative reception immediately following Lobby Day. The reception is free and gives you a great opportunity to meet with your legislators in an informal setting.

Cheers,

Stacy DeLong
Public Affairs Field Organizer
publicaffairs {at} ppww.org

[eridani]

20. Phonebank in support of reproductive rights with Planned Parenthood

You've heard of the domino effect, right? It's where one small change causes another small change, and sets off a whole chain of events to make a big change. We need you to knock down some dominoes. This legislative session, we need your help to make sure that elected officials hear from their constituents about important reproductive health issues.

Set it off.

Sign up for a shift at one of our phone banks. Email us at stacy.delong {at} ppgnw.org to sign up.

In just 3 hours of your time, you can touch hundreds of people, who can then contact their legislators, who will in turn make the right choice and support family planning when they have to vote or pass the budget... which will result in healthier women and families in Washington State! How's that for a chain reaction?

If you live in Western Washington, sign up for one of these shifts:

SEATTLE
Tuesday, Feb. 10th
5:30 - 8:30 PM

TACOMA
Wednesday, Feb. 11th
5:00 - 8:30 PM
and
Wednesday, Feb. 18th
5:00 - 8:30 PM

EVERETT
Tuesday, Feb. 10th
5:30 - 8:30 PM

OLYMPIA
Wednesday, Feb. 11th
5:00 - 8:30 PM
and
Thursday, Feb. 19th
5:00 - 8:30 PM

Phone banking is easy and fun- you get to meet like minded people, make an impact, eat yummy snacks, and get cool prizes. Don't worry if you haven't done it before because we will give you all the training you need. We are holding phone banks in Seattle, Everett, Olympia, and Tacoma to inform people about our issues.

Hope to see you soon!

Cheers,
Stacy DeLong
stacy.delong {at} ppgnw.org

[eridani]

45. Update 3/5: Phonebanking now needed for implementation

Now that our hugely successful Lobby Day is behind us, we've got to keep our issues in the sites of our legislators in Olympia. We need to remind them how important family planning services are, and how crucial family planning funding is for the health of tens of thousands of people in Washington State. As more people lose their health insurance, they will turn to safety net providers like Planned Parenthood. That's why we need to retain $10 million in the budget to fund basic health services like birth control, annual exams, and cancer screenings.

With our state budget deficit in the billions, we aren't just fighting an uphill battle- we have to scale a mountain.

But there is good news. We CAN do this- but only with your help. We will climb this mountain, one step at a time! Take a step to get us to the next peak.

Sign up for a phone bank shift. We will be calling voters and urging them to contact key legislators in support of family planning. The more these legislators hear from voters, the more likely they are to support our cause. Email us to sign up for a shift. We will be making calls from several locations, so there's bound to be one near you!

Seattle
2001 East Madison
5:15 – 8:30 PM

Tuesday, March 10th
Wednesday, March 11th
Wednesday, March 25th
Thursday, March 26th

Olympia
402 Legion Way #201
5:00 – 8:30 PM

Tuesday, March 10th

Tacoma
813 MLK Jr. Way
5:00 – 8:30 PM

Wednesday, March 25th

Everett
1509 32nd St
5:00 – 8:30 PM

Thursday, March 26th


We'll give you all the training and materials you'll need. We'll even provide snacks. So come on and make some phone calls! It's easy- just email us to sign up. ppactionwa {at} ppgnw.org

[eridani]

51. More phonebanking 3/25 and 3/26

This week, the state revenue forecast will come out. The revenue forecast will paint a picture of how much (or how little) money the state will generate in the next year. All eyes will be on the this forecast as legislators in Olympia work on balancing the state budget.

Now is the time when legislators REALLY need to hear from us.

We are holding phone banks throughout Western Washington on March 25th and 26th and I need your help to make calls. Our goal is to get people to contact their legislators and urge them to include funding for family planning in the budget.

We are holding two phone banks in Seattle next week. Email us to sign up for a phone bank!

Wednesday, March 25th
5:15 - 8:30 PM

Thursday, March 26th
5:15 - 8:30 PM

Phone banks are held at our office at 2001 East Madison in Seattle. We'll give you a brief training when you arrive and provide snacks throughout the evening. We’re down to the wire and these phone calls make a huge difference. I hope you can spare a few hours of your time.

See you next week!

Cheers,

Stacy DeLong
Public Affairs Field Organizer
ppactionwa {at} ppgnw.org

[eridani]

52. NARAL is doing phonebanking also

We've all heard that Washington State is facing some very significant budget shortfalls. The State Legislature is expected to release the proposed budget for 2009-11 this week and we are bracing for some very deep cuts for all kinds of services across the state, including family planning care.

We need to let our elected officials know that, as a state, we can't afford NOT to provide birth control and reproductive health care access to low-income women and families.

Please come into the NARAL office and help us call all of our volunteers, donors, and allies across the state so that we can mobilize one loud, unified pro-choice message to our legislators: PROTECT FAMILY PLANNING!

We'll be making these calls from NARAL's office during the following days and times:

Wednesday, March 25th from 5:00-8:00pm
Thursday, March 26th from 5:00-8:00pm
Friday, March 27th from noon-5:00pm

Please let me know if you have even an hour to spare. Send me an email or give me a call at [phone]. sashacousineau {at} prochoicewashington.org Thanks!




- Sasha Cousineau, Director of Volunteer and Youth Programs

[eridani]

4. More on three strikes reform

Hi, all -

I'm working with an organization called Justice Works! on a campaign to reform Washington's 3-Strikes law. Robbery 2, an un-armed, no-injury crime in the lowest quartile of seriousness under state law (RCW 9.94A.515) -- is the most common trigger for life without parole under this law.

In 2001 the state's Sentencing Guidelines Commission recommended removing this crime from the list and evaluating whether some forms of Assault 2, another lower seriousness crime, should be removed. Each year legislators introduce bills to try -- but conservative interests (John Carlson gets on the radio, etc.) and mobilize to derail it. A progressive mobilization campaign is needed.

Washington is about 3.5% African American. The 3-Strikes population is 45% African American.

I've been working pretty much full-time for the last 6 months on a campaign to reform this law. If you go to http://fix3strikes.org you'll see a list of organizations, from ACLU-WA to NAACP WA-AK-OR, to peace and groups, the statewide Lutheran, Quaker, and Unitarian associations, etc. -- that back reform. More information on the grassroots campaign is at http://justiceisnogame.org. This is truly a ground-up grassroots campaign and it can use your support.

On MLK Day, Jan 19, with help from the Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites, we're joining in with Statewide Poverty Action Network's march on the capitol and visits with legislators to be a visible presence asking for 3-Strikes reform -- and linking up for legislators the reality that the approx. $2 million a year saved by implementing the 2001 recommendation of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission is sorely needed in this fiscal crisis for housing, healthcare, drug treatment, etc -- and should not be wasted on a law that is shown to be ineffective and unjust . We have about 25 people signed up now and hope to get to 50. Every person makes a difference. If you think you'd be able to go.. please consider! Give me a call or email -- or call Justice Works! and we'll put you on the list.

Many thanks for considering!

Noemie
Justice Works! 206-725-9189

[eridani]

15. We have a bill # on Three Strikes reform--SB 5292

BILL INTRODUCED

Senator Kline has introduced Senate Bill 5292, which would remove Robbery 2 from the list of Three Strikes offenses, as recommended by Washington's Sentencing Guidelines Commission in 2001.


Co-sponsors of SB 5292 include Senators Hargrove, Pridemore, Kohl-Welles, Regala, and McDermott. The bill is in the Judiciary committee and is co-sponsored by half of that committee's members. One additional supporter is needed for the bill to pass out of committee. You can help. Call Justice Works! at 206-725-9189 or see our ACTION page. http://justiceisnogame.org/todo.html


YOU ARE NEEDED!

Individuals continue to join in on the grassroots campaign (over 700 supporters).Organizations continue to join the statement in support of 3-Strikes reform at the FIX 3-STRIKES site. http://fix3strikes.org/

Newest signatories to fix3strikes: Washington Defender Association and Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Click HERE to see the full list of 20 organizations.

The reform sought is necessary and just and has wide public support. It will happen when the public demands it. Your letters and calls to legislators are needed!

[eridani]

21. Lobby Days by groups backing this bill

http://justiceisnogame.org/todo.html


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2009
QUAKER LOBBY DAY
For more info, write Friends Committee on Washington State Public Policy: fcwpp (at) quaker.org
The focus will be Criminal Justice Reform including 3 specific reforms:

Three Strikes
Restoration of Voting Rights
Restoring Higher Ed in the Prisons


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009 -- 9AM
AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE DAY
Legislative priorities include:

Closing the Achievement Gap for African American Students
Restoration of Voting Rights
3-Strikes Reform
Bus transportation is available from some locations and leaves between 7 and 8AM. Call A Philip Randolph Institute at 206-770-7697 for more information or to reserve transportation. Call the Washington Commission on African American Affairs to learn more or to volunteer: 1-877-266-4844 and press "0".


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009 - 9AM
KING COUNTY DEMOCRATS LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE
Presentations, luncheons, and visits with Legislators. 3-Strikes reform and Restoratio nof Voting Rights are included in the LAC's legislative priorities. See the full list of priorities.



TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009 - 8:30AM-3PM
FAITH ADVOCACY DAY
Faith Advocacy Day features a range of legislative priorities. The three priorities in its Public Safety and Restorative Justice section are:

Reformation of the Three Strikes Law
Support for Job Training and Access to Higher Education
Restoration of Voting Rights for Those Who Have Served Their TermThis event is sponsored by Earth Ministry, the Lutheran Public Policy Office, the Religious Coalition for the Common Good, Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, Washington Association of Churches, and several other religious organizations.
Meet at United Churches, 110 11th Ave E, Olympia and at at WA Capitol Building. Cost is $20, and registration materials will be available in early January by emailing faithadvocacyday (AT) gmail.com.

[eridani]

35. Out of the Judiciary Committee--on to the Rules Committee

THREE STRIKES BILL PASSES IN COMMITTEE -

Senate Bill 5292, which would implement the 2001 recommendation of Washington's Sentencing Guidelines Commission to remove Robbery 2 from the 3-Strikes list, has passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and is in the Rules committee for its second reading.

Please ask your legislators to support this bill -- especially if you are in one of the districts represented by a Senator in the Rules committee. See list to the right. Find your legislators HERE or by calling the legislative hotline: [phone]. The one minute you spend to email or call will make a big difference. THANK YOU!

SAMPLE MESSAGE


Dear Legislator:

Please support Senate Bill 5292, which would implement the 2001 recommendation of Washington's Sentencing Guidelines Commission to remove Robbery 2 from the 3-Strikes list.

Life imprisonment for unarmed, low seriousness crimes is fundamentally unfair and destabilizing to our communities and to the entire criminal justice system.

Bills to reform this law have been introduced in the legislature each year for a decade. 23 organizations have signed a statement supporting reform of this law at http://fix3strikes.org.


It's not enough to simply say "no" to reforming this law. Your leadership is needed to make the reform happen.


Sincerely,

Your name, address, and phone number



RULES COMMITTEE

SB 5292 is now in the Senate Rules committee. If your Senator is on this committee, this would be a great time to call or email him or her. Check HERE or call the Legislative Hotline [phone]) to find your district/Senator. See sample message to the left. Messages for legislators can also be left at the Legislative Hotline. YOUR CALLS AND EMAILS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Rosa Franklin (D) -- 29th LD Vice Chair
[phone]
franklin.rosa {at} leg.wa.gov

Mike Hewitt (R) 16th LD
[phone]
hewitt.mike {at} leg.wa.gov

Lisa Brown (D) 3rd LD
[phone]
brown.lisa {at} leg.wa.gov

Tracey Eide (D) 30th LD
[phone]

Karen Fraser, 22nd LD(D)
[phone]
fraser.karen {at} leg.wa.gov

Mary Margaret Haugen (D) 10th LD
[phone]
haugen.marymargaret {at} leg.wa.gov

Claudia Kauffman (D) 47th LD
[phone]
kauffman.claudia {at} leg.wa.gov

Karen Keiser (D) 33rd LD
[phone]
keiser.karen {at} leg.wa.gov

Curtis King (R) 14th LD
[phone]
king.curtis {at} leg.wa.gov

Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D)
36th LD [phone]
kohlwelles.jeanne {at} leg.wa.gov

Chris Marr (D) 6th LD
[phone]
marr.chris {at} leg.wa.gov

Ed Murray (D) 43rd LD
[phone]
murray.ed {at} leg.wa.gov

Linda Evans Parlette (R)
12th LD [phone]
parlette.linda {at} leg.wa.gov

Craig Pridemore (D) 49th LD
[phone]
pridemore.craig {at} leg.wa.gov

Debbie Regala 27th LD (D)
[phone]
regala.debbie {at} leg.wa.gov

Mark Schoesler (R) 9th LD
[phone]
schoesler.mark {at} leg.wa.gov

Val Stevens (R) 39th LD
[phone]
stevens.val {at} leg.wa.gov

Joseph Zarelli (R) 18th LD
[phone]
zarelli.joseph {at} leg.wa.gov

[eridani]

5. Justice Works! Lobby Days

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
Monday, January 19, 2009 9AM
St. John's Episcopal Church
114 20th Ave SE Olympia
RSVP: 206-725-9189. Or write [e-mail]

more info: www.JUSTICEISNOGAME.ORG

OTHER LOBBY DAYS FOR 3-STRIKES ADVOCACY


QUAKER LOBBY DAY
Monday, February 9, 2009
More info: [e-mail]

The focus will be Criminal Justice Reform including 3 specific reforms:
Three Strikes
Restoration of Voting Rights
Restoring Higher Ed in the Prisons


AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE DAY
Monday, February 16, 2009

Bus transportation available from some locations leaving between 7 and 8AM.

Call A Philip Randolph Institute at 206-770-7697 for more information or to reserve a seat.

KING COUNTY DEMOCRATS LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE
Monday, February 16, 2009, 9am - 5pm
Presentations, luncheons, and visits with Legislators. 3-Strikes reform is included in the LAC's legislative priorities. See the full list at: http://wa-demchairs.org/kcdems/lac.php

[eridani]

42. Update on three strikes reform

The deadline is March 12, because it's in Rules. We're working at JW! to reach people in the LDs where their Senators serve on Rules.

My understanding is that this is unlikely to move. House leadership is so against it. But we're trying..

Thanks for asking! And if you know anyone who lives in the districts listed below who might be willing to call or email their legislators (and then let us know they did), feel free to pass on this sample message: "Please ensure that Senate Bill 5292, which would implement the 2001 recommendation of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission to remove Robbery 2 from the list of 3-Strikes offenses, gets a vote in the Rules committee."

Thanks, Kathryn

Noemie


Lisa Brown (D) 3rd LD [phone]
brown.lisa {at} leg.wa.gov

Chris Marr (D) 6th LD [phone]
[e-mail]

Mary Margaret Haugen (D) 10th LD [phone]
haugen.marymargaret{at} leg.wa.gov
Karen Fraser, 22nd LD(D) [phone]
[e-mail]

Debbie Regala 27th LD (D) [phone]
regala.debbie{at} leg.wa.gov

Rosa Franklin (D) -- 29th LD Vice Chair [phone]
franklin.rosa{at} leg.wa.gov

Tracey Eide (D) 30th LD(360) 786-7658
eide.tracey{at} leg.wa.gov

Claudia Kauffman (D) 47th LD [phone]
kauffman.claudia{at} leg.wa.gov

Karen Keiser (D) 33rd LD [phone]
keiser.karen{at} leg.wa.gov

Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D) 36th LD [phone]
kohlwelles.jeanne{at} leg.wa.gov

Ed Murray (D) 43rd LD [phone]
murray.ed{at} leg.wa.gov

Craig Pridemore (D) 49th LD [phone]
pridemore.craig{at} leg.wa.gov

[eridani]

48. Summary as of 3/14

3-Strikes reform bills have been introduced in Washington's legislature for 10 years. (here's a list) All along, people from Justice Works! and other organizations have been working to support these bills. This year, the campaign gained new energy.

Here's some of what you brought to life:
Reaching thousands of people about the need to reform 3-Strikes through blog stories, letters to the editor, and other community outreach.

Making a minimum estimated 500 contacts with legislators, including face-to-face meetings, calls, letters, and emails.
Taking part in five lobby days.
Joining with twenty-four organizations in a statement supporting 3-Strikes reform. http://fix3strikes.org.
Filling the room at the hearing for SB 5292.
Creating a "buzz" that we believe contributed to positive mainstream media coverage in King, Snohomish, Yakima, and Kittitas counties.
The calls you made, letters you sent, events you attended -- and all the other work done on this campaign are a lasting contribution. Public support is the only thing that moves 3-Strikes reform forward. We can be proud that our work shows that the people of this state demand fair and effective justice and refuse to ignore a human rights abuse.

Senate Bill 5292 passed in the committee of origin and made the first session cutoff. But it likely to miss tomorrow's deadline to move out of the Senate and into the House. Leadership in the House has indicated opposition to this bill as it is written and legislators are understandably unwilling to devote precious time to stalled bills. Technically, SB 5292 can be moved forward as is or in an amended form next session, which begins in 1/10. Significant groundwork needs to be done to make that a possibility.

NEXT STEPS

Our next steps will build on the momentum created this year and focus on outreach where it matters most. This involves a continuation of the grassroots campaign, with an emphasis on reaching key policymakers, public opinion leaders, and members of the public -- that's you -- who those leaders pay attention to.

MORE THAN 150 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED

Shirley White has facilitated a program during which more 2,000 original, thoughtful, and timely letters have been submitted for publication to newspapers. Over 800 letters were submitted each year in 2007 and 2008. Since late 2004, over 400 of these letters were published -- more than 150 of them on 3-Strikes.

Shirley uncovers the latest research and news stories on criminal justice. She then sends that information to people interested in bringing it to public attention. And she provides training on how people can best reach their local newspapers. This campaign has educated the general public on 3-Strikes and other criminal justice issues. It has also educated all of us who have participated.

Shirley needs your help and support in this work. Can you send out 1-4 letters per month? Please write us at justice_works {at} yahoo.com or call 206-725-9189.

[eridani]

6. Transportation advocacy day 2/24

Giving Bicyclists a Voice in Olympia

What will make cycling safer and more common in Washington State ? We hope our 2009 legislative agenda will help answer that question. In partnership with bike clubs around the state, the environmental and health communities, seniors, disability and pedestrian groups, we will be working to make construction zones safe for all travelers; get funding to encourage kids to walk and bike to school; support smart growth in transit (and bike) oriented communities; ensure that bikes can safely trigger signals at intersections; and define safe passing to better educate drivers that 3-feet is the minimum distance. We will be supporting efforts to reduce “vehicle miles traveled” and to get a fair share of transportation funding for non-motorized projects. Learn more about our legislative agenda at our website, www.bicyclealliance.org.

In addition to Bicycle Alliance members, whose calls and emails to legislators are essential to our success, our biggest partner in this legislative effort will likely be Cascade Bicycle Club, which will have a lobbyist in Olympia working on King County-related bike issues and coordinating with Bike Alliance efforts. Together we can all make Washington even more bike friendly.

