A View of Tukwila is this year’s theme to the art exhibit featured in hometown State Representative Zack Hudgins’ legislative office. The exhibit features nearly 30 pastoral paintings of the greener side of Tukwila – a side of the city often overlooked by commuters and passersby.
“I enjoy showcasing both the art and the artists of one of our state’s most vibrant districts,” said Hudgins. “The feedback I get from visitors and legislative colleagues of mine has been tremendous. I’m very proud to promote the communities and talents of the 11th District in Olympia.”
Come rub elbows with Rep. Hudgins and the artists, as they host an open house Tuesday, Feb.2, 6-8pm.
For those who can't make it, here's a virtual tour of Rep. Hudgins' office exhibit:
Friday, January 29, 2010
Rep. Orwall helps adoptees like her discover their roots
“Adoptees in Washington State currently don’t have the same rights as everybody else,” said Rep. Tina Orwall, an adoptee herself, who knows what it’s like to be kept in the dark. “The fact that many don’t have access to the original birth certificates is discriminatory. Nobody should be denied the right to know who they are and where they came from.”As the law currently stands, Washington citizens who were adopted prior to October 1993 do not have access to their original birth certificate unless they get consent from the birth parent(s) or if they are granted access by the court.
Things could change, however, with Orwall’s bill.
Read the full story here.
Today's hot list
No more phosphorous on turf? Shut down state agencies throughout the year? Those questions, and more, in today's committee line-up.
10:00 Session/Caucus
Noon HHR A Ways & Means
Executive Session: SSB 6503 - Closing state agencies on specified dates
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HJM 4025 – Jointly honoring and supporting the Republic of South Vietnam and American veterans of the Vietnam War.
1:30 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 3141 - Redesigning the delivery of temporary assistance to needy families.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2744 - Protecting lake water quality by reducing phosphorus from lawn fertilizers.
10:00 Session/Caucus
Noon HHR A Ways & Means
Executive Session: SSB 6503 - Closing state agencies on specified dates
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HJM 4025 – Jointly honoring and supporting the Republic of South Vietnam and American veterans of the Vietnam War.
1:30 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 3141 - Redesigning the delivery of temporary assistance to needy families.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2744 - Protecting lake water quality by reducing phosphorus from lawn fertilizers.
House stays focused on budget cuts
Working late into the evening, the House yesterday passed the third bill in a four-part package of early budget cuts and efficiencies.
Senate bill 6382 extends a freeze on state employee salaries, out-of-state travel, and other costs at least through June 30, 2011. Without last night's vote, the freeze would have expired February 18th.
The House has already passed two other early-action budget measures over to the Senate. The first. HB 2921, is expected to be approved by the Senate today and sent on to the Governor. The second, HB 2998, will ban salary bonuses to state employees.
The final bill of the package is SB 6503, a measure requiring all state employees to take unpaid leave several times a year. That one is expected to clear the House Ways and Means committee this afternoon and head to the floor early next week.
Senate bill 6382 extends a freeze on state employee salaries, out-of-state travel, and other costs at least through June 30, 2011. Without last night's vote, the freeze would have expired February 18th.
The House has already passed two other early-action budget measures over to the Senate. The first. HB 2921, is expected to be approved by the Senate today and sent on to the Governor. The second, HB 2998, will ban salary bonuses to state employees.
The final bill of the package is SB 6503, a measure requiring all state employees to take unpaid leave several times a year. That one is expected to clear the House Ways and Means committee this afternoon and head to the floor early next week.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Rep. Eric Pettigrew aims for high quality early learning for all children
As a strong advocate for improved early learning and at risk youth, Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) remains persistent in his effort to increase access to high quality education for all children.
Pettigrew’s House Bill 1329, which provides collective bargaining rights for child care workers and directors under the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act, passed the House Wednesday, 62 to 35.
“This bill closes the gap between what the state provides in dollars and what high quality education actually costs,” Pettigrew said. Low wages and lack of training persist among child care centers statewide. Pettigrew said that the state has helped low-income families pay for child care for a number of years, but the cost of that care is much higher than the reimbursement rate. For child care centers with high percentages of subsidy recipients, surviving can be near impossible.
“My motivation for sponsoring this bill is about one thing -- increasing opportunities for our children,” Pettigrew said.
Pettigrew’s HB 1329 requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to adjust subsidy rates for all child care centers in a DSHS region in order to match the rates reached through collective bargaining agreements for the same region. This means that even facilities that don’t participate in collective bargaining negotiations will benefit from negotiated increased subsidy rates.
