Did you know that child-care worker applicants are only fingerprinted if they have not lived in Washington for at least three years? That’s right; everybody else gets a standard background check when applying for a child-care position.
And there’s nothing wrong with a statewide criminal background check, but fingerprints are run through FBI databases nationwide that can pick up not only criminal convictions, but also child safety related violations, a person’s history outside of Washington, and issues related to aliases or changed names.
Wouldn’t it be good to run both of these checks on people that will be taking care of your children?
Child-care advocates think so, and have spent the last 16 years pushing for more safety measures. This week they finally saw their efforts paid off when the governor signed House Bill 1903. The new law requires that all first-time child-care applicants get both fingerprinted and go through a state criminal history background check.
Rep. Tina Orwall , who sponsored the bill, said that this legislation will give parents more peace of mind knowing that their children really are in safe hands, and that it will also streamline the process for child-care providers.
She explained that instead of requiring providers to go through the standard background check every single time they move to a different facility, the new law will let them take their fingerprint and background check certificate anywhere they work within the state for a period of three years.
“By making the fingerprint and background check individual-focused instead of location-focused, we’re increasing safety, reducing costs and improving efficiency,” Orwall said.
For more information on this bill, go here.
Friday, May 13, 2011
New quick-title law shaves red tape, saves citizen travel time
Here’s a classic win-win tale, the retelling of which will no doubt provide hours of good clean enjoyment for the whole family.
A plan first introduced last year to trim government paperwork and save travel time for Mr. and Ms. Washington has indeed captured legislative and gubernatorial hearts this year to become the law of the state. House Bill 1046 aims to help folks who want to get a quick title for their vehicles and vessels. Prime-sponsored both years by state Rep. Jim Moeller, the idea establishes the definition of a quick vehicle title as a certificate of ownership printed at the time of application in a county auditor’s office. This new law allows county auditors to collect a fee of $50 from people who want to move to the front of the line, thus offsetting the administrative cost of providing a quick title.
Moeller explained that “it can be so much more convenient for citizens to have this service locally. This means additional local dollars for counties deciding to provide the service – in addition to the added convenience for citizens who want a quick title for their vehicle or vessel.”
You see, the thing is that only seven Washington counties have been offering the quick-title service. Many citizens have been forced to travel a ton of miles to get a quick title. Quick titles take additional time to process because of the verification and review process. The fee is very reasonable compared to the $100 penalty fee charged for a late title processing. It’s a very needed citizen-service because folks leave the auditor’s office with the title in hand. And you best believe it perks up the economy in areas where the service is provided.
A title being processed by the Department of Licensing (DOL) might take several weeks to go through that mill. It’s no wonder that many people have decided to drive to a county where they can get a title processed while they wait. The quick title process takes time to set up, requires extra security for title stock, and assumes additional responsibility for the verification process since the county auditors are actually performing the vehicle-verifications that the DOL usually handles.
A plan first introduced last year to trim government paperwork and save travel time for Mr. and Ms. Washington has indeed captured legislative and gubernatorial hearts this year to become the law of the state. House Bill 1046 aims to help folks who want to get a quick title for their vehicles and vessels. Prime-sponsored both years by state Rep. Jim Moeller, the idea establishes the definition of a quick vehicle title as a certificate of ownership printed at the time of application in a county auditor’s office. This new law allows county auditors to collect a fee of $50 from people who want to move to the front of the line, thus offsetting the administrative cost of providing a quick title.
Moeller explained that “it can be so much more convenient for citizens to have this service locally. This means additional local dollars for counties deciding to provide the service – in addition to the added convenience for citizens who want a quick title for their vehicle or vessel.”
You see, the thing is that only seven Washington counties have been offering the quick-title service. Many citizens have been forced to travel a ton of miles to get a quick title. Quick titles take additional time to process because of the verification and review process. The fee is very reasonable compared to the $100 penalty fee charged for a late title processing. It’s a very needed citizen-service because folks leave the auditor’s office with the title in hand. And you best believe it perks up the economy in areas where the service is provided.
A title being processed by the Department of Licensing (DOL) might take several weeks to go through that mill. It’s no wonder that many people have decided to drive to a county where they can get a title processed while they wait. The quick title process takes time to set up, requires extra security for title stock, and assumes additional responsibility for the verification process since the county auditors are actually performing the vehicle-verifications that the DOL usually handles.
