Several legislative tele town halls happening this week

On the heels of last weekend’s live town halls in some districts, several legislators are hosting town halls via phone this week.

There are “tele town halls” slated for tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.  If you live in the 40th, 32nd, or 28th Legislative Districts, here’s what you need to know:

On Tuesday, February 21,Rep. Jeff Morris is hosting a one hour tele town hall beginning around 6:00 p.m. Last month his seatmate, Rep. Kristine Lytton, also hosted a tele town hall that drew almost 9,000 participants. If you missed out on that one, didn’t get an opportunity to ask your question, of if you’d like to hear from your other 40th District legislator, be sure to pick up the phone when it rings around 6:00 o'clock in the evening.

On Wednesday, February 22, Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu will host a joint tele town hall beginning at about 6:00 p.m.  This is the first joint tele town hall for the two seatmates, although Rep. Kagi hosted one back in 2010.  The two legislators look forward to jointly hosting Wednesday’s event and being able to speak directly with constituents of the 32nd district.

Finally, on Thursday, February 23, Rep. Tami Green will host a tele town hall that will start at 6:00 p.m. Rep. Green previously hosted a tele town hall last May with several thousand participants.

If you are a constituent in any of these districts, and you do not receive a call to join the event, you can still participate by calling toll-free 1-877-229-8493, and entering ID Code 18646 when prompted.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Town hall meetings -- giving citizens a voice

Reps. Roger Goodman and Larry Springer
taking citizen questions at a town hall
meeting in Kirkland City Hall.

You may have participated in a town hall meeting via telephone.

Town hall meetings with lawmakers now happen in person, over the phone or through the web. People are also using email, Twitter, Facebook and other tools to have a dialogue with their local lawmakers.

This is a new twist on an old idea: bringing citizens together to discuss issues -- or decide things.

Typically, you hear the phrase "New England-style town hall meeting." It's true that small towns in New Hampshire, Vermont and elsewhere holding town hall meetings more than 300 years ago. Every citizen got the chance to talk, debate and vote on issues.

Yet this idea goes back even longer.

It's inspired by the ancient democracy in Athens and the notion that every citizen should have a say. The Swiss towns of Glarus and Appenzell have been Langsgemeinde -- town hall meetings -- for 700 years.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate, from both parties, are embracing modern twists on this old idea. Technology may be improving it. But the notion behind it, that every citizen counts, is as strong as ever.

Rep. Hans Dunshee will be calling constituents in the 44th Legislative District on May 7 at 6PM to host a tele-town hall.

Rep. Tami Green will be hosting her own tele-town hall for the people of the 28th Legislative District on May 9 at 6PM.

Want to give your legislators a piece of your mind?

You read the news. You know the state is facing enormous challenges. You have opinions and you want to share them with people who can use them, right? Many of our legislators are hosting meetings in the next week and they'd love to hear from you.

Tonight
Town Hall at 6:30 with the 48th LD delegation (Senator Rodney Tom and Reps. Ross Hunter and Deb Eddy) at Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Avenue)

Town Hall at 6:30 with Rep. Tim Probst of the 17th LD at the Creekside Estates Clubhouse (5101 NE 121st Ave, Vancouver)

Tele-town hall at 6 with Rep. Marko Liias from the 21st LD


Saturday
Town Hall at 10 a.m. with the 49th LD delegation (Senator Craig Pridemore and Reps. Jim Moeller and Jim Jacks) at the Public Service Center, 6th floor commissioners hearing room (1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver)

Coffee hour at 10 a.m. with Rep. Bob Hasegawa from the 11th LD at Renton Village Starbucks (601 S. Grady Way, Renton)

Town Hall at 11 a.m. with Rep. Deb Wallace from the 17th LD at Fisher's Landing Transit Center (3510 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver)

Town Hall at 10 a.m. with Rep. Steve Conway from the 29th LD at Bates Community College South Campus (2201 S 178th St., Tacoma)


Tuesday, January 12
Tele-town hall at 6:30 with Rep. Pat Sullivan from the 47th LD


Thursday, January 14
Tele-town hall at 6:30 with Rep. Ruth Kagi from the 32nd LD

Been waiting for Town Hall Saturday? March 12 is the day!