“If we want to invest in our children, we must invest in early learning, and that’s exactly what this bill does,” Pettigrew said.
Pettigrew’s House Bill 1329, which provides collective bargaining rights for child care workers and directors under the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act, passed the House Wednesday, 62 to 35.
“This bill closes the gap between what the state provides in dollars and what high quality education actually costs,” Pettigrew said. Low wages and lack of training persist among child care centers statewide. Pettigrew said that the state has helped low-income families pay for child care for a number of years, but the cost of that care is much higher than the reimbursement rate. For child care centers with high percentages of subsidy recipients, surviving can be near impossible.
“My motivation for sponsoring this bill is about one thing -- increasing opportunities for our children,” Pettigrew said.
Pettigrew’s HB 1329 requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to adjust subsidy rates for all child care centers in a DSHS region in order to match the rates reached through collective bargaining agreements for the same region. This means that even facilities that don’t participate in collective bargaining negotiations will benefit from negotiated increased subsidy rates.
“If we want to invest in our children, we must invest in early learning, and that’s exactly what this bill does,” Pettigrew said.
Not so fast: traffic cameras re-examined
Amid cries of Big Brother, overly stiff fines and conflicting traffic-safety data, the House Transportation Committee yesterday focused its lens on automatic traffic safety cameras. These small cameras are causing a big impact across Washington—21 cities across Washington now have camera systems, and more are surely considering them. Before the committee heard Rep. Christopher Hurst’s bill (2780), it held a work session on the overall issue, with perspectives from folks from the state Traffic Safety Commission, Department of Transportation and a traffic-camera vendor.
Hurst’s bill would limit fines to $25, require that yellow lights run for four seconds and reform the process for challenging infractions. He disputed the rosy public-approval statistics touted by the camera industry, saying that 99 percent of the people who’ve contacted him are unhappy with the camera systems. He cited a report by the Spokesman Review that actually noted an increase in crashes and injuries at intersections with red-light cameras.
Hurst and some committee members are skeptical of systems being seen as revenue generators by local jurisdictions. “When there’s a profit incentive, you have to be a little careful,” Hurst said, mindful that the public’s confidence in law enforcement could erode if these systems aren’t seen as fair. He wants fines to be set at a “break-even” level, not the fines of $100+ in some jurisdictions currently.
Critics of the bill testified that the existing system is working just fine—very well, even. Seattle reports that red-light runnings and traffic injuries have been reduced over the past two years, and that about 75 percent of fines are paid, indicating public acceptance. They also say traffic cameras are simply a cost-effective solution, since stationing an officer at an intersection would cost far more taxpayer money to do the same thing.
More info on HB 2780 is here.
Hurst’s bill would limit fines to $25, require that yellow lights run for four seconds and reform the process for challenging infractions. He disputed the rosy public-approval statistics touted by the camera industry, saying that 99 percent of the people who’ve contacted him are unhappy with the camera systems. He cited a report by the Spokesman Review that actually noted an increase in crashes and injuries at intersections with red-light cameras.
Hurst and some committee members are skeptical of systems being seen as revenue generators by local jurisdictions. “When there’s a profit incentive, you have to be a little careful,” Hurst said, mindful that the public’s confidence in law enforcement could erode if these systems aren’t seen as fair. He wants fines to be set at a “break-even” level, not the fines of $100+ in some jurisdictions currently.
Critics of the bill testified that the existing system is working just fine—very well, even. Seattle reports that red-light runnings and traffic injuries have been reduced over the past two years, and that about 75 percent of fines are paid, indicating public acceptance. They also say traffic cameras are simply a cost-effective solution, since stationing an officer at an intersection would cost far more taxpayer money to do the same thing.
More info on HB 2780 is here.
Bad News Bear Makes Good
The B-Town Blog, on all things Burien, reports that local Rep. Dave Upthegrove is working on legislation that would allow the Highline-area Little League organization to continue to lease land from the Port of Seattle at a reduced rate, ensuring the ball fields will be there for the next generation of ballplayers.
What the B-Town Blog misses, however, is young Dave's striking resemblance to Bad News Bear Tanner Boyle. You be the judge.
Dave:
Tanner Boyle:
What the B-Town Blog misses, however, is young Dave's striking resemblance to Bad News Bear Tanner Boyle. You be the judge.
