Volunteer service could be worth a varsity letter for high schoolers

Since 2001, an ever-increasing number of high schools in Pierce County have partnered with United Way to offer students the chance to earn a varsity letter in community service. The first year of the program, seven students were awarded letters; this year, 408 youth were honored at an awards ceremony. By comparison, about 5,000 students receive varsity letters for sports each year at Pierce County high schools.

Rep. Ruth Kagi would like to see Pierce’s County’s program go statewide, so more students can be given the opportunity to earn a varsity letter for their volunteer service efforts. To discuss ways of expanding the program across Washington, this week she met with state Superintendent Randy Dorn, Executive director of United Way of Pierce County Rick Allen, and representatives from the Gift of Giving Foundation in Shoreline, which has also successfully encouraged and rewarded high school students to volunteer in their community. Superintendent Dorn agreed to write letters of support to school superintendents and principals of high schools throughout the state to encourage them to adopt the varsity letter program in their own districts.

In Pierce County, United Way receives and screens the applications for the letter award each year. In order to earn a letter, a student must be in grade 9-12, be in good standing with at least a 2.0 GPA, and volunteer a minimum of 145 hours between April 1 and March 31, 50 of which must be outside of school activities. The minimum number of hours was chosen based on the amount of time high school athletes dedicate to their sport, and was also deemed to be attainable.

“Participation in community service builds an understanding of the importance of community, and teaches valuable skills in much the same way that participation in team sports does,” Rep. Kagi said. “The success of this program in Pierce County can easily be duplicated in other counties, and our communities will benefit greatly from it.”

Who loves entrepreneurs most?

Well, New York does, but a new study says Washington is a close second.

Despite the economic woes continuing to plague nearly every state in the nation, Washington is still plugging along as a great place to do business.

The latest State Entrepreneurial Index released yesterday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research shows Washington ranks 2nd in the nation for entrepreneurship.

The study looks at "a state’s percentage growth and per capita growth in business establishments, its business formation rate, the number of patents per thousand residents and gross receipts of sole proprietorships/partnerships per capita."

This isn't the only recent study touting Washington's start-up and biz-friendly credentials. Other rankings on the list?

• The Kauffman Foundation also ranked Washington 2nd in its 2010 State New Economy Index (link may take a few moments to download)
• The conservative-leaning Tax Foundation ranks our business taxes 11th lowest in the nation
• A CNBC study gave Washington high marks for things like access to capital (placing 5th), technology & innovation (5th) and quality of life (8th).

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.

Are the costs of our transportation and capital projects about to go up?

Maybe. That's the word from State Treasurer Jim McIntire who sent a letter this week to Washington's congressional delegation asking them to move swiftly on a solution on raising the national debt limit to avoid a major default.

Why is our state treasurer worrying about the national debt talks?

"...our state's access to capital and our credit rating may soon be threatened by federal gridlock on the debt ceiling. Turmoil in the U.S. Treasury market will surely move investors in municipal credits to the sidelines if there is uncertainty about the impact of federal paralysis on each state's credits. And it will not be possible to finance major construction projects or execute refundings to save taxpayer dollars without an adjustment in the federal debt ceiling.

Essentially, if the federal government fails to strike a deal on the debt ceiling, it could make it harder and more costly for state and local governments to finance projects.

State and local governments use various financing tools to pay for things like new schools, bridges, and major freeway projects. Bonds are one of the most essential tools for state and local governments. The Pew Center on the States points out that state and local governments issued $433 million in long-term municipal bonds just in 2010. The Center also describes how some of the targeted spending cuts could adversely impact state- and municipal -run programs related to housing, higher education, homeland security and more.

Congress has one week left to reach an agreement.

Rep. Chris Reykdal on the court challenge to I-1053

When I was sworn in as the new state representative from the 22nd Legislative District, I took an oath solemnly swearing to support the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington. That Constitution also guarantees a people’s initiative process, which is held sacred in our state. I will always defend that right in accordance with the Constitution.

There is a real question, however, whether Initiative 1053 is in accordance with the Constitution. There is concern that I-1053 did not attempt to amend state law; it attempted to amend the state Constitution, something I take very seriously.

