Saturday, March 6, 2010
Today's lineup
Legislators are in caucus now and today will be another full day of floor action. We'll keep you posted on any big bills that come up.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Liveblogging the Budget Debate
Here are some of the highlights from last night's Floor Debate on the Operating Budget, 6444.
Friday March 5, 2010 7:27
House Democratic Caucus
We're debating the amendments to the budget bill, 6444. Check out the bill here.
8:45 [Comment From Guest : ]
Mike Sells from the 38th is now offering an amendment that will put people to work in the Aerospace industry with his amendment 1415. Training programs need funding to protect those good paying jobs he says. - Zack Hudgins 11th
8:46 [Comment From Rep. Reuven Carlyle: ]
Rep. Probst has done some amazingly creative thinking about job creation. This guy knows how to help the unemployed by helpiong the private sector create jobs through high demand training.
8:52 [Comment From Mike Sells Mike Sells : ]
Thanks for the support for the Aerospace training amendment.
9:03
[Comment From Mary Lou Dickerson Mary Lou Dickerson: ]
We just did an amendment on cuts to state employees. State employees have already contributed to the budget solution to the tune of $243 million in health care cuts alone. That doesn't count the cuts in this budget.
9:05 [Comment From tami green: ]
State employees have not had a cost of living increase for the past two years. So in fact they have had a pay decrease for the past two years and we are proposing more cuts this year. They are doing their part to help with this horrible situation.
9:16 House Democratic Caucus:
The House budget assumes $757 million in increased revenues...much of these added revenues have been widely well received. Today's Seattle Times endorsed much of the package. "A compromise plan for balancing the state budget"
9:19 [Comment From Marko Liias: ]
We have three appropriations committees that have examined the budget, and Ways & Means then did a fourth look, all in public with members of both parties. If that isn't transparent, I don't know what is!
9:23 [Comment From tami green: ]
folks forget that our state workers are behind the private sector. When I worked at Western State Hospital nurses left in droves after missing 2-3 years of cost of living increases. We lost so many experienced nurses. It cost much more to orient and train new ones. Penny wise and Pound foolish.
9:40 [Comment From tami green: ]
Our budget is a complicated budget for complicated times. We will continue to look for savings and reform. We are investing in training and education. Through small things great things come to pass.
9:49 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Upthegrove says: the 1981-82 legislature, which was controlled by Republicans, had the largest revenue increases in state history
9:53 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Sullivan: We reduced billions last year in state services. This year, we saw what an all-cuts budget would look like. This budget takes a balanced appraoch and relies on a different approach. An all-cuts budget would be devastating.
9:58 House Dem II:
Rep. Dawn Morrell points out what Rep. Alexander's (partial) solution to balancing our budget is from Ways & Means hearing:
Eliminating Disability Lifeline for 20,000 clients, 40% who have a mental illness
Cutting an additional $50 million from our state colleges and universities
Cutting $70 million from our State Need Grant program, keeping 25,000 students of low- and modest means from going to college
Eliminating the Basic Health Program which currently serves 70,000 and has a waiting list of nearly 100,000.
These cuts only amount to about 1/5 of the $2.8 billion hole we're in.
10:02 House Dem II:
Wallace pointing out the national crisis that has hurt our ability to take care of our citizens and keep our communities safe. Challenges anyone who says we need to make additional cuts to show where those cuts should come from.
10:12 [Comment From House Mouse: ]
Rep. Pettigrew on the floor: We have worked extremely hard in this entire body. We have called for reforms all over the state. We had 89 different reform ideas that we vetted to see how we could squeeze these down and make them work. A lot of them did. When I look at the reductions we've made, this is responsible. I've spent most of my time in the private sector. My wife and I have a private business so we're really clear on what comes in and what comes out, how we make a profit or don't make a profit. With the state budget, we're mostly doing cuts. Revenue is only 10 percent of this solution. When I look across the country, I see Arizona selling buildings and California giving out waivers instead of paychecks. We're not doing that. When we come out of this, we'll be stronger than we were before.