Transportation Advocacy Day
February 24, 2009, 9am-5pm
Trinity Lutheran Church in Olympia
Join the Bicycle Alliance and other like-minded groups as we gather in Olympia to advocate for transportation choices and healthier and safer solutions. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about current issues, meet with your legislators, and attend hearings. Carpools will be available.

This year, our priorities are:

1. More funding for transportation choices, including transit, the Commute Trip Reduction Program and intercity passenger rail.

2. Transit-oriented communities. Washingtonians want to live in affordable, walkable communities connected by frequent, reliable transit. We are seeking to revise the state’s transportation and land use planning framework to assist local jurisdictions to plan for growth in a sustainable and climate-friendly way. The bill will provide incentives for cities and developers to create affordable, livable, transit-oriented development, increasing transportation choices.

3. Safe Routes to School. We want to preserve and increase funding for the popular Safe Routes to School program which funds pedestrian, bike and safety improvements that make it easier for kids to walk and bike to school.

4. Safety and Accessibility for All Users. We are advocating for better traffic signals, safer passing distances and improved accessibility through construction zones for bicyclists and pedestrians so that our streets are accessible to all users.

You can sign up on line for Transportation Advocacy Day here.

New Leadership for BAW Board

Kristin Kinnamon is the new president of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s Board of Directors. Kristin first joined the board in 2005 and has been chair of the BAW Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee since that time. She is the past president and an active member of B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County .

Long-time board member Thom Skaanland of Enumclaw has joined the BAW Executive Committee as second vice president. Thom has been on the board since 1998, and has served on the executive committee in the past as secretary. He is looking forward to focusing on BAW membership expansion and retention.

Past-president Ralph Wessels, a Gig Harbor resident, continues to serve on the board and will work with the BAW executive committee in a mentoring role. King Cushman of Seattle, Eilleen Hyatt of Spokane and Mark Thomas of Redmond all continue their important roles as members of the BAW executive committee.

The new chair of the Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee is Bob Duffy, a longtime BAW volunteer and new board member in 2008. Bob lives in Olympia where he is a member of Capital Bicycle Club. He is retired from the Department of Ecology.

North Spokane Corridor Trail Needs a Name!

Washington State Department of Transportation is seeking public input for naming the new pedestrian-bike path being built in conjunction with the new North Spokane Corridor (NSC).

The 10.5 mile NSC will include a parallel pedestrian-bike path along the entire route. The first section of the trail will open in 2009 from Lincoln Road to Farwell Road . The second section, continuing north to Wandermere will be opening in 2011. Future sections will connect neighborhoods to neighborhoods as well as provide connections to the Centennial and Ben Burr trails and scenic viewpoints of the Spokane area.

To submit a suggestion for the trail name, go to the North Spokane Corridor website and click on the Help Name the Trail link. Please have your suggestion submitted before January 15, 2009.

BAW Office Move

The Bicycle Alliance is on the move, well our offices anyway. We are moving our offices to 309A Third Ave. S , right next to the Bikestation. The move will take place in mid-January and will allow us to have more efficient office space. In addition, we will take over management of the Bikestation as of Feb. 2nd. Our phone number will stay the same, as will our PO Box. JRA Bike Repair will double their current shop space in the Bikestation. So stop by and say hello!

Seattle Bike Swap

Here’s an opportunity to off load that bike gear you never used or no longer need and benefit the Bicycle Alliance! We will have a table at the upcoming Seattle Bike Swap on February 21 and will accept donations of never used and gently used items. Contact Louise McGrody at 206.224.9252 x303 or [e-mail] by February 12 if you would like to make a donation.

[eridani]

25. Update

Legislative Update: We're Busy in Olympia!

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is working to pass several bicycle-friendly laws in the 2009 Washington State legislative session.

"We've got legislation in Olympia to make cycling safer, more enjoyable and a key part of our transportation system," said BAW Board President Kristin Kinnamon. "We want our members to contact their state representatives and ask them to support our bills."

Below is a short list of key bills and their assigned bill numbers. Please contact your state reps and ask them to support the House bills (HB) and ask your state senator to support the senate bills (SB).

School Transportation Funding (HB 1793/SB 5743). These companion bills will increase the dedicated state funding for Safe Routes to School grants.

Traffic Actuated Signals (HB 1403). Will require jurisdictions to make all new traffic signals able to detect bikes and motorcycles and to upgrade equipment at existing signal locations when upgrade work occurs. Also supported by the Washington Road Riders.

3-Foot Passing (HB 1491/SB 5335). Thanks to earlier earlier efforts by the Bicycle Alliance, Washington State law requires cars to pass cyclists and pedestrians at a "safe distance." To assist in educating the public, this bill will define safe passing as a minimum of 3 feet. Law enforcement groups support this bill as well.

Construction Zones (HB 1535). This bill requires compliance with existing standards (Manual of Uniform Traffic Code Devices) so that people using wheelchairs, bikes or their own two feet are considered when construction, repair, utility or maintenance closures and detours are necessary.

Transit Oriented Development (HB 1490/SB 5687). Will create compact, affordable development around transit centers that include safe walking and biking routes.

Click here to email your state reps.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/Default.aspx
You can also leave a message for them by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000. Don't know who your legislators are? Use this link to find out who represents you! http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/Default.aspx

Join us for Transportation Advocacy Day

Join the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and other like-minded groups for Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia on February 24. This all-day event includes an update on current transportation issues, tips for effective advocacy, and an opportunity to meet with your legislators. Carpooling is available. For more details about the day and to register online, follow this link. http://www.bicyclealliance.org/#AdvocacyDay2009

Bike Alliance Takes Over Management of Bikestation Seattle

Bikestation Seattle management has been taken over by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. A new card key access system has been installed and new service plan options are being offered. Bike Alliance members receive a discount if they sign up for Bikestation services. Click here to learn more. http://www.bicyclealliance.org/aboutbaw/bikestation.html The Bike Alliance is committed to excellent customer service at Bikestation and we see this bike parking facility as a way to promote biking as transportation throughout the state.

[eridani]

37. Please call Transportation Committee members to support HB 1491

Please contact the House Transportation Committee members (see link below for contact information) and tell them to support HB1491, the Safe Passing bill and HB1535, which addresses traffic control at thoroughfare work sites. Both are important pieces of safety legislation.

http://www1.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/TR/membersstaff.htm

Thank you for supporting bicycle advocacy,

Dave Janis,
Acting Executive Director

[eridani]

7. Letter from my representative. Is yours interacting with his/her constituents like this?

If not, ask them to.

Dear 11th District constituents and friends,

Thank you for your confidence in my representing you in the Washington State Legislature. Your solid 74% vote of support reaffirms my work in Olympia around issues of most concern to our District like health care for all, the best education system for our children, the best post-secondary education including worker retraining, job security and economic development, progressive tax reform, support for working families and small businesses.

The 61st Legislature of the State of Washington convenes this Monday, January 12th in Olympia. The revenue shortfall we're facing in the upcoming budget is close to $6 billion and could be more. The Governor has proposed severe cuts with no revenue increases. I don't believe that's the best way to deal with this budget crisis; I believe this is an opportunity to make a difference in our state. All our options should be on the table for consideration, not just cuts to services we all use and are often vital to families and disadvantaged citizens.

Scrutinizing corporate tax breaks and continuing to press for revenue reform will be my primary mission this session in order to avoid draconian cuts. We need to look at, and weigh the benefits (if any) of each tax break in the books to judge whether they are more important than health care, or education, or worker retraining, or supporting small businesses, or helping those that are developmentally disabled, or ... You get the picture. Not all tax breaks are bad--many actually end up doing what they're supposed to: create jobs and boost economic development. But I'm not convinced we need to keep all of them, especially when we need to make sure that all sectors and every citizen is sharing in the responsibility of maintaining our community. I am committed to creating more fairness in our tax system for working families and small businesses.

Intro Sheet List

As we prepare to go into the Legislative session, I again call on your direct help by participating in my Daily Bill Introduction Sheet support group. I need your input and extra set of eyes to watch the bills that are introduced by other legislators.

To get on my Intro Sheet List, just send me an e-mail and write "Intro Sheet List" in the subject line.

Many bills will be filed (hundreds, if not thousands--roughly 2,500 in the House alone in 2005), so I'd appreciate your taking a quick glance at the Daily Bill Introduction Sheet to see if there are bills that strike you as either worthy of my co-sponsorship, or bills that are so bad, we need to make sure they DO NOT pass.

This first attachment is a preliminary list of pre-filed bills (the final list will be released on Monday). . I'll email subsequent Daily Intro Sheets to you as soon as they are delivered to my office every day. If you do want to participate in this process, please keep in mind I'd need your input right away, since I only have a few hours to sign on as a co-sponsor.

The more eyes we have watching the process, the better we can ensure the Legislature is truly representing your interests. Thanks for helping me represent you better. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

-Bob
Bob Hasegawa
Washington State Representative
11th Legislative District
425 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Legislative Aide: Marissa Chavez
Hotline: [phone]
Olympia Office: 360/786.7862
District Office: 206/587.5554
Sign up for my e-mail updates by visiting my website:
http://hdc.leg.wa.gov/members/hasegawa/

House Standing Committees:
*Finance, Vice Chair
*Technology, Energy and Communications
*Higher Education
*Rules
*Audit Review and Oversight
Joint Legislative Committees:
*Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC), Chair
*Lt. Governor's Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR)
*Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Committee:
*Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce (CFI)

[eridani]

8. Eastern Washington Legislative Conference and Advocacy Day 2/14

The Eastern Washington Legislative Conference and Advocacy Day is Saturday, February 14, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, Spokane. Bishop Wm. Skylstad, Catholic Diocese of Spokane is the keynote speaker at this year's conference with the theme, "Sustainable Community: Advocacy for Equity and the Environment in an Economic Crisis"

You can download the flyer here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ddwy2m2myli

For more information and to register: http://faithadvocacyday.webs.com/spokaneadvocacyday.htm

[eridani]

9. Support HR1177 for medical cannabis

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1177&year=2009

Hello All!

I received this through one of my colleagues in the Hempfest Core Staff. I tailored it to our 11th dems representatives names, and sent it on to them with my name attached. If you are so moved, please do so also. We must let our elected officials know that we "have their backs" on certain controversial issues, if we are ever to see significant change. Just think of the taxpayer dollars this one bill would save! Not to mention all the other considerations around this issue. Thank you for any support you can give in this regard. And, if you are not comfortable with this, I will not be offended if you decline. I believe our two Representatives already personally support this, but may feel better in supporting it after hearing from enough of us. And it just makes good sense.

By the way, I got word from several folks in other States (including Texas!) that the Google search on my medical cannabis advocacy is bringing up the same basic results as it does here. That is good news. Google is regional, and only very high priority items get nationwide treatment. Reminder; go to google advance search, on the first line ("include all or part of these words") enter: Dennis Moyers, medical cannabis

Thanks for your interest and support of this issue. Please help me keep it alive and keep the momentum going. Many ill people will benefit; who knows?, someday it may be you or someone you love.


Dear Representative

I am writing you to encourage your support for HR1177. It is a bill that
protects minors yet still allows responsible adults possessing less than 40
grams of cannabis to face a $100 civil fine instead of a misdemeanor.
Statistics don't lie in demonstrating that The "War on Drugs" has been a
failure for many years now. Cannabis has been irrefutably proven a
beneficial medication and a safer alternative to alcohol. It is time for
change in the drug policy of Washington State. HR1177 is a good first step
towards sensible policy and needed change. Please add your support to the
growing list of sensible legislators already supporting it.

[eridani]

13. Update

HB 1177 has just been introduced in the state legislature- -a baby step toward more sane drug law at the state level. It would reclassify possession of 40g or less of marijuana from a jailable misdemeanor (and up to $1K fine) to a class 2 civil infraction with a $100 fine. It was first read yesterday (Jan 14), and lawmakers referred it to the Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness committee. You can track it from here:
http://apps. leg.wa.gov/ billinfo/summary. aspx?bill= 1177&year=2009

Please help make sure it passes. How? E-mail, call, or visit the legislator(s) for your district, and tell them that you support the bill, and that as your elected representative, you wish them to vote for it when it comes to the floor. If you don't know who that is, or how to contact them, visit here:
http://apps. leg.wa.gov/ DistrictFinder/ Default.aspx

And in the meantime, thank these guys for sponsoring:

Rep. Dave Upthegrove
(D) 33rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
333 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
upthegrove.dave {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Brendan Williams
(D) 22nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
132F Legislative Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
williams.brendan {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Jim Moeller, Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore
(D) 49th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
436A Legislative Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
moeller.jim {at} leg.wa.gov

Rep. Sherry Appleton
(D) 23rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
424 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
appleton.sherry {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Jamie Pedersen
Assistant Majority Whip
(D) 43rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
318 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
pedersen.jamie {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Timm Ormsby
(D) 3rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
122F Legislative Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
ormsby.timm {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson
(D) 36th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
302 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
dickerson.marylou {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Reuven Carlyle
(D) 36th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
326 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
carlyle.reuven {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Mary Helen Roberts
(D) 21st LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
315 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
roberts.maryhelen {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Alex Wood
(D) 3rd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
437B Legislative Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
wood.alex {at} leg.wa.gov

Rep. Eileen Cody
(D) 34th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
337 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
cody.eileen {at}leg.wa.gov

Rep. Sharon Nelson
(D) 34th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
338 John L. O'Brien Building, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600
[phone]
nelson.sharon {at}leg.wa.gov

[eridani]

10. Support House Bill 1410 for education

Will 2009 be a year to remember for children and schools?

In the education community, we look back on 1977 and 1993 as milestone years—the Doran court decision and the beginning of education reform in our state.

Now is the time to take action to move education reform forward.

Today, the Basic Education Finance Task Force’s Final Report became House Bill 1410. The four House members on the Task Force, Reps. Sullivan, Priest, Hunter and Anderson, are co-sponsors.

We have a short 24-hour window to add more House co-sponsors to this critical education reform legislation. Send a message to your state representatives to urge them to sign on to HB 1410 today.

Here’s how you can take action now:

Send your state representatives an e-mail. Legislative e-mail addresses are [e-mail]. If you don’t know your legislators’ names, click here to find out. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Or, call your state representatives via the legislative hotline at 1-[phone].

Here’s what you can tell them:

Please co-sponsor House Bill 1410, which contains the recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task Force’s Final Report. HB 1410 is a blueprint for building a K-12 system that better prepares our children for college, work and life. Please sign on to HB 1410 to help pass this critical education reform legislation.

Let’s make 2009 a year to remember for education.

George Scarola
Legislative Director
League of Education Voters
www.educationvoters.org | info {at} educationvoters.org

[eridani]

14. More on education lobbying

For the first time in nearly 20 years, we now have a comprehensive plan that can powerfully explain what is broken in our education system and how we can fix it.

The time is now! The recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task Force represent our best opportunity to build a better education system that will prepare all our children for college, work and life. These recommendations are now in two bills, House Bill 1410 and Senate Bill 5444, and scheduled for public hearings next week.

We need to pack these hearing rooms with parents, educators and students to deliver a strong message: we want education reform to move forward this year.

Hit ‘reply’ to sign up to testify or let us know you’ll join us in Olympia. Our field directors, Kelly Munn and Frank Ordway, will contact you to help you prepare your remarks and make sure you’re signed up to testify.

Let us know which of these public hearings you plan to attend and/or testify:

Public hearing on Senate Bill 5444
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee
Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 1
1:30 PM, Monday, January 26

Public hearing on Senate Bill 5444
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee
Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 1
8 AM, Wednesday, January 28

Public hearing on House Bill 1410
House Education Appropriations Committee
John L O’Brien, Hearing Room A
6 PM, Wednesday, January 28

Click here for a printable map of the Capitol campus with parking information.

More details
On Monday, January 26, sponsors of SB 5444 and HB 1410 will hold a press conference announcing their support for these bills in Olympia. They welcome your attendance to show that parents, educators and students also support school finance reform legislation. We’ll post more details on our blog when they become available.
Talking points on SB 5444 and HB 1410
Thanks for taking action

All of your e-mails and phone calls urging lawmakers to co-sponsor House Bill 1410 made a difference. In less than 24 hours, the number of legislators sponsoring the bill expanded from four to 38 members.

Thanks to you, this critical education reform legislation is off to a great start.

Here’s the full list of House members who’ve signed on to HB 1410:
Reps. Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Anderson, Carlyle, Haler, Maxwell, Pedersen, Rolfes, Quall, Springer, Dammeier, Hope, Eddy, Liias, Clibborn, Goodman, Williams, VanDeWege, Chase, Morris, Morrell, McCoy, Kagi, Kessler, Newhouse, Simpson, Darneille, Rodne, Nelson, Probst, Miloscia, Driscoll, White, Moeller, Ormsby, Kelley, and Wood.

The sponsors for SB 5444 include Sens. Jarrett, Pflug, Tom, Ranker, Oemig, McAuliffe, Eide, Fairley, Shin, Hobbs, Rockefeller, Kline, McDermott, Haugen, and Kohl-Welles.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3S9E6FKd4I
http://eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?v=yduzprIrnz

[eridani]

28. Education lobby day 2/26

Let’s rally for the future of Washington’s public schools. Join the PTA on February 26th for its Focus Day 2009 in Olympia. This is a day for parents, educators and students to rally for school funding and reform.


Register online to participate in the PTA’s Focus Day 2009. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB228LTNQFHR8


Need a ride? Email us and we’ll help you find a ride to Olympia. info {at} educationvoters.org


Here’s what you need to know:

PTA Focus Day 2009 – Thursday, February 26th

Activities begin at 9 AM
Rally on the Capitol Steps from Noon to 1 PM
Focus Day events conclude at 4 PM
Detailed Agenda http://www.wastatepta.org/leg/focus_09/FD09_Welcome_Adgenda.pdf
The time is now to fix our broken school finance system.

The stakes could not be any higher for the future of our children. Policymakers are considering legislation that would redefine basic education and fund what our children really need. It is time to raise our voices to show how much we care about our kids and schools so:

--Every child is ready for kindergarten;
--Every child is able to read by third grade;
--Every child has an excellent teacher in the classroom; and
--Every child graduates from high school ready for college, work and life.

We can change the outcome of children’s lives across our state by improving our education system. Let’s make sure our legislators hear how important it is to fulfill our state’s paramount duty.


If you are unable to attend, send an e-mail to your legislators. http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/

Your participation WILL make a difference!

[eridani]

38. Update on Lobby Day

In two days, parents, educators, and students across Washington State will rise early in the morning to board buses and join carpools to Olympia to participate in PTA Focus Day 2009.

It’s not too late to join the movement! Register online to participate in PTA Focus Day 2009.http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB228LTNQFHR8

We need to tell our state lawmakers to remain committed to education reform. And remember, kids should be our priority. The only way we will get improvements in the system is if we talk about how changes will affect kids.

The stakes could not be any higher this year. Children and schools are facing nearly $1 billion in proposed cuts that could result in larger class sizes and the elimination or reduction of programs to boost student achievement.

