Capitol Ideas podcast: Speaker Pro Tem Jim Moeller

Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) is Speaker Pro Tem of the Washington State House of Representatives.

In a new Capitol Ideas interview, he takes listeners onto the podium in the House chamber for a behind the scenes look at the role debate plays in a modern representative democracy.

He also tells how he balances his leadership role with his duties as a state representative from Washington's 49th district.

Read this story in Spanish.

Yesterday was CRC Project day at the Capitol

Sen. Annette Cleveland & Reps. Jim Moeller and Sharon Wylie
at the Columbia River Crossing Information Exhibit

Many lawmakers in both chambers, as well as the general public got a chance to get a better understanding of the Columbia River Crossing Project yesterday at the CRC Information Exhibit in the Columbia Room. The Columbia River Crossing Coalition organized the event and brought pictures, brochures, and CRC engineers to answer questions and provide information.

The section of I-5 just north and south of the Columbia River has major safety and congestion problems that, experts say, will only worsen unless something is done pronto. The solution put forth after ten years of considering other options is the Columbia River Crossing Project, which, according to its proponents, will reduce crashes, provide predictable travel times, add travel choices, prevent traffic backups, and benefit the economies of Oregon and Washington.

The CRC project could begin creating thousands of much needed jobs on both sides of the river as early as next year if the funding is secured. Oregon has already committed to its share ($450 million) in order for the CRC Project to get $850 million in federal dollars; if Washington doesn't do its part, those federal funds will go to other states.

Secretary of Transportation, Raymond H. "Ray" LaHood, who a year ago said that the CRC is a great project anyway you can describe it, and Federal Transit Administrator Peter M. Rogoff were also in Olympia yesterday. They met with House and Senate Transportation chairs and with Southwest Washington legislators to talk about the regional and national importance of the CRC project. The Columbian ran this story shortly after the meeting.

For more information on the CRC Project, please visit the CRC Website.

You can also get the handouts from the 49th Legislative District CRC Town Hall hosted by Reps. Jim Moeller and Sharon Wylie and Sen. Annette Cleveland on March 16 here.

Read the Columbia River Crossing "Factbook" released last week.

Read this story in Spanish.

Classic win-win: Bill boosts 'back-to-school' sales-tax holiday

​Sometimes, everyone's a winner.

Case-in-point: State Rep. Jim Moeller's House Bill 1329 would set up a "back-to-school" sales-tax holiday for a few days every summer right before classes kick off. Moeller's idea is to relieve folks from having to pay the state sales tax on school items they buy on the second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August. The bill would exempt, for that big school-shopping weekend, clothing items under $100 and school-supplies under $10.

Moeller points out that at least a dozen other states provide their citizens and businesses a break from their sales tax for a couple of days a year. He said he's met with small businesses and other retailers, as well as city and county officials to develop his bi-partisan legislation.

Calling it a "people's tax break," Moeller says it's an especially appropriate idea for border counties. Businesses in Clark County, where Moeller's district is located, lose millions of dollars a year in revenue to their Oregon competitors.

The measure now awaits a hearing in the House Finance Committee.

Read this story in Spanish here.

Opening Day!

Speaker Frank Chopp gives his Opening Day speech

No, we don't mean baseball is back. But your legislature is!

The gavel fell at noon today in the House of Representatives, calling into session the 63rd Washington State Legislature. All 98 members took the oath of office, administered by Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen.

Frank Chopp was re-elected Speaker of the House and delivered his traditional opening day speech. Also re-elected were Speaker Pro-Tem Jim Moeller and Chief Clerk Barbara Baker.  Tina Orwall was elected Deputy Speaker Pro-Tem, as well.

House committees began their schedule of meetings at 1:30, and the agendas were not easy, first-day-of-school stuff: the new Finance Committee receiving an update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on Governor Gregoire's budget proposal.

*** UPDATE *** Our website is currently down, so the link to the Speaker's opening day speech won't work. We'll update this post when the service provider has our site back online. You can also watch the speech on TVW below.


*** UPDATE 5:54 p.m. *** We're back up. Thanks for your patience.




Read this story in Spanish here.

49th LD town hall video available online

 If you missed Saturday's 49th Legislative District Town Hall Meeting, don't feel left out!

CVTV covered it from start to finish, so get in on the conversation with Reps. Sharon Wylie, Jim Moeller, and Senator-elect Annette Cleveland. It may take a little bit to load, so please be patient.

Read this story in Spanish here.

49th District Town Hall TOMORROW!

Representatives Sharon Wylie and Jim Moeller, and Senator-elect Annette Cleveland will hold a town hall meeting for 49th Legislative District residents this Saturday at the Community Library from 10 to noon. Check out the details in the e-flyer below. For more information, contact Megan Walsh at (360) 786-7924 or Megan.Walsh@leg.wa.gov

"We're all in this together...."