Dave:
Tanner Boyle:
Rep. Hunter: We ought to be able to have a calm and reasoned conversation
Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a proposal to ban certain semi-automatic weapons.
The bill was introduced in response to numerous killings over the past year, most recently and prominently, the murder of a teenager, Aaron Sullivan, in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood, the murder of Seattle officer Timothy Brenton, and the slaying of four Lakewood officers.
Rep. Ross Hunter was part of the discussions about the proposal and chose not to introduce legislation in the House this year, primarily because of the difficulties in defining which weapons to ban.
Just prior to the start of the legislative session, he met with Aaron Sullivan's mother to talk about why a ban on certain assault weapons might have saved her son.
During their meeting, Hunter described the challenge of writing legislation that reasonably balances strong protections for individuals' gun rights with reasonable restrictions on military weapons.
The bill was introduced in response to numerous killings over the past year, most recently and prominently, the murder of a teenager, Aaron Sullivan, in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood, the murder of Seattle officer Timothy Brenton, and the slaying of four Lakewood officers.
Rep. Ross Hunter was part of the discussions about the proposal and chose not to introduce legislation in the House this year, primarily because of the difficulties in defining which weapons to ban.
Just prior to the start of the legislative session, he met with Aaron Sullivan's mother to talk about why a ban on certain assault weapons might have saved her son.
During their meeting, Hunter described the challenge of writing legislation that reasonably balances strong protections for individuals' gun rights with reasonable restrictions on military weapons.
"Trying to say where is the line between military weapons and non-military weapons, and how can we do that, will be the trick. If we can't convince people that we have excluded normal sporting weapons from the ban, it won't pass...We ought to be able to have a calm and reasoned conversation about that."The bill appears to be faltering and it's uncertain whether it will move forward this session. But Dr. Sullivan provides a personal perspective on a highly politicized issue that's worth watching. You can take a look at her meeting with Hunter here.
Today's hot list
Wisecracks from Eyman, hydro-power, new funding formulas for our K-12 system... it's another fine day in Olympia. Enjoy today's lineup.
8:00 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing (bills related to gathering signatures and filing initiatives):
HB 2397 – Imposing a distance requirement for gathering signatures on an initiative measure or referendum
HB 2570 – Protecting the integrity of the initiative and referendum process
HB 2579 – Addressing the revocation of signatures on ballot measures
HB 2613 – Concerning signature gathering for initiatives, referenda, and recall petitions
HB 2614 – Concerning signature gathering
HB 2615 – Modifying the filing fee provision for initiatives and referenda
8:00 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2966 – Establishing a state meat inspection program.
8:00 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 2741 – Transferring the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.
10:00 HHR B Technology, Energy & Communications
Public Hearing:
HB 2432 - Recognizing hydroelectric generation as a renewable energy resource.
HJR 4215 - Amending the state Constitution to require that hydroelectric generation be recognized as a renewable resource.
1:30 HHR A Education Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 2776 - Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (these are the new funding formulas recommended by the Quality Education Council which oversees implementation of last year's HB 2261).
1:30 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the health care system in the 2009-11 biennium.
6:00 Floor Action
8:00 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing (bills related to gathering signatures and filing initiatives):
HB 2397 – Imposing a distance requirement for gathering signatures on an initiative measure or referendum
HB 2570 – Protecting the integrity of the initiative and referendum process
HB 2579 – Addressing the revocation of signatures on ballot measures
HB 2613 – Concerning signature gathering for initiatives, referenda, and recall petitions
HB 2614 – Concerning signature gathering
HB 2615 – Modifying the filing fee provision for initiatives and referenda
8:00 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2966 – Establishing a state meat inspection program.
8:00 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 2741 – Transferring the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.
10:00 HHR B Technology, Energy & Communications
Public Hearing:
HB 2432 - Recognizing hydroelectric generation as a renewable energy resource.
HJR 4215 - Amending the state Constitution to require that hydroelectric generation be recognized as a renewable resource.
1:30 HHR A Education Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 2776 - Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (these are the new funding formulas recommended by the Quality Education Council which oversees implementation of last year's HB 2261).
1:30 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the health care system in the 2009-11 biennium.
6:00 Floor Action
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
House members board the Bus for a ride down the Infobahn
What happens when you combine some higher ed legislative leaders in Olympia with the tech-savvy next-generationers at the Washington Bus?
Synergistic videoconferencing political-forum magic.