It's almost here. Town Hall Saturday. That time of mid-session when legislators leave the hallowed halls of our state's capitol to reconnect with constituents in more humbly adorned rooms at community centers, libraries, and schools.

This year, Town Hall Saturday is March 12. Take a look at the schedule below to see who, when and where your closest town hall meeting is taking place. We'll see you there!

District 1 - Senator McAuliffe, Reps. Stanford and Moscoso
10 a.m. at Northshore Senior Center (10201 East Riverside Dr, Bothell)
12:30 at Cathcart Elementary School (8201 188th St SE, Snohomish)
3:00 at Mountlake Terrace Library (23300 58th Ave West)

District 3 - Senator Brown, Reps. Ormsby and Billig
10:00 at Northeast Community Center (4001 N Cook St, Spokane)
2:00 at Museum of Arts and Culture (2316 W First Ave, Spokane)

District 11 - Rep. Hasegawa
10:00 (coffee and donuts) 10:30 (town hall) at the Georgetown Campus of South Seattle Community College, meeting rooms C110/C111 (6737 Corson Ave South)

District 17 - Reps. Probst and Harris
9:00 at Mountain View High School, Auditorium (1500 SE Blairmont Dr, Vancouver)

District 21 - Senator Shin, Reps. Roberts and Liias
10:30 at Rosehill Community Center (304 Lincoln Ave, Mukilteo)

District 23 - Senator Rockefeller, Reps. Appleton and Rolfes
9:30 at Manette Community Church (1137 Hayward Ave, Bremerton)
1:30 at Poulsbo Community Library (700 NE Lincoln Road)

District 26 - Senator Kilmer and Rep. Seaquist
12:00 at Norm Dicks Government Center (346 6th St, Bremerton)
2:00 at Givens Community Center, Kitsap Room (1026 Sidney Ave, Port Orchard)
4:00 at Peninsula High School, Auditorium (14105 Purdy Drive NW, Gig Harbor)

District 27 - Senator Regala, Reps. Darneille and Jinkins
10:00 at Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, Lyceum Hall (1210 6th Ave, Tacoma)

District 32 - Senator Chase, Reps. Kagi and Ryu
10:00 at Third Place Commons (17171 Bothell Way NW, Lake Forest Park)

District 34 - Senator Nelson, Reps. Cody and Fitzgibbon
10:00 at High Point Community Center (6920 34th Ave SW, Seattle)

District 37 - Senator Kline, Reps. Santos and Pettigrew
10:00 (coffee hour) 10:30 (town hall) at Garfield Community Center (2323 East Cherry Street, Seattle)

District 41 - Senator Litzow, Reps. Clibborn and Maxwell
10:00 at Hazelwood Elementary School (7100 116th Ave SE, Newcastle)
1:30 at Mercer Island High School (9100 SE 42nd St)

District 43 - Senator Murray, Speaker Chopp and Rep. Pedersen
2:00 at Seattle First Baptist Church (1111 Harvard Ave)

District 45 - Senator Hill, Reps. Springer, Goodman
10:30 at Woodinville City Hall (17301 133rd Avenue NE)

District 46 - Senator White, Reps. Kenney and Frockt
Noon at Meadowbrook Community Center, Multi-Purpose Room (10517 35th Ave NE, Seattle)

District 47 - Senator Fain, Reps. Sullivan and Hargrove
11:00 at Cutter's Point Coffee (Next to Fred Meyer - 16739 SE 272nd St, Covington)
2:00 (education-focused meeting) at Auburn School District Administration Office (915 4th St NE)

District 48 - Senator Tom, Reps. Hunter and Eddy
10:30 at Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th St)