In the House today
Members convened at 9:00 this morning and are spending most of the morning in caucus. There is a long list of potential bills that could be acted on today. We'll keep you posted.
Get your Discover Pass soon!
With the Governor's approval of SB 5622 yesterday, Washington joins the ranks of states like Idaho, Oregon, and California that have a day-use fee for state parks.
The measure, which was sponsored in the House by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, keeps parks open rather than mothballing them due to budget cuts.
There are 120 state parks throughout Washington, but the vast majority of them are not self-supporting. They require something besides campground fees to fund maintenance and operation, and they are about to lose $60 million of state general fund support.
Thursday's bill signing creates the "Discover Pass," which will cost $30 per vehicle. For less than three dollars a month, the pass allows entry to any state park or state-managed recreational land for an entire year.
Without the pass, the day-use fee for state parks is $10.
In a press release, Rep. Van De Wege stresses that those who cannot afford a pass or the day-use fee will still get opportunities to enter state parks for free.
While free access to state parks for all is another casualty of budget cuts in Olympia, it is great news that parks will still remain open – particularly with the summer camping and recreational season just around the corner.
(Photo: Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island - courtesy of Washington State Parks)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mark your calendar: foreclosure mediation begins July 22, 2011
A new law could help the 45,000 families receiving foreclosure notices this year, by helping them strike a deal with the bank so they can keep their homes. The Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011 goes into effect on July 22, and the program’s website is already up and running to give homeowners as much time as possible to get ready.
“This is the perfect example of a responsive government,” said state Rep. Tina Orwall, who sponsored the bill (HB 1362) that created the Foreclosure Mediation Program. “People were desperately asking for help, so we got to work on solutions and now it’s a reality. We have the Foreclosure Mediation Program that homeowners need!”
The Foreclosure Mediation Program will help struggling homeowners with housing counselors and independent mediators so they can meet with the bank and review every option to work out the best possible outcome.
The Department of Commerce’s Foreclosure Mediation Program Website includes many useful links for homeowners to get all the information they will need to leap into action come July 22, such as:
- Talk to a housing counselor
- Learn about potential foreclosure alternatives
- Learn about foreclosure assistance programs
- Get foreclosure and mortgage assistance and fraud information
The website will continue adding information, so those interested in the foreclosure mediation program are encouraged to visit the site often. They can also call the Washington State's foreclosure prevention hotline: 1-877-894-HOME (1-877-894-4663).
“This is the perfect example of a responsive government,” said state Rep. Tina Orwall, who sponsored the bill (HB 1362) that created the Foreclosure Mediation Program. “People were desperately asking for help, so we got to work on solutions and now it’s a reality. We have the Foreclosure Mediation Program that homeowners need!”
The Foreclosure Mediation Program will help struggling homeowners with housing counselors and independent mediators so they can meet with the bank and review every option to work out the best possible outcome.
The Department of Commerce’s Foreclosure Mediation Program Website includes many useful links for homeowners to get all the information they will need to leap into action come July 22, such as:
- Talk to a housing counselor
- Learn about potential foreclosure alternatives
- Learn about foreclosure assistance programs
- Get foreclosure and mortgage assistance and fraud information
The website will continue adding information, so those interested in the foreclosure mediation program are encouraged to visit the site often. They can also call the Washington State's foreclosure prevention hotline: 1-877-894-HOME (1-877-894-4663).
Mixed news in latest revenue update
This month's Economic & Revenue Update is out. According to our chief economist, the country's recovery has hit a "road bump" thanks largely to rising gas prices and slow GDP growth.
For Washington state, the news is (very) slightly better. Our state economy is still growing, but a bit more slowly than the past couple months. Revenue for April came in $157.7 million higher than projected in March, but that was due to larger-than-expected tax amnesty receipts. Without that boost, we would have actually collected $26.6 million less than projected.
You can read more here.
For Washington state, the news is (very) slightly better. Our state economy is still growing, but a bit more slowly than the past couple months. Revenue for April came in $157.7 million higher than projected in March, but that was due to larger-than-expected tax amnesty receipts. Without that boost, we would have actually collected $26.6 million less than projected.
You can read more here.
Pew report: Washington 'leading the way' in transportation
Washingto
n is a national leader in making smart transportation investments, reports the nonpartisan think tank Pew Center on the States. Pew says Washington's policy decisions are directly tied to data, performance measures and goals, making us one of 13 states leading the way in advancing cost-effective transportation policies. While most states aren't measuring up or have mixed results, Washington's approach helps to "ensure the likelihood of a strong return for taxpayers."