10:13 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Darneille: Reforms are included in this budget, and will carry us through the next few years, as we deal with the ongoing tough economic times.
10:18 [Comment From Rep. Dave Upthegrove: ]
The first bill that the House passed this year was the Jobs Act of 2010.
10:22 House Dem II:
Linville: This budget is actually smaller than our last biennial budget. This is the first time since 1951 that the budget we pass is smaller than the budget preceding it. Our general fund budget is actually smaller than it was in 2005. Last year, we balanced our budget with no new taxes. This year for every proposed dollar in new taxes, we've cut spending $4.40. There is an easy button in my office, but I've never used it nor has anyone on this floor. We're looking for our economy to recover and we're getting glimmers of good new. We're looking to get 12,000 new jobs and lead the state out of the recession.
10:22 House Democratic Caucus:
Seattle Times: State's job numbers grow for the first time since late '08
"One swallow doesn't make a summer, and one month of employment gains doesn't make a recovery.
But Washington's January jobs numbers, reported Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department, were the most promising in a long time: 12,400 net new payroll jobs, the first increase since November 2008 and the biggest one-month gain in nearly three years.
The report supported last week's projections by a respected research firm that Washington will lead all other states in job growth this year.
Steven Frable, an economist with IHS Global Insight, said demand for professional and business services, a sector in which Washington is strong, "should surge this year, while a rebound in house sales and homebuilding should give a lift to the battered construction industry."
10:23 House Dem II:
Linville: We're going to pass a budget tonight so we can negotiate with the senate and come up with a responsible spending plan. Please support the hard work of all the members of this body who have contributed to this plan.
10:23 House Dem II:
Roll call: 55-43. Budget passed.
10:23 [Comment From Geoff Simpson: ]
This budget doesn't represent my values. We will continue to cause great harm to our state as we have in recent years with this budget. Last session, we cut $3.3 billion, negatively affecting the elderly and vulnerable, school children, teachers, public safety, and other essential services. This session we will cut another $1.8 billion or more.
10:25 House Democratic Caucus:
Thanks to all for particpating in tonight's HDC liveblog. Hope you enjoyed it and found it informative. Good night and good luck.
Friday March 5, 2010 7:27
House Democratic Caucus
We're debating the amendments to the budget bill, 6444. Check out the bill here.
8:45 [Comment From Guest : ]
Mike Sells from the 38th is now offering an amendment that will put people to work in the Aerospace industry with his amendment 1415. Training programs need funding to protect those good paying jobs he says. - Zack Hudgins 11th
8:46 [Comment From Rep. Reuven Carlyle: ]
Rep. Probst has done some amazingly creative thinking about job creation. This guy knows how to help the unemployed by helpiong the private sector create jobs through high demand training.
8:52 [Comment From Mike Sells Mike Sells : ]
Thanks for the support for the Aerospace training amendment.
9:03
[Comment From Mary Lou Dickerson Mary Lou Dickerson: ]
We just did an amendment on cuts to state employees. State employees have already contributed to the budget solution to the tune of $243 million in health care cuts alone. That doesn't count the cuts in this budget.
9:05 [Comment From tami green: ]
State employees have not had a cost of living increase for the past two years. So in fact they have had a pay decrease for the past two years and we are proposing more cuts this year. They are doing their part to help with this horrible situation.
9:16 House Democratic Caucus:
The House budget assumes $757 million in increased revenues...much of these added revenues have been widely well received. Today's Seattle Times endorsed much of the package. "A compromise plan for balancing the state budget"
9:19 [Comment From Marko Liias: ]
We have three appropriations committees that have examined the budget, and Ways & Means then did a fourth look, all in public with members of both parties. If that isn't transparent, I don't know what is!
9:23 [Comment From tami green: ]
folks forget that our state workers are behind the private sector. When I worked at Western State Hospital nurses left in droves after missing 2-3 years of cost of living increases. We lost so many experienced nurses. It cost much more to orient and train new ones. Penny wise and Pound foolish.