District 49 - Senator Pridemore, Reps. Moeller and Jacks
10:00 at the Public Service Center, 6th floor (1300 Franklin, Vancouver)

There are a few town halls happening on other days as well:
March 11: District 24 - Reps. Van De Wege and Tharinger
3:00 at Port Townsend Community Center (620 Tyler St)

March 19: District 38 - Rep. McCoy
1:00 (energy discussion only) at Qualco Bio-Digester Facility (18117 SE 203rd St, Monroe)

Reps. Pettigrew and Seaquist are calling constituents this week

Rep. Eric Pettigrew

If you live in the 37th or 26th Legislative Districts, you may receive a phone call from one of your state legislators this week.  Telephone town halls are planned for two separate evenings.

Tomorrow evening, beginning at 6:00 p.m., Rep. Eric Pettigrew will be calling households throughout the 37th District, which includes the Seattle neighborhoods of Rainier Valley, Madrona, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Beach, Mt. Baker, Leschi, Columbia City, southern Capitol Hill, and Skyway as well as parts of Renton.

And on Thursday evening, March 15, Rep. Larry Seaquist will hold his second telephone town hall of the year, also beginning at 6:00 p.m.  He represents the 26th Legislative District, which includes parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties, including the communities of Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Purdy, Olalla and parts of Bremerton.

Rep. Larry Seaquist

If you are a resident of either of these districts, and do not receive a call to participate on the night of the event, you can still join the conversation by calling toll-free 1-877-229-8493, and entering ID code 18646 at the prompt.  This number is only available when the town hall is in session.

While not a replacement for live, in-person town halls, telephone town halls provide a way for legislators to speak one-on-one with constituents and answer questions about specific issues.  Telephone town halls also have a higher participation rate than in-person events.  For example, nearly 5700 people participated in Rep. Seaquist's January 26 telephone town hall.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Nearly 5,000 join for virtual town hall

Phones across the 37th Legislative District began ringing at about 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Those who picked up were invited to join a “tele-town hall” with state Rep. Eric Pettigrew. Nearly 5,000 people opted to stay on the line, a record high participation rate for a midsummer town hall event.

Over the next hour, Rep. Pettigrew was able to take questions directly from people participating. By simply pressing *3 on their phone keypad, participants were placed in a queue where they had a chance to speak one-on-one with him. Everyone on the call was able to listen in to both the question and the representative’s response. Question topics covered education funding, transportation, health care and human services. One participant expressed concern about cuts to funding for gang intervention programs. Another asked whether tax breaks should be given to companies that outsource jobs.

Each year, Rep. Pettigrew holds a live town hall in the district, usually around the middle of the legislative session. These town halls generally draw a maximum of 250 people, but often attendance tops out at around 100 or so. While he will continue to hold the live events, which he says are an important way to connect with people, he says tele-town halls are a way of engaging a higher number of constituents, giving them the option to participate in a town hall without even having to leave their homes.

“I want people to know that I’m here to listen to them,” he said. “My job is to represent them, and in order to do that, I need to be able to hear their concerns and know about the challenges they face.”

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive. Those who did not have a chance to ask their question live had the option to leave a voicemail for Rep. Pettigrew, and he is now busy going through the voicemails and getting back to people.

The 37th Legislative District includes Rainier Valley, Madrona, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Beach, Mt. Baker, Leschi, Columbia City, southern Capitol Hill, Skyway and parts of Renton.

Rep. White's virtual town hall coming Tuesday night

Residents of the North Seattle neighborhoods of the 46th Legislative District will have the opportunity to talk directly with their state representative, Scott White, via a virtual town hall Tuesday night, July 28th.

Here's Rep. White on the event:

New state budgets–including many severe budget reductions—took effect on July 1st and dozens of new state laws officially took effect on July 26.

As your state representative, I respect your right to ask questions about how these new laws and budgets might impact you and our Seattle neighborhoods—including our local schools and economy.