Your local state senator and state representatives need to hear how this will impact your children and schools.
Make an appointment to visit with your legislators. Make sure they are paying attention to what’s happening with their local schools and education reform this year. If they’re unavailable, visit their offices and let their legislative assistants know you stopped by.
Join the PTA Focus Day rally on the Capitol steps at Noon.

If you are unable to attend, participate in the PTA Focus Day movement online by e-mailing your legislators today.http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/

Click here for a detailed agenda for PTA Focus Day 2009 this Thursday, February 26th.http://www.wastatepta.org/leg/focus_09/FD09_Welcome_Adgenda.pdf

This is a critical time to pass long-term reforms that will redefine basic education so the Legislature will fund what our children really need. Our goal is a more stable, equitable, and adequately funded education system that prepares all children for college, career or technical education, work, and life.

Your VOICE can help a child succeed in school and life.

[eridani]

36. 2/28 update on education bills

Senate and House education leaders hit the “reset button” this morning. Realizing they could not reach consensus to move either the Basic Education Finance Task Force or Full Funding Coalition bills forward, they killed those bills and opted for a fresh start.

Sen. Eric Oemig and Rep. Pat Sullivan have sponsored new legislation, Senate Bill 6048 and House Bill 2261; and they intend to work quickly to craft a compromise. Send a message to these legislators thanking them for their continued commitment to education reform legislation and for sponsoring these new bills. Click here to e-mail both of these legislators. [e-mail]
[e-mail]

Also, send a message to Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe and Rep. Kathy Haigh, the committee chairs who will hear SB 6048 and HB 2261, to tell them you enthusiastically support moving these bills forward. Click here to e-mail both of these legislators.
[e-mail];
[e-mail];

There seems to be broad agreement among education stakeholders that the new finance system needs to be transparent and that a model or prototype school funding approach makes sense. There is also clear consensus that we need to be sure to not pile any more unfunded mandates on top of financially stressed school districts.

This is a critical moment. We need your help to press hard for:

A new robust definition of basic education that includes CORE 24 and early learning;
Clearly defined state and local funding responsibilities;
A new compensation system for the next generation of teachers;
Data and accounting systems that give educators the tools they need to boost achievement; and
Accountability principles that support the work of the State Board of Education.

Lawmakers are rolling up their sleeves and listening to stakeholders and a growing number of you who are calling and writing them. Details on the bills will emerge in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we urge you to keep reminding your lawmakers and the Governor that this is a problem we can solve. And, we must solve it this legislative session.

[eridani]

11. End homelessness--support HR 1173

For people committed to ending Homelessness, please contact your State Legislators about your support of HR 1173. We cannot bring about the needed changes without informing law makers of our priorities are. Contact me if you need help determining your legislators and their contact information. Recognize that this is a very difficult budget year and setting spending priorities will be very competitive. We each must determine our own priorities knowing that important issues will be postponed. Human Rights require that we speak up for the poor.


Jack Smith
206-321-4815




Support HB 1173 Creating programs to increase affordable housing and end homelessness

This bill recognizes the housing/homelessness crisis in the state and establishes 2020 as the date when, with statewide effort, we should end the affordable housing crisis. HB 1173 creates the State Affordable Housing for All program in the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development. A plan will be prepared and updated yearly by this agency with the goal of achieving a decent, affordable and healthy home for all by

2020. Each county will create an ending homelessness task force and adopt a plan, which will be updated annually. HB 1173 allows counties to opt out of this planning process. The Department of Social and Health Services will collaborate with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development in this planning. The Washington Institute for Public Policy will conduct a study to determine the most effective and

comprehensive way to measure, and evaluate, the costs of homelessness. Not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is allocated for this study, which will be presented to the legislature by June 30, 2010.




Status -

This bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 10:00 a.m. on January 22, 2009.

Contact person for the League of Women Voters – Betty Sullivan [e-mail] 206 682 5240

[eridani]

12. Housing lobby day 2/24

e so appreciate your support for Manufactured/ Mobile Home Owners.
Legislative Action Team – PRINT AND SAVE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 43

Seattle (Madison Park, Broadmoor, Madison Valley, Montlake, Capital Hill, Wallingford, University, Ravenna, Fremont, and downtown districts)

2009-2010 Legislative Members in your District


Sen. Ed Murray (D) murray.ed {at} leg.wa.gov Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D) pedersen.jamie {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Frank Chopp (D) chopp.frank {at} leg.wa.gov

Sen. Murray, position not up for election, voted YES on our Community Registrations & Dispute Resolution Bill (ESSHB 1461) and YES on our Preservation of Manufactured/ Mobile Home Communities Bill (ESSHB 1621).

Rep. Pederson, re-elected unopposed incumbent, voted YES on ESSHB 1461; YES on ESSHB 1621; and YES on the Two Year Notice of Closure Bill (ESSHB 3133).

Rep. Chopp, re-elected incumbent, voted YES on ESSHB 1461; YES on ESSHB 1621; and YES on ESSHB 3133.

Park Closures: None
Legislative HOTLINE IS: 1-800-562-6000
Washington State Legislature WEB PAGE IS: www.leg.wa.gov

HOUSING DAY IN OLYMPIA

FEBRUARY 24, 2009

More Information will be sent on this important event – mark your calendar and COME!

LegActTeam {at} q.com

[eridani]

16. King County Dems Legislative Action Committee Lobby Day 2/16

King County Democrats Legislative Action Newsletter #1

Jan 26 -30, 2009

This is a quick update of what is happening by the King County Democrats on our Legislative Action Agenda. It is by no means complete but a quick update on some of the action items. Hopefully next week we will be able to be more inclusive and get this out quicker. Steve Zemke

Coming up: King County Democrats Legislative Action Day – Feb 16, 2009
Cherberg Building – Meeting Rooms AB C

9:30 to 10 AM – arrive, sign in, get coffee
10 AM to 10:30 – Overview of day, Brief introductions, lobbying tips
10:30 to 11:00 AM - Marty Brown – Legislative Liaison for Governor Gregoire
11:00 to 12 Noon – overview of Legislative Action Agenda and priority bills
12:00 to 1:15 PM Lunch and Brief Presentations by King County Legislators
1:15 to 4 PM Meet with individual Legislators to discuss Agenda

The Washington State Democrats Crabfeed starts at 5 PM at St Martins College. Admission is $50/person. This is a separate event from The King County Democrats Legislative Action Day and supports the Democratic State Party. Governor Gregoire and many other elected state officials will be there.


Keeping Track of Committee Meetings and Hearings:

Your best way to keep informed of upcoming Legislative hearings on your own is to subscribe to the weekly schedule of Legislative Committee Meetings and Hearings e-mail list at
http://apps. leg.wa.gov/ subscriptions/

Tracking the status of a Particular Bill:

To determine what is happening on a particular bill go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

To contact your Legislators for information or to express your support or opposition to a bill go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
You can also contact other Legislators through this page.

Track Legislature on LAC Blogroll:

Chad Lupkes has put together a great blogroll which tracks legislative issues and has feeds from the Senate Democrats and House Democrats; Go to the LAC page on KC Democrats to access the blogroll at http://wa-demchairs.org/kcdems/lac.php.

Education Update from Kathleen Reynolds:

The recommendations of the Basic Education Finance task force were rolled into these two bills, which are also top priorities of the Washington State PTA and the League of Education Voters.

HB 1410 Creating a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability
Sponsors: Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Anderson, Carlyle, Haler, Maxwell, Pedersen, Rolfes, Quall, Springer, Dammeier, Hope, Eddy, Liias, Clibborn, Goodman, Williams, Van De Wege, Chase, Morris, Morrell, McCoy, Kagi, Kessler, Newhouse, Simpson, Darneille, Rodne, Nelson, Probst, Miloscia, Driscoll, White, Moeller, Ormsby, Kelley, Wood

Companion bill SB 5444 Same title as above
Sponsors: Jarrett, Pflug, Tom, Ranker, Oemig, McAuliffe, Eide, Fairley, Shin, Hobbs, Rockefeller, Kline, McDermott, Haugen, Kohl-Welles

Action Alert:
Ask your lawmakers to sign on to these important bills and to create the revenue to fund them.

Show your support at hearings next week:
Jan 26-- Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. (Subject to change)
Jan 28-- Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM. (Subject to change)

Labor Update from Brad Larssen:

The two issues stressed the most by the labor community's leaders at this time, and the top two listed on the Washington State Labor Council's website are:

· WORKER PRIVACY ACT
Ensure workers maintain their First Amendment rights at the workplace on issues of individual conscience, such as religion, politics, charitable giving, and union organizing.

· ECONOMIC STIMULUS: INCREASE & IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
- Support the Governor's plan to increase weekly benefits by $45.
- Reinstate the rate from 3.85 to 4.00, as ii was before 2005.
- Allow "Quit to follow" rights for spouses who must move when their spouse is transferred or relocates for work.
- Maintain 2 quarter averaging in any readjustments made to our system.

Other priority ECONOMIC STIMULUS issues include:

CREATE MORE JOBS & MORE GREEN JOBS
Expedited permitting & approval is needed for Infrastructure and other projects that are engineered and ready to go.

Other Priorities we are tracking include:

FUND UNION STATECONTRACT AGREEMENTS
Honor contracts that have already been bargained and agreed to, and fund these.

UNDERGROUND ECONOMY/ CONTRACTOR COMPLIANCE
Establish sanctions and penalties and stop work orders for enforcement against Contractors who do not pay unemployment insurance and workman's compensation taxes on their employees.

Criminal Justice Update from Noemie Maxwell:

The bill to remove Robbery 2 from the list of most serious offenses has been assigned a number. It's SB 5292:
http://apps. leg.wa.gov/ billinfo/ summary.aspx? bill=5292&year=2009.
SB 5292 is in the Judiciary committee, which Senator Kline chairs. There are 6 sponsors -- as listed below.

Four of the sponsors are on the committee of origin -- Judiciary. I'd guess we have a good shot at it passing Judiciary, then -- as that committee has only 8 members. Senator Pam Roach, from the 31st LD, is on that committee. I haven't been able to find constituents in the 31st LD who are willing to talk with legislators there. However, I think there's a chance that Senator Roach would be open to the bill. She's on the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, which recommended the reform, and I know she visited Robbery 2 people at Monroe or Walla Walla.) Does anyone know people in the 31st LD (Enumclaw area?) who might talk with her about this?

I think there may be at least one more Senator who will join in sponsoring this bill.
Here are the sponsors/co- sponsors:
Senator Adam Kline, 37th LD
Senator Jim Hargrove, 24th LD
Senator Craig Pridemore, 49th LD
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, 36th LD
Senator Debbie Regala, 27th LD
Senator Joe McDermott, 34th LD
Secure Medicine Return Bill: Comment by Steve Zemke

Margaret Shield, Steve Zemke and a number of other folks from various groups testified in support of HB 1165 "Providing for the safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residential sources through a producer provided and funded product stewardship program" The bill is sponsored by Representative Morrell and has a long list of co-sponsors. , including Campbell, Priest, Dickerson, Hudgins, Rodne,Cody, Nelson, Chase, O'Brien, Dunshee, Kenney, Wood, Hunt, McCoy, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, Anderson, Appleton, Pederson, Hunter, Darneille, Roberts, Rolfes, White, Kagi, Ormsby, Conway, Orwall, Simpson, Goodman, VanDeWege and Santos. The bill is prime sponsored by Adam Kline on the Senate side and will also get a hearing there. The bill was passed out of committee in the last Legiuslature and should easily do the same this year.

The House Environmental Health Committee has scheduled possible executive session for a vote on HB 1165 this Wed, 1/28/2009 at 1:30 PM. E-mails to committee members can help move this bill.

Environment Issues – Steve Zemke;

The House is holding a hearing on HB 1004 – adding products to energy efficiency code today 1/26/2009 at 1:30 PM. Support for this bill can be e-mailed to Committee members.

Wed 1/28/2009 at 8 AM the House will have a hearing on:
HB 1191 – providing incentives to support renewable solar energy
HB 1188 – providing sales and use tax exemptions for solar water heaters

Also on Wed. 1/28/2009 at 1:30 PM the Senate Environment, Water and Energy Committee is holding a public hearing on;
SB 5543 – establishing the product stewardship recycling act for mercury containing lights


Election Reform Update: by Steve Zemke

I testified on Thursday before the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee regarding SB 5017 relating to inactive voters. I urged the committee to amend the bill to include provisions for Universal and automatic voter registration updates as well as same day registration and voting.. I urge others to contact the committee members and Chair Senator Fairley. to urge support for universal voter registration and same registration and voting. Other Democrats on the Committee include Joe McDermott, Oemig Hatfield, Shin, and Haugen. The House version of the bill is HB 1019 sponsored by Rep. Sam Hunt.

For more information on universal voter registration go to:
http://fairvote. org/?page= 65
http://fairvote. org/?page= 857
http://www.brennanc enter.org/ content/resource /universal_ voter_registrati on_draft_ summary/
https://www. revisor.leg. state.mn. us/bin/bldbill. php?bill= S1297.2.html&session=ls85
http://www.radioiow a.com/gestalt/ go.cfm?objectid= 08F26D95- 5056-B82A- 37D6A2954966EBB8

Housing and Human Services Legislative Update – Sarajane Siegfriedt
Protect economic security for people with disabilities
General Assistance for the Unemployable (GAU) is more than just a social service program for people unable to work due to physical and mental disability. It is the assurance that, if something terrible happens that inhibits your ability to work, you will have some support. The $339 monthly cash grant and medical coverage that GAU provides is often the difference between housing and homelessness, between a meal and going hungry. Currently, 21,000 people rely on GAU to pay rent, cover critical medications, and pay for basic needs. Despite all this, the Governor has proposed to eliminate it from the budget completely.

Cutting GAU would:
- Increase homelessness
- Negatively impact our criminal justice system
- Increase hunger
- Increase use of acute mental health services
- Increase usage of hospital emergency services
- Ultimately cost the state more money and could cost people's lives

This is a budget issue, which will become active the second half of the session. The time to contact your legislators is now

[eridani]

22. Update

Coming Next Week!
Plan now to come down to Olympia on President’s Day!

King County Democrats Legislative Action Day – Monday Feb 16, 2009
Cherberg Building=2 0– Meeting Rooms ABC

9:30 AM to 10:00 AM – arrive, sign in, get coffee
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Overview of day, Brief introductions, lobbying tips
10:30 - 12 Noon – Overview of Legislative Action Agenda and priority bills
12:00 to 1:15 PM Lunch and Brief Presentations by King County Legislators
!:15 to 1:30 PM - Marty Brown – Legislative Liaison for Governor Gregoire
1:30 to 4 PM Meet with individual Legislators to discuss Agenda

Please send an email to stevezemke@ msn.com to confirm your attendance at the KC Legislative Action Day. Thanks

[eridani]

17. Domestic partnership enhanced rights bill to be filed

The 2009 legislative session is in full swing and the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill of 2009 and Marriage Equality Bill have been filed. This is the best moment for you to send a letter to your elected officials in support of the 2009 DP Expansion Bill. Tell your legislators in personal terms why you support expanding the rights of domestic partners and marriage equality.

You can read about the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill here.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008678540_apwaxgrdomesticpartnerships2ndldwritethru.html

In times of economic crisis, it is even more important for all families to be protected. It is simply wrong to deny families access to healthcare, pensions and other protections because the sexual orientation of the couple who forms a family. Expanding the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners is an important step in protecting Washington's families, but we won't stop until we achieve full marriage equality.

Send a letter in support of the 2009 DP Expansion Bill today!

What's At Stake:


--Families without the rights and responsibilities associated with civil marriage are more vulnerable during times of economic crisis
--Expanding the rights available to registered domestic partners will help protect families in Washington
--Gay and lesbians pay the same taxes as their heterosexual peers, they deserve the same rights and protections

[eridani]

19. Equal Rights Lobby Day 3/12

As you know, we are once again taking on an ambitious legislative agenda, including expanding the rights and responsibilities of Domestic Partners. This year's bill, which was introduced in the Legislature last week, will add all the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage under Washington State law to domestic partners. It is an incredibly important steps towards protecting families while we keep working for marriage equality.

The most important way we can educate and make a difference in the legislature is to go to the Capitol and tell them why your support equal rights for all families in Washington State.

Sign up for Equality Day on March 12th! No matter what your background, you will make a big difference when you visit your elected officials in-person. It's going to be a great day.
http://eqfed.org/erw/events/ERW_equality_day_2009/details.tcl

We'll be talking to elected officials about:

--Expanding the rights and responsibilitie s for registered domestic partners
--Continuing the discussion towards full marriage equality
--Ensuring adaquate funding for HIV/AIDS services and prevention
--Reducing bullying in schools for all children, meeting the needs of Washington's aging LGBT community
--Including gender indentity in Washington's exsisting hate crimes prevention law
Once again, we're pleased to work with the faith community, religious organizations, and clergy. We're hoping people from all backgrounds and from all over the State will join us for this family-friendly day. If you are a member of a religion organization, please ask them to co-sponsor Equality Day today.

We will also be launching new ways for the general public to get involved with Equality Day, through online trainings, petitions, and conference calls!

We're looking forward to seeing you there,

[eridani]

47. Equality Day logistic details

Equality Day is just about here! We at Equal Rights Washington and the Religious Coalition for Equality are very excited to see you on Thursday. We wanted to take a moment and fill you in about the details of the day.

Where should I park at the Capitol?

There are seven parking lots available to the public, as well as limited street parking. Please check it out at the Legislature website.

What should I wear?

Wear green for equality! If you are participating in meetings with elected officials, please wear business atire (or business casual), but please still wear green!

Who will I be meeting with?

With any luck, you'll be meeting with your actual legislatos. March 12th is, however, committee cutoff and therefore a very busy day at the Capitol. There is a very good chance you will be meeting with legislative aides. Don't worry, aides are very influential; they will collect materials and deliver your message to your elected officials.

What will I be eating?

Remember to pack a lunch, or be prepared to buy food at/around the Capitol. We will provide a list of nearby restaurants, and there are two cafes on the Capitol campus. We'll have some treats at registration.

What's the schedule? Thursday March 12th

9:00am-9:45am Registration: tents on the lawn in front of Capital Stairs. If you are late you can register at your advocacy workshop and if you are not able to join us for the morning registration will remain open throuhout the day in front of the Capitol stairs.

10:00am-11:15am Advocacy Workshops:

The location of your advocacy workshop depends on your district. Don't know your district? Click here to find out!

The following districts will meet in GA Auditorium (click here for a map): 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 35, 36, 39, 42, 44, 47

The following districts will meet in OB2 Auditorium (click here for a map): 1, 3, 11, 22, 23, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49

11:15am-12:00pm Lunch Break: lunch will NOT be provided, we suggest you pack a lunch or visit food locations on or near campus.

12:00pm-12:45pm Rally: Capital Stairs. Even if you can't make anything else on Equality Day, please consider joining us for the rally (and make signs--nice respectful signs)!

1:00pm-3:30pm Legislator Meetings: times and locations will be available at registration, advocacy workshops, and the rally. All meetings are between 1pm and 3:30.

How will I find out what to lobby on and how to talk to legislators?

We will supply you with information on your legislators, the issues we are lobbying on, talking points, and tips for talking to legislators. The advocacy workshops will also cover a lot of this. Don't be nervous - the most important thing you can do is be yourself!

Where should I check in?

We will have tents outside of the Capitol steps. You can also check in at the advocacy workshops or the rally! Check out the map here.

Where will I get more information?

When you check in, you will get a packet with all the information of the day, as well as what to do after Equality Day. We'll also have staff and volunteers available to answer all your questions.


Is there anything to do in the evening on Equality Day?


Yes! Everyone is invited to a "Debrief and dinner" with the Stonewall Youth of Olympia. It will be held at 3:30pm at 12th & Jefferson (just east of capital campus). Also, at 8pm, "For My Wife" is having an Equality Day after-party! If you are in the Seattle area, please join the folks from "For My Wife" at the Elite! We hope to see you there!


My friends can't come, how can they help?

Ask them to participate in Virtual Lobby Day!

If you have any last minute questions before thursday, please call us at 206-324-2570. Thank you so much, we can't wait to see you on Thursday!

Beth Richer
Equality Day Organizer

[eridani]

18. ACLU lobby day 3/16

ACLU of Washington
Lobby Day
Monday, March 16, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Columbia Room,
Legislative Building, Olympia

Register to attend
http://action.aclu.org/site/Calendar/?view=RSVP&id=104541


Join the ACLU-WA at our 2009 Lobby Day in Olympia where we will be discussing Voting Rights, Marijuana Reclassification, Privacy, and Domestic Partnerships with our state legislators. The day includes breakfast, lobby training, lunch, and meetings with your legislators.

E-mail your state legislators about these important bills we support.

Domestic Partnership
House Bill 1787, Senate Bill 5688
Read more and take action.
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1153&JServSessionIdr006=7w4rbmsie9.app23a


Voting Rights Restoration
House Bill 1517, Senate Bill 5534
Read more or take action. Read more and take action.
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1141&JServSessionIdr006=7w4rbmsie9.app23a

Marijuana Reclassification
House Bill 1177, Senate Bill 5615
Read more and take action.
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1219&JServSessionIdr006=7w4rbmsie9.app23a

My Car, My Privacy
House Bill 1500, Senate Bill 5574
Read more and take action.
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=1175&JServSessionIdr006=7w4rbmsie9.app23a

[eridani]

33. Kerlikowski writes editorial in favor of voting rights restoration

http://www.truthout.org/021309VA

Good law enforcement involves not only preventing and solving crimes but also helping those who have been released from prison return to society as law-abiding citizens.

People who have been convicted of crimes and serve their sentence return to the communities and neighborhoods they came from. Unfortunately, all too often they are re-arrested for another crime and return to prison.

At the same time, law enforcement is facing a difficult time because we must have the trust and confidence of the community we serve. Without that commodity, we will not have the information we need to solve crimes or the witnesses who will come forward to testify.

In Washington, anyone convicted of a felony automatically loses the right to vote. The right is not restored until the person has completed all conditions of the sentence, including any term of incarceration, community supervision and full payment of legal and financial obligations.

[eridani]

23. Save the ferries lobby day in Olympia 2/18

To the Members of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce

The future of our ferry system is in your hands!

Legislators in Olympia are making decisions that will affect our ferry system for years to come. Our elected officials need to know how vital ferries are to residents of the San Juan Islands. Don't stand on the sidelines and watch our ferry service be cut back, with fewer boats serving the islands, and higher fares for everyone.

Here is what you can do (must do) now:

1. Sign the online petition to 'Save our Washington State Ferry System'

The language of the petition is at

http://www.petition online.com/ plancfcp/petition. html

(visit this website to sign it online)

Please read the petition language and sign it online. This is a petition representing the preservation of our entire ferry system! It has been endorsed by San Juan County and the town of Friday Harbor. When this email was sent, there were only slightly over 2300 signatures on it … there should be 10 times that number!

2. Attend the 'Save our Ferries' Rally in Olympia

Your time is valuable; please invest a day's worth showing you care about the future of our ferry system. Efficient, accessible and affordable ferry travel is imperative to the economic prosperity of island life here on Orcas, and in the San Juan Islands. We are the only ferry-dependent County in the State of Washington!

Please attend the Ferry rally in Olympia on Wednesday, February 18th, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This region-wide effort is being organized and mobilized now with just one week to go. We need you there to have a strong San Juan Islands showing. There is power in large numbers and we will join forces with about 900 participants from our islanders to the south: Vashon, Bainbridge, and Bremerton. We are hoping for a turnout of at least 300 participants from the San Juan's, so spread the word far and wide.

Please sign up with Bernadette Vinson at: bernadettev {at} centurytel.net or call 376-8232 to reserve your space for travel to Olympia. We anticipate a 7:00 a.m. departure and 5:45 p.m. return ferry trip to and from the rally. Make a sign to wave at the rally. Michell and Doug at The Office Cupboard have the supplies for rally sign making. Bring a smile and lots of energy to the rally!

We are checking out bus or van travel to Olympia. A large Orcas Island response may warrant the rental of a large vehicle. We will look to the business and private sectors of our ferry-dependent community to help sponsor this volunteer effort.

Please forward this email to your friends and family on Orcas Island!



Lance Evans
Executive Director
Terri Gilleland
Manager

Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce
Office: 360-376-2273
Cell: 360-317-1587
info {at} orcasislandcha mber.com
www.OrcasIslandCham ber.com



To: Governor Chris Gregoire and the WA State Legislature

We, the undersigned, Washington State wish to express our extreme dissatisfaction with the actions currently being considered by the Executive Branch and the Washington State Ferry System (WSF) to resolve the challenges faced by that system.

Over the past several years marginal management, unsustainable labor agreements, questionable cost structures, patchwork funding, a dearth of reliable information, and a lack of serious commitment by the Executive Branch and Legislature have contributed to reducing the ferry system from one of the iconic marine transportation systems in the United States, if not the world, into a system being cobbled together to keep it barely functional. This is totally unacceptable!

It is time for the Executive Branch and the Legislature to face this issue head-on and restore the system to effectively meet the needs of its customers and Washington State. To this end, we the undersigned petition the Governor and the Legislature to act during the 2009 Legislative Session to:

· Recognize the value of the system to the economy of Washington State, the communities being served and their residents.

· Dispense with further cuts in service and take actions to restore the system so it can efficiently meet the needs of its customers.

· Reaffirm that the WSF is part of Washington's highway system, that it is as important as all other major highways across the state and recognize the fiscal, legal and other obligations to the taxpayers and customers associated with that relationship.

· Revise the "Made in Washington" requirement to allow WSF and Washington State to qualify for federal funding for the construction of ferries.

· Provide a permanent source of equitable statewide funding to ensure the system, its beneficiaries and its customers will not continue to suffer because of lack of legislative and executive branch action.

· Develop a sustainable, long term budget for the ferry system based on equitable statewide funding that caps fares at reasonable rates for ferry customers and which considers the economic and social impacts on relationships between businesses, management, labor, government agencies and ferry customers.



Sincerely,

The undersigned
www.petitiononline. com/plancfcp/ petition. html

[eridani]

24. Bill number for Washington Health Security Trust

HOUSE BILL 1892--THE WASHINGTON HEALTH SECURITY TRUST
Get the middlemen out of our health care system!


If your Representative is a member of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee in Olympia, ask her or him to support:

HOUSE BILL 1892
THE WASHINGTON HEALTH SECURITY TRUST

This is the only health care reform proposal in Olympia that:

· Gets the middlemen out of our health care system and establishes funding sources dedicated exclusively for medical care so that our health doesn’t have to compete against other government priorities.

· Restores control of medical decisions between you and your doctor. The middleman will no longer decide who gets care and who doesn’t. Medical professionals will be able to focus on your care rather than on the cares of running a business.

· Encourages entrepreneurship and eliminates the risk of being without health access for the aspiring small business persons and their families. Businesses of any size create tax revenues that the state treasury so desperately needs.

If your representative is on the Health Care & Wellness Committee, ask her or him to have a hearing on this bill.

Chair: Eileen Cody 34 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=34&Position=1

Vice Chair: John Driscoll 6 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=6&Position=2

Ranking Minority Member: Doug Ericksen 42 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=42&Position=1

Tom Campbell 2 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=2&Position=2

Barbara Bailey 10 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=10&Position=2

Bill Hinkle 13 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=13&Position=2

Jamie Herrera 18 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=18&Position=1

Dawn Morrell 25 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=25&Position=2\

Troy Kelley 28 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=28&Position=1

Tami Green 28 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=28&Position=2

Judy Clibborn 41 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=41&Position=2

Jamie Pedersen 43 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=43&Position=1

Jim Moeller 49 [phone]
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/MailForm.aspx?Chamber=H&District=49&Position=2

[eridani]

26. Environmental lobby day 2/21

I believe global warming is one of the defining moral issues of our times. And my experience is that talking to my legislators in person about what they can do to help reduce global warming pollution is shockingly easy, and one of the most rewarding things I've ever done to help the cause.

The time is now to turn the tide. Come join me at this year's environmental lobby day in Olympia on February 19th. Join citizens and organizations from across the state to generate a powerful show of support for stronger efforts to fight global warming.

Legislators spend all day meeting with professional lobbyists and corporate interests. This is our chance to cut through the chatter and give our legislators the political courage to do the right thing.

If you are like me, you are probably too busy to keep track of all the bills in Olympia. Here are three global warming bills Fuse is working on: Cap and Invest, Efficiency First, and Transit Oriented Communities. These three bills will have a huge impact on the way Washington emits pollution and prepares for a low carbon future. And they all need our support.

Come be part of the movement that will create long-term solutions for the future of our planet.

Click here for details and to register for lobby day:

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/s/EnviroLobbyDay09

[eridani]

27. America in Solidarity Lobby Day 2/25--Universal health care and other things

http://www.americasolidarity.org/node/1090

AIS Lobby Day in Olympia
Start: 02/25/2009 - 10:00am
End: 02/25/2009 - 2:00pm

For the third year, AIS will be having our "Lobby Day" in Olympia. We will meet with elected officials and pledge signers. Meeting place to be announced, but somewhere on the Capitol campus.

Location
Washington State Capitol
Olympia, WA

Carpooling from Tacoma office at 8AM
3049 S. 36th St. #205
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: [phone]
Email: info {at} americasolidarity.org

[eridani]

31. Oopsie. Carpooling at 9AM

Hey all-
We'll be meeting at the AIS office to carpool at 9am.

For those of us joining in Olympia, I have reserved hearing room E in the John L Obrien Building from 10-11. Most of our meetings with legislators are actually scheduled from Noon-3pm as the house is in session that morning. I will be working on bringing in some speakers or setting up
other meetings in the morning too.

Hope you can join us.
-Todd

[eridani]

29. Video from marijuana decriminalization hearing (SB 5615)

SB 5615 would change pot possession of 40 grams or less from a misdemeanor to a $100 civil infraction. It was heard by the Senate Judiciary last Tuesday. The video has many funny moments, and that doesn't include Pam Roach's frequent displays of general ignorance.

The video can be seen here:

http://cdc.coop/sb-5615

Or:

http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2009020104&TYPE=V&CFID=2049978&CFTOKEN=31311751&bhcp=1

SB 5615 hearing starts 1:32 into it.

[eridani]

30. Unity Rally and Lobby Day in Olympia to Oppose State Budget Cuts 2/16

· Stop cuts in healthcare, education, and other state services! No tuition hikes!
· Support fair pay, benefits and pensions for state employees! No lay-offs!
· Repeal tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy to fund vital state services!

Presidents Day, February 16
Tivoli Fountain, Capitol Campus, Olympia
Rally at 10:30am, lobbying to follow

Sponsored by Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) 304
All unions, students, social service advocates, and community members are welcome!

Bus departures:

· Shoreline Community College at 7:30am
· North Seattle Community College at 8:15am
· 320th Park and Ride off I-5 in Federal Way at 8:45am

For information contact:
Steve Hoffman, 206-915-1910, stevhoff{at} earthlink.net;
Rodolfo Franco, 206-228-7842, Deaztlan2{at} aol.com;
Betsy McConnell Gutierrez, betsymg{at} earthlink.net.

[eridani]

32. Contact Frank Chopp to get death penalty abolishment bill out of committee

To Abolitionists Everywhere in WASHINGTON State, and beyond;


Many of us have been working on ending the death penalty in WA State for many years. The legislative game is a slippery slope and to survive we must shift with it. The Senate Bill has made it through hearings, but House Democratic Leader Frank Chopp (360-786-7920 & chopp.frank {at} leg.wa.gov) and Jamie Pederson (360-7867826 & pederson.jamie {at} leg.wa.gov), chair of the House Judiciary Committee have pulled the House Bill from the hearing agenda (talk about power). We need everyone committed to ending the Death Penalty to call and write Chopp and Pederson urging them to allow the Bill to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee. Aside from the tradition arguments of the fairness, racistm, morality, we really need to pressure costs in this budget year. It has been estimated that a Death Penalty case costs over $500,000 and a murder case with the DP off the table costs about $150,000. With Ridgeway, it is improbable that there will ever be an execution in WA so by not passing a Bill to abolish the Death Penalty, the legislature is expressing a willingness to waste about $350,000 per case.



The long and short of it is we need people willing to call and or write Frank Chopp as soon as possible to pressure this issue to a House hearing. It will be argued that it should be done by initiative. That will not happen because we do not have Fat Cats willing to finance the paid signature gatherers (they call it a "citizen" Initiative process) that would be required. If the House refuses a hearing, we continue to be a brutal, violence-loving State like Texas, instead of a progressive State like the 14 States, including my beloved New Jersey, who have already ended the Death Penalty. Any activist contacts that you can make will be of great value.


You know me, I always ask for more. After you make these legislative contacts (Both Chopp and Pederson represent the Legislative 43rd District so constituents from their District will be particularly helpful) please contact relatives, friends and colleagues to make similar contacts. You may think that I am asking you to be a pain in the butt, and yes, I am, but ending the death penalty is that important and we have a chance to do so this year, if we all row our canoes in the right direction. YES WE CAN!


Jack Smith
206-321-4815

[eridani]

34. Save low-cost mobile home housing: hearings 2/16 and 2/18

YOU CAN AND ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE - PLEASE ACT NOW! IMPORTANT WEEK FOR MANUFACTURED HOMEOWNERS!!

All 4 of the bills that manufactured homeowners are strongly supportive of will be heard this coming week! Please mark your calendars and come to Olympia to make a difference so that you can enjoy your lifestyle choice in peace.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 16 - 1:30 P.M. -HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, JOHN L. O'BRIEN BUILDING ROOM, Room A

HB 1581 - 3 year closure notice bill. Come early so you can sign in PRO and get a seat. Even if you do not plan to testify, everyone needs to sign in with name, address (name of community) and phone # (optional).

Here are the members of the Judiciary Committee so you can contact them by phone or email to ask them to give their full support to HB 1581 - homeowners need the guarantee that they will get more than 1 year to live in their homes.


Judiciary - House Committee Members -Hot Line -1-800-562-6000

Pedersen, Jamie (D) Chair
[phone]
pedersen.jamie {at} leg.wa.gov
District 43

Goodman, Roger (D) Vice Chair
[phone]
goodman.roger {aT} leg.wa.gov
District 45

Rodne, Jay (R) *
[phone]
rodne.jay{AT} leg.wa.gov
District 05

Shea, Matthew (R) **
[phone]
shea.matthew {at} leg.wa.gov
District 04

Flannigan, Dennis (D)
[phone]
flannigan.dennis {at} leg.wa.gov
District 27

Kelley, Troy (D)
[phone]
kelly.troy {at} leg.wa.gov
District 28

Kirby, Steve (D)
[phone]
kirby.steve {at} leg.wa.gov
District 29

Ormsby, Timm (D)
[phone]
ormsby.timm {at} leg.wa.gov
District 03

Roberts. Mary Helen (D)
[phone]
roberts.maryhelen {at} leg.wa.gov
District 21

Ross, Charles (R)
[phone]
ross.charles {at} leg.wa.gov
District 14

Warnick, Judy (R)
[phone]
warnick.judy {at} leg.wa.gov
District 13

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18 - 3:30 P.M. - SENATE FINANCIAL Institutions. HOUSING & INSURANCE - CHERBERG ROOM 2

SB 5822 - clarifying the ambiguities in the Manufactured/ mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act.

SB 5823 - requiring a penalty if the community owner does not notify the homeowners that the community is advertised for sale.

SB 5821 - providing a tax exemption if the community owner promises to keep the community open for 10 years.

Again, come early so that you can sign in PRO and get a seat - be sure to sign in with your name and the name of your community. If you are unable to come, then please email or call the following members of the Senate committee and ask them to give their full support to SB 5821, SB 5822, and SB 5823.

LAT - Key Senate Committees - 1-800 562-6000
Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance
411 J.A. Cherberg Building - P.O. Box 40466 - Olympia, WA 98504-0466

Committee Members

Berkey, Jean (D) Chair
[phone]
berkey.jean {at} leg.wa.gov
District 38

Hobbs, Steve (D) Vice Chair
[phone]
hobbs.steve {at} leg.wa.gov
District 44

Benton, Don (R) *
[phone]
benton.don {at} leg.wa.gov
District 17

Franklin, Rosa (D)
[phone]
franklin.rosa {at} leg.wa.gov

District 29
Parlette, Linda Evans (R)
[phone]
parlette.linda {at} leg.wa.gov
District 12

McDermott, Joe (D)
District 34
mcdermott.joe {at} leg.wa.gov

Schoesler, Mark (R)
[phone]
schoesler.mark {at} leg.wa.gov
District 09

[eridani]

39. KIng County Legislative Action Team 2/25 update

King County Democrats Legislative Action Newsletter #4
Feb 23 -27, 2009

Tracking bills before the Washington State Legislature of interest to Democrats - Steve Zemke
Sorry for the delay in this newsletter. Personal family issues limited my time to work on this newsletter over the last week.

Legislative Action Day in Olympia a success!

Thanks to everyone attending the King County Democrats Legislative Action Day last week. The meeting room was packed during the day and 22 Legislators came by to say hello and give updates on the Legislative session and some of the bills they are working on. Speaker Frank Chopp also made a special appearance. Marty Brown for the Governor's Office spoke on the budget. We had a lively session and good follow-up response with people visiting Legislators and dropping off "Memos" to their legislators and the Governor after the meeting.

Special thanks to the following people who helped make the day a success. Sorry if I leave out any names. Craig Salins, Suellen Mele, Andrew Villeneuve, Lisa Plymate, Bill Austin, David Spring, Brad Larssen, Noemie Maxwell, Chad Lupkes, Suzie Sheary and especially Co-Chair Sarajane Siegfriedt.


Weekly Update on Issues and Bills:

Education Update from Kathleen Reynolds

Education reform has been significantly weakened this week, but it is still hanging in there.

In an effort to make progress on education reform this session and to form a consensus among fractious groups, Senate McAuliffe (D-Bothell), chair of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 committee, and vice chair, Senator Oemig (D-Kirkland) , convened a meeting of all major stakeholders on Wednesday. The main result of this stakeholder meeting was the replacement of the education bills addressing the redefinition and finance of public education (HB 1410/SB 5444 and HB 1817/SB 5607) with companion "intent only" bills, SB 6048 (Oemig-prime sponsor) and HB 2261 (Sullivan-prime sponsor). These bills are fairly generic and will have to be fleshed out with bits and pieces of the previous four bills.

The meeting produced some consensus:

· Adopting a prototype schools allocation system for more transparency
· Including a non-partisan commission to recommend changes going forward (the Commission on Education Quality from SB 5607/HB 1817)
· Teacher compensation is inadequate (although there are deep philosophical differences about what changes should be made to how teachers are compensated and whether there is evidence that a particular approach improves student learning)
· The crux of the problem is that education is underfunded (though some argue that the current system should be funded before new funding mechanisms are attempted)
· Levies would continue to be part of the picture, and there must be some degree of equalization

HB 2261 Feb 19 First reading, referred to Education Appropriations

SB 6048 Feb 23 Scheduled for public hearing and executive session in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. (Subject to change)

Here's an overview from the Seattle P-I

Education Bills- Commentary by David Spring – Three Lessons from Education Reform Failure

There has been a big debate in Olympia this session over two competing Education Reform bills. One bill, House Bill 1410/Senate Bill 5444 sponsored by Ross Hunter, Fred Jarret and others was 111 pages long and attempted to radically redefine nearly every aspect of our public schools. Despite the fact that we already have some of the highest class sizes in America, this bill actually proposed to increase class sizes in our middle schools and high schools. A competing bill, House Bill 1817/Senate Bill 5607 offered by Steve Conway, Rosemary McAuliffe and others, supported the position of the Full Funding Coalition (including the Washington Education Association) and lowered class sizes slightly. However, neither bill provided any source of funding to pay for all the reforms in the bills. Instead, both proposed more committees to continue to study the problem of where the money will come from. Both bills were essentially a series of unfunded mandates.

Several confidential sources inside the leadership of the Democratic party confirmed this last week that both bills are officially dead. Senator Oemig has dropped an "Intent bill" which will try to preserve some of the language from both bills. He and Senator McAuliffe have also been holding meetings trying to get some agreement from the competing sides. But it is likely that nearly all of the educational reforms proposed by both sides, including full day kindergarten, class size reductions, and increasing the graduation requirements to 24 credits (CORE 24) will have to wait for another day and another session.

There are three lessons I hope both sides will learn from this year's failure to pass educational reform. The first is that you can not force change down the throats of those who will have to carry out the change. It was a huge mistake for the advocates of the competing bills to not make a stronger effort to negotiate in good faith with each other to reach a consensus bill.. There was much that the two sides could have agreed on. But in failing to negotiate in advance, the competing bills were doomed before they ever were seriously considered.

The second lesson is that things only get passed in Olympia when there is broad agreement. Almost anyone can kill anyone else's bill. The hard part is getting a bill passed. The solution is to draft bills based on consensus and save the controversial stuff for further study and negotiation. A few controversial sections are enough to kill an otherwise good bill. If we want education reform, we need to end the circular firing squad and start working together.

The third and most important lesson is that funding has to come before any educational reforms are passed. One leading Senator told me that they could not pass any reforms in either bill which would expand the definition of Basic Education because then the Courts would force them to fund it and there is just no money to fund anything. The Basic Education Task Force of 2007 was a failure because it failed to identify or propose a single funding source.

One solution is a Constitutional amendment, requiring voter approval, which would raise 2 billion additional dollars for school funding. I ask both sides whose bills have gone down to defeat today to join in a concerted effort to agree on a source of funding we need so that our schools can finally have national average class sizes and all the other reforms listed in the competing bills.

Regards, David Spring M. Ed.


Health & Human Services: PayDay Lending Action Needed – Alliance to Prevent Predatory Lending

Take ACTION to curb Predatory Payday Lending!
Borrowers deserve access to small dollar loans with terms that they can repay successfully. The problem is that payday loan borrowers must pay back the full loan amount by their next payday. Short loan periods trap people in a cycle of debt, forcing them to take out loan after loan to repay the first. This results in high cost, long term debt. In order for borrowers to be successful, we must address outrageous interest rates by lengthening the repayment period and lowering the fees. 391% is never an acceptable interest rate.

Lawmakers have been responding to the strong show of support at last week's hearings. In the Senate, two bills need to move out of committee by next Wednesday, February 25. Both bills ensure borrower success by lengthening the minimum loan period and lowering the fees on each payday loan. While the House has moved a bill out of committee, it does not address the root cause of the payday loan problem: the short loan period and outrageous interest rates.

No one in our communities should be forced to pay so much for a small loan to help them through a crisis. We need you to keep the momentum going. Take action now:
Tell your Senators that you want borrowers to be successful in our state. Our power is in our voices - your Senators need to hear from you.
Tell your lawmakers that 391% is never acceptable.
Ask your friends, family and neighbors to take action with you. Right now, the payday lending industry is flooding the inboxes of your legislators. Your lawmakers need to hear your voice.

Contact your legislators NOW. Call your lawmakers TODAY at 1-800-562-6000 or send them a message and tell them that "Real Solutions for payday loan borrowers include longer loan periods. Vote YES on SB5150 & 5750 to help borrowers be successful."

For more information see www.noloansharks. org

Labor Update from Brad Larssen

The WORKER PRIVACY ACT : H B 1528 & S B 5446
- H B 1528 has 47 Sponsors in the House of Representatives! That's AMAZING!
- S B 5446 has 21 Sponsors in the Senate! That's AMAZING!

However, the business lobby is hitting this bill hard. We need you to contact the Democrats who did not sponsor this bill, and urge them to support it and pledge to vote for it. And we need you to contact House Speaker Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown to move this bill to a vote and passage.

This bill ensures that workers maintain their First Amendment Rights at the workplace on issues of individual conscience, such as religion, politics, charitable giving, & union organizing.

The Wash. St. Democrats Central Committee passed a resolution supporting this bill.

There is a simple link on wslc.org for anyone to sign an electronic statement of support.


The UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL : S B 5319
This bill provides emergency relief for thousands laid off for no fault of their own in these tough economic times. It temporarily increases U. I. Weekly payments by $45, and makes other improvements to the system.
Good news. A VICTORY! -- This bill passed both House and Senate Thursday and Friday Feb. 12 & 13. The Governor signed it on Monday, while we were there on LAC Day.


OTHER BILLS TO WATCH:

- HB 1555 / SB 5614 - Addressing the recommendations of the joint legislative task force on the UNDERGROUND ECONOMY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
- HB 1554 / SB 5613 - Authorizing the Dept of Labor & Industries to ISSUE STOP WORK ORDERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROVISIONS.
These bills address sanctions and penalties for employers who do not pay the required state taxes on their employees. Each year large sums due in Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance taxes go unpaid and uncollected due to non-cmpliance by some employers. These taxes need to be paid. These workers need the coverage that the laws require. And responsible employers should not be underbid by those who don't pay their taxes.



***Contact: BRAD LARSSEN [phone] blarssen@verizon. net

THE WORKER PRIVACY ACT
HB 1528
SB 5446

We need you to contact the Democrats who did not sponsor this bill, and urge them to support it and pledge to vote for it. And we need you to contact House Speaker Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown to move this bill to a vote and passage.

HOUSE District

Speaker Frank Chopp………43
Reuven Carlyle……………..36
Judy Clibborn……………….41
John Driscoll…………………6
Ross Hunter…………………48
Troy Kelley………………….28
Lynn Kessler………………...24
Marko Liias………………….21
Kelli Linville………………..42
Marcie Maxwell…………….41
Jamie Pedersen……………..43
Eric Pettigrew………………37
Tim Probst………………….17
Larry Springer………………45
Dave Upthegrove……………33

SENATE District

Maj. Leader Lisa Brown…….3
Jean Berkey…………………38
Tracy Eide…………………..30
James Hargrove…………….24
Mary Margaret Haugen…….10
Fred Jarrett…………………41
Derek Kilmer………………26
Chris Marr…………………..6
Phil Rockefeller……………23
Tim Sheldon……………….35


Environmental Bills –

Environmental Priorities Bill Update from Audubon Washington's "Bird's Eye View"

SB 5687 / HB 1490 Transit Oriented Communities. BREAKING NEWS!
This bill passed out of the House and Senate committees 2/19/09 during the environmental priorities Lobby Day! Audubon members and other conservationist had standing room only in the hearing. Ask your legislator to continue supporting affordable, walkable, bike-friendly communities connected with frequent, reliable transit. Bill sponsor Rep. Sharon Nelson (34th Dist. Vashon Is) was pleased to see support from so many citizen lobbyists.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1490&year=2009
SB 5518 / HB 1614 Invest in Clean Water. This bill raises over $100 million dollars every year for clean water, new jobs and healthier communities across the state. Both Senate and House bills are out of committee and onto Rules and then Floor action.
Now is the time to keep phone calls and email going to your legislators to Invest in Clean Water.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ ummary.aspx?bill=1614&year=2009
SB 5735 / HB 1819 Cap and Invest
This is one of the toughest "asks" of our legislators. During several Lobby Day meetings, legislators resisted taking leadership on this most critical issue. Please call your legislator and tell them Washington State must have a "Cap and Invest" bill that requires polluters to pay for carbon emissions and to reduce emissions over time.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1819&year=2009
SB 5854 / HB 1747 Efficiency First
This bill passed out of the Senate committee February 20 and will now need your support to get it through the full Senate vote and then onto the House Committee. You can help make our commercial and public buildings more efficient by asking your legislators to support Efficiency First. The House Technology, Energy and Communications committee passed HB 1747, the Efficiency First bill out of committee Thursday Moving to fiscal committee in the House.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5854&year=2009

Election Reform –

HB 1623, which the King County Democrats opposed, to require ballots be received by Election Day has not moved out of committee. The companion bill in the Senate SB 6531 has not received a hearing.

SB 5270- modifying Voter Registration. SB 5270 has been replaced with Substitute Senate Bill 5270. This bill is now on the second reading of the Rules Committee. Contact your Senator and urge they amend this bill to expand access to voting rather than limit it. This bill needs to include same day registration and voting, not end it 8 days before the election. And there is no legitimate reason to end on line and mail in voter registration 29 days before the election. People could be registered to vote but told they need to go to the County Auditors Office to vote in the Election. With the Internet these days, voter registration forms should be able to be transferred almost immediately to County Auditors Offices.
Those administrating Elections need to go the extra mile to help people vote, not hinder them.

Also the Bill should be amended to include automatic voter registration at the Dept of Motor Vehicles and elsewhere. State that people should automatically be registered to vote unless they opt out.

The issue is one of convenience for the voters, not state and local government. It is their job to work for maximum voter participation not putting up roadblocks for voters.

Homeowners Bill of Rights –

SB 5895 - Addressing residential real property construction improvements through consumer education, warranty protections, legal remedies, municipal liability, third-party inspections, contractor registration requirements, worker certification standards, and bonding requirements.

Executive Action taken in Senate Committee on Feb 23, 2009 but doesn't appear to be reported out of Committee yet. Please contact your legislators urging action on this bill. The Senate version is the stronger bill.


Keeping Track of Committee Meetings and Hearings:

Your best way to keep informed of upcoming Legislative hearings on your own is to subscribe to the weekly schedule of Legislative Committee Meetings and Hearings e-mail list at
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/subscriptions/

Tracking the status of a Particular Bill:

To determine what is happening on a particular bill go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

To contact your Legislators for information or to express your support or opposition to a bill go to: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
You can also contact other Legislators through this page.

The King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee is Co-chaired by Sarajane Siegfriedt and Steve Zemke

To support the efforts of the King County Democrats please join as a member. Go to: http://wa-demchairs.org/kcdems/donate.php
A suggested donation for membership is $40 for a year membership. Thanks

[eridani]

40. Toxic Free Lobby Day 3/5

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known toxin that can cause cancer, diabetes, and developmental disorders. Yet thousands of loving parents unknowingly expose their kids to BPA every day.

Sign up to attend Toxic Free Lobby Day on March 5th and push the legislature to ban this toxic chemical in baby bottles.

What: Toxic Free Legacy Coalition Lobby Day
When: Thursday, March 5th from 9 am to 5 pm
Where: The United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE (11th & Capitol Way), Olympia, WA, 98501

http://www.washpirg.org/action/product-safety/tfllobbyday?id4=ES

Yesterday, thanks to the phone calls and e-mails of WashPIRG members, the House Appropriations Committee voted our Safe Baby Bottle Act on to the floor. This puts us one step closer to protecting kids from toxic Bisphenol-A. But the American Chemistry Council and their allies won't stop bullying members of the Legislature to kill this measure.

We need you to lobby your elected officials in person. Join doctors, nurses, and concerned families from around the state as we rally at the capitol to pass new laws to eliminate Bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic plastic chemical used in kids' products.

During lobby day you will be trained on how to lobby, learn about the issues, attend a rally on the steps of the Capitol, and meet in-person with your state legislators to urge them to support legislation to phase out BPA and pass the rest of our Children's Environmental Health Agenda.

Bring your kids... and their toys. We will have free toxic toy testing in the morning, a kid's rally on the steps of the Capitol at noon, fun kid's activities throughout the day.

Sign up today:

http://www.washpirg.org/action/product-safety/tfllobbyday?id4=ES

See you there!

Sincerely,

Blair Anundson
WashPIRG
BAnundson {at} washpirg.org
http://www.WashPIRG.org

[eridani]

41. Support Safe Routes to School bill

The Safe Routes to School bill (HB1793) was heard in the Transportation Committee and will be coming up for a vote on Friday February 27th. It is important that you contact your legislator and urge them to vote for HB1793 when it comes up for a vote in the Transportation Committee. To find out if your legislator is on the Committee and to get their contact information, use the link below.

http://www1.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/TR/membersstaff.htm


Here is some information to include in your message.

http://www.childrenshub.org/campaign/safe_routes House Bill 1793 establishes a Safe Routes to School Program in the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program helps to create safe opportunities for kids to walk and bicycle to school. Safe routes to school help kids stay healthy and develop good exercise habits, while also helping to create more liveable communities. This bill is supported by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Feet First, Cascade Bicycle Club, Children's Alliance as well as the statewide Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.

Thanks so much!

Dave Janis
Acting Executive Director

[eridani]

53. More bike-friendly legislation

It is already late March but the Washington State Legislature is still in session. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and partner organizations continue to work hard to get the State Legislature to pass bicycle-friendly laws. Right now, your help is needed to advance two important bills in the Senate.

Even if you have made previous contact, your simple email, phone call, or personal contact right now – naming the two bills and asking for support - is especially important to the success of these legislative initiatives. Email is the recommended method, but any contact you can make will be great! Your contacts NOW will help ensure our 2009 legislative agenda will move forward. (And, we may call on you again for additional contacts later in the legislative session.)
· HB 1491 is the “3-foot passing bill” which requires passing cyclists and pedestrians at a minimum of 3 feet. This legislation is intended to be used to educate the public on the minimum safe passing distance. We have defeated several hostile amendments are hopeful we can now get it passed in the Senate.

· HB 1793 is legislation which creates a safe routes to school program.

The latest versions of bills can be obtained by clicking on “Bill Search” at http://leg.wa.gov/legislature. Find your senator (and representatives) at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx, or call the legislative hotline at 1 [phone].

Bicycle Alliance members are encouraged to share this message with fellow cyclists and others who support healthy, active communities. For more information, visit www.bicyclealliance.org

[eridani]

57. Update on cycling-related legislation

Legislative Update

Good news: Policy language for traffic-activated signals (formerly HB 1403) is alive again through an amendment to SB 5482 by the House Transportation Committee. This bill is now awaiting a second reading in House Rules Committee and a concurrence vote from the Senate.

More good news: Safe Routes to School is out of the Senate Rules Committee and on the floor waiting for a vote.

Bad news: After last minute objections by the Washington State Troopers Association, the 3-foot passing bill (HB 1491) did not make it out of the Senate Transportation Committee despite strong support from Senators Marr and Ranker.



Fish Lake Trail Receives Federal Stimulus Funding

Bicyclists in the Spokane area will soon have another stretch of paved trail to ride on.

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) has awarded the City of Spokane $778,317 in federal stimulus funding for the Fish Lake Trail. Construction is expected to begin by June on 4.4 miles of trail from the intersection of Government Way and Sunset Highway south to Scribner Road near Marshall, connecting to an existing 3-mile portion of the trail. (See a map of the Fish Lake Trail here.) The unfinished corridor continues south to another paved segment at Fish Lake and Cheney, then joins the Columbia Plateau Trail at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge and makes its way to Pasco.

Several years ago, the Bicycle Alliance helped organize the Fish Lake Trail Action Group to rally support for completing the regional trail. This group continues to be an active force for the trail's development and they have a trail work party planned for June 6. To get involved, contact Dan Schaffer.



SR20 Berentson Bridge Bike Safety Project Completion

A major milestone has been completed to improve bicycle safety at the Berentson Bridges on SR20 in Skagit County. The projects were funded through Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) safety initiatives, designed by WSDOT staff with help and advice from the local cycling community. Full jersey barrier segregation of the bike-ped two-way crossing was completed this winter. Improved signage just installed at the bridge will help cyclists safely navigate the underpass system to the segregated bike lane when traveling eastbound. Two new bicycle crossings, one at the Best Road/SR20 intersection and the other at West March Point Road/SR20 intersection have been installed and will soon be activated.

This WSDOT traffic safety project was generated by a proposal from the Active Communities Taskforce (ACT), a healthy lifestyles non-motorized sub-committee to the Skagit Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Its purpose was to improve non-motorized safety at a key point in Skagit County where two national bike routes and several inter-county bike routes intersect. .

The project also brings visibility to a regional effort to give bike routes in Skagit County a comprehensive signing and logical numbering system. Route numbers and arrows on signs placed at a cyclist's viewing height clarify the bike route and show mileage to the next major city at major route junctions.

The project was the result of persistent planning and efforts by ACT and WSDOT's proactive recognition that there was a real need for this non-motorized highway improvement. The project involved getting support and buy-in from state, county, tribal, municipal and bicycling organizations. The cooperation among the regional bodies proves once again that thinking globally, acting locally can make a difference in the safety and quality of ride for all cyclists. It is one of several innovations ACT has worked successfully with WSDOT to help improve and enhance transportation choices in the Skagit County region.

http://www.bicyclealliance.org/news/index.html#BerentsonBridge2009apr

[eridani]

43. Cannabis Defense Coalition Lobby Day 3/16

Lobby Day -

Monday, March 16, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Columbia Room,
Legislative Building, Olympia

The day includes breakfast, lobby training, lunch, and meetings with your legislators.

Voting Rights Restoration
House Bill 1517, Senate Bill 5534
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1517&year=2009

Marijuana Reclassification
House Bill 1177
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1177&year=2009

SB 5516 Addressing drug overdose prevention.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5615&year=2009

[eridani]

44. Hearing 3/5 on public financing for supreme court campaigns

The House will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 5th, at 8 AM in Olympia - on HB 1738, public financing for supreme court campaigns.

Even though it's too late for the bill to become law this year - a setback due to budget shortfalls - public financing of these judicial campaigns is necessary, sooner or later.

It's the only way to guarantee a supreme court NOT for sale.

The proposed bill remains alive throughout the two-year legislative session, and so could be enacted next year. Public support is still needed, and robust attendance at the hearing is important - even if only to sign in, in favor of the bill (which becomes part of the public record).

For those who can't make it, send emails or calls of support, details below

ALSO, at the federal level - the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral argument on Tuesday (March 3rd), on the Caperton v. Massey case from West Virginia. In that case, a judge was elected with $3 million in campaign support from the CEO of Massey Coal Co., and then voted to reverse a $50 million damage award against the company awarded by a lower-court jury! Hmm ... justice for sale?

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide by the end of June whether the judge's participation in the case violated the due process right to an impartial judge.

Read an excellent Seattle Times Op-Ed on this matter, by former justice Robert Utter and former judge Charlie Wiggins. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008800588_opinb02utter.html

And - be on the lookout for media coverage of this case on Tuesday. It's good timing, leading in to Thursday's hearing in Olympia. Send letters and calls to your local paper, and to your legislators: Justice must never be for sale! Let's have public financing for these judicial campaigns! Our highest court must be totally impartial, above suspicion of influence by special-interest campaign cash.

:Legislative Contact Info:

Hotline: [phone]

Regarding HB 1738, public financing for supreme court campaigns:

Contact members of the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee:
Rep. Sam Hunt (Chair) (D-22): hunt.sam {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Sherry Appleton (Vice Chair) (D-23), appleton.sherry {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Mike Armstrong, (R-12), armstrong.mike {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Gary Alexander, (R-20), alexander.gary {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Dennis Flannigan, (D-27), flannigan.dennis {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Chris Hurst, (D-31), hurst.christopher {at} leg.wa.gov
Rep. Mark Miloscia, (D-30), miloscia.mark {at} leg.wa.gov

Grassroots ain't easy - and we don't get corporate support!
If you can afford $5-$10 to support our work, please help WPC to grow.

Thanks!

- Craig
__________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc {at} washclean.org
206-784-2522

[eridani]

46. Rerform Workers' Comp to stop BIAW theft

My name is Sue Mathews. I'm a Fuse member and small business owner, and I'm asking for your help. We have a great opportunity to fix a state program that's gone terribly wrong.

I believe in good government, accountability and working hard to create jobs. Washington State's workers compensation program is heavily abused and completely broken on all three fronts.

Washington's biggest and most conservative trade association - the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) - siphons money from the program to pay for it's political campaigns, diverting nearly $7 million into attack ads last year alone. They divert the money from refunds owed to employers like me, who in these hard times really need our hard-earned money to maintain and create jobs.

Adding insult to injury, the State recently discovered that it has overpaid the BIAW and other business trade associations by as much as $200 million. The error, at $10-15 million per year, went undetected for 15 years.

The State Senate is finally about to vote on reforms that would increase oversight, accountability, and controls on the program to fix this mess. Conservative business associations are pulling out all the stops to defeat the bill. Your State Senator really needs to hear that people like you expect them to stand up for common sense and good government and pass these reforms. Click on the link now to send them this important message, and please ask your friends to do the same. It's time to fix this problem!

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/retroreform

As the Seattle Post-Intelligencer stated in an editorial about these problems last week, it's "Time to Put in Controls."1

Washington's "Retro" workers compensation program suffers from an unbelievable lack of transparency and oversight of accounting, and an astonishing lack of controls over how money is spent. Senate Bill 6035 adds a desperately needed dose of transparency and accountability to the program.

The bill responds to the State's massive 15-year overpayment mistakes with increased review and oversight requirements. It also requires that workers compensation taxes be spent on insurance purposes, workplace safety programs and reasonable administrative fees; and that there be clear accounting for how workers compensation taxes are spent.

Conservative trade associations that administer funds under the program are doing their best to defeat the reforms. We have to make sure that Senators hear from the public as well on this. They must stand up for good government and common sense.

Please click on the link to contact your State Senator and urge them to support Senate Bill 6035 today. And forward this email to your friends. We need them to weigh in as well.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/retroreform

Thank you very much for your help,

Sue Mathews
Fuse Member
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/400917_shorts22.html

[eridani]

49. Save Initiative 937 (Renewable energy)

In 2006, thousands of volunteers like you pitched in to gather signatures and make phone calls to pass Initiative 937. Now we need your help again!

Unfortunately, the Washington state Senate has voted to pass a bill that will cut the amount of new renewable power called for in I-937 by up to 75% or more. The bill now moves to the House where several key state representatives will decide the fate of I-937.

It's up to us to reach out to the I-937 supporters in these key districts. We need your help calling other I-937 supporters to ask them to call their legislators and urge them to stop Senate Bill 5840.

Please join us on Thursdays for friendly calls, snacks, drinks and fun.

I-937 Legislative Action Night
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Thursdays, March. 19 & 26, or April 2 & 9

Location:
Sierra Club Offices
180 Nickerson St., Suite 202 (by the old I-937 campaign offices)
Seattle, WA 98109
Google Map

If you will be able to attend one or more of these days, please sign up for a day by e-mailing me at cy {at} nwenergy.org

Calling From Home:
If you are not available to attend one of these phone banks on Thursday night but are able to call from home, you can still help. To learn more contact me at cy {at} nwenergy.org

If you would like more information on the status of I-937 and ESSB 5840, please visit www.nwenergy.org/issues/937





Our postal address is
811 1st Ave, #305
Seattle, Washington 98104
United States

[eridani]

50. Update

It has been a while since you volunteered to help pass Initiative 937, but because of your incredible support we were able to pass this historic initiative. We are now in crunch time in state legislature to stop rollbacks to I-937 and need your help in the next week.

The state Senate voted to pass a bill that will cut the amount of new renewable power called for in I-937 by up to 75% or more. Senate Bill 5854 is now in the House where a key committee will decide the fate of I-937. If we can get a majority of support in this House committee, we can stop the bill and prevent I-937 from being gutted.

We need your help calling other I-937 supporters who live in key districts to ask them to call their legislators and urge them to stop Senate Bill 5840.

Can you join us this Thursday to make some friendly calls?

I-937 Legislative Action Night
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Thursday, March. 19
Also, next Thursday on March 26 if you are not available tomorrow

Location:
Sierra Club Offices
180 Nickerson St., Suite 202 (by the old I-937 campaign offices)
Seattle, WA 98109

If you will be able to attend this Thursday or next week, please let me know by e-mailing me at cy {at} nwenergy.org

For more information on Senate Bill 5854 and attempts to roll back I-937 please visit http://www.nwenergy.org/issues/937

Thanks,

Cy

[eridani]

54. FUSE legislative session summary 4/3/09

The 2009 State legislative session has moved into its final quarter. There's less than a month left. We know the budget is a mess, but how is everything else going? Is it really a disaster on all fronts, or does it just seem like it?

In the past ten weeks, thousands of Fuse members have reached out to lawmakers in support of a number of important progressive bills - legislation aimed at reducing global warming pollution, cleaning up political campaigns, providing health care to all Washingtonians, improving consumer protections, and strengthening civil rights protections.

Here's the third-quarter score on the issues Fuse has been covering:

Budget

With a $9 billion deficit, lawmakers are trying to balance a budget that will take Washington through 2011. The Governor, the Senate, and the House have all proposed budgets balanced by cuts alone, and the consequences are frightening.1

The impacts of balancing the budget with cuts alone will be felt across the state - larger class sizes for our kids, thousands left without basic health care, and decreased funding for hospitals and nursing homes. The proposed cuts just go too deep. Tell your legislators we need a better solution.

Here at Fuse, we've been urging lawmakers to keep all options for reducing spending and raising revenue on the table.

(Give the Legislature your input by balancing the budget yourself at www.YouBudget.org.)

Global Warming

The Legislature's efforts on global warming have generally been a disaster; lawmakers are definitely fumbling the ball on reducing global warming pollution this year. Three bills and one voter-approved initiative to tackle global warming and build a clean energy economy have faced serious challenges this session.


The Governor's global warming bill (E2SSB 5735, formerly known as "Cap and Invest") has been drastically weakened and accomplishes very little in its current form. Some people now refer to it as the "and" bill, as both the "Cap" provisions and the "Invest" provisions have been removed. There is no hope for resurrecting this bill to its formerly ambitious state at this point.
The Transit-Oriented Communities bill (HB 1490) failed to make it out of either the House or Senate and is dead in its tracks. The bill would have promoted affordable, walkable communities connected by public transit and required cities, counties, and regions to begin planning for ways to improve transportation choices and reduce their global warming pollution.
As if these failures weren't enough, the Senate voted 27-21 to pass SB 5840 to roll back Initiative 937, the Clean Energy Initiative. Voters approved I-937 three years ago to ensure that 15% of the electricity from Washington's largest utilities comes from new renewable energy sources by 2020, and the Senate seriously weakened this law. The House has been unwilling to go along, and a compromise is now under consideration. The compromise proposal reduces the damage considerably (although it still weakens the Initiative), but adds a positive by including an extension of renewable energy tax credits.
This year's Efficiency First bills are the lone bright spot on the global warming front. SHB 1747 and SSB 5854 were overwhelmingly passed by their respective chambers. These companion bills strengthen energy codes. They allow for energy efficiency policy planning and mandate commercial building efficiency performance scores, studies of efficiency scores for residential buildings, and efficiency standards for public buildings. The Legislature is expected to adopt a version that reconciles the differences.

Clean Elections and Good Government

SB 6035 is a piece of good news in this year's legislative session. It tackles one of the biggest rip-offs in Washington - a loophole that allows conservative business associations to divert funds from a State workers compensation program into attack ads. Washington's biggest and most conservative trade association - the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) - diverted nearly $7 million into attack ads last year alone. They skim the money from workers compensation refunds owed to employers - businesses that need their hard-earned money to maintain and create jobs.

SB 6035 fixes this problem by requiring the Department of Labor and Industries to institute greater transparency and stronger accountability in the State workers compensation insurance program. It calls for restrictions on the use of workers compensation funds by trade associations that manage the program's workplace safety rebate, called Retro, stopping them from using State dollars for political purposes. Conservative business associations are pulling out all the stops to kill this bill. SB 6035 squeaked through the Senate with one vote and can pass the House if the public demands it!

Equal Rights

Equal rights is another bright spot in this year's legislative session. SB 5688 is a further expansion of the Domestic Partnership registry established in 2007 and expanded again in 2008. SB 5688 is likely to succeed despite strong opposition from conservatives. When enacted into law registered domestic partners will have over 400 legal protections under state law, but still none of the over 1,100 federal protections of marriage. It's not marriage equality but it is meaningful protection.

SB 5688 passed the Senate 30-18. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 6.

Consumer Protection

Predatory Lending

In Washington State right now it's actually legal to make small dollar loans that work as paycheck advances with interest rates up to 2,700%! An average payday loan borrower repays a whopping $827 to borrow $339.

Passage of ESHB 1709 would reduce these predatory payday loans by giving borrowers more options and time to repay loans and by limiting the number of loans one person can accrue. The bill offers immediate access to a 90-day or 180-day repayment plan - far better than current law provides. This is the furthest lawmakers have ever gotten in the fight against predatory lending. In the past 4 years, similar bills to protect consumers never even made it out of committee. ESHB 1709 passed out of the house and was voted out of Senate committee on March 30th. The full Senate must vote on the bill by April 17.

Homeowner Bill of Rights

The Senate has passed SB 5895, the 2009 version of a Homeowner's Bill of Rights by a very narrow vote (25 to 24). At the heart of SB 5895 is a warranty that requires builders to stand behind their work for several years, giving buyers of new single family homes the assurance that if a defect is discovered, the builder will be coming back to fix it. SB 5895 was heard in the House Judiciary Committee in mid-March. For this bill to still have a chance at becoming law it has to be voted out of committee by Monday April 6.

Consumer Protection Act

SHB 1683/SSB 5531, an update to the State's Consumer Protection Act, makes sure consistent standards are applied for all Washingtonians and increases the damage limits available to consumers who win their case in both district and superior courts.

Workers' Rights

It's been a tough year for workers rights in the Legislature, best illustrated by the fate of the Worker Privacy Act (SB 5446) which sought to give employees the option of not attending employer meetings about how to vote, how to worship, whether to support a union, or other matters of individual conscience. Under heavy pressure to kill the bill from Boeing and other businesses, legislative leadership used an email from the State Labor Council as an excuse to kill the bill, and even requested a widely panned State Patrol investigation into the email message. The State Patrol quickly concluded that no laws had been broken, but the bill is still dead.2

Health Care

SSB 5945, a measure that would make it a goal to provide health care coverage to all Washingtonians by 2012, passed the Senate. The budget crisis precludes a more aggressive approach this year. The bill was heard in the House Committee on Health & Human Services Appropriations earlier this week. The committee must refer it on to the House Rules committee by April 6.

Take Action

So it's been a challenging and ambitious legislative session. Some critical bills have fumbled and some are in the end zone. In this last month of the session, it's up to us. Use our email letter writing tool to tell your legislators how you feel about the current slate of progressive legislation and keep moving forward!

Click here to write a letter:

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/stateleg

Thanks for all you do,

Michael Grenetz, Fuse


1State Senate budget plan would rescind gains by Andrew Garber; published Seattle Times March 31, 2009: (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008952196_budget31m.html )

2The "Neverending Saga" of worker privacy bill by David Goldstein published on Horsesass.org March 18. 2009: http://horsesass.org/?p=14130

[eridani]

55. Retain funding for the Labor Education and Resource Center.

I'm happy to report that the House Ways and Means Committee has added a proviso to fund the Labor Education and Research Center at The Evergreen State College. I know that many of you took the time to email the House leadership, and I'm sure that played a role.

But the campaign isn't over. The House proviso, like that in the Senate, only provides $100,000 in funding for the Labor Center, which would cut the Center's budget in half just at a time when the Washington State Labor Council has pushed to double the budget.

If you already contacted legislative leaders on this issue, thanks for your efforts. If you haven't yet made contact, it's not too late. Please send emails urging that the funding be kept at the current level or higher to:

linville.kelli {at} leg.wa.gov and chopp.frank {at} leg.wa.gov for the House; and
prentice.margarita {at} leg.wa.gov and brown.lisa {at} leg.wa.gov for the Senate.

As a reminder, the emails can be very brief, but should stress that working people in Washington State need the Labor Center, and that the provisos need to ensure funding for at least $200,000 in order to maintain the small program that we already have.

Thanks.

In solidarity,
Paul Bigman

[eridani]

56. King County Legislative Action Committee update 4/9/09

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee
Alert and Update
April 8, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
in this issue
-- Homeowner's Bill of Rights - Update from NW Progressive Institute
-- Pay Day Lending from Sarajane Siegfriedt
-- General Assistance - Unemployable from Sarajane Siegfriedt
-- Education Updatre from Kathleen Reynolds
-- Labor Update from Brad Larssen
-- King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee
-- Sign The LAC Budget Petition to Governor Gregoire
Our Democratic legislative agenda includes a Homeowner Bill of Rights (Safe Homes Guarantee), curbs on predatory payday lending and maintaining the safety net for vulnerable disabled adults called General Assistance-- Unemployable. As we count down to the Legislature' s last day on April 26th, here are three urgent messages to give your legislators.

Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562- 6000 and leave a message for your Senator and Representatives asking them to suppport the Homeowner's Bill of Rights and HB 1709 the Payday Lending bill, and to fully fund GAU in the budget. Ask them to consider all options, including new revenue, to create a budget that reflects our priorities. The format for email is lastname.firstname@ leg.wa.gov

Also included is an Education Update and Labor Update. These bills also need your attention and efforts to persuade the Legislature to act.
Please contact your legislators and urge they act on these items now.

Thanks for your help!

Homeowner's Bill of Rights - Update from NW Progressive Institute
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Revised safe homes guarantee bill moves to Senate floor, now awaiting vote
As of Monday of this week one of our top legislative priorities, the Homeowner's Bill of Rights, or Safe Homes Guarantee, is still moving forward and has survived the most recent legislative cutoff.

The bill, E2SHB 1393 (originally prime sponsored by Larry Springer, D-45th District) was voted out of Ways & Means with a do pass recommendation, after having been modified by a new striking amendment (PDF).

The latest amendment did not alter the statutory warranty that is at the heart of the bill; rather, the Committee simply made a few adjustments to polish up the bill. The new language clarifies that municipal building inspectors are not liable under the law, and makes the Attorney General (or its designee) responsible for the consumer education for home construction account that 1393 would create.

Following Ways & Mean's executive action, the bill was handed off to the Senate Rules Committee, which quickly placed it on the Senate's floor calendar.

E2SHB 1393 now awaits its turn to be debated on the Senate floor.

Republicans such as Janea Holmquist are likely to offer floor amendments to gut the bill, but such changes are equally likely to be rejected.

Readers, now is a great time to call your Senators and urge them to support E2SHB 1393, especially those Democrats who voted against SB 5895.

I bolded the word call because legislators are currently deluged with email (we're approaching the end of session) and your message might not get read. Better to call and leave a phone message for your senator if he or she is unavailable.

To obtain the telephone number for your senator, navigate over to the Senate Democratic and Republican caucus webpages. Click a member's name to find the phone number for his or her district office. (It'll have a 360 area code).

April 7th Update - placed on 2nd reading by Senate Rules Committee

Pay Day Lending from Sarajane Siegfriedt
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Payday Lending Bill needs just one more floor vote!
.ESHB 1709, Providing fee and installment plan assistance for borrowers at risk of default on small loans. To view a summary, read the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report. Note that, at $15 per $100 borrowed, each two-week payday loan costs 390% annual interest. Borrowers average five loans over 10 weeks. (That's 15% times 26 paydays in a year.) So limiting the number of loans (currently limited to eight in the bill) to four would be an improvement.

The payday lending bill has until April 17th to be amended and voted off the Senate floor. This is the first time any payday lending bill has even gotten out of committee and we are very hopeful, but there are a number of Senators who need to hear from constituents to make this a priority and to secure their votes.

Our suggested message: "Help stop the cycle of debt and protect borrowers. Strengthen ESHB 1709 by lowering the number of loans per year from 8 to 4 in a 12-month period."

For any questions about this bill and its effect on our community, please contact Sarajane Siegfriedt. She has been working on this issue for a number of years.

April 7 update - placed on 2nd reading by Senate Rules Committee

General Assistance - Unemployable from Sarajane Siegfriedt
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Subject to massive budget cuts--a matter of life and death
In Washington, General Assistance - Unemployable helps disabled people with basic medical coverage through GAU Medical and with a modest $339 monthly cash grant. These modest supports are often the only tools GAU clients have available to them while they are temporarily disabled or while they are waiting to transition onto federal Social Security or veterans benefits.