The Bus is hosting a video conference tonight with state reps. Deb Wallace, Bob Hasegawa, and Scott White, all boarding the bus to talk public Higher Ed from 6 to 8 pm. Fans of the Bus, the legislators, or technological marvel in general can join in at Grey Gallery and Lounge on Capitol Hill.
The festivities start with a viewing of President Obama's State of the Union address followed by the 2-D legislators talking about your future.
Grey. SOTU. Bus. Good times.
Speaker Pro Tem comments on Oregon election results
Oregon voters approved two measures yesterday -- one that raises income tax on the state's wealthiest residents and another that increases the minimum corporate tax for the first time in decades.
House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Morris (Mount Vernon) had this to say about the outcome:
"Almost every state in the nation is facing a budget deficit. The results of the Oregon election show that voters recognize filling these deficits by just cutting safety nets will have a long-term negative effect on people individually having a good job and putting food on the table.
"Investments in public education, economic development, worker training and safety nets are critical to assuring a fair shake to the people nad businesses walking on a high wire to economic growth."
House Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Morris (Mount Vernon) had this to say about the outcome:
"Almost every state in the nation is facing a budget deficit. The results of the Oregon election show that voters recognize filling these deficits by just cutting safety nets will have a long-term negative effect on people individually having a good job and putting food on the table.
"Investments in public education, economic development, worker training and safety nets are critical to assuring a fair shake to the people nad businesses walking on a high wire to economic growth."
Today's hot list
Cameras at intersections, Race to the Top, and street gangs are a few of the topics in today's committee lineup.
8:00 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing: HB 3045 – Alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders with minor children
8:00 HHR E Local Government & Housing
Public Hearing:
HB 2906 – Authorizing bonds for the housing trust fund program
HB 2922 – Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund
10:00 Floor/Caucus
1:30 HHR A Education
Public hearing on bills related to Race to the Top:
HB 3059 - Expanding options for educator preparation.
HB 3035 - Regarding educator performance and innovation.
HB 3038 - Regarding standards and accountability in education.
1:30 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2415 – Concerning criminal street gangs
HB 2550 – Concerning abatement of nuisances involving criminal street gang activity
1:30 HHR C Environmental Health
Public Hearing: HB 2818 – Reducing the environmental health impact of cleaning in state facilities.
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Work session: Traffic safety cameras
Public Hearing: HB 2780 - Concerning automated traffic safety cameras.
8:00 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing: HB 3045 – Alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders with minor children
8:00 HHR E Local Government & Housing
Public Hearing:
HB 2906 – Authorizing bonds for the housing trust fund program
HB 2922 – Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund
10:00 Floor/Caucus
1:30 HHR A Education
Public hearing on bills related to Race to the Top:
HB 3059 - Expanding options for educator preparation.
HB 3035 - Regarding educator performance and innovation.
HB 3038 - Regarding standards and accountability in education.
1:30 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2415 – Concerning criminal street gangs
HB 2550 – Concerning abatement of nuisances involving criminal street gang activity
1:30 HHR C Environmental Health
Public Hearing: HB 2818 – Reducing the environmental health impact of cleaning in state facilities.
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Work session: Traffic safety cameras
Public Hearing: HB 2780 - Concerning automated traffic safety cameras.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Additional changes proposed to math and science graduation standards
The House Education Committee just wrapped up public testimony on a bill that would bump back graduation requirements for science from the class of 2013 to the class of 2017, and modifies math requirements to allow students in the class of 2015 and beyond to graduate with a Basic score on the math assessment and at least four math credits.
HB 2915 was proposed by Randy Dorn, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dorn's office issued a statement saying:
Currently, high school students up to the class of 2012 are required to meet state standards in reading, writing and math, OR, if unable to pass the math assessment, take an additional two credits of math. Students in the class of 2013 and beyond are required to pass assessments in reading, writing, math and science.
This is just the latest in the ongoing work to refine our state's testing system, starting largely in 2007 with passage of Rep. Ross Hunter's bill calling for a comprehensive review of math and science standards for high school students. Last session the Legislature approved getting rid of the WASL in favor of a different system (also proposed by Dorn).
Assessments and graduation requirements are two issues that generate a lot of debate because they touch on so many of the challenges in educating kids - adequate funding, tests that assess an individual student v. tests that assess a classroom or school or school district, one-size-fits-all approach to education v. more customized for an individual student's needs, closing the achievement gap and whether any one assessment is fair for all kids, what do kids really need to know when they graduate from high school... the list of debatable issues goes on. Efforts to win federal Race to the Top dollars add some urgency to the debate.