The House Democratic Caucus elected the remaining members of their leadership this morning, finalizing a team that represents urban, suburban, and rural Washington. 

"After all," said Speaker Frank Chopp, "we're all in this together.  We want a team that reflects that."

Elected today were:
• Jim Moeller (Vancouver): Speaker pro tem-designate
• Tina Orwall (Des Moines): Deputy Speaker pro tem-designate
• Marcie Maxwell (Renton): Deputy Majority Leader for Education and Opportunity
• Larry Springer (Kirkland): Deputy Majority Leader for Jobs and Economic Development
• Joe Fitzgibbon (Burien): Deputy Majority Whip
• Kris Lytton (Anacortes): Deputy Majority Floor Leader

They join the core group of leaders elected a couple weeks ago.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Quelling swelling rate of opioid addiction

Maybe we're climbing out of a nightmare. Just maybe we're leaving the hellacious plague that is the falling into the wrong hands and showing up on the wrong agenda of painkilling drugs. Yes, as Sisyphean an undertaking as the casual observer might mock it out to be, the hard work of combating prescription-painkiller abuse is indeed showing some trace of triumph. So notes a recent Olympian newspaper editorial (Encouraging signs opioid overdose rate is on the decline, 5/29/2012).

Ladies and gentlemen, here please to partake of, if you will, a little back story.

The time, winter 2010. The place, Olympia. The setting, that year’s legislative session. A successful measure I prime-sponsored directed five statewide organizations to adopt new rules on chronic, non-cancer pain management.

Here's the op-ed, in its entirety.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Friends indeed for secluded senior citizens

Take a look around your town and country. Chances are, says the recent Washington Census, that upward of 10 of every 100 households you see are occupied by senior citizens who are living alone. It's a fact, too, that the senior-citizen population is exploding. Baby boomers among us who haven't OD'd on teeth-whitening treatments or been sent off to that Great Woodstock Revival in the Sky on account of power-yoga mishaps are swelling like nobody's business the ranks of the Matlock-TV set.

Your friendly neighborhood HDC Advance here maintains that most senior citizens, all apologies to Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, don't want to be alone.

State Rep. Jim Moeller in recent years has won widespread public, legislative and gubernatorial support for the writing of laws designed to halt exploitation of senior citizens and other potentially vulnerable men and women. He's worked with a task force of southwestern Washington citizens and other concerned individuals and organizations to build protective standards against that very immoral, criminal behavior. And Moeller along the way has seen all too well the pain that torments folks who live in seclusion, who lack for companionship. Today he welcomes a powerful new ally.

ElderFriends is a Southwest Washington program launching this month, according to its website, "to relieve isolation and loneliness among elders who wish to live in their own homes and remain independent for as long as possible." Single people 65 or older are matched with a volunteer who visits them every week, maybe playing games or sewing together, doing some light cooking, going for a little walk, or perhaps just chatting. The younger friends are not there to do chores or run errands. What the program is about is companionship. It's about something as basic, as fun and as fundamental as friendship.

Here's a Columbian newspaper item -- Program helps seniors who need a pal -- that's chock-full of info about ElderFriends.

Photo credit: Pacian

Continuing his work to strengthen Washington laws protecting vulnerable adults, Moeller in the recent legislative session steered House Bill 2578 unanimously through the House of Representatives. He worked to get House Republicans as steadfastly on board as his own House Democrats. Unfortunately, though, the measure fell victim to Senate Republican shenanigans toward the end of session. Moeller said he'll work to overcome such GOP hijinks in the next Legislature.
   
His 2012 vulnerable-adults measure would have directed the state Department of Health or health professions boards or commissions to suspend a health-care provider's license if the provider is barred from employment in caring for vulnerable adults based upon a finding of neglect, abuse or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Moeller explained that "there's currently some confusion among employers and the public as to why someone who is prohibited from working unsupervised with vulnerable adults could still have a license from the Department of Health to practice his or her profession. The bill would immediately suspend the person's license until there has been a fair disciplinary hearing with full due-process. The legislation establishes a dependable, consistent standard to strengthen patient safety."

Lawmaker reaching out to keep in touch with citizens

Heads up, good people of the 49th Legislative District. Tuesday night, May 1: Put your lucky pants or pantsuit on, set the dog/cat up with a good chew toy, and keep your phone handy. Thousands of folks in Vancouver and the surrounding Clark County communities are encouraged to join in the civic fun of a Telephone Town Hall.

