Last week you might have read a story by the Associated Press claiming that stimulus-funded transportation projects weren’t making an impact on the economy. The AP’s analysis was widely reported in national and local media.
When legislative transportation leaders read it, they immediately noticed problems with the AP’s conclusions and were shocked it overlooked many key impacts of the stimulus.
Rep. Judy Clibborn and Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, the House and Senate Transportation Committees’ chairs, respectively, drafted a response to the AP story that you can read right now on the News Tribune’s Web site.
A key point they raise about the roughly $500 million federal investment in Washington transportation projects:
“So make no mistake: Transportation projects mean jobs. If you want a simple way to look at it, imagine all the projects funded by the stimulus spending and all the people who are working on them, and then eliminate them. That’s how many more people would be out of work, how much money wouldn’t be spent in our communities, and how much more we’d be paying out in unemployment payments for the unfortunate people who lost their jobs.”
Full list is below but the super hot list includes the slate of bills related to the Maurice Clemmons case at 10, bills that would incorporate early learning as part of basic education today at 1:30, and the early savings bill at 3:30 that takes a swipe at some early budget cuts.
8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations Work Session: Fee supported programs within select agencies for which the revenue from the fee does not fully cover the costs of the program.
Department of Ecology
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Fish & Wildlife
Office of the Secretary of State
Washington State Patrol
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance Public Hearing: HB 2622 – Protecting consumers from unfair practices by establishing criteria for the dissemination of credit and court record information contained in a consumer’s tenant screening report.
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations Public Hearing: HB 2670 – Restoring the school district levy base.
10:00 HHR C Ecology & Parks Public Hearing: HB 2562 – Concerning lease rates for industrial users of state-owned aquatic lands (Would re-calculate lease rates using the market rate).
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Public Hearing (bills related to Maurice Clemmons case): HB 1203 – Modifying the definition of relative for purposes of the crime of rendering criminal assistance. HB 2625 – Addressing bail for felony offenses. HB 2626 – Modifying violation provisions for offenders. HJR 4213 – Adopting the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act to amend the state Constitution to exempt certain persons charged with a most serious crime from being bailable if proof is evident that the individual is potentially dangerous to other people in the community. HJR 4214 - Adopting the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act to amend the state Constitution to exempt certain persons charged with a most serious crime from being bailable if proof is evident that the individual is potentially dangerous to other people in the community. HB 2781 – Imposing a sanction for offenders who violate sentence conditions by committing an assault against a law enforcement officer, employee of a law enforcement agency, or department of corrections employee.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs Work Session: Background on HB 2617 – Eliminating boards and commissions. Public Hearing: HB 2583 - Prior to filing court action alleging a violation of the public records act, the requester and agency may first confer in person or by telephone.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness Public Hearing: HB 2652 – Regulating tanning facilities.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources Public Hearing: HB 2696 - Regarding a proposal for a new permit-only salmonid fishery for the Columbia river.
1:30 HHR C Finance Public Hearing on local options bills: HB 2650 – Providing local flexibility with existing revenues during severe economic downturns. HB 2749 - Concerning local government taxation. HB 2773 - Concerning local excise tax authorities for counties and cities. 1:30 HHR E Early Learning & Children’s Services Public Hearing (all three early learning proposals): HB 2431 - Establishing within basic education a program of early learning for at-risk children. HB 2731 - Creating an early learning program for educationally at-risk children. HB 2867 - Promoting early learning.
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means Public Hearing: HB 2921 – Early savings bill
Last summer, President Barack Obama announced a $4 billion education initiative aimed at boosting student achievement nationwide. States essentially compete for grant money with points awarded for innovation and reforms.
The deadline for applications is today and Washington is among the states that has thrown its hat in the ring. Just yesterday Governor Gregoire unveiled a package of legislation aimed at making Washington a competitive player. Despite many of the historically contentious issues addressed in her proposal, Gregoire is keeping detractors at bay, at least for now.
Though K-12 education was the most protected pot of money in last year's budget balancing act, legislators cut about $795 million from non-basic education. And with more cuts likely, money is a particularly enticing carrot for making bold changes such as new teacher and principal evaluation programs and strategies for dealing with failing schools. Washington could be eligible for as much as $250 million.
Rep. Reuven Carlyle is a particularly dogged supporter of Race to the Top. He gives a nice breakdown of how he thinks Washington will fare in the race.
Race to the Top is not something all states are gunning for. NPR featured a story today that touches on why some states are choosing not to participate.
Winners will be announced in April. States who aren't awarded funding in this first round can enter into a second round of grants to be awarded in September.
Following testimony from a collection of advocates overwhelmingly in support of the bill, the much-anticipated public hearing on HB 2635—aka the “cell phone bill”—just concluded in the House Transportation Committee. Bill sponsor Rep. Reuven Carlyle acknowledged his initial hesitancy about the hand of government possibly reaching too far, but ultimately he was swayed by the “cold, hard reality of the statistics” and the compelling case they make for legislative action.