For now, we'll see whether Dorn's proposal gains traction. Stay tuned.
HB 2915 was proposed by Randy Dorn, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dorn's office issued a statement saying:
Dorn is asking for the math graduation requirement to be moved back to the class of 2015 to better align the testing system with the new math learning standards. For example, this year’s ninth graders who are taking Algebra I won’t be able to take the end-of-course exam in that subject until 2011 because the exam is not available this year.
“You’ve got to be fair to the students, and the timing of this simply doesn’t add up,” Dorn said. “In 2011, we have new math learning standards, we have new math exams and we have new graduation requirements. You have all these things happening at once and that’s putting a lot of strain on the system, and it’s the students who will bear the brunt of that strain.”
Dorn is also proposing a two-tier system in math where students can pass with a score of Basic or Proficient. Those students who pass with a score of Basic on both exams must earn two credits of math after 10th grade to fulfill the math requirement.
Currently, high school students up to the class of 2012 are required to meet state standards in reading, writing and math, OR, if unable to pass the math assessment, take an additional two credits of math. Students in the class of 2013 and beyond are required to pass assessments in reading, writing, math and science.
This is just the latest in the ongoing work to refine our state's testing system, starting largely in 2007 with passage of Rep. Ross Hunter's bill calling for a comprehensive review of math and science standards for high school students. Last session the Legislature approved getting rid of the WASL in favor of a different system (also proposed by Dorn).
Assessments and graduation requirements are two issues that generate a lot of debate because they touch on so many of the challenges in educating kids - adequate funding, tests that assess an individual student v. tests that assess a classroom or school or school district, one-size-fits-all approach to education v. more customized for an individual student's needs, closing the achievement gap and whether any one assessment is fair for all kids, what do kids really need to know when they graduate from high school... the list of debatable issues goes on. Efforts to win federal Race to the Top dollars add some urgency to the debate.
For now, we'll see whether Dorn's proposal gains traction. Stay tuned.
Today's hot list
Today's full lineup includes school levy proposals, changes to math and science graduation requirements, suspending pay raises, and more.
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations
Work Session: Review of the Quality Education Council Report and Recommendations
Public Hearing:
HB 2893 – Changing school levy provisions (Sullivan’s bill to increase the levy lid and levy equalization and allow school districts to include I-728 and I-732 in their base)
HB 2776 – Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (follows up on the QEC’s work and sets new funding formulas in statute)
8:00 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the mental health system and alcohol and substance abuse programs in the 2009-11 biennium.
8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 1096 – Enhancing small business participation in state purchasing.
10:00 HHR C Commerce & Labor
Public Hearing:
HB 2743 – Addressing collective bargaining for certain employees of institutions of higher education and related boards.
HB 2584 – Regarding the scope of collective bargaining for nontenured faculty at community and technical colleges.
10:00 HHR B Ecology & Parks
Work Session: Federal update on greenhouse gas legislation from Senator Cantwell’s office. Will be video-teleconferenced.
10:00 HHR A Education
Public Hearing: HB 2915 – Regarding mathematics and science high school graduation requirements. (Postpones graduation requirement for math and science until the class of 2014)
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2787 – Addressing Green River emergency flooding reparedness and response
HB 2619 - Requiring the use of electronic signaling devices in certain conditions (requirements for mountain climbers)
10:00 HHR D Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2930 – Expanding the pool of qualified teachers.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness
Public Hearing: HB 2961 – Establishing a statewide electronic tracking system for the nonprescription sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HB 2736 – Establishing the office of open records
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means
Public Hearing: SB 6382 - Reducing cost of state government by prohibiting salary and wage increases for exempt and WMS employees.
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations
Work Session: Review of the Quality Education Council Report and Recommendations
Public Hearing:
HB 2893 – Changing school levy provisions (Sullivan’s bill to increase the levy lid and levy equalization and allow school districts to include I-728 and I-732 in their base)
HB 2776 – Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (follows up on the QEC’s work and sets new funding formulas in statute)
8:00 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the mental health system and alcohol and substance abuse programs in the 2009-11 biennium.
8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 1096 – Enhancing small business participation in state purchasing.
10:00 HHR C Commerce & Labor
Public Hearing:
HB 2743 – Addressing collective bargaining for certain employees of institutions of higher education and related boards.