9:40 [Comment From tami green: ]
Our budget is a complicated budget for complicated times. We will continue to look for savings and reform. We are investing in training and education. Through small things great things come to pass.
9:49 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Upthegrove says: the 1981-82 legislature, which was controlled by Republicans, had the largest revenue increases in state history
9:53 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Sullivan: We reduced billions last year in state services. This year, we saw what an all-cuts budget would look like. This budget takes a balanced appraoch and relies on a different approach. An all-cuts budget would be devastating.
9:58 House Dem II:
Rep. Dawn Morrell points out what Rep. Alexander's (partial) solution to balancing our budget is from Ways & Means hearing:
Eliminating Disability Lifeline for 20,000 clients, 40% who have a mental illness
Cutting an additional $50 million from our state colleges and universities
Cutting $70 million from our State Need Grant program, keeping 25,000 students of low- and modest means from going to college
Eliminating the Basic Health Program which currently serves 70,000 and has a waiting list of nearly 100,000.
These cuts only amount to about 1/5 of the $2.8 billion hole we're in.
10:02 House Dem II:
Wallace pointing out the national crisis that has hurt our ability to take care of our citizens and keep our communities safe. Challenges anyone who says we need to make additional cuts to show where those cuts should come from.
10:12 [Comment From House Mouse: ]
Rep. Pettigrew on the floor: We have worked extremely hard in this entire body. We have called for reforms all over the state. We had 89 different reform ideas that we vetted to see how we could squeeze these down and make them work. A lot of them did. When I look at the reductions we've made, this is responsible. I've spent most of my time in the private sector. My wife and I have a private business so we're really clear on what comes in and what comes out, how we make a profit or don't make a profit. With the state budget, we're mostly doing cuts. Revenue is only 10 percent of this solution. When I look across the country, I see Arizona selling buildings and California giving out waivers instead of paychecks. We're not doing that. When we come out of this, we'll be stronger than we were before.
10:13 House Democratic Caucus:
Rep. Darneille: Reforms are included in this budget, and will carry us through the next few years, as we deal with the ongoing tough economic times.
10:18 [Comment From Rep. Dave Upthegrove: ]
The first bill that the House passed this year was the Jobs Act of 2010.
10:22 House Dem II:
Linville: This budget is actually smaller than our last biennial budget. This is the first time since 1951 that the budget we pass is smaller than the budget preceding it. Our general fund budget is actually smaller than it was in 2005. Last year, we balanced our budget with no new taxes. This year for every proposed dollar in new taxes, we've cut spending $4.40. There is an easy button in my office, but I've never used it nor has anyone on this floor. We're looking for our economy to recover and we're getting glimmers of good new. We're looking to get 12,000 new jobs and lead the state out of the recession.
10:22 House Democratic Caucus:
Seattle Times: State's job numbers grow for the first time since late '08
"One swallow doesn't make a summer, and one month of employment gains doesn't make a recovery.
But Washington's January jobs numbers, reported Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department, were the most promising in a long time: 12,400 net new payroll jobs, the first increase since November 2008 and the biggest one-month gain in nearly three years.
The report supported last week's projections by a respected research firm that Washington will lead all other states in job growth this year.
Steven Frable, an economist with IHS Global Insight, said demand for professional and business services, a sector in which Washington is strong, "should surge this year, while a rebound in house sales and homebuilding should give a lift to the battered construction industry."
10:23 House Dem II:
Linville: We're going to pass a budget tonight so we can negotiate with the senate and come up with a responsible spending plan. Please support the hard work of all the members of this body who have contributed to this plan.
10:23 House Dem II:
Roll call: 55-43. Budget passed.
10:23 [Comment From Geoff Simpson: ]
This budget doesn't represent my values. We will continue to cause great harm to our state as we have in recent years with this budget. Last session, we cut $3.3 billion, negatively affecting the elderly and vulnerable, school children, teachers, public safety, and other essential services. This session we will cut another $1.8 billion or more.