Co-sponsor Rep. Tina Orwall spoke to how the legislation would impact young drivers by setting a good tone during their formative years of learning how to operate a vehicle safely.
The Washington State Patrol also voiced its support of the bill, noting how much progress the state has made in recent years to enhance driver safety. This bill would be another step in the right direction toward the department’s goal of “Target Zero”—that is, no traffic fatalities.
Although no one seemed to voice outright opposition to the bill, several people posed other scenarios and ideas: Rep. Brad Klippert cited WSDOT stats showing other behaviors (eating, reading, etc.) that also play a role in distracted driving, so why single out cell phones? Rep. Dean Takko said whether a phone is held up to one’s ear or is used with a hands-free device, the cognitive impairment is similar—a point also emphasized by a Western Washington University cognitive researcher who testified.
General support for the bill seemed to be present, but the scope and approach of the bill will surely be debated back and forth as the session continues.
We're liveblogging in conjunction with Rep. White's tele-town hall tonight at 6:30pm. Take part, listen in, ask questions, pose comments, and learn up on the good member from the 46th LD, and what he has to say about the 2010 state budget and legislative session.
Update: For the Spanish-speakers in the audience, Zack explains his bill en espanol.
Not all state policy is bequeathed to us via legislative approval. Sometimes, state agencies, which oversee certain services and commodities, have the authority to institute rules and policies with guidance from the Legislature and the general public. It’s the difference between Statute – the laws passed by the Legislature and Governor into the Revised Code of Washington (the RCWs) – and Rules; the policies of each agency found in the Washington Administrative Code (that’s WAC).
In that sense, representatives don’t always need to pass a law to protect consumers and get things done. Sometimes you can use the rule-making process that is set up in law to get input from the community. This is the path State Rep. Zack Hudgins used last December, before the legislature was in session.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers who believe they’re purchasing a calling card often find the amount of minutes can be dramatically less than advertised, sometimes up to 60% less. That’s largely the result of “hidden fees” charged by the card company.
After reading about these unfair advertising practices, Zack decided to do a little digging into our own state’s rules covering these pre-paid cards, and found our consumer protections lacking as well. So he contacted our state’s version of the FTC, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), which has the ability to adopt and revise rules governing the pre-paid cards.
Zack wants prepaid calling card providers and distributors to clearly and accurately present the number of available domestic and international minutes on each card; the rate the card charges; and disclose any hidden fees. In addition, he wants this information translated into several different languages for those who are calling foreign countries.
Hudgins knows these consumer protections could potentially save families in his community, and across the state, millions.
“In our school district alone, there are over a hundred different languages spoken. Immigrant communities have contributed so much to the 11th Legislative District, and made it the vibrant place it is to work and raise a family. With so many challenges already facing non-native English speakers, disreputable businesses shouldn’t be allowed to prey on them by short-changing them."
The WUTC agrees with Rep. Hudgins, and will soon begin the process of revising the WACs, taking input from the public and drafting language to put protections into Rule prohibiting these calling-card scams from occurring in our state.
In the meantime, the FTC lists some guidelines consumers should follow before purchasing a pre-paid calling card:
Ask any retailer if they will stand behind the card if it doesn’t deliver the number of minutes advertised.
Check the card’s package or in-store advertising for domestic and international rates. If you can’t find the rate, consider buying a different card.
Look for disclosures about surcharges, “maintenance” fees, and fees for making calls from a pay phone, to a cell phone, or using a toll-free access number.
Compare rates. Very low rates, particularly for international calls, may be a warning sign that the card won’t deliver the number of advertised minutes.
Look for expiration dates.
Look for a toll-free customer service number. If the customer service number isn’t toll-free or displayed, it may be difficult to contact the company if you have a problem with the card.
Make sure you can understand the instructions on the card.
Make sure the card comes in a sealed envelope or that the PIN is not visible. Otherwise, anyone can copy the PIN and use the phone time you’re paying for.
If your pre-paid phone card doesn’t work — even after you’ve called the customer service number — contact:
The Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP)
Monday 1/18 1:30 HHR A Judiciary Public Hearing: HB 2793 - Clarifying and expanding the rights and obligations of state registered domestic partners and other couples related to parentage (i.e., surrogacy contracts).
1:30 HHR D Human Services Public Hearing: HB 2624 – Suspending the interstate compact for adult offender supervision (related to Maurice Clemmons case). HB 2747 – Limiting the use of restraints on pregnant women or youth.
3:30 HHR B Transportation Public Hearing: HB 2635 – Addressing the use of wireless communications devices while driving (Makes texting and handheld cell phone use a primary offense for drivers. For young drivers, all wireless communication, including hands free devices, is banned except for certain emergency situations.)
6:00 HHR A Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Work Session: Overview of the Lakewood Police Department and Maurice Clemmons Case.
