Rep. Judy Clibborn and Rep. Marko Liias, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the House Transportation Committee, will unveil plans for transportation projects funded by President Obama's federal stimulus at a press conference this coming Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The press conference will be in House Hearing Room B in the John L. O’Brien Building.
The House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposal following directly after the press conference at 1:30, also in House Hearing Room B.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Lawmakers propose restrictions on those convicted of assault of a child
Pierce and Russell Woodruff lived through every parent's worst nightmare when they asked 33-year-old family friend Matthew Christiansen to babysit their 15-month-old son Eryk. The man beat the child, leaving him with broken bones and serious brain injuries. Doctors told the parents they didn't think Eryk would live.Matthew Christiansen pled guilty and is serving 10 years in prison. The Woodruffs want to do everything they can to prevent the same tragedy from happening again.
Rep. Chris Hurst met with the Woodruffs on Thursday and talked about what lawmakers could do. The Woodruffs told Hurst they want those convicted of first-degree assault of a child to face severe punishment and not be allowed, by law, to work with children -- as child care providers or teachers, for example -- or to serve as coaches or youth group leaders like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Hurst worked with the Woodruffs and the lawmakers from the district where the Woodruff's live -- Representatives Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) and Mike Hope (R-Lake Stevens) -- on legislation (HB 2279) to achieve those goals.
Dunshee said he was happy to find a bipartisan solution to this issue.
"It's rare to find such cooperation across the aisles and across the rotunda," Dunshee said. "I appreciate how everyone come together yesterday and got behind this legislation to better protect kids across this state."
Photo: Pierce and Russell Woodruff, the mother and father of Eryk Woodruff, stand with Eryk's Law authors (from left to right) Reps. Hans Dunshee, Mike Hope and Christopher Hurst.
SPECIAL TOWN HALL: The Economic Crisis, Unemployment, and our Social Safety Net
Saturday, February 219am to 12pm
Pacific Lutheran University
Scandinavian Cultural Center Room
Money is tight, jobs have become scarce, and families are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know what options are available, and how your state government can assist you through these tough times.
Join State Representatives Steve Conway, Tami Green and other legislators for a special town meeting to discuss the economic crisis, unemployment, and our state’s social safety net.
Representatives from state agencies and community support groups will also be on-hand to answer questions and provide information on how you can qualify for, and gain access to, state-offered programs and services to help you get back on your feet.
Attending the special town hall will be representatives from:
Washington State Employment Security Department
- Accessing Unemployment Benefits
- The Shared-Work Program: Assistance for Employers
Bates College and Clover Park Technical College
- Workforce Training Opportunities
- Washington’s Social Safety Net
The Scandinavian Cultural Center Room at Pacific Lutheran University is located at the corner of Park Avenue South & Garfield Street. On-street parking only.
Rep. Springer fights to protect homebuyers against construction defects
In an effort to protect homeowners from a growing trend in new home construction defects and provide homebuyers with legal remedies and additional resources, Rep. Springer (D-Kirkland) introduced House Bill 1393.
“There’s a strange anomaly in our law that you have more protection for purchasing a toaster or a car than you do for the major purchase of your life,” said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 1393 addresses residential real property construction improvements through consumer education, warranty provisions, contractor registration requirements, and worker certification standards.
House Bill 1393 was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. Next, it will go to the House Ways & Means Committee. A similar bill was also heard in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee yesterday.
“I am very pleased that the legislature has taken a significant step toward providing homebuyers the protections they deserve against poor home construction,” Springer said. “My hat is off to all the stakeholders who have worked so hard for the past three years to craft legislation to deal with this very controversial issue. I look forward to this bill becoming a law so that homeowners will receive the protection they deserve.”
(View the original press release.)
“There’s a strange anomaly in our law that you have more protection for purchasing a toaster or a car than you do for the major purchase of your life,” said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 1393 addresses residential real property construction improvements through consumer education, warranty provisions, contractor registration requirements, and worker certification standards.
House Bill 1393 was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. Next, it will go to the House Ways & Means Committee. A similar bill was also heard in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee yesterday.
“I am very pleased that the legislature has taken a significant step toward providing homebuyers the protections they deserve against poor home construction,” Springer said. “My hat is off to all the stakeholders who have worked so hard for the past three years to craft legislation to deal with this very controversial issue. I look forward to this bill becoming a law so that homeowners will receive the protection they deserve.”