To compile the report, Pew examined six factors tied to a state's economic well-being and quality of life: access, safety, mobility, jobs and commerce, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure preservation. Washington scored well across the board.
Pew praises Washington's performance measures, reporting that our data collection allows us to calculate, for example, that the cost of traffic delay dropped by 21 percent from 2007 to 2009. State officials also factor return-on-investment figures into their project decisions.
Click here to read the fact sheet on Washington, and here for more information about the report and other states.
To read this blog post in Spanish go here.
n is a national leader in making smart transportation investments, reports the nonpartisan think tank Pew Center on the States. Pew says Washington's policy decisions are directly tied to data, performance measures and goals, making us one of 13 states leading the way in advancing cost-effective transportation policies. While most states aren't measuring up or have mixed results, Washington's approach helps to "ensure the likelihood of a strong return for taxpayers."To compile the report, Pew examined six factors tied to a state's economic well-being and quality of life: access, safety, mobility, jobs and commerce, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure preservation. Washington scored well across the board.
Pew praises Washington's performance measures, reporting that our data collection allows us to calculate, for example, that the cost of traffic delay dropped by 21 percent from 2007 to 2009. State officials also factor return-on-investment figures into their project decisions.
Click here to read the fact sheet on Washington, and here for more information about the report and other states.
To read this blog post in Spanish go here.
House Ways and Means tackles a long agenda today
There is no floor action planned in the House today because Ways and Means is meeting most of the day. The committee will convene at 9:00 am in Senate Hearing Room 4 (Cherberg Building) with this revised agenda:
Public Hearing:
1. HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
2. HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
3. SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
4. SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.
Possible Executive Session:
1. HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
2. HB 2078 - Funding K-3 class size reductions by narrowing and repealing certain tax exemptions.
3. HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
4. HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
5. HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
6. HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
7. E2SSB 5182 - Establishing the office of student financial assistance and the council for higher education by eliminating the higher education coordinating board and transferring its functions to various entities.
8. SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
9. SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.
10. 2ESB 5764 - Creating innovate Washington.
11. ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.
For information on these bills, click here.
Public Hearing:
1. HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
2. HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
3. SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
4. SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.
Possible Executive Session:
1. HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
2. HB 2078 - Funding K-3 class size reductions by narrowing and repealing certain tax exemptions.
3. HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
4. HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
5. HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
6. HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
7. E2SSB 5182 - Establishing the office of student financial assistance and the council for higher education by eliminating the higher education coordinating board and transferring its functions to various entities.
8. SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
9. SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.
10. 2ESB 5764 - Creating innovate Washington.
11. ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.
For information on these bills, click here.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Carlyle's Higher Education Opportunity Act clears the House
Lawmakers focusing on higher education during this recession have faced a difficult path in keeping access and quality high, while realigning state support. As The Advance has covered, funding for each student enrollment has flipped from predominately state funded, to student tuition supported.
For example, the average state support per year for a full-time student at the University of Washington in 2007 was just under $10,000. In the coming budget, it's likely that state funding level will be under $6,000, leaving the balance of an average yearly $15,700 tuition up to the students.
This session Rep. Reuven Carlyle introduced a comprehensive bill to navigate this problem, the Higher Education Opportunity Act. It passed the House yesterday with a 79 to 17 vote and it's expected to also pass the Senate.
The bipartisan support in the House is a positive step for an issue that's been sticky for the Legislature in the past, and will likely continue to cause some controversy.
Key elements of the bill:
- Universities are given the authority to set tuition levels consistent with local needs
- Tuition raised over prescribed levels will trigger increased aid for low and middle-income students
- Efficiencies and changes will help students complete degrees quicker, especially two-year transfers and students with prior learning
- Strong accountability measures so the public can track performance
You can listen to an audio report on the legislation by clicking here, and also watch Carlyle urge support for the bill on the House Floor:
For example, the average state support per year for a full-time student at the University of Washington in 2007 was just under $10,000. In the coming budget, it's likely that state funding level will be under $6,000, leaving the balance of an average yearly $15,700 tuition up to the students.