10:25 House Democratic Caucus:
Thanks to all for particpating in tonight's HDC liveblog. Hope you enjoyed it and found it informative. Good night and good luck.
Today's hot list
Committees that are meeting this morning before floor action starts at 10 are discussing their interim work plans (hard to believe interim is just around the corner!).
Of particular interest to those tracking the tuition discussion, Higher Ed will be discussing their interim focus on that topic.
9:00 HHR D Higher Education
Work Session: Interim planning regarding future work on tuition policy.
10:00 Floor
Of particular interest to those tracking the tuition discussion, Higher Ed will be discussing their interim focus on that topic.
9:00 HHR D Higher Education
Work Session: Interim planning regarding future work on tuition policy.
10:00 Floor
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Rep. Hudgins helps explain the census to local high schoolers
Rep. Zack Hudgins recently spent some time with Tukwila High School student Adrian Quichocho who produced a video project to promote the upcoming U.S. Census.
The 11th District Zack represents, and specifically, the Tukwila school district, is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse in the nation. Over a hundred different languages are spoken in the high school alone.
As Adrian's video demonstrates, many of those students, and their families, have never experienced a census before, and consequently, may not realize how significant it is to our democracy. In fact, it's as important an exercise as voting.
We'll let Adrian and Zack do the explaining.
The 11th District Zack represents, and specifically, the Tukwila school district, is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse in the nation. Over a hundred different languages are spoken in the high school alone.
As Adrian's video demonstrates, many of those students, and their families, have never experienced a census before, and consequently, may not realize how significant it is to our democracy. In fact, it's as important an exercise as voting.
We'll let Adrian and Zack do the explaining.
Today's hot list
8:00 HHR B Transportation
Public Hearing: HB 3209 - Managing costs of the ferry system.
8:00 Senate Hearing Room 4 Agriculture & Natural Resources Jt. W/ Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation
Work Session: Eastside forest health
10:00 Floor
Public Hearing: HB 3209 - Managing costs of the ferry system.
8:00 Senate Hearing Room 4 Agriculture & Natural Resources Jt. W/ Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation
Work Session: Eastside forest health
10:00 Floor
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Baby bottle bill almost to governor's desk!
More than 150 independent studies have linked bisphenol A (BPA) to breast and prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, diabetes and a wide range of other adverse health effects. Earlier this year, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed with the National Toxicology Program that there is reason for "concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children."
Unfortunately, BPA is found f
requently in baby bottles, sippy cups and other food and beverage containers used by children under the age of three. That's why Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson has been working for years to ban BPA in these products, and today just might be the day she can declare victory.
The House voted 96-1 to approve the Safe Baby Bottle Bill. The ban on baby food and drink containers manufactured with BPA would take effect in July, 2011, and would be followed a year later by a ban on BPA-containing sports bottles, which are often used by pregnant women.
Maryland and Wisconsin banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups earlier this year. Connecticut and Minnesota enacted BPA bans in 2009.
(Photo: Washington Toxics Coalition)
Unfortunately, BPA is found f
requently in baby bottles, sippy cups and other food and beverage containers used by children under the age of three. That's why Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson has been working for years to ban BPA in these products, and today just might be the day she can declare victory.The House voted 96-1 to approve the Safe Baby Bottle Bill. The ban on baby food and drink containers manufactured with BPA would take effect in July, 2011, and would be followed a year later by a ban on BPA-containing sports bottles, which are often used by pregnant women.
Maryland and Wisconsin banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups earlier this year. Connecticut and Minnesota enacted BPA bans in 2009.
(Photo: Washington Toxics Coalition)
Washington pwns nation in job growth
We're #1.
That's what they're saying in the Seattle Times about our job growth outlook:
Good news for Washington. Bad news for those who want us to fail.