That’s why I’ve scheduled a special 46th District Tele-Town Hall for Tuesday, July 28, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Here is how it will work:

I’ll send a very brief phone message to you and other 46th District residents to invite you to the Tele-Town Hall. If you want to listen in, simply stay on the line. If you want to ask a question or make a comment about a new law—or any state issue you wish—you’ll only need to press *3 (star then 3) to have your voice heard. It’s that easy!

If there are more questions or comments than we can cover in an hour (which often happens), you’ll be able to leave a message for me directly, so you’re guaranteed that I’ll hear your question or comment.

Importantly, this special Tele-Town Hall event is only for you and others in our 46th District Seattle neighborhoods.

Virtual town halls - also known as "tele town halls" - aren't a replacement for traditional in-person meetings. But they offer elected officials another method to communicate with constituents, and make it easier for people to have a chance to speak directly with their state representative without having to drive anywhere or arrange for child care.

Tonight: Live tele town hall in the 3rd Legislative District

Rep. Timm Ormsby

Spokane residents, your 3rd District legislators are hosting a town hall via phone tonight, and they want to make sure you have a chance to join the conversation.

Representatives Timm Ormsby and Andy Billig,together with Senator Lisa Brown, will be calling households in the district this evening, beginning at around 6:00 p.m.  The purpose of the call is to reach out and give constituents an opportunity to ask them questions or share their concerns about the 2012 legislative session, which began on Monday.

Rep. Andy Billig

Here’s how it works:  Most people won’t have to do anything except answer the phone when it rings tonight, and stay on the line to be connected to the town hall.  To ask a question, simply press STAR 3 on the phone.  If you live in the 3rd Legislative District and do not receive a phone call, here are instructions for how you can still participate. The town hall will last approximately one hour.

Tonight’s tele town hall is another way for the legislators to be accessible.  Last fall, they held a series of mobile office events around the district, and last March they held two in-person town hall events.  Rep. Ormsby previously hosted a tele town hall in 2010.  You can see a transcript from that event here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

People are talking: Good turnout so far for Pollet's 'Traveling Town Halls'

Rep. Gerry Pollet

State Rep. Gerry Pollet's Traveling Town Halls are proving to be a pretty decent ticket for folks who have something to get off their chest on Saturday mornings.

The46^thLegislative District meetings stem from Pollet’s past experience organizing carpools of parents and others into a three-to-four-hour weekday excursion to Olympia -- for just a few minutes of face time with legislators. These Traveling Town Halls allow constituents to meet with Pollet most every Saturday morning from 10 to noon at various locations around the district, instead of trekking to Olympia.

Pollet has already welcomed three-dozen citizens to his first two meetings earlier this month: the premier 2013 get-together at the U-Village Burgermaster and his most recent constituent-conversation at the Lake Forest Park Town Center. Pollet's informal meetings -- you might even call them "Flash Town Halls" -- start at 10 most every Saturday morning. The next one is this Saturday, Feb. 2, at Diva Espresso, which is located at 8014 Lake City Way Northeast (between north 14th Avenue and north 15th Avenue). Pollet and Kenmore Mayor David Baker will hold a joint Traveling Town Hall on Saturday morning, Feb. 9, at Espresso Works, which is located at 6734 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore.

"We’ve covered local issues, for sure," he said of the meetings so far, "such as the red-light-camera authority at the 'Five Corner' intersection of Sand Point Way Northeast and Northeast 45th Street. And we’ve engaged in spirited discussions on statewide issues, such as potential reforms in the revenue system, funding for education, and reducing gun-violence."

Pollet launched his traveling-office tradition last year, holding Saturday-morning meetings all over the 46th District during the 2012 legislative session. With the 2013 session now in full swing, he said he wants residents from 46th District neighborhoods to have an opportunity to speak their minds without having to travel to Olympia.

Folks can always find information on Pollet's in-district meetings -- as well as information about a wide variety of community, legislative, and state-government issues -- at his legislative website.

Rep. Williams to hold virtual town hall on Tuesday

Residents of the 22nd Legislative District - which includes the northern portion of Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater - will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual town hall with Rep. Brendan Williams on Tuesday, July 14.

At around 6:00 p.m., Rep. Williams will call nearly 30,000 households in the district and invite them to stay on the line with him for a live town hall. He will update participants on the state budget and the recently-concluded 2009 Legislative Session. Participants will also have the opportunity to press *3 to ask Rep. Williams a question directly.

The more technically-inclined can follow the town hall right here on The Advance and post questions for Rep. Williams on the liveblog.

Virtual town halls - also known as "tele town halls" - aren't a replacement for traditional in-person meetings. But they offer elected officials another method to communicate with constituents, and make it easier for people to have a chance to speak directly with their state representative without having to drive anywhere or arrange for child care. Other House members who have taken advantage of this new technology include Rep. Marko Liias, Rep. Laura Grant, Rep. Larry Seaquist and Rep. Deb Wallace.

Who's calling?

It might be Rep. Marko Liias or Rep. Kevin Van De Wege. The two legislators are planning “virtual town hall meetings” via telephone with constituents tonight.

Here’s how it works: if you live in either of their districts, your phone may ring and you’ll be invited to stay on the line to participate directly in the town hall. Rep. Liias’ town hall will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Rep. Van De Wege’s will run from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to ask the representatives a question directly, as well as take part in polls.

“Virtual town halls” allow legislators to connect with thousands of people in their districts at once, and no one has to drive anywhere or arrange for childcare. They can take part from the comfort of their own homes and can stay on the line as long (or as little) as they want! Go here for more information about Liias's town hall, or here for info on on Van de Wege's town hall.

Calling all 45th District residents…

Feeling a bit disconnected from your state legislature these days?  Wish you could talk directly with your state representative?

Well, if you live in the 45th Legislative District, you’ll be able to participate in a live telephone town hall with state Rep. Roger Goodman tomorrow evening.

Rep. Goodman will be calling households in his district at about 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14.  To participate in the live town hall, simply stay on the line when you get the call.

During the hour-long event, participants will have the opportunity to ask Rep. Goodman questions and speak directly with him.

Telephone town halls are another way for legislators to communicate with and receive feedback from their constituents.  While they are not a replacement for live town halls in the district, they do provide a way for more people to participate.  In fact, over 6000 constituents participated last month in a telephone town hall hosted by Rep. Ross Hunter in the neighboring 48th Legislative District.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Hey, Vancouverites! Come get something off of your chest at a Town Hall meeting

Town Halls are every bit as American as your mama's (or your papa's) best apple pie, but these little community get-togethers won't saddle you with even half the calories.

Clark County folks will have a chance in a couple of days to pull up a chair for a Town Hall of their own. Three Vancouver lawmakers are inviting southwestern Washington residents to a meeting Saturnday morning, January 8, from 10:00 till noon. The gathering will be held in the sixth floor hearing foom of the Clark County Public Service Center, which is located at 1300 Franklin St. in Vancouver.

State Reps. Jim Moeller and Jim Jacks will be joined by state Sen. Craig Pridemore. The three represent the 49th Legislative District, which includes Vancouver west of Interstate 205 and Hazel Dell. They are preparing for the 2011 legislative session that kicks off Monday, January 10. No doubt, the thorniest issues in the upcoming 105-day session involve the hunt for answers to the economic quandary. But a number of other pressing matters also await consideration. The legislators will use what they hear at the town hall to help make sure their work in the state capital reflects what constituents in the real world are really thinking.

Yes, you're darn tootin' these types of town meetings are an American tradition. Without a doubt, public involvement must forever play a starring role in the way we Yankee Doodlers govern ourselves. And that holds true whether you're talking citizen participation in the tradition of Norman Rockwell's famous Freedom of Speech painting or citizen participation in the manner of modern-day political blogs.