HB 2584 – Regarding the scope of collective bargaining for nontenured faculty at community and technical colleges.
10:00 HHR B Ecology & Parks
Work Session: Federal update on greenhouse gas legislation from Senator Cantwell’s office. Will be video-teleconferenced.
10:00 HHR A Education
Public Hearing: HB 2915 – Regarding mathematics and science high school graduation requirements. (Postpones graduation requirement for math and science until the class of 2014)
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2787 – Addressing Green River emergency flooding reparedness and response
HB 2619 - Requiring the use of electronic signaling devices in certain conditions (requirements for mountain climbers)
10:00 HHR D Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2930 – Expanding the pool of qualified teachers.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness
Public Hearing: HB 2961 – Establishing a statewide electronic tracking system for the nonprescription sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HB 2736 – Establishing the office of open records
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means
Public Hearing: SB 6382 - Reducing cost of state government by prohibiting salary and wage increases for exempt and WMS employees.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tolling: today’s hot transportation topic
From the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, tolling has generated many headlines recently. The House Transportation Committee just wrapped a work session and hearing focused on this very subject: How might tolling help finance several significant transportation projects in Washington? We’ve reported before how the long-term projections for fuel-tax revenues are coming in lower than expected, and today’s committee meeting underscores just how much attention is turning toward tolling as a way to generate targeted revenue for specific projects.
The committee heard tolling reports for the Columbia River Crossing, Alaskan Way Viaduct-replacement and I-405 congestion-improvement projects. All three projects are expected to be financed in part by toll revenue, from a low of $67 million in the I-405 project to $1-2 billion for the Columbia River Crossing.
Following the work session, the committee continued by hearing three toll-related bills for I-405, the 520 corridor and tolling policy generally. As we know from past sessions, tolling is always a controversial issue, so today kicks off debate on a topic that could very well dominate transportation conversations this session.
The committee heard tolling reports for the Columbia River Crossing, Alaskan Way Viaduct-replacement and I-405 congestion-improvement projects. All three projects are expected to be financed in part by toll revenue, from a low of $67 million in the I-405 project to $1-2 billion for the Columbia River Crossing.
Following the work session, the committee continued by hearing three toll-related bills for I-405, the 520 corridor and tolling policy generally. As we know from past sessions, tolling is always a controversial issue, so today kicks off debate on a topic that could very well dominate transportation conversations this session.
House votes to protect children from harmful toxins
The House voted nearly unanimously to reduce the harmful toxin, Bisphenol A, from products marketed to young children. Only one dissenter thought it wouldn't be a good idea to protect babies from toxins that have been linked to organ failure, developmental problems, and cancer.
The bill's champion in the House, Mary Lou Dickerson,
was very pleased to see the House take early action to pass her bill. The House passed HB 1180 last year, but the Senate wasn't able to wrangle enough votes to do the same before the end of the session. Hopefully, this year will be a different story. Concerned parents and citizens across the state have been with us to fight for this. Below is one of those concerned moms, Kim from Seattle, who recently spoke to us about the bill. Kim is a new mom who participated in a study to determine which toxins in her body are being passed to her child.
The bill's champion in the House, Mary Lou Dickerson,
was very pleased to see the House take early action to pass her bill. The House passed HB 1180 last year, but the Senate wasn't able to wrangle enough votes to do the same before the end of the session. Hopefully, this year will be a different story. Concerned parents and citizens across the state have been with us to fight for this. Below is one of those concerned moms, Kim from Seattle, who recently spoke to us about the bill. Kim is a new mom who participated in a study to determine which toxins in her body are being passed to her child.
Morris wants aerospace manufacturing jobs in our state - or our money back
“Boeing has changed the nature of our relationship with the South Carolina decision,” said Rep. Morris. “They made a business decision. This is a business decision we need to make to protect Washington State taxpayer’s interest.” His bill, HB 3107, simply states that the tax exemptions will be canceled if any 787 assembly line in Washington fall below 50 percent of its total production.
Read the full release here.
For more information on the House Democrats’ aerospace tax exemptions and government streamlining package click here.