So how many times do national reports and periodicals have to hammer this home before it sinks in?
That's what they're saying in the Seattle Times about our job growth outlook:
The report supported last week's projections by a respected research firm that Washington will lead all other states in job growth this year.This follows more promising news announced earlier this week by ESD, which showed 12,400 net new payroll jobs created in January.
Steven Frable, an economist with IHS Global Insight, said demand for professional and business services — a sector in which Washington is strong — should surge this year, while a rebound in house sales and homebuilding should give a lift to the battered construction industry.
Good news for Washington. Bad news for those who want us to fail.
So how many times do national reports and periodicals have to hammer this home before it sinks in?
Today's hot list
8:00 HHR C Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Washington Minority Small Business Survey by UW Foster School of Business; 2009 Evergreen Jobs Act – progress report
9:00 HHR A Early Learning & Children’s Services Jt. W/ Judiciary
Work Session: Report from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan.
10:00 Floor
Work Session: Washington Minority Small Business Survey by UW Foster School of Business; 2009 Evergreen Jobs Act – progress report
9:00 HHR A Early Learning & Children’s Services Jt. W/ Judiciary
Work Session: Report from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan.
10:00 Floor
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
GOP = Grand Ol’ Pessimism
The GOP attitude towards solving the budget deficit reminds us of a scene from the classic Canadian comedy, Strange Brew. When the brakes fail, sending Bob & Doug McKenzie’s van careening towards the water, Doug folds his arms, proclaiming “No point in steering now...”
A lot of help that attitude is.
The House Democrats have presented a package of cuts, which outweigh new revenue by a ratio of more than $4 to $1. The new tax revenue raised will come mostly from closing loopholes and “collecting more money from smokers, bankers, lawyers and accountants” as the AP reported.
What’s been the GOP response to the economic recession affecting our state budget? Defeatism. The Olympian reports on it permeating the GOP leadership:
Secondly, what ideas they have shared have been shown to do little to balance the budget, but a lot to harm working families, seniors, college students, and those who rely on state-funded medical assistance.
Nope. Apparently, their idea of responsible budgeting is saving up a few ideas for surprise amendments the morning of the final House Floor debate. Rep. Mark Ericks said it well: “Is that the way they want to offer suggestions? To wait to the last minute and offer amendments? If you were complaining about us not taking any ideas, wouldn’t you at least provide the list?”
Oh, Strange Brew...
A lot of help that attitude is.
The House Democrats have presented a package of cuts, which outweigh new revenue by a ratio of more than $4 to $1. The new tax revenue raised will come mostly from closing loopholes and “collecting more money from smokers, bankers, lawyers and accountants” as the AP reported.
What’s been the GOP response to the economic recession affecting our state budget? Defeatism. The Olympian reports on it permeating the GOP leadership:
Republicans in the Washington Legislature have united around a clear message that taxes are not needed to bridge a $2.8 billion state budget gap this year. But the minority party is refusing to show exactly how it could get to a budget balanced without new revenue… Top GOP budget writers said in interviews this week that it’s just not worth spelling out details for the public – or for majority Democrats, whom they blame for the state’s financial mess.Firstly, calling them GOP budget “writers” is a bit of a misnomer; one can only be called a budget writer when one actually writes a budget. Once upon a time, the Minority did write an alternate budget. Now, not so much.
Says Rep. Gary Alexander, the Minority Leader on House Ways & Means: "I could get to $2.8 billion if I was given the authority to do it. The point is, why would you come up with ideas when they (Democrats) have no intention to do anything with these proposals?”
Secondly, what ideas they have shared have been shown to do little to balance the budget, but a lot to harm working families, seniors, college students, and those who rely on state-funded medical assistance.
Nope. Apparently, their idea of responsible budgeting is saving up a few ideas for surprise amendments the morning of the final House Floor debate. Rep. Mark Ericks said it well: “Is that the way they want to offer suggestions? To wait to the last minute and offer amendments? If you were complaining about us not taking any ideas, wouldn’t you at least provide the list?”