That's right. You read right. State Rep. Jim Moeller is hosting an hour-long tele-forum that evening from 6 to 7. Moeller and the 146 other lawmakers just recently wrapped up the 2012 legislative session. The May 1 event is a grand chance for citizens to engage Moeller in a frank conversation about what in the world is going on in the state of Washington.

Shortly before 6 o’clock the night of May 1, thousands of 49th District citizens will receive telephone calls inviting them to stay on the line and participate in the tele-Town Hall. People who want to join in will be given simple, down-to-earth instructions on what to do. Oh, wait! What if you're a 49th Legislative District resident and you want to join in but you don't get the call between 5:45 and 6 Tuesday night, May 1? In that case, simply call this toll-free telephone number directly, 1-877-229-8493, and then enter PIN code No. 18646 when prompted. And you'll be in!

Moeller emphasized that citizens should always feel free to contact him whenever they want to ask a question and/or share an opinion.

Concierge Care Advisors group salutes Moeller's work for senior citizens

Guarding safety and security for senior citizens and other vulnerable people should always be Mission No. 1. That undertaking is followed in terms of importance very closely by the writing of strong reporting and accountability standards for agencies and caregivers.

Admirable goals and objectives, both of these missions. In fact, state Rep. Jim Moeller for many years has led House Democrats in championing these very goals and objectives for communities all across the Evergreen State. Just recently, the elder placement and referral agency Concierge Care Advisors (CCA) saluted Moeller's work and commitment with a "Best of 2011 Award."

“Representative Moeller is truly remarkable in his ability to reach out to all stakeholders, including opponents of active legislation,” said Marc Lilly, who is the CCA CEO and co-founder. “(He) innovatively listens, but also remains true to his goal of security and safety for senior citizens."

Moeller is Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Washington State House of Representatives and a member of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. He prime-sponsored legislation last session that, among other important new directions, calls for higher standards in recordkeeping, disclosure statements, and intake forms. In its press release touting the 49th District lawmaker's Olympian exertion, the CCA emphasized that Moeller "worked with stakeholders, including opponents, to gain passage of the first-in-the-nation legislation that regulated placement and referral agencies.

"A health-care professional himself," the CCA release continues, "Representative Moeller aggressively pursues long-term-care issues, particularly those that impact the safety and security of vulnerable adults. He was instrumental in pursuing solutions to slow or
inadequate investigations of abuse and neglect by various state departments, as well as seeking greater accountability and reporting."

"I'm grateful and honored to receive this recognition from people who themselves truly care, truly go out of their way to emphasize health and safety in the lives of all-too-often-forgotten citizens," Moeller said. “The majority of referral agencies do a good job matching senior citizens with appropriate services. Fortunately most of the time, there’s no problem at all. But yes, there are those agencies that fall short of meeting their responsibilities. And all too frequently, their shortcomings endanger the health and well-being of folks who can't fend for themselves very well, if at all.”

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

49th Legislative District Town Hall

Your 49th Legislative District lawmakers - Rep. Jim Moeller, Sen. Craig Pridemore, and Rep. Sharon Wylie - cordially invite you to a town hall meeting on:

Saturday, January 7, 2012
10 a.m. to noon.
Public Service Center 6th floor Hearing Room
1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver

Keep your lawmakers informed on the issues that are important to you and your community so they can better represent you in Olympia, and if you have questions, be sure to bring them along.

Get briefed on the actions taken during the December Special Session to close the budget gap and learn about the bills your lawmakers will be working on when the regular Legislative Session convenes on Jan. 9.

Let’s kick-off the New Year with the best foot forward by getting the conversation started!

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Prescription drugs must always get into their intended, appropriate hands

A recent Vancouver Columbian article ("New rules could leave chronic pain patients in a world of hurt") throws into stark relief the highly important balance that needs to be struck between:

• Helping chronic pain-sufferers get medications they need; and
• Halting prescription drugs from getting into the wrong hands.

State Rep. Jim Moeller knows that "prescription-drug abuse is a public-health emergency, exploding on us here in the Pacific Northwest." Moeller prime-sponsored a measure (House Bill 2876) in the 2010 Legislature that required health-care boards and commissions to adopt rules regarding pain-management, including rules covering the prescribing of opioids.

An addictions-treatment counselor for more than a quarter of a century, Moeller said he’s seen a big upswing in opiate addictions. Indeed, a recent regional crackdown on the illegal distribution of pain medications included the investigation of a Vancouver clinic.

"Although fewer and fewer people are using illegal, fundamentally bad stuff such as meth, heroin and cocaine,” Moeller said, “more and more folks are abusing ostensibly legal medications such as oxycodone and oxycontin.

"Our society has a moral responsibility - and health-care professionals have an ethical responsibility - to recognize the very real pain that many patients are suffering,” Moeller stated. “But let's also respect the fact that we cannot always help people simply by giving them pills."