This week's hot list
Monday 1/25
1:30 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing:
HB 2717 – Restricting outings from state facilities (response to the mentally ill murderer who walked off from a field trip to the Spokane County fair)
HB 2932 -- Assessment and treatment of mentally ill persons committed to state hospitals under chapter 10.77 RCW (part of Governor's public safety package)
HB 3076 -- Modification to involuntary treatment act commitment standard (part of Governor's public safety package)
1:30 HHR B Technology, Energy & Communications
Public Hearing: HB 3034 – Modifying the energy independence act
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Work Session: Columbia River Crossing, Interstate 405, Alaskan Way Viaduct
Public Hearing:
HB 2941 – Authorizing the use of express toll lanes in the Interstate 405 corridor
HB 2897 – Concerning the administration, collection, use and enforcement of tolls
HB 2929 – Clarifying the use of revenue generated from tolling the state route 520 corridor
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means
Public Hearing:
HB 1547 – Increasing the duty-related death benefit for public employees
HB 1679 – Providing access to catastrophic disability medical insurance under plan 2 of the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ retirement system
HB 2998 – Suspending certain monetary awards and salary increases (one of our “early action” savings bills)
Tuesday 1/26
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations
Work Session: Review of the Quality Education Council Report and Recommendations
Public Hearing:
HB 2893 – Changing school levy provisions (Sullivan’s bill to increase the levy lid and levy equalization and allow school districts to include I-728 and I-732 in their base)
HB 2776 – Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (follows up on the QEC’s work and sets new funding formulas in statute)
8:00 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the mental health system and alcohol and substance abuse programs in the 2009-11 biennium.
8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 1096 – Enhancing small business participation in state purchasing.
10:00 HHR C Commerce & Labor
Public Hearing:
HB 2743 – Addressing collective bargaining for certain employees of institutions of higher education and related boards.
HB 2584 – Regarding the scope of collective bargaining for nontenured faculty at community and technical colleges.
10:00 HHR B Ecology & Parks
Work Session: Federal update on greenhouse gas legislation from Senator Cantwell’s office. Will be video-teleconferenced.
10:00 HHR A Education
Public Hearing: HB 2915 – Regarding mathematics and science high school graduation requirements. (Postpones graduation requirement for math and science until the class of 2014)
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2787 – Addressing Green River emergency flooding reparedness and response
HB 2619 - Requiring the use of electronic signaling devices in certain conditions (requirements for mountain climbers)
10:00 HHR D Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2930 – Expanding the pool of qualified teachers.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness
Public Hearing: HB 2961 – Establishing a statewide electronic tracking system for the nonprescription sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HB 2736 – Establishing the office of open records
1:30 HHR C Finance
Public Hearing:
HB 2970 – Addressing tax avoidance
HB 2972 – Increasing revenues by eliminating and narrowing preferential tax treatment
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Public Hearing: HB 2816 – Concerning fuel taxes on exported fuel
Wednesday 1/27
8:00 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing: HB 3045 – Alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders with minor children
8:00 HHR E Local Government & Housing
Public Hearing:
HB 2906 – Authorizing bonds for the housing trust fund program
HB 2922 – Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund
1:30 HHR A Education
Work Session: Update on Race to the Top
1:30 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2415 – Concerning criminal street gangs
HB 2550 – Concerning abatement of nuisances involving criminal street gang activity
1:30 HHR C Environmental Health
Public Hearing: HB 2818 – Reducing the environmental health impact of cleaning in state facilities.
Thursday 1/28
8:00 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing (all bills related to gathering signatures and filing initiatives):
HB 2397 – Imposing a distance requirement for gathering signatures on an initiative measure or referendum
HB 2570 – Protecting the integrity of the initiative and referendum process
HB 2579 – Addressing the revocation of signatures on ballot measures
HB 2613 – Concerning signature gathering for initiatives, referenda, and recall petitions
HB 2614 – Concerning signature gathering
HB 2615 – Modifying the filing fee provision for initiatives and referenda
8:00 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2966 – Establishing a state meat inspection program.
8:00 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 2741 – Transferring the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.
1:30 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the health care system in the 2009-11 biennium.
Friday 1/29
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HJM 4025 – Jointly honoring and supporting the Republic of South Vietnam and American veterans of the Vietnam War.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2599 – Concerning withdrawals of groundwater for stock watering purposes.