Article II, Section 22 of the state Constitution clearly vests the powers of lawmaking in the Legislature with a simple majority. I-1053 requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to not only raise taxes, but also to close outdated and unproven tax preferences/loopholes. We all know our tax code desperately needs modernization, but I-1053 makes it nearly impossible to bring about changes. Under I-1053, just seventeen out of 147, or 11 percent of our legislators, control our tax code. This makes it all that much easier for the powerful lobbyists of those that benefit from the most egregious tax exemptions and preferences to target their influence, no matter what the voters of Washington tell us.

This last session many of us attempted to close an inappropriate tax break on large Wall Street banks to fund education for our youngest learners. That effort received a Constitutional majority of legislators who were elected by the people to represent them. Sadly, a minority of House members were able to block its passage.

Now, a coalition of educators and organizations, and some House Democrats who supported the bill are challenging I-1053 and we are looking to the courts for guidance on the matter.

Whatever the outcome, we must get past the simplicity of partisan politics in our state if we are going to make meaningful gains in education, public safety, human services, and other core functions of government. At times this will require cutting some programs as we did this year, and sometimes it will require raising taxes when appropriate.

We can have meaningful tax reform, a balanced budget, and a more effective state government if we legislators are allowed to perform our Constitutional duty. But we cannot make progress without the courts ruling on this matter once and for all. Our Constitution is a sacred document and the rights granted in it should not be altered without a clear constitutional amendment. Not the right to bear arms, the right of free speech, nor the right of taxation by a majority of elected legislators.

I look forward to the Court’s consideration of this legal challenge to I-1053. More importantly, I look forward to working with House and Senate members, the Governor, citizens, and key stakeholders in building a more rational and responsible approach to State Government taxation.

Chris Reykdal
22nd Legislative District

Bills to boost business and jobs go into effect

It's that time of year when the new laws of 2011 start going into effect.

Of the 2091 bills introduced last session, 427 were passed and signed by the governor. Many are technical or minor fixes to current law, but there were also many notable new policies approved. Here's a short round-up of some of the bills passed to bolster support for Washington's businesses and help create jobs. You can see more about our efforts here.

Giving small businesses more time to correct violations without a penalty (HB 1150) Small businesses now have seven calendar days—up from just two days—to fix most regulatory violations before agencies impose fines or sanctions. (With common-sense exceptions).

Giving contractors more time to appeal state agency rulings (HB 1055)
Contractors now have 30 days, instead of 20 days, to file regulatory appeals.

Strengthening the Regulatory Fairness Act for small businesses (SB 5500)
Beginning today, state rule-makers must consider small-business input and possible ways to reduce paperwork and regulatory compliance costs before imposing new rules on businesses.

Fair state contracting for small businesses (SB 1770)
This contracting reform requires all state purchasing agencies to adopt strategies and provide technical assistance to increase the number of state contracts awarded to small businesses.

Improving state help for local economic development (HB 1916)
New guidelines require the Department of Commerce and Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) to reach out to all businesses—including small businesses—throughout their services areas. It also improves ADO training in business services such as export assistance.

Promoting Washington wines and microbrews at Farmers Markets (HB 1172)
An innovative pilot project will allow beer and wine tastings of Washington products at up to 10 farmers markets—with safeguards to prevent problems such as minors taking tastes.

An anti-foreclosure Friday ahead - deadline for foreclosure loans and launch of mediation program

This Friday, July 22, is an important date for homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure. It is the deadline to qualify for the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program, which provides bridge loans to help with mortgage payments. But it is also the day the Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011 goes into effect, so as one program ends, another one launches to give struggling homeowners a helping hand.

The Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011, sponsored by state Rep. Tina Orwall this past session, created the Foreclosure Mediation Program to give homeowners facing foreclosure the chance to request a neutral, third-party mediator to come to a resolution with the lender.

The Des Moines Democrat said that she’s heard from homeowners who are basically given the runaround by the banks for years, and that this new program will offer them hope with the help of housing counselors and a mediation session with the lender to reach a solution that both parties can live with.

A community forum on the Foreclosure Fairness Act will be held on Thursday, July 21 for anyone interested in learning more about how the mediation program will work.

Attend the forum:

Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011 public forum

Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Kent Lutheran Church

336 2nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98032

Visit the Foreclosure Mediation program’s website or call the Washington State's foreclosure prevention hotline: 1-877-894-HOME (1-877-894-4663) to find a housing counselor.

Read Rep. Orwall’s press release on the Foreclosure Mediation Program here.

For more information on the bridge loan program, visit the website or call 855-FIND-EHLP.

To read this blog post in Spanish, go here.