(View the original press release.)
Speaker Chopp's statement on latest revenue news
Late yesterday, the state’s chief economist, Arun Raha, delivered the expected bad news that our state shortfall is growing (up from $6 billion to about $8 billion). You can read news clips about Raha’s report here, here and here.
Here’s the statement released by Speaker Frank Chopp concerning the state’s early revenue forecast numbers:
Here’s the statement released by Speaker Frank Chopp concerning the state’s early revenue forecast numbers:
“Today’s revenue forecast is not unexpected. The recession affecting the rest of the world is hitting Washington, too. However, as planned we have already taken steps to minimize the shortfall in the current biennium. The Early Action Savings and Belt-tightening measures signed this week by the Governor reduced that hole by $719 million. We will address the remaining short-term deficit very soon in the supplemental budget while we consider all the options available to meet the challenge.
In addition to the actions we’ve already taken, help is coming to Washington through the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This federal package will send billions of dollars to our state to save or create thousands of jobs, improve our roads and bridges, and help with additional needs in critical areas like education.
But this recovery package will not solve all of our budget challenges. Only a portion of it can be used to address the shortfall – much of it is directed to specific purposes not included in our operating budget.
As we take the next steps on the budgets, we can’t let tough times become an excuse for sacrificing the things that matter most to our families – education for our children, access to health care, and protections for those who can’t take care of themselves.”
What's Hot in the House Next Week?
Monday 2/23/09
10:00am on the Floor – We are scheduled to be on the floor all day, but that is still not a certainty. We’ll keep you posted and send the bills to be considered as soon as we can.
Tuesday 2/24/09
1:30pm in Capital Budget
Public Hearing: SHB 1007 – Establishing a sustainable energy trust bond.
1:30pm in Transportation
Public Hearing: HB 1978 – Concerning economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.
1:30pm in Ways & Means
Public Hearing:
SHB 1355 – Establishing the opportunity internship program for high school students.
SHB 1727 – Expanding the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners.
Wednesday 2/25/09
8:00am in Education Appropriations
Public Hearing:
SHB 1162 – Providing for social emotional learning in public schools.
HB 1075 – Enacting the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children.
HB 2021 – Revitalizing student financial aid.
SHB 1813 – Regarding establishing and meeting graduation and reengagement goals.
Friday 2/27/09
8:00am in Human Services
Work Session: Adolescent Brain Development and the Juvenile Justice System.
10:00am on the Floor – We are scheduled to be on the floor all day, but that is still not a certainty. We’ll keep you posted and send the bills to be considered as soon as we can.
Tuesday 2/24/09
1:30pm in Capital Budget
Public Hearing: SHB 1007 – Establishing a sustainable energy trust bond.
1:30pm in Transportation
Public Hearing: HB 1978 – Concerning economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.
1:30pm in Ways & Means
Public Hearing:
SHB 1355 – Establishing the opportunity internship program for high school students.
SHB 1727 – Expanding the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners.
Wednesday 2/25/09
8:00am in Education Appropriations
Public Hearing:
SHB 1162 – Providing for social emotional learning in public schools.
HB 1075 – Enacting the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children.
HB 2021 – Revitalizing student financial aid.
SHB 1813 – Regarding establishing and meeting graduation and reengagement goals.
Friday 2/27/09
8:00am in Human Services
Work Session: Adolescent Brain Development and the Juvenile Justice System.
Today's Hot List
8:00am in Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2239 - Concerning the creation of a student loan program with a dedicated revenue source.
10:00am Floor Action
Here's a look at the growing list of bills up for possible vote.
1:30pm in Finance
Public Hearing:
HB 2122 - Reducing the business and occupation tax burden on the newspaper industry.
HB 2123 - Reducing the business and occupation tax rate on the business of printing, and of publishing newspapers, magazines, or periodicals.
Public Hearing: HB 2239 - Concerning the creation of a student loan program with a dedicated revenue source.
10:00am Floor Action
Here's a look at the growing list of bills up for possible vote.
1:30pm in Finance
Public Hearing:
HB 2122 - Reducing the business and occupation tax burden on the newspaper industry.
HB 2123 - Reducing the business and occupation tax rate on the business of printing, and of publishing newspapers, magazines, or periodicals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