1:30 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing:
HB 2717 – Restricting outings from state facilities (response to the mentally ill murderer who walked off from a field trip to the Spokane County fair)
HB 2932 -- Assessment and treatment of mentally ill persons committed to state hospitals under chapter 10.77 RCW (part of Governor's public safety package)
HB 3076 -- Modification to involuntary treatment act commitment standard (part of Governor's public safety package)
1:30 HHR B Technology, Energy & Communications
Public Hearing: HB 3034 – Modifying the energy independence act
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Work Session: Columbia River Crossing, Interstate 405, Alaskan Way Viaduct
Public Hearing:
HB 2941 – Authorizing the use of express toll lanes in the Interstate 405 corridor
HB 2897 – Concerning the administration, collection, use and enforcement of tolls
HB 2929 – Clarifying the use of revenue generated from tolling the state route 520 corridor
3:30 HHR A Ways & Means
Public Hearing:
HB 1547 – Increasing the duty-related death benefit for public employees
HB 1679 – Providing access to catastrophic disability medical insurance under plan 2 of the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ retirement system
HB 2998 – Suspending certain monetary awards and salary increases (one of our “early action” savings bills)
Tuesday 1/26
8:00 HHR A Education Appropriations
Work Session: Review of the Quality Education Council Report and Recommendations
Public Hearing:
HB 2893 – Changing school levy provisions (Sullivan’s bill to increase the levy lid and levy equalization and allow school districts to include I-728 and I-732 in their base)
HB 2776 – Regarding funding distribution formulas for K-12 education (follows up on the QEC’s work and sets new funding formulas in statute)
8:00 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the mental health system and alcohol and substance abuse programs in the 2009-11 biennium.
8:00 HHR C General Government Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 1096 – Enhancing small business participation in state purchasing.
10:00 HHR C Commerce & Labor
Public Hearing:
HB 2743 – Addressing collective bargaining for certain employees of institutions of higher education and related boards.
HB 2584 – Regarding the scope of collective bargaining for nontenured faculty at community and technical colleges.
10:00 HHR B Ecology & Parks
Work Session: Federal update on greenhouse gas legislation from Senator Cantwell’s office. Will be video-teleconferenced.
10:00 HHR A Education
Public Hearing: HB 2915 – Regarding mathematics and science high school graduation requirements. (Postpones graduation requirement for math and science until the class of 2014)
10:00 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2787 – Addressing Green River emergency flooding reparedness and response
HB 2619 - Requiring the use of electronic signaling devices in certain conditions (requirements for mountain climbers)
10:00 HHR D Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2930 – Expanding the pool of qualified teachers.
1:30 HHR A Health Care & Wellness
Public Hearing: HB 2961 – Establishing a statewide electronic tracking system for the nonprescription sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HB 2736 – Establishing the office of open records
1:30 HHR C Finance
Public Hearing:
HB 2970 – Addressing tax avoidance
HB 2972 – Increasing revenues by eliminating and narrowing preferential tax treatment
3:30 HHR B Transportation
Public Hearing: HB 2816 – Concerning fuel taxes on exported fuel
Wednesday 1/27
8:00 HHR D Human Services
Public Hearing: HB 3045 – Alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders with minor children
8:00 HHR E Local Government & Housing
Public Hearing:
HB 2906 – Authorizing bonds for the housing trust fund program
HB 2922 – Providing housing assistance for certain veterans through the housing trust fund
1:30 HHR A Education
Work Session: Update on Race to the Top
1:30 HHR E Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing:
HB 2415 – Concerning criminal street gangs
HB 2550 – Concerning abatement of nuisances involving criminal street gang activity
1:30 HHR C Environmental Health
Public Hearing: HB 2818 – Reducing the environmental health impact of cleaning in state facilities.
Thursday 1/28
8:00 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing (all bills related to gathering signatures and filing initiatives):
HB 2397 – Imposing a distance requirement for gathering signatures on an initiative measure or referendum
HB 2570 – Protecting the integrity of the initiative and referendum process
HB 2579 – Addressing the revocation of signatures on ballot measures
HB 2613 – Concerning signature gathering for initiatives, referenda, and recall petitions
HB 2614 – Concerning signature gathering
HB 2615 – Modifying the filing fee provision for initiatives and referenda
8:00 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2966 – Establishing a state meat inspection program.
8:00 HHR E Early Learning & Children's Services
Public Hearing: HB 2741 – Transferring the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.
1:30 HHR B Health and Human Services
Work Session: Effects of budget reductions and proposed reductions on the health care system in the 2009-11 biennium.
Friday 1/29
1:30 HHR D State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: HJM 4025 – Jointly honoring and supporting the Republic of South Vietnam and American veterans of the Vietnam War.
1:30 HHR B Agriculture & Natural Resources
Public Hearing: HB 2599 – Concerning withdrawals of groundwater for stock watering purposes.
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