Tuesday 1/19 8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations Work Session: Fee supported programs within select agencies for which the revenue from the fee does not fully cover the costs of the program.
Department of Ecology
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Fish & Wildlife
Office of the Secretary of State
Washington State Patrol
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance Public Hearing: HB 2622 – Protecting consumers from unfair practices by establishing criteria for the dissemination of credit and court record information contained in a consumer’s tenant screening report.
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations Public Hearing: HB 2670 – Restoring the school district levy base.
10:00 HHR C Ecology & Parks Public Hearing: HB 2562 – Concerning lease rates for industrial users of state-owned aquatic lands (Would re-calculate lease rates using the market rate).
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Public Hearing (bills related to Maurice Clemmons case): HB 1203 – Modifying the definition of relative for purposes of the crime of rendering criminal assistance. HB 2625 – Addressing bail for felony offenses. HB 2626 – Modifying violation provisions for offenders. HJR 4213 – Adopting the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act to amend the state Constitution to exempt certain persons charged with a most serious crime from being bailable if proof is evident that the individual is potentially dangerous to other people in the community. HJR 4214 - Adopting the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act to amend the state Constitution to exempt certain persons charged with a most serious crime from being bailable if proof is evident that the individual is potentially dangerous to other people in the community. HB 2781 – Imposing a sanction for offenders who violate sentence conditions by committing an assault against a law enforcement officer, employee of a law enforcement agency, or department of corrections employee.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs Work Session: Background on HB 2617 – Eliminating boards and commissions. Public Hearing: HB 2583 - Prior to filing court action alleging a violation of the public records act, the requester and agency may first confer in person or by telephone.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness Public Hearing: HB 2652 – Regulating tanning facilities.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources Public Hearing: HB 2696 - Regarding a proposal for a new permit-only salmonid fishery for the Columbia river.
1:30 HHR C Finance Public Hearing: HB 2650 – Providing local flexibility with existing revenues during severe economic downturns.
1:30 HHR E Early Learning & Children’s Services Public Hearing (all three early learning proposals): HB 2431 - Establishing within basic education a program of early learning for at-risk children. HB 2731 - Creating an early learning program for educationally at-risk children. HB 2867 - Promoting early learning.
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means Public Hearing: HB 2921 – Early savings bill
Wednesday 1/20 8:00 HHR D Human Services Public Hearing: HB 2782 – Reorganizing delivery of services to recipients of public assistance (Security Lifeline Act: Renames GAU as Disability Lifeline, seeks to expedite transitions from GAU to SSI, streamlines and coordinates applications for and access to basic needs services and employment and training services.)
8:00 HHR A Judiciary Public Hearing: HB 1908 - Modifying the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act. HB 2662 - Conforming certain manufactured/mobile home dispute resolution program definitions with certain manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act definitions.
8:00 HHR B Community & Economic Development & Trade Public Hearing: HB 2632 – Expanding the number of households living in the middle-income bracket HB 2658 - Refocusing the department of commerce, including transferring programs (DOC re-org).
1:30 HHR B Commerce & Labor Public Hearing: HB 2642 – Establishing a pilot project to allow wine tasting at farmers market.
3:300 HHR B Transportation Work Session: 2009 State Route 520 Legislative Work Group Report
3:30 HHR C Capital Budget Work Session:
Joint Legislative Task Force on School Construction Funding Recommendations
School District Capital Construction Reimbursement Claim Process Report
Analysis of the School Construction Assistance Program Allocations Report
Qualified School Construction Bonds, Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, and Build America Bonds
6:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance Public Hearing: HB 2513 – Banning the use of credit scoring by insurance companies for insurance purposes.
6:00 HHR A Education Appropriations Work Session: Levy equalization.
Thursday 1/21 8:00 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs Public Hearing: HB 2617 – Eliminating certain boards and commissions
1:30 HHR C General Government Appropriations Work Session: Impact of Department of Corrections facility closures.
Friday 1/22 8:00 HHR A Education Work Session: Gangs in Schools. Public Hearing: HB 2834 - Regarding gang and hate group activity at schools and school activities. HB 2835 - Increasing school safety. HB 2801 - Regarding antiharassment strategies in public schools.
9:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Possible executive session: HB 2115 – Allowing booking photographs and electronic images at jails to be open to the public.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs Public Hearing: HB 2603 – Requiring agencies to give small businesses an opportunity to comply with a state law or agency rule before imposing a penalty.
1:30 HHR A Finance Jt. w/ Health Care & Wellness Public Hearing: HB 2388 – Concerning public health financing (candy tax)
House Democrats are working on issues that matter: creating good jobs and a competitive business climate, building strong schools, protecting the environment and making government more accountable and efficient.
Democracy works best when citizens are accurately informed and fully engaged. We hope this blog helps you learn more about what House Democrats are doing to build a better future for all of us who live, work, and do business in this state.