41st District lawmakers invite citizens to town halls

Rep. Marcie Maxwell

Rep. Judy Clibborn

State lawmakers from the 41st District will unite to host a pair of town hall meetings on Saturday, Feb. 18, to share news about the legislative session and listen to local residents discuss their hopes and concerns on state issues.

Rep. Judy Clibborn, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, and Sen. Steve Litzow will hold their morning town hall from 10-11:30 a.m. at Hazelwood Elementary in Newcastle, and an afternoon town hall from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at Mercer Island High school.

The jointly hosted town halls are more convenient for local citizens and help maintain the bipartisan approach the 41st District lawmakers bring to Olympia. Participants can submit questions before the meeting via email to townhall41@leg.wa.gov.

The 2012 session began Jan. 9 and is scheduled to end Mar. 8.

Below are details on the locations:

Hazelwood Elementary (Map and directions)
7100 116th Ave. SE
Newcastle , WA

Mercer Island High School (Map and directions)
9100 SE 42nd St.
Mercer Island, WA

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

It's that time again... legislative town hall meetings underway

The town meeting is one of those distinctly American traditions.

Without a doubt, public involvement must play a central role in government’s decision-making process. And that holds true whether you’re talking citizen participation in the tradition of Norman Rockwell’s famous Freedom of Speech painting or in the manner of modern-day political blogs so popular these days.

In fact, members of the House Democratic Caucus highlight public involvement in their regular community meetings. Legislators want to make sure their work in the state capital reflects what constituents in the real world are really thinking.

So if you want to share what's on your mind, here are some upcoming town hall meetings with legislators who would love to hear from you. Please do come. And be part of that public involvement thing that's so important.

• Thursday, January 8 in Redmond with Rep. Ross Hunter and Sen. Rodney Tom. 7 p.m. at Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th Street).

• Saturday, January 10 in Vancouver with Rep. Jim Moeller, Rep.-elect Jim Jacks and Sen. Craig Pridemore. 10 a.m. to noon in the 6^th floor hearing room of the Clark County Public Service Center (1300 Franklin St, Vancouver).

Update:

• Here's another meeting to note: Thursday, January 8 with Rep. Marko Liias, Rep. Mary Helen Roberts and Sen. Paull Shin. 6-8 p.m. at Mukilteo City Hall Council Chambers (11930 Cyrus Way, Mukilteo). Topic is about Paine Field.
• Rep. Steve Conway will also be hosting two town halls. They are:
  Jan. 31, 2009 at Bates Technical College – South Campus Cafeteria (2201 South 78th Street, Tacoma, WA)
  10:00 am – Noon
  &
  February 5, 2009 at Lakeview Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room (10501 47th Ave. SW Lakewood, WA)
  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  
  

Reps. Hasegawa and Hudgins host a telephone town hall!

Rep. Zack Hudgins

Attention constituents of the 11th Legislative District!

What are you doing tomorrow night around 6 o’clock in the evening? Answering the phone, of course - Reps. Bob Hasegawa and Zack Hudgins will be hosting a live telephone town hall!

Around 6 o’clock, thousands of phones in the 11th LD will be ringing. When you pick up you’ll hear a recorded message inviting you to stay on the line and join the event. By doing so, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with Reps. Hasegawa and Hudgins.

To ask the representatives the questions that matter most to you, simply press *3 while you're listening to the call.

Rep. Bob Hasegawa

Constituents who do not receive a phone call may participate in the telephone town hall simply by calling 1-877-229-8493 and entering the ID code (PIN) number 18646 when prompted.

Journalists and other interested parties can dial into the town hall from a landline or cell. For that information call 360-786-7811.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Tonight, back by popular demand: 24th District telephone town hall

Rep. Steve Tharinger

Back in March, Representatives Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege held a town hall by phone, and over 8500 constituents participated in it.  The response to that event was so positive that the two legislators have decided to hold another town hall by phone to discuss the recently-concluded legislative session.