The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health said that well over four and a half million people that year used a variety of prescription medicines nonmedically for the very first time. Our state of Washington is in fact a national leader in death by opioid. We're at or near the top in two awful national rankings: prescription-drug abuse and opiate deaths.

New website: Here's a great e-source for breast-cancer survivors

One in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Also, according to a website called Breast cancer: Tips for families; facts, figures:

• More than 230,400 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women here in 2011.
• More than 2,100 American men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• More than 39,900 women and more than 400 men will fall victim to this killer this year here in the United States.

People who've been diagnosed with breast cancer can tap into a big variety of educational links and other helpful details featured at another excellent website newly up and running. Sponsored by the Pink Lemonade Project, this new e-source covers information on a range of insurance rights and reconstruction options for breast-cancer survivors. All too often patients aren't provided with info about alternatives for breast reconstruction. They may not even be informed that their insurance provides coverage for reconstruction, for instance, as well as mastectomies.

Legislation was discussed in the 2011 session that would go a long way toward providing patients with information on options for breast reconstruction. The measure was sponsored by state Rep. Jim Moeller. Although the bill survived Republican objections to win House Health Care & Wellness Committee approval, it was stuck in the House Rules Committee when the legislative session adjourned.

Moeller has pointed out that, "Washington has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in our whole country. We need to be sensitive to the fact that having a mastectomy has both physical and psychological impacts on patients. Insurers are required to cover not only mastectomies, but also breast reconstruction."

A Vancouver newspaper item about the new website can be found here.

State Bar Association award hails Moeller’s work toward stronger protection for vulnerable citizens

Much-needed standards passed and signed into law earlier this year will build sturdier security for senior citizens and other people potentially at-risk of abuse and exploitation. These legislative victories were championed by state Rep. Jim Moeller, who emphasized that his goal is "assuring a safer world for our vulnerable population."

Moeller will receive the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Elder Law Section. This year's Bar Association recognition is being presented to Moeller for "his tireless service as sponsor and supporter of the legislation implementing the recommendations" submitted by the Guardianship Task Force of the State Bar's Elder Law Section.

Karen I. Treiger is an attorney with the law firm of Thompson & Howle who is active with the task force. Ms. Treiger said that Moeller is distinguished for "his ongoing tremendous commitment to the vulnerable adults of our state. He sponsored our WSBA Elder Law Section's guardianship legislation this year in Olympia, and then he worked very hard to get it passed and signed by the governor. Representative Moeller works with many stakeholders who share a commitment to ensuring the safety and happiness of senior citizens and other vulnerable people."

Key vulnerable-adult legislation passed this year includes:

• House Bill 1494 establishes needed standards for agencies that refer citizens to social-help programs and services.

"The majority of referral agencies do a good job matching senior citizens with appropriate services," Moeller said. "Fortunately most of the time, there's no problem at all. But yes, there are those agencies that fall way short of meeting their responsibilities, sometimes endangering the health and well-being of very vulnerable adults."

Moeller explained that the new law requires a disclosure form including "clear and cogent information acknowledged by the senior citizen about what the agency does and doesn't do, and directions for making a complaint to the Attorney General. An intake form to assist with a proper referral (i.e., information on any medical conditions, special diets, behaviors or cultural needs) would also need to be completed."

• House Bill 1053 implements recommendations from a 2009 report delivered by the WSBA Elder Law Section's executive committee guardianship task force. Recommendations carried out in the new law direct that:
  • Lay guardians will receive free training, which will be available online from the state Administrative Office of the Courts or superior courts.
  • Expiration dates will be set for letters of guardianship.

"A serious problem also addressed in the legislation is the fact that it's been very difficult to determine the number and status of guardianships in Washington," Moeller said.

• Senate Bill 5042, which includes directions outlined in House Bill 1104, adds what Moeller calls "very important and much-needed teeth" to current laws on the books to protect vulnerable adults. The measure will:
  • Prohibit either wrongful control or withholding of a vulnerable adult's property (and it spells out exactly what constitutes financial exploitation).
  • Require the Department of Social & Health Services to provide a statement of rights to vulnerable adults whose cases are under investigation.
  • Provide standards for the department to work with federally recognized Native American tribes to investigate abuse or financial exploitation that has taken place on tribal land.

The new standard expands the definition of "financial exploitation" beyond just the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult's property. The proposal would include in the law's definition the illegal or improper control over or withholding of property.

Moeller has worked with a task force of southwestern Washington citizens and other concerned individuals and organizations to create protective standards, including this year's meticulous effort against exploitation.

New standards add stronger protection for vulnerable people

Three recent legislative victories have been signed into law to strengthen protection for senior citizens and other people potentially at-risk of abuse and exