Keeping kids in school is in everyone's best interest

Dropouts come in all ages. Sure, we know that as many as 20 out of every hundred schoolkids will never make it to commencement. But did you know that some youngsters, for all practical purposes, are actually "dropping out" of school emotionally in the first, maybe the second grade?

House Education Committee members this year have examined the dropout quandary at length, tackling it from a variety of real-world perspectives. Those testifying in committee meetings offered a number of observations, including the above-noted assertion that many of our very youngest students are checking out emotionally in their first years of school.

 

Hammered home time and again were the sad facts that dropouts tend to:

· Make up a big percentage of the ranks of the unemployed.

· Take home meager wages when they do work.

· All too often tumble into the criminal-justice system.

Consider also the fact that just as today's Washington businesses cry out for more and more skilled workers, dropouts are in no position to acquire the specific training and academic chops needed for 21st-century jobs.

Education Committee member state Rep. Kathy Haigh is the prime-sponsor of House Bill 1424, which is aimed at "enhancing the statewide K-12 dropout prevention, intervention, and re-engagement system." The measure cleared the House, 88-10, a month ago. Unfortunately, the legislation is stymied in the Senate and likely going nowhere near the governor's desk this year.

That is very unfortunate news, especially given the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) issued a summary recently of the big steps many districts have taken to keep young men and women in school. Their e-newsletter reviews the high level of success some of these intervention and prevention programs have worked in diverse districts around the state. The Sunnyside School District in the lower Yakima Valley, for instance, lifted its graduation rate an incredible 38 points in a recent five-year period -- from 41 percent in 2007 to 79 percent in 2012. The Spokane Public Schools worked to push on-time graduation up from a rate just above 62 percent in 2008-2009 to way more than 76 percent in 2010-2011.

Read this story in Spanish.

Caring for animals, we’re into that too

Five bills aimed at protecting and helping animals have been introduced in the House so far this session. Will every dog (and for that matter cat, horse, parakeet, etc…) have his day? Let's see where those bills are:

Making poisonous substances taste nasty

Antifreeze, or rather, Ethylene Glycol, one of its main components, is sweet and tasty to animals and humans but it can also be lethal. According to the Humane Society, anywhere from 10,000 to 90,000 cats and dogs are accidentally poisoned with antifreeze every year across the nation. To protect Washington's residents, both the two and the four-legged kinds, a few years ago the Legislature passed a measure requiring that antifreeze sold, produced or distributed in the state have an aversive agent to make it taste bad. But that law didn't cover wholesale containers of 55 gallons or more. This year Rep. Sherry Appleton is sponsoring HB 1010 to include those large containers. The bill was approved by the Business and Financial Services Committee a couple of weeks ago and is now in the Rules Committee for further consideration.

See something? Say something!

HB 1186 gives immunity to veterinarians who report suspected incidents of animal cruelty from legal liability in any action brought against them. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Kathy Haigh, a vet herself, knows that sometimes veterinarians can tell, better than the average person, if an animal has been mistreated. The risk of liability keeps some veterinarians from reporting incidents they encounter in their practice. The protections under this bill should encourage veterinarians to report suspected cruelty to proper authorities. Haigh's measure was passed out of the Judiciary Committee earlier this week.

When buying a pet, let's make sure it's not a murky transaction

Say you see a guy selling lovely puppies out of his truck in a parking lot. You fall in love with one of them and want to buy it. But how much do you know about this seller? Is he licensed? Does he have a permit to sell animals in that location? What if you're dealing with a disreputable seller who does not provide safe and humane conditions for the puppies, and it turns out your puppy is sick? To prevent the sale of diseased animals to unsuspecting buyers, Rep. Mary Helen Roberts is sponsoring HB 1201, which already had a public hearing in the Judiciary Committee. Under this measure, legitimate and responsible sales of animals and adoption programs for animals are not affected.

Zero tolerance for animal cruelty

People who live or work with animals should treat them well; humans are supposed to care for their animals. Sadly, not everyone seems to be on board with that common-sense notion. Rep. Mary Helen Roberts sponsored another bill, HB 1202, which modifies animal cruelty provisions relating to the crimes of animal cruelty in the first and second degree, animal fighting, and leaving and/or confining an animal in a motor vehicle or certain enclosed spaces. This measure also had a public hearing in Judiciary a few weeks ago.

Spay/Neuter – it's the responsible thing to do!

Thousands of cats and dogs are put down every year in shelters because they can't find a home, or they are old and sickly and nobody wants to take care of them. The most effective and humane way to reduce the number of animals dying in shelters is a targeted, statewide spay/neuter effort. It is also the fiscally responsible solution. Rep. Kathy Haigh sponsored a legislation (HB 1229) that would provide financial assistance to support the costs of pet spay/neuter surgery. It would significantly reduce costs for animal care and control of homeless animals, and fewer animals would be euthanized in Washington shelters. This measure was heard before the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee yesterday. You can find footage of the hearing in TVW.

Read this story in Spanish.

Legislators laud Hood Canal “Puget Sound Champions”

Hood Canal

Yesterday, four honorees were singled out by the Puget Sound Partnership for their efforts in helping to restore our region’s major waterway to good health.  In a ceremony at the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Center, PSP’s Executive Director Gerry O’Keefe and former King County Executive Ron Sims handed out awards to three coalitions and one individual.

The coalitions include local jurisdictions and tribes that have teamed up to protect habitat, identify pollution sources, and/or engage in clean-up efforts to improve water quality.  Additionally, Pat Pearson of the Jefferson County WSU Extension was honored for her 20-year career in education and outreach on water quality issues.

Legislators whose districts include the areas bordering Hood Canal had plenty of praise for the honorees and their ongoing efforts.  Representatives Steve Tharinger, Drew Hansen, Sherry Appleton, Fred Finn and Kathy Haigh all weighed in to offer their congratulations and underscore the importance of the work being done.  A clean and healthy Hood Canal – and Puget Sound – are vital to the economies and quality of life in their respective districts.  Of course, the health of Puget Sound impacts our entire state, which is why we should all tip our hats to the work these awardees are doing.

You can read the Puget Sound Partnership’s press release on yesterday’s ceremony here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Alphabet soup to nuts

“Jay-lark:” Is it a hybrid variety of bird life, an avian equivalent of the cockapoo? Or maybe a description of a good-times ramble by a beloved, bald, former power-hitting outfielder for the Mariners now hawking trucks on the radio?

Nope, it’s neither one of those things. Jay-lark is just the way state-government types pronounce JLARC, the acronym for the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee. And that committee stays busy all summer long; in fact, it meets monthly pretty much whenever the Legislature isn’t actually in session. The June meeting is coming up on Wednesday the 20^th.

JLARC “works to make state government operations more effective, efficient and accountable,” the committee web site says. It pursues that mission by conducting performance audits, program evaluations and other reviews as directed by the Legislature. It regularly issues reports on its work.

Much of what the committee recommends concerns improving data collection and performance measurements to guide state agencies in boosting efficiency. But it can also call for more concrete actions, such as the suggestion that the Department of Natural Resources could trim its fleet of firefighting helicopters without compromising its role in fighting forest fires – a money-saving proposal that was put into effect.

As a joint committee, JLARC includes senators and representatives, Democrats and Republicans. Current members of the House Democratic Caucus on the committee are Kathy Haigh of Shelton, Troy Kelley of Tacoma and Mark Miloscia of Federal Way.

To learn more about JLARC, visit its web site by clicking here.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

And the 2011 LAs’ Legislator of the Year Award goes to…

This afternoon the House Democratic Caucus Legislative Assistants (LAs) presented their 2011 Legislator of the Year Award to an unsuspecting Rep. Tina Orwall in a quick, but nonetheless moving, ceremony held in the HDC Room.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award and to be part of a legislative team that works so hard on behalf of the people across our state,” said Orwall, after having regained her composure from the surprise of being elected as this year’s recipient.

The LAs’ Legislator of the Year Award evolved during the 2007 Legislative Session, after a discussion on what constitutes a good legislator/assistant working relationship. LAs agreed that a good legislator’s work would reflect the Democratic principles that should be prevalent in all aspects of the House of Representatives, and they felt that, by highlighting the conduct of members who display the characteristics most in tune with those principles, the House of Representatives’ environment would be enriched.

LAs are encouraged to vote for someone other than their own member, which gives the award more credibility.

“This award not only defines what we feel is a person who respects the work place and is an effective legislator, it also says their work is important and their dedication is appreciated,” said Kim Moores, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Kathy Haigh and coordinator for the Legislator of the Year Award.

Here are some of the qualities that LAs based their decision on:

 Capacity to listen
 Productive time management
 Keeping appointments
 Being on time
 Appreciate and recognize the accomplishment of others
 Give clear instruction and expectations to staff
 Practice teamwork
 Trusting and loyal
 Maintain balance and adaptability
 Effective legislator, working across the aisle and the rotunda
 Respectful, polite and courteous

Rep. Kathy Haigh receives Pioneer Educator Award for supporting online learning

Hundreds of students, parents and teachers gathered in the rotunda at the Washington state Capitol Tuesday as education advocate Rep. Kathy Haigh was recognized for her leadership in support of online public school programs.

Chosen by the Washington Families for Online Learning, Haigh was one of four legislators selected to receive a Pioneer Educator Award this year.

“I am deeply honored, and I look forward to continuing to provide the best, most innovative educational opportunities to all Washington students,” Haigh said. “Online learning removes geographic and economic barriers while preparing our children to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Calling all reform and accountability wonks

Yesterday, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, chaired by Rep. Troy Kelley, met in Olympia. This is the bi-partisan group that meets regularly to discuss performance audits, program evaluations, and other studies geared to making our government more efficient, effective and accountable. Reps. Kathy Haigh, Sharon Nelson and Deb Wallace also serve on the committee.

Yesterday's meeting included a recap of JLARC-related news from the 2010 legislative session, including four new performance audit assignments: new stormwater permit requirements passed in the transportation budget, Medicaid cost-containment strategies, cost and use of helicopters in suppressing wildfires, and a review of the new lottery marketing strategy (as passed in this year's SB 6409).

The group also looked at two reports presented by JLARC staff: a preliminary report on Information-Sharing and Medicaid Reinstatement for Individuals Released from Confinement and the proposed final report on the Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Accepting Bankcards at WSDOT.

These meetings are not for the casual observer, but if you really want to get into the nitty-gritty of how our state government is trying to make things work better, have at it! You can watch the meeting here. JLARC's next meeting is May 19.

Rolling out the budgets

Budget day in the House started off with a 12:15 press conference on the 2010 supplemental operating budget.

In dealing with a $2.7 billion budget gap for the remaining half of the 2009-2011 biennium, the House proposal outlines $465 million in fund transfers including use of the Rainy Day Fund, $1.25 billion in reductions, and $857 million in anticipated new revenue.

Additional details can be found here, here and here.

A revenue package is expected to come out later this week.

Coming up later: the proposed supplemental Capital and Transportation budgets. Stay tuned...!

What isn't ample, stable or dependable?

Our education funding system, that's what.

The big non-surprise news today is the decision from King County Superior Court in the McCleary case. The plaintiffs in this case - parents, students, school districts, and others - sued the state saying we haven't lived up to our constitutional paramount duty of amply funding basic education.

Judge John Erlick agreed with the plaintiffs. The 103-page ruling lays out a lot of technical detail, but Erlick essentially ruled that the state is not providing ample or dependable funding, and that school districts are having to rely on local levies to cover the costs of basic education. He concedes that last year's HB 2261 is a step in the right direction but doesn't necessarily address the funding issue because it didn't come with funding.

So what does the ruling mean? Judge Erlick ruled that the state must figure out the full cost of basic education and establish how the state will pay for it with stable and dependable state sources. Discussions are in process about whether to appeal.

State Rep. Ross Hunter, who has worked doggedly on school funding issues for years, said in his statement today that the court is right and we shouldn't waste money appealing the decision.

State Rep. Pat Sullivan sponsored HB 2261 and is currently sponsor of HB 2776, a bill that lays out the second step of establishing new funding formulas and a timeline for fully paying for them. He also released a statement today saying the lawsuit is a "reminder that we cannot delay in fulfilling our constitutional obligation to the one million children in Washington's schools."

Other than requiring "real and measurable progress" towards the tasks of calculating the costs of basic education and coming up a way to pay for it, the court set no timeline for accomplishing those tasks. And regardless of whether this lawsuit goes into appeals or not, much of this work is already being looked at by the Quality Education Council, the group in charge of implementing HB 2261 and committed to having a new funding system in place by 2018.

UPDATE: Rep. Kathy Haigh, chair of the Education Appropriations Committee, also released a statement.

Standing-room only at basic ed funding hearing

At last night's public hearing on HB 1410 (you know, that basic ed funding bill that will enact the most sweeping changes in our K-12 system in nearly 30 years), 120 people packed the hearing room to testify, with 13 in opposition.

It was an amazing sight. Even more amazing were the passionate pleas from parents, teachers and others who clearly want to see the Legislature do right by our state's kids.

You can check out the full hearing for yourself at tvw.org, but here is a particularly poignant clip of Rep. Kathy Haigh, who chairs the committee, inviting Rep. Pat Sullivan to speak about the bill.

Sullivan is one of those legislators that doesn't usually like being in the limelight. But you wouldn't know it by listening to his candid, heartfelt words here.