This session Rep. Reuven Carlyle introduced a comprehensive bill to navigate this problem, the Higher Education Opportunity Act. It passed the House yesterday with a 79 to 17 vote and it's expected to also pass the Senate.
The bipartisan support in the House is a positive step for an issue that's been sticky for the Legislature in the past, and will likely continue to cause some controversy.
Key elements of the bill:- Universities are given the authority to set tuition levels consistent with local needs
- Tuition raised over prescribed levels will trigger increased aid for low and middle-income students
- Efficiencies and changes will help students complete degrees quicker, especially two-year transfers and students with prior learning
- Strong accountability measures so the public can track performance
You can listen to an audio report on the legislation by clicking here, and also watch Carlyle urge support for the bill on the House Floor:
House resumes floor action at 9:00
The House will convene at 9:00 am today for another full day of floor action. Among the items tentatively scheduled are a couple transportation bills and the capital budget. Follow us on Twitter (@hdccomm) for instant updates throughout the day.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the House Ways and Means committee will hold an executive session at 9:00 in Senate Hearing Room 4. Among the bills to be considered:
1. HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
2. HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
3. HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
4. E2SSB 5182 - Establishing the office of student financial assistance and the council for higher education by eliminating the higher education coordinating board and transferring its functions to various entities.
5. ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.
Other bills may be added.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the House Ways and Means committee will hold an executive session at 9:00 in Senate Hearing Room 4. Among the bills to be considered:
1. HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
2. HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
3. HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
4. E2SSB 5182 - Establishing the office of student financial assistance and the council for higher education by eliminating the higher education coordinating board and transferring its functions to various entities.
5. ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.
Other bills may be added.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Florida rail money arrives in Washington
Ever since Florida pulled a return-to-sender with its federal high-speed rail money in February, other states eagerly raised their hands for it, including Washington.
The effort paid off. The U
.S. Department of Transportation today announced that Washington will receive $15 million of the redirected Florida funds. State officials say the money will help relieve a choke point near the Port of Vancouver along the Amtrak Cascades passenger line. The project will be further leveraged with $18.3 million from the Port itself to build extra track to separate freight and passenger traffic, allowing for more efficient travel.
Washington has received about $781 million in high-speed rail funds from the feds since President Obama launched the program in 2009. The money will improve reliability, efficiency and safety along the Amtrak Cascades route, which saw a ten percent jump in ridership last year.
More about Washington's high-speed rail plans is available here.
Photo by flickr user oceandesetoiles
To read this blog post in Spanish go here.
The effort paid off. The U
.S. Department of Transportation today announced that Washington will receive $15 million of the redirected Florida funds. State officials say the money will help relieve a choke point near the Port of Vancouver along the Amtrak Cascades passenger line. The project will be further leveraged with $18.3 million from the Port itself to build extra track to separate freight and passenger traffic, allowing for more efficient travel.Washington has received about $781 million in high-speed rail funds from the feds since President Obama launched the program in 2009. The money will improve reliability, efficiency and safety along the Amtrak Cascades route, which saw a ten percent jump in ridership last year.
More about Washington's high-speed rail plans is available here.
Photo by flickr user oceandesetoiles
To read this blog post in Spanish go here.
Floor action resumes in House today at 11:00
All members of the House return to Olympia this morning to act on a list of bills necessary to implement the budget. Most members have been at home for several days while budget negotiators continued hammering out differences between the House and Senate proposals.
First up today, though, is a meeting of the House Education committee. Due to the renovation of the JLOB House Office Building, the committee will meet in Senate Hearing Room 1. On the agenda:
Public Hearing:
HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments.
HB 2110 - Changing the deadline for notices of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated school employees.
HB 2115 - Concerning legislative review of performance standards for the statewide student assessment.
Possible Executive Session:
HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments.
HB 2110 - Changing the deadline for notices of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated school employees.
HB 2115 - Concerning legislative review of performance standards for the statewide student assessment.
First up today, though, is a meeting of the House Education committee. Due to the renovation of the JLOB House Office Building, the committee will meet in Senate Hearing Room 1. On the agenda:
Public Hearing:
HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments.
HB 2110 - Changing the deadline for notices of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated school employees.
HB 2115 - Concerning legislative review of performance standards for the statewide student assessment.
Possible Executive Session:
HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments.
HB 2110 - Changing the deadline for notices of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated school employees.
HB 2115 - Concerning legislative review of performance standards for the statewide student assessment.
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