Earlier this week the Seattle Times argued the needs of General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) clients are "less-urgent" and therefore GAU should be eliminated. The King County Democrats firmly disagree. In fact, GAU clients have the most urgent needs. These needs, if not met, will cost Washington State, our counties, and cities millions of dollars far into the future; 21,000 people depend on GAU's $339 for - housing, food, and other basic needs - an amount that has not increased since 1981 and which doesn't account for the increased cost of living over the last 18 years. Having resources available to deal with urgent health issues is important to most GAU clients, especially the half who suffer from debilitating mental illness. Losing their Medicaid benefits will have them literally wandering the streets.

If you agree that these budget cuts are short- sighted, tell your Senator and your Representatives now: don't cut GA-U. It will cost us too much in hospital and jail visits, and some people will likely die as a result. Our communities can't afford that.

Education Updatre from Kathleen Reynolds
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Because it is such a big chunk of the state budget (44% of the general fund) education really took a hit in the House and Senate 2010-2011 budgets. Both houses proposed budgets would severely cut money to decrease class sizes (I-728 funds) which means between 3,000 and 5,000 teachers could lose their jobs.

From Kim Howard, Washington State PTA: "This budget proposal certainly speaks to the need to continue to work for structural reform of K-12 education funding, so that when times are tough we cannot cut so deeply into core services." Everything defined as "basic education" is protected from budget cuts, so it is crucial to update the definition of basic education to reflect the needs of our schools today.

HB 2261 (Sullivan, Goodman, Springer) Redefining the state's education system · More detailed than the Senate bill with a six year implementation schedule · April 3 The bill had a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

April 6 passed to Senate Rules for 2nd reading

SB 6048 (Oemig) Redefining the state's education system. · April 4 Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means. April 6th - passed to House Rules for 2nd reading

Addendum from Steve Zemke - Urge House and Senate members to find ways to adequately fund the education of our children and not just ignore the dire consequences of such drastic cuts as proposed in the current budget proposals.

Labor Update from Brad Larssen
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WORKER PRIVACY ACT: HB 1528 / SB 5446

---We need to send as much email support as possible ASAP to urge that the Worker Privacy Act be brought to a vote. And voted yes. This bill has had the votes to pass for quite some time. Nearly 1/2 of the Legislators are sponsors! Not just the supporters agree, but the opponents agree as well. Corporate Lobbyist Trent House emailed Bill McSherry of the Governor's staff on March 6: "THIS BILL MUST NOT COME UP FOR A VOTE OR IT WILL PASS WITH A LARGE MARGIN AND COMPEL THE SENATE TO ACT AS WELL." There are video clips of Governor Gregoire and Speaker Chopp publicly supporting this legislation. Lisa Brown spoke publicly in favor of it on Feb. 26. Yet a few days after this ultimatum from a corporate lobbyist, these three individuals, our party's leadership in State Government, stopped this bill from coming to a vote. False charges were made that one email in support of this bill could be "illegal." The bill was withdrawn, kept from a vote, and a show was made of sending this email to the State Patrol for investigation.

This worked fine for a few days as a pretext for killing a bill with overwhelming statewide support. But after a few days, the State Patrol has investigated and determined that no laws were broken. This bill, that was killed and withdrawn under false pretenses, must now be brought to a VOTE. This is no longer merely a labor issue. It has become an issue of due process and of subverting our democratic processes of representative government and majority rule. Please email Speaker Chopp and Senate Majority leader Brown and urge a vote on this bill. The following link will connect you with an electrronic message to your legislators and cc: Gregoire, Chopp, and Brown: http://www.wslc. org/reports/ 2009/March/ 19.htm#Thurs day

SHB 1555: UNDERGROUND ECONOMY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

-April 7 - placed on 2nd reading by Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5613: ISSUE STOP WORK ORDERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROVISIONS

-April 6 - placed on 2nd reading by House Rules Committee .

These bills address sanctions and penalties for employers who do not pay the required state taxes on their employees.

SB 5963: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - IMPORTANT CHANGE IN STATUS: WE NOW RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF THIS BILL AS AMENDED by the House Committee on Commerce & Labor on March 27. Two important amendments requested by Labor have been added: - 1. Restore the benefit multiplier to 4.0 (The traditional level, before it was cut in 2005.) - 2. Restore agency discretion in determining good-cause quits. - This adds balance to the significant tax cuts for business included in this bill. This bill has been placed on 2nd reading by the House Rules Committee

King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
.The King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee is co-chaired by Sarajane Siegfriedt and Steve Zemke.

The LAC meets the third Sunday of every month from 2 PM to 4 PM at various libraries around King County. Meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend and particvipate and help pass legislation that adheres to the Democratic policies of the King County Democrats.
To help support the King County Democrats go to the King County Democrats website and make a donation. Suggested membership donation is $40 per year.

Sign The LAC Budget Petition to Governor Gregoire
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
At the last LAC meeting we adopted a resolution opposing an all cuts budget and proposed that a starting point for budget issues should be to look at a 50% cut/50% new revenue proposal to avoid a shutdown and drastic reduction in many state services.
Read our letter sent to Governor Gregoire and sign our petition. Thanks.


Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
email: stevezemke {at} msn.com
web: http://www.kcdems.org

[eridani]

58. Contact governor on voting rights bill.

HB1517, the voting rights restoration bill, will most likely go through concurrence tomorrow, Tuesday April 21st. We feel confident that the House will concur with the Senate. You will recall the bill was amended late in the process with an amendment from Senator Carrell. Under the amendment, the right to vote is automatic but provisionally restored to everyone who is no longer incarcerated, in work release or on probation or parole. That right *may* be revoked if the defendant willfully fails to pay LFOs three times within a 12 month period. The county clerk or the victim *may* ask the court to hold a hearing and the court* may* revoke the right. Although we agree that the amendment isn’t perfect, we feel the amended bill is important because it will automatically restore the right to vote for thousands of Washington citizens who will be able to vote shortly after the Governor signs the bill.

Action:

We need everyone to contact the Governor Today! Advocates can leave her a message through the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 or through her office at 360-902-4111.

Message:

Please sign HB 1517, as amended, into law. HB 1517 will automatically restore voting rights for thousands of Washingtonians. The opportunity to become civically engaged will help reduce recidivism and create stronger communities -- in particular in communities of color and low-income communities.



Gabriela Quintana
Voting Rights Advocate
Voting Rights Restoration Campaign
705 Second Ave. 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
[phone]

[eridani]

59. Contact representatives on predatory lending bill.

Thank you for taking action against predatory lending in the past. Today we need you to take action again. The payday lending industry is lobbying the legislature very hard right now and the Senate is stalling on voting on ESHB 1709.

Please take 2 minutes TODAY and contact your lawmakers to ensure payday loan consumer protections are passed this session. ESHB 1709 is a bill that would protect consumers by instituting a repayment plan of 90-180 days and would help borrowers from getting caught in the cycle of debt. The longer they wait for a vote, the more time that payday lenders have to try to weaken the bill.

Please call your Senator right now at 1800-562-6000 and send them a message urging them to “Move for a vote on ESHB 1709 right now and pass the payday lending bill as passed by the House.”

Senators are hearing from the other side right now- so they need to be hearing from us even louder! Please take a quick second to call or e-mail your lawmakers and please forward this to others. If you want some more details or background on the bill, please e-mail me or call for more information at 206-300-0222.

Thank you for taking speedy action to protect consumers,
Danielle

[eridani]

60. A fitting end to an anti-worker session

http://washtech.org/news/legislative/display.php?ID_Content=5315
)

If there was any doubt remaining about whether corporate interests superseded those of working families in the 2009 Legislature, it evaporated in the session's final weekend.

The State Senate, where Democrats have a 31-18 majority, refused to concur with the House-approved version of SSB 5963, the unemployment insurance bill. The Senate voted to strip the bill of its restoration to a 4.0 benefit multiplier, an $8 to $19 weekly benefit increase that would have taken effect next year when the temporary benefit increase expires. The Senate also voted to CUT benefits by taking away the discretion of the Employment Security commissioner to award benefits in unique circumstances of good-cause quits.

What remained was a permanent business tax cut lowering 2010-2015 rates about $377 million, and when the economy recovers, about $1.6 billion every five years after that.

The Senate did approve a small technical change that will allow unemployed workers who've exhausted their yearly benefits in Washington to continue to receive federal benefits. This no-brainer doesn't cost the state a penny and helps an estimated 22,000 workers.

Even so, what it took to pass even this amendment was absurd. And the Senate added insulting unaccountability to working-family injury by taking extraordinary steps to try to keep you from finding out how they voted on all this.

Here's how this black comedy played out.

When it became clear the Senate would strip the amendments from SSB 5963, Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Kent) did the right thing to create some accountability by demanding a roll-call vote on each of the three House amendments. Nine votes are all that are needed. But unfortunately, five of the nine Senators who said they would sustain the motion for a roll-call vote did not.

Shock at this betrayal led to chaos on the floor as Democratic Lt. Governor Brad Owen, who presides over the Senate, went forward with a stand-up non-recorded vote on the first amendment before Senators even understood what they were voting on. Sen. Chris Marr (D-Spokane) had posed the original motion as non-concurrence rather than a positive motion and... well, we're getting a little "inside baseball" here. In the end, many Senators not only didn't know what amendment they were voting on, but they were also confused whether to vote "yes" or "no."

[eridani]

61. The good, the bad and the ugly from King County Legislative Action Committee

King County Democrats LAC 2009 Legislative Wrap-Up Newsletter
May 3, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee Wrap-up Newsletter for the just completed 2009 Washington State Legislative session. If there are bills not covered that you want to know what happened to them, go to www.leg.wa.gov and search under bill information.

Many people helped make our Legislative efforts possible. If I leave your name out I am sorry, but here are some of the people who helped this session to cover bills of concern to King County Democrats. Specials thanks to Kathleen Reynolds, Brad Larssen, Noemie Maxwell, Andrew Villeneuve, Margaret Shield, Lisa Plymate, Craig Salins, Marcee Stone, David Spring, Bill Austin, Elizabeth Younger, Don Bennett, Bob Loeliger, Chad Lupkes, and to King County Democratic Chair Suzie Sheary.

The next LAC meeting will be Sunday May 17, 2009 from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th St in Shoreline. The LAC meets every third Sunday of the month.

Steve Zemke and Sarajane Siegfriedt are Co-chairs of the King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee.

Housing and Human Services - Sarajane Siegfriedt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The State Housing Trust Fund was cut 50% from $200 million in the current biennium to $100 million, the same level the Governor recommended. The Capital Budget was drained by having to fill some one-time holes in the operating budget, so advocates felt lucky to retain $100 million, especially since the Senate had proposed cutting it to $30 million. At that level, awards for new low-income housing projects would have come to a halt this fall. The State Housing Trust Fund provides the seed money for most low-income housing projects and is considered essential to the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

General Assistance-Unemployble (GA-U) is the safety net for 21,000 mostly single adults, as well as their eligibility for Medicaid. While the Governor proposed to eliminate the program as "outdated," the House insisted that it be retained, at about 80% of the current level. Cuts are supposed to come from better monitoring and from moving more people onto Social Security or back into employment.

Many other endangered human services programs were retained, notably adult day health. Adult family homes, group homes and supported living for people with developmental disabilities are cut 3%. Substance abuse treatment is cut substantially. Drug courts will survive, and a new program to provide housing for newly released prisoners will help curb homelessness and help felons establish stable lives.

A payday lending bill passed both houses, but only after dramatic turns orchestrated by Rep. Sharon Nelson. The bill had been eviscerated by a Senated striker amendment, but the House "receded from the amendment" and sent it back to the Senate. The Senate insisted on its position and sent it back to the House. The House adhered to its position and the Senate receeded from its amendments.

A bill to make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against Sec. 8 voicher holders and other on government subsidies (income source discrimination) passed the House but died before being voted on in the Senate.




Education - Kathleen Reynolds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a year when state services were cut across the board, education fared better than most. The problem is, school districts across the state are already struggling to balance their books with inadequate funds. Washington has one of the highest average class sizes, and one of the lowest amounts of money spent per pupil in the country.

The biennial budget cuts around $800 million from K-12 education, including suspending citizen initiative requested pay increases for two years, and cutting nearly two-thirds of I-728 money, the initiative to help lower class sizes. These cuts were possible because these programs are not included in the state's definition of basic education. The average school district will see a state funding cut of 2.6 percent.

But not all results were bad. Passage of a bill expanding the definition of basic education should mean greater funding of our schools by 2018.
Two years ago, the legislature created the Basic Education Joint Task Force to redefine basic education (what the state is required to pay for) and to create a funding structure for it. Their work resulted in two bills this session, HB 1410 and SB 5444, which had much bipartisan legislative support.

Education stakeholders couldn't agree on some aspects of the bills, so a few legislators took it upon themselves to start over with two "empty bills," HB 2261 and SB 6048, which were then fleshed out to include much of the earlier bills' provisions, leaving out the controversial pieces.

That brought most stakeholders to the table except for the Washington Education Association, the state teachers union, who lobbied vigorously against them. Supporters of the two bills included the state school superintendent, Randy Dorn, the state school board chair, the WSPTA, the League of Education Voters, the League of Women Voters, organized labor and many others.
The WEA's public objections were a dislike of "merit pay" which was not included in the second set of bills, and a desire to focus on restoring school funding right now instead of planning for the future.

In the end, HB 2261 was delivered to the governor on April 23.
Its key provisions are:
· A more transparent funding model
· Universal all-day kindergarten
· Increased high school graduation course requirements
· A six period day in high school and middle school, up from the current five hours

· Work groups to study finance and teacher compensation
Work for next session:
Now that we know where our money will be going, we must find a stable, secure form of revenue for schools. Funding the new, expanded definition of basic education could cost an extra $2 billion per year. We must think boldly and work with other organizations to form the critical mass necessary to change our tax structure.
The commitment of all stakeholders will be necessary to fund this promise to our children.

.

Education - a Second View - David Spring
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 2009 legislative session saw considerable debate on the future of our public schools. We are currently about 45th in the nation in school funding despite having one of the top 20 economies in America. In the end, the 2009 legislature:

1. Cut over one billion dollars in school funding including eliminating funding for about 5,000 teachers, eliminating Cost of Living Adjustments for the remaining 50,000 teachers and robbing over a half billion dollars from the school construction fund (Senate Bill 5600.. Also called the "all cuts" budget).

2. Passed what the press called "a sweeping overhaul of Washington state's K-12 education system" (House Bill 2261) which when one reads the fine print was nothing more than another set of empty promises and unfunded mandates. The truth about HB 2261 is that it does not provide a single additional penny in funding for public schools and instead sets up yet another work group to continue to study how to provide adequate funding for public schools. This will be about the 10th School Funding Work Group in the past 15 years to be charged with the task of coming up with some money for public schools. None of the other work groups came up with a single penny in funding ideas. So it is unlikely that this work group will be any different. In recognition of this fact, the legislature gave itself the next 10 years to actually fund our schools. Even worse, the bill eliminates the current minimum level of funding which is why the Washington Education Association opposed the bill. HB 2261 is of course completely unconstitutional because our Constitution does not require school funding to be delayed for 10 years from now. Instead, our Constitution gives our legislature both the power and the "paramount duty" to fully fund public schools now.

3. The legislature had lots of options to actually fund public schools. For example, the Legislature could have passed House Bill 2350 (the Fair School Funding Act), which would have provided billions of dollars in additional funding for public schools by closing a 1997 tax loophole that exempted over one trillion dollars of intangible property from our State property taxes. So what really happened this session was that 5,000 public school teachers were fired to protect billions of dollars in tax breaks for millionaires.

4. But while the Legislature did not want to give up tax breaks for millionaires to fund public schools, they had no problem increasing property taxes on the middle class. Senate Bill 6138 amends House Bill 1776 to raise the school levy property tax cap from the current 24% to 35%. The last time school levy rates were this high was during the 1975 recession when over 40% of our school districts suffered catastrophic school levy failures. This in turn led to the Seattle One lawsuit in which Judge Doran ruled that high levy rates were inherently unconstitutional because they were not a reliable source of funding. In 1978, the legislature lowered the State wide levy cap to 10% and raised school funding 11th in the nation.. The real problem with high levy rates is that it will worsen our two-tier system of public schools. This is a violation not just Article 9, Section One of our Constitution, but also Article 9, Section Two which calls for a "uniform system of public schools." Clearly our current legislature is not only willing to ignore our State Constitution, they are also willing to ignore our State court rulings

5. But it gets worse. Because the legislature is also attempting to repeal the Levy Equalization Act and reduce Levy equalization funding used to help poor school districts. This has not been done yet. But the main reason for the "extra session" is to permit our richest school districts to vote against funding for our poorest school districts. This is yet another violation of Article 9, Section 2 of our State Constitution as well as violating the Seattle One (also called Doran One) Court decision.

We already have some of the most over-crowded schools and highest drop out rates in the nation. We are dead last in the percent of 9th Graders who go on to complete college. Expect things to get worse. The time has come to put an Initiative on the ballot. If the legislature refuses to fund public schools, then let's do it ourselves. Attached is more information on the Fair School Funding Act. Regards, David Spring


Criminal Justice - Noemie Maxwell
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Restoration of Voting Rights
In a major victory that will change the electoral landscape of this state (assuming the Governor signs it - it's been delivered to her and is expected to be signed), people who complete their prison terms and community supervision will automatically have their voting rights restored. No longer will the ability to vote be based on the ability to pay for people with felonies. The bill was weakened by an amendment that makes it possible for a person to have this right revoked if shown they have not paid their legal financial obligations willfully. However, it is still a victory.

3-Strikes
Senate Bill 5292 passed in the committee of origin and made the first session cutoff. It was even included in the Senate Proposed budget as "necessary to implement budget". But it did not make it out of Rules.

Speaker Chopp indicated opposition to this bill as it is written and legislators were understandably unwilling to devote precious time to a bill he would oppose. SB 5292 can be moved forward as is or in an amended form next session. Additional groundwork needs to be done to support that potential. The prosecutors association has acknowledged that there are problems with the way the law was implemented in its early years. Compromise appears possible. In the meantime, grassroots pressure is critical.

Here's some of what has been accomplished:

Thousands of people have been reached about the need to reform 3-Strikes through blog stories, letters to the editor, and other community outreach.

A minimum estimated 500 contacts with legislators were made (we believe it's closer to double that), including face-to-face meetings, calls, letters, and emails.
Advocates took part in five lobby days.
Twenty-four organizations signed onto a statement supporting 3-Strikes reform. http://fix3strikes.org.
The hearing room for SB 5292 was filled.

We believe that the "buzz" created by the campaign contributed to positive mainstream media coverage in King, Snohomish, Yakima, and Kittitas counties.
Please sign onto the Rapid Response at www.justiceisnogame.org for 1-4 emails per month on key times to contact legislators.



Labor by Brad Larssen

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Successes:

SB 5319: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL
- This bill, passed early in the session at the Governor's request., temporarily increases weekly unemployment insurance payments by $45, on claims filed before January 2010. This increase expires in 2010, at the end of those claims.

SHB 1555: UNDERGROUND ECONOMY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
- Passed both houses. Delivered to Governor April 25.

SB 5613: ISSUE STOP WORK ORDERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF CERTAIN WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROVISIONS
- Passed both houses. Delivered to Governor April 17.