Oh, Strange Brew...
Tax on hazardous substances gets an amendment makeover
The Clean Water Act of 2010, also known as House Bill 3181, emerged from the House Finance Committee yesterday in an amended form. Here’s a basic summary of what has changed in the bill:
Before: Raises the state Hazardous Substance Tax from 0.7% to 2%.
Now: Raises the state Hazardous Substance Tax by 0.1% per year up to a total of 0.4% increase.
Before: No export tax credit for oil refineries who sell their product out-of-state.
Now: Export tax credit has been included so that Tesoro, a Washington state refinery that does not own its oil fields (unlike other oil refineries in the state), will not be at a disadvantage when selling its product to states like Oregon.
Before: $225 million per year, with a significant portion going to backfill the state’s General Fund at first, decreasing each year until the majority of the funds go to stormwater cleanup within 5 years.
Now: No funding to General Fund; $150 million to environmental cleanup over 5 years.
This has been one of the more contentious bills of the 2010 session. At a packed public hearing on the proposal in the House Capital Budget committee, refinery workers testified that increasing the tax could cost them their jobs and hurt communities where refineries are located. On the other hand, local governments and environmental groups testified that the bill would create jobs in stormwater infrastructure and help clean up waterways like Puget Sound and the Spokane River.
In passing the amended version of the bill, legislators were attempting to recognize the importance of addressing stormwater cleanup while also being sensitive to the concerns about loss of family-wage refinery jobs. The environmental community hopes legislators will strengthen the proposal as it works its way to a possible floor vote in the House. This will definitely be a bill to watch from now until the end of session.
Before: Raises the state Hazardous Substance Tax from 0.7% to 2%.
Now: Raises the state Hazardous Substance Tax by 0.1% per year up to a total of 0.4% increase.
Before: No export tax credit for oil refineries who sell their product out-of-state.
Now: Export tax credit has been included so that Tesoro, a Washington state refinery that does not own its oil fields (unlike other oil refineries in the state), will not be at a disadvantage when selling its product to states like Oregon.
Before: $225 million per year, with a significant portion going to backfill the state’s General Fund at first, decreasing each year until the majority of the funds go to stormwater cleanup within 5 years.
Now: No funding to General Fund; $150 million to environmental cleanup over 5 years.
This has been one of the more contentious bills of the 2010 session. At a packed public hearing on the proposal in the House Capital Budget committee, refinery workers testified that increasing the tax could cost them their jobs and hurt communities where refineries are located. On the other hand, local governments and environmental groups testified that the bill would create jobs in stormwater infrastructure and help clean up waterways like Puget Sound and the Spokane River.
In passing the amended version of the bill, legislators were attempting to recognize the importance of addressing stormwater cleanup while also being sensitive to the concerns about loss of family-wage refinery jobs. The environmental community hopes legislators will strengthen the proposal as it works its way to a possible floor vote in the House. This will definitely be a bill to watch from now until the end of session.
Today's hot list
Finance Committee will take up the revenue bill this morning, and the current plan is to tackle the capital and operating budgets on the floor today. Likely to be a late night.
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: HB 3162 – Authorizing the creation of a state bank
9:00 HHR A Finance
Public Hearing: HB 3191 - Relating to modifying Washington state excise tax laws to create jobs and to preserve funding for education, public safety, health care, and safety net services for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people.
Noon Floor
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: HB 3162 – Authorizing the creation of a state bank
9:00 HHR A Finance
Public Hearing: HB 3191 - Relating to modifying Washington state excise tax laws to create jobs and to preserve funding for education, public safety, health care, and safety net services for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people.
Noon Floor
Monday, March 1, 2010
House Democrats Target Tax Exemptions in Budget Plan
From the AP:
OLYMPIA — State House Democrats want to raise about $760 million in taxes by closing a long list of sales and business tax exemptions and collecting more money from smokers, bankers, lawyers and accountants.Read the full story here
The long-awaited revenue proposal
Rep. Ross Hunter will be meeting with reporters in a few minutes to discuss the House revenue proposal that everyone has been waiting for.