Tonight, beginning at 6:00 p.m., they will call residents of the 24th Legislative District - which includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties, as well as parts of Grays Harbor County.  Anybody who wants to participate in the town hall needs only to pick up the phone.  To ask a question, participants can press STAR 3 (*3) on their phone.  While Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege will try their best to get to everyone's question during the one-hour event, there is also an opportunity to leave a voicemail at the conclusion of the call with questions, comments or feedback.

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege

Also, if you live in the 24th District, be sure to check your mailbox to see if you've received this year's Legislative Report from Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege (together with Sen. Jim Hargrove).  It was mailed at the beginning of May, and includes information about the state budget and government reform efforts, as well as newly-passed legislation.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Live in the 24th LD? Join the Tharinger/Van De Wege telephone town hall on 3/28

Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege in Montesano, 2/1/12

The 24th Legislative District is geographically one of the largest legislative districts in the state.  It includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties, and parts of Grays Harbor County.

With that much ground to cover, it isn't always easy to reach every community with a live town hall during the legislative session, but Reps. Steve Tharinger and Kevin Van De Wege have been trying to host as many as possible.  Last month, they held town hall meetings in Montesano, Quilcene, Forks, and Port Angeles. 

Now they are hosting a telephone town hall that will enable constituents from every corner of the district to participate at the same time.  This Wednesday, March 28, starting at 6:00 p.m., households in the district will receive a phone call, and participants only need to stay on the line to be part of the conversation.  For one hour, Reps. Tharinger and Van De Wege will take questions and comments on topics related to issues before the legislature or about the special session.

More information about this upcoming event can be found here.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Telephone-town halls bring government home

TTH with Rep. Jeff Morris

Since you’re reading this blog post, chances are you actually have been to a town hall meeting with one of your elected officials. The Advance thanks you and your work to make government better, but this post is about those not usually in the room.

In the last few years, House Democrats have embraced a new way of reaching out and talking with their communities. As you’ve seen on the blog, many members like telephone-town halls (TTH) as a way to complement their constituent outreach. At the beginning of each TTH, calls are placed into the district inviting people to stay on the line if they’d like to join the discussion. An hour-long question-and-answer session then takes place.

“Enabling the people of my district to engage from home, if it’s a convenient time for them, has brought hundreds of new voices into the political dialogue,” said Rep. Marko Liias. “It’s great to give updates from session, but I believe there is incredible value in neighbors listening to the other questions and concerns brought up in the meetings.”

Rep. Marko Liias at a live town hall

On a TTH last week, Liias had a question from Robin in Everett wondering how to deal with the speeding problem near her home and an elementary school. Robin stated that she’s “not real politically inclined” before asking how she should go about making the area safer, possibly through installing speed bumps.

“Robin has already talked to local law enforcement about the problem, had already come up with a possible solution, and was ready to take her community problem on,” Liias said. “That’s politics and being engaged, so it was great to have the opportunity to connect with Robin and hopefully help her lead on that issue.”

On the call Liias, familiar with school walking and biking safety issues, offered to come out to check out the problem with Robin and help brainstorm ways to make the streets there safer for children getting to school.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

The Town Hall fun continues in the 21st Legislative District!

Last weekend legislators met with constituents all across the state, from Spokane all the way out to Forks. This weekend the fun continues!

21st Legislative District Representatives Mary Helen Roberts and Marko Liias, along with Senator Paul Shin, will be holding two town halls on Saturday. The details for those events are as follows:

Mukilteo Town Hall

Time: 10:30 AM

Place: Mukilteo Library

           4675 Harbour Pointe Boulevard

           Mukilteo, WA

Edmonds Town Hall

Time: 1:30 PM

Place: Edmonds Council Chambers

          250 Fifth Avenue North

          Edmonds, WA

The legislators encourage constituents to show up with their questions on education, the budget, and any other issues pertaining to state government. Not sure if you’re a resident of the 21st? You can find out here!

To read this story in Spanish, click here.