These 2 bills address and provide sanctions and penalties for employers who do not pay the required state taxes on their employees (workers' compensation taxes and unemployment insurance taxes). And they level the playing field for honest contractors who do pay their state taxes.

Failures:

SSB 5963: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: PERMANENT CHANGES
- This bill originally passed the Senate with large tax breaks for business, but nothing requested by Labor for workers.
- In the house, certain amendments requested by Labor were added:
- 1. Restore the benefit multiplier to 4.0 (The traditional level, before it was cut in 2005.)
- 2. Restore agency discretion in determining good-cause quits.
- This added balance to the significant tax cuts for business included in this bill.
- April 24 - The Senate refused to concur with these amendments added by the House. This was done by a standing vote head-count, called "Division of the house." It was done without a roll-call vote, with no official record of who voted how, and off-camera to TVW viewers. Very undemocratic procedure for a major and controversial bill!
- April 26 - The House then receded from these amendments, 71-25, amendments that they had approved a few days before by a vote of 53-45. This too almost happened without a roll-call vote. In short, several Democrats switched and voted with the Republicans on this bill.
- The Senate then concurred. Delivered to the Governor (with tax breaks for business, but without these 2 amendments approved by the House last week.)

HB 1528: WORKER PRIVACY ACT
- This bill was killed by Democratic Leadership in the State Legislature and Executive, by not allowing it to come to a vote, in a highly unorthodox and unprecedented manner. It was kept from a vote on a pretext that was proven to be false. But the bill was still not allowed to be brought to a vote. A lot of promises were made that we would take this up again next year. We intend to hold those legislators to those promises, and see that this bill gets a roll-call floor vote next session.

Summary:
- In a wide variety of categories, the minority party and the business lobbyists who largely finance them had their way far too often this session. Too many Democrats vote with the Republicans far too often, killing a lot of necessary and progressive legislation supported by our party, our members, and our political allies. And this is occuring despite holding significant majorities in both houses and the Governor's office. We need to address this situation if we expect to have a more successful legislative session next year.


AARP Analysis of session - from an e-mail from AARP
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An "All Cuts" Budget
Lawmakers took an "all cuts" approach to solving the budget crisis and did not use federal Medicaid stimulus dollars for the intended purpose:
No new revenues - Proposals to generate new revenues -- including an increase in the sales tax to buy back health care cuts and a high incomes tax measure - quickly fell by the way side. Instead, lawmakers chopped their way out of the red.
Stimulus Funds Diverted - Washington received $2 billion in enhanced Medicaid funds from the federal government to shore up our health and long term care safety net. But instead of using these funds to supplement state Medicaid spending, lawmakers diverted much of the windfall in state Medicaid savings to plug other holes in the budget. In addition, as they cut Medicaid services and reimbursement, they lost the opportunity to draw down more federal funds, effectively leaving federal money on the table.

2. Health and Long Term Care Cuts
Out of a total of more than $4 billion in cuts across the board, health and long term care services sustained a nearly $1 billion hit. The benefits and services that were cut will be revisited in the 2010 session as lawmakers begin to see the real life impact of weakening our health care safety net.

The Basic Health Plan - More than 40,000 people will be dropped from the Basic Health Plan which now covers over 100,000 people, nearly one-third of whom are over the age of 50. This state subsidized plan for low-income people provides a rare opportunity for affordable coverage for older people who no longer have employer based health coverage but aren't yet eligible for Medicare. Now there's one less option on the table.
Adult Day Health & Home Care -These services are parts of the puzzle that people put together to keep loved ones at home or in their own communities when they need long term care. A 70% reduction in Adult Day Health and a 3-4% reduction in home care hours will make aging in place harder to achieve -- and drive people towards more expensive nursing home care.
Provider Reimbursement Rates- In addition to these direct service cuts, the entire health care infrastructure will be weakened as hospitals and other providers feel the double hit of reimbursement rate cuts and an increase in uncompensated care as the number of uninsured grows.

3. Health Benefits Preserved
Lawmakers backed away from additional health care cuts that would impact seniors:

The Medicare Part D Co-Pay Program - This program, which covers prescription co-pays for very low-income seniors and people with disabilities, is preserved. Without assistance, many of these individuals would skimp or skip needed medications.
Medicaid vision, hearing and dental benefits - Low-income residents of our state will continue to get the coverage they need to update glasses and purchase hearing aides and will continue to have access to dental care, although they will face a 4% reduction in dental coverage.

4. Building Blocks for State Health Care Reform
At the same time that lawmakers cut back on existing coverage, they also voted to put in place key building blocks for future reform, including:

The Washington Health Partnership Plan, 2SSB5945. This bill sets in place a process to leverage federal funds in order to expand health care coverage to up to 70% of the uninsured. In addition, it establishes an advisory group to work with the Governor to align state health reform efforts with national reform and achieve the goal of covering all Washingtonians by 2014.
Administrative Simplification, SSB5346. Thirty cents of every health care dollar is consumed by administrative expenses. This bill establishes streamlined and uniform administrative procedures so we can control these costs.
Secure Exchange of Health Information, SB5501. The inability to securely share critical health information inhibits the delivery of safe, efficient care. This bill establishes a public-private process to improve patient access to and control of their own health care information and implement methods for the secure exchange of clinical data.

5. Consumer Protections
Several measures passed that will protect consumers and build financial security. Two of these include:

Regulating Pay Day Lending, ESHB 1709. This bill requires installment plans to help borrowers pay off their original small loan without having to resort to taking out subsequent loans and also limits the total number of loans per borrower. While this is short of the original goal of capping interest rates, it will help low-income people from falling into a downward spiral of debt.
Reverse Mortgage Lending Practices, EHB1311. Reverse mortgages are complicated products that consumers often don't understand. This bill includes protections protect consumers from misleading marketing practices.


Environment - Steve Zemke
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The session was hard for the environmental community and met with limited success.

Success:

reducing climate solution in the built environment - "Efficiency First"
HB 1747 - 2nd substitute passed House, Senate Ways and Means referred back to House without action
SB 5854 - Senate passed, House ameded, Senate concurred, Delivered to Governor to sign



Failures:

reducing greenhouse gases - "cap and trade"
HB 1819 - died in House Rules
SB 5735 - substitute bill passed Senate, amended in House, died in Senate Rules

reeducing amount of petroleum in storm water -"invest in clean water"
HB 1614 - passed by House, Sanate referred back to House Rules
SB 5518 - stopped in Senate Wauys and Means

reducing greenhouse gases through land use and transportation - "transit oriented communities"
HB 1490 - stopped in House Rules
SB 5687 - stopped in Senate Rules

providing for safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residential sources through a producer provided and funded product stewardship program - "secure medicine return"
HB 1165 - died in House Rules
SB 5279 - Died in Seante Committee

establishing product stewardship recycling act for mercury containing lights
HB1469 - died in House Rules
SB 5843 - died in Senate Committee


Election Reform Update - Steve Zemke
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~public campaign financing for Washington State Supreme Court candidates
HB 1738 - died in House Committee

modifying voter reguistration
SB 5280 - passed by House and Senate and sent to Governor. This bill contains a couple of improving provisions, lke allowing voter reguistartion in person to occur up to 8 days before an election instead of 15 days and providing for automatic address update of your registration if you move within a county. It failed however to include same day registration and voting through election day or to require automatic voting registration that requires you to opt out if you don't want to be registered rather than having to opt in under current law.

approving the entry of Washington into the egreement among the states to elect the President by popular vote
SB 5279 - passed both House and senate and signed by the Governor


Homeowner's Bill of Rights - Steve Zemke
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SB 5895 by Senator Rodney Tom passed Senate 25 to 24, died in House Rules
HB 1393 - Rep Spring's bill passed House, died in Senate.


Quick Links...
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62. Analysis of legislative session from Progressive States

http://www.progressivestates.org/node/23102#2

Washington State Session Roundup

Budget, Tax, and Unemployment: The $31.4 billion general operations budget approved by the legislature filled a $9 billion shortfall with federal stimulus money, one-time transfers and more than $4 billion in cuts to education, health and state programs. The budget includes many cuts to health care and education and slashes $1028 billion from state employee salaries, health benefits, and other compensation, resulting in 7,000 to 8,000 lost government and public school jobs. The state's K-12 system will lose $800 million in state funds, although about half of that figure will be made up by federal stimulus aid going directly to school districts. While higher ed money has been cut as well, the state has authorized two and four year institutions to shift the burden to students by raising tuition by 7% to 14%. The $7.5 billion transportation plan, however, passed with only 8 senators voting "nay" and is projected to create 49,000 jobs. The bill puts $4 billion into more than 400 road projects over the next two years.

With no state income tax and a regressive, sales-tax-dependent tax structure, revenue generation for state and local governments is a perennial hot topic in Washington State. Lawmakers considered but failed to act on a proposal to create an income tax for the state's top earners, those earning more than $500,000. Tax fairness proponents plan to renew the effort as part of a broader campaign to improve the state's tax structure in subsequent years. Still, lawmakers approved SB 5433, which gives local governments, in particular, a little more flexibility in raising revenue. In most cases, the bill requires officials to gain local voter approval for any levy or fee increases. One positive provision allows King County, which includes Seattle, to add a 7.5 cent property tax for transit projects.

At the last minute, lawmakers passed SB 5963, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, to give employers a tax break on the premiums they pay into the state's unemployment insurance system. Earlier in the session, legislators passed HB1906, which increases jobless benefits to $225 per week through the end of the year.

Health Care: This year, lawmakers sought to preserve the state's health infrastructure so that temporary cuts to programs in eligibility and reimbursement levels can be quickly restored when the state's budget condition improves.


Painful Cuts: $2 billion in federal stimulus funding helped the state to minimize cuts to the Medicaid program, but services for adults were curtailed and reimbursements to providers were reduced. Full implementation of a voter-approved initiative to increase training for long-term care workers was delayed a year. In response to the state's budget woes, lawmakers approved a $225 million cut to the Basic Health Plan, which serves 102,000 low-income residents and provides subsidized health benefits. As a result of the cuts, 40,000 residents will lose coverage by the end of the year. The state is currently seeking advice from advocates on how to implement the cuts.

Covering Kids: Despite harmful cuts in eligibility and reimbursement to many programs, lawmakers were able to preserve a prior commitment to achieve health care for all kids and place the state on the path to health-care-for-all within 5 years. Lawmakers passed HB 2128, sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist, to confirm the state's goal of ensuring all kids have health coverage by 2010. The measure officially named the state's kids program, Apple Health for Kids. Its new provisions streamline enrollment measures (of the 75,000 uninsured children in WA, almost half are eligible but don't know it), take advantage of the federal re-authorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and modify some requirements for a twin program that will start by 2010 allowing families above 300% of poverty to buy Apple Health coverage for their children. While families below 300% of poverty will pay relatively low-cost sliding scale premiums for the program, there was concern that the level of benefits would have made the program too expensive for parents above 300%, so the required benefits have been pared down for higher income families that may elect to buy into the program.
A Reform Commission for Universal Care: In addition to moving forward on kids' care, Washington lawmakers committed to achieve health care for all Washingtonians by 2014 by passing SB 5945. Sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, the measure creates a reform advisory group to further study and develop health care reform legislation and it articulates key priorities for reform, including the choice of public or private health plans. Additionally, the bill directs the new reform advisory group to monitor state and federal progress towards health care reform and to specifically collaborate with federal lawmakers. The bill also directs the state to seek a Medicaid waiver to expand eligibility to low-income adults.

Promoting Efficiency: Other notable health care achievements in 2009 include the Health Efficiencies Act (SB 5346), which will bring providers together to define uniform administrative standards and procedures around claims reimbursement, prior authorization and other utilization systems, and establishing a standardized and electronic process to verify patients' insurance eligibility and coverage. As Sen. Keiser notes, 30 cents of every health care dollar is spent on administration, "this legislation is intended to change that." SB 5501 will bring stakeholders together to develop processes for the safe and secure exchange of clinical data and improve patients' access to and control of their health care information.
Other Bills: SB 5360 creates a grant program to help community-based coalitions serve uninsured and under-insured adults and children. SB 5892 will promote use of generic medications by state programs while ensuring patients' quality of care and use of quality drugs. HB 2105 creates a work group to create guidelines for the appropriate use of diagnostic imaging, like MRIs and CAT scans, to ensure these costly services are used when necessary. SB 5891 will test primary care medical home reimbursement pilot projects. And, to improve hospital safety, lawmakers passed two bills to beef up requirements on hospitals to publicly report medical errors and to conduct unannounced inspection of hospitals (HB 1123, HB1021). A key goal of the measures is to reduce hospital-based infections, notably staph, or MRSA, which can be prevalent in hospitals.

National Popular Vote: Washington became the 5th state to join the "electoral college pact" by enacting SB 5599 to commit the state's 61 electoral college votes for president to the winner of the national popular vote. Even though 77% of Washingtonians support national popular vote, opponents to the new law are waging a campaign to put the question to the voters in November.

Broadband: Awaiting action from the Governor, HB 1701 aims to bring new high-speed Internet access to residents, businesses, educational institutions, public health and safety services, and community organizations in under-served parts of Washington State, as well as increase broadband adoption throughout the state.

Gay and Lesbian Rights: Opponents of recognizing same-sex relationships plan to file a referendum today that repeals the latest addition of rights to the state domestic partners registry. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 5688, which substantially expands the registry to include all state rights accorded to married couples. The registry has more than 5,000 couples, most are same sex couples though some are heterosexual domestic partners.

Foster Parenting: Lawmakers enacted several bills to strengthen foster parents' rights and assure the best interests of children in the state's foster system. To create more stability for foster children, lawmakers passed HB 1782 to allow the courts to consider long absences by biological parents when deciding whether to end visitation rights and SB 5431 requires that children who are removed from their biological parents for a second time be placed with foster parents they know. Another bill, SB 5803, puts foster families on notice that if an adopted foster child needs mental health services in the future, the state will not pay for the care through the foster system. Such transparency is important, but advocates are hoping to get the state to someday pay for mental health services for adopted foster children, who often need such services because of high instances of abuse or drug use by their biological parents.

Newspaper Industry: HB 2122 provides the state's struggling newspaper industry with a temporary break on the state's main business tax. Under the proposed measure, the business and occupation tax on newspapers would be cut by 40 % through 2015.

Education: The session saw some major education reforms:


K-12 Education: Lawmakers passed HB 2261 to overhaul the public education system and redefine “basic education” for the first time in the state since 1979. The bill would phase in funding for high schoolers to achieve 24 credits and attend 6 classes per day, phase-in all day kindergarten and include early learning for at-risk children and highly capable education in the definition of "basic education". It would also create a transparent funding system so that everyone, including the public, understands how the state supports basic education, create work groups to make recommendations on how to best spend local levy funds and how teachers are hired and compensated. Lastly, it would require the Board of Education to create a comprehensive system for improvements targeted at challenged schools and districts that have not made enough improvements on their own and assign the Professional Educator Standards Board to create performance standards for teachers. The legislation was not without controversy, with the state's largest teachers' union vigorously opposing the bill. Union officials say the education overhaul is the wrong move at a time when lawmakers are likely to cut heavily from K-12 spending to make up a $9 billion budget deficit - including skipping voter-approved cost-of-living raises for teachers.

Higher Education: Revenue shortfalls mean that Washington’s institutions of higher learning will need to raise tuition rates if they are going to maintain the level of services they currently provide. Despite budget issues, the Legislature took steps to help families have better access to information that will assist in the college planning and financing processes. One large change comes in the form of HB 2021, which makes big changes to financial aid for Washington higher education students and institutions. The intent of the legislation is to promote and expand access to state financial aid. HB 1946 encourages all institutions of higher education to use common online learning technologies. HB 1025 requires college bookstores to disclose information on required course materials at least four weeks prior to the start of class. SB 5043 convenes a work group to develop a plan to create a one-stop, web-based portal for students and families planning, preparing, applying for, and attending college.

Workforce Development: Washington State made an effort to link higher education and training of students so that they can achieve the high-demand skills that are needed to grow the economy. HB 1323 (companion to SB 5048) requires state agencies and local organizations involved with workforce and economic development to coordinate their efforts to assist industry clusters. HB 1328 allows public technical colleges to offer degrees that prepare students to transfer into certain bachelor degree programs. The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Reuven Carlyle, explained that the legislation was about breaking down the institutional silos that currently exist to make it easier “for real students living real lives” to transfer technical college coursework to bachelor’s degree programs. HB 1394 (companion to SB 5316) changes the timeline for the state to develop a comprehensive plan for workforce training and education.

House Bill 1355 (companion to SB-5773) creates the Opportunity Internship Program. Students chosen for the program will receive internships, apprenticeships and up to one year of college financial aid, along with the promise of a job interview if they complete a post-secondary program of study. Local groups that help place students into jobs that pay at least $30,000 per year will be eligible for incentive payments, subject to existing funds, of $2,000. The goal is to develop educational and employment pipelines for low-income high school students to high-demand occupations.

Environment: 2009 was a mixed bag for environmental legislation, with comprehensive reform measures failing to pass while smaller, more focused legislation made it through.

Bills that made it:


SB 5649 is a bold weatherization effort that will target the reduction of energy consumption by retrofitting 20,000 homes and buildings across the state. This will reduce heating bills and provide an estimated 8,000 living-wage jobs for skilled workers, apprentices, veterans and disadvantaged populations.
SB 5854 will raise efficiency standards for new building construction, while improving energy efficiency in existing public buildings through insulation, better windows and improved heating and cooling systems. Known as Efficiency First, the bill will make Washington the first state in the country to meet the Architecture 2030 Challenge for progress toward buildings that are net-zero energy consumers. Efficiency First will also establish energy use scores, similar to miles-per-gallon ratings of cars, to be disclosed to potential buyers before buildings are sold.

SB 5560, which still needs to be acted on by the Governor, takes some important steps to move Washington forward in planning for climate change impacts, and requires any entity receiving grants from the capital budget to have a plan in place to meet state climate emission reduction goals.

Noting a European Union ban on the use of lead weights on vehicle wheels, lawmakers passed HB 1033, which phases out the use of lead-weights on vehicle wheels starting in January 2011.

HB 1007 creates a sustainable energy trust allowing for investor and consumer owned electricity and natural gas utilities to collect a monthly charge from customers to support sustainable energy resources of five megawatts or less, or smart energy technologies.
Bills that didn't:

This session’s cap and invest bill, SB 5735, died at the last minute. However, most of the bill's important substance (especially authorization for the state to participate in the Western Climate Initiative) had been taken out of the legislation weeks earlier. Some environmentalists fear that failing to join a regional cap-and-trade program has left Washington with statutory commitments to reach certain emissions targets but no clear way to achieve those targets.

HB 1614/ SB 5518 would have levied a per-barrel fee on petroleum products that contribute to storm water pollution. The revenue from the fee would have been used to fund projects to restore Puget Sound and Washington’s rivers and lakes. If it had succeeded, the legislation would have created green jobs around the state.

The state's environmental community was successful in stopping the passage of SB 5840 that would have cut the voter-endorsed renewable energy standard up to 75% or more in 2020.

The Legislature failed to pass governor-requested legislation SB 5735, which would have continued progress to develop a comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the state’s 2020 limits.