And to answer the question you're likely thinking - no, the proposal does not include a sales tax increase. The proposal is largely made up of tax code changes that would close tax loopholes, reduce tax avoidance and end certain tax exemptions. You can check out a summary of the five-part proposal here and here.
The House Finance Committee will take up the proposal tomorrow at 9 a.m.
And to answer the question you're likely thinking - no, the proposal does not include a sales tax increase. The proposal is largely made up of tax code changes that would close tax loopholes, reduce tax avoidance and end certain tax exemptions. You can check out a summary of the five-part proposal here and here.
The House Finance Committee will take up the proposal tomorrow at 9 a.m.
This week's hot list
Following today's fiscal committee cutoff, most of the action this week moves to the House floor so that bills from the Senate can be voted on by Friday's opposite-house cutoff. Committees will continue to meet this week in the mornings, and here are some highlights.
Tuesday 3/2
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: HB 3162 – Authorizing the creation of a state bank
Wednesday 3/3
8:00 HHR C Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Washington Minority Small Business Survey by UW Foster School of Business; 2009 Evergreen Jobs Act – progress report
9:00 HHR A Early Learning & Children’s Services Jt. W/ Judiciary
Work Session: Report from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan.
Thursday 3/4
8:00 Senate Hearing Room 4 Agriculture & Natural Resources Jt. W/ Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation
Work Session: Eastside forest health
Friday 3/5
9:00 HHR D Higher Education
Work Session: Interim planning regarding future work on tuition policy.
Tuesday 3/2
8:00 HHR D Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: HB 3162 – Authorizing the creation of a state bank
Wednesday 3/3
8:00 HHR C Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Washington Minority Small Business Survey by UW Foster School of Business; 2009 Evergreen Jobs Act – progress report
9:00 HHR A Early Learning & Children’s Services Jt. W/ Judiciary
Work Session: Report from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan.
Thursday 3/4
8:00 Senate Hearing Room 4 Agriculture & Natural Resources Jt. W/ Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation
Work Session: Eastside forest health
Friday 3/5
9:00 HHR D Higher Education
Work Session: Interim planning regarding future work on tuition policy.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tele-town hall meetings pwn Monday night reruns
Thousands of folks in Washington's Vancouver will receive a call tomorrow night from Rep. Tim Probst inviting them to participate in a telephone town hall.
Folks who don’t have a landline won’t receive the call so if you're from the 17th district and want to dial-in, call toll-free 877-229-8493 and enter PIN 15547 when prompted. The call will start at 6 p.m.
(Pwn is a great word, by the way. No vowels. One syllable. We like it.)
Folks who don’t have a landline won’t receive the call so if you're from the 17th district and want to dial-in, call toll-free 877-229-8493 and enter PIN 15547 when prompted. The call will start at 6 p.m.
(Pwn is a great word, by the way. No vowels. One syllable. We like it.)
Spending pwns cuts, say economists
Marilyn Watkins of the Economic Opportunity Institute cites a pretty remarkable statistic, which appeared in her column last week in the Puget Sound Business Journal:
This also gives me the chance to post one of my favorite rap battles: Hayek vs. Keynes showing off mad macroeconomic skillz.
According to Mark Zandi, economic advisor to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and businesses around the world, each $1 of general state spending results in a $1.41 increase in economic activity. Using that multiplier, the $3.4 billion already cut from our state budget will lower our gross state product (GSP) by $4.8 billion through 2011. In 2008, there was one job for every $109,100 of GSP. Using a simple ratio, the loss in GSP equates to about 44,000 fewer jobs throughout Washington’s economy.Yes, even conservative-leaning economic advisors admit that government spending pwns government cuts.
This also gives me the chance to post one of my favorite rap battles: Hayek vs. Keynes showing off mad macroeconomic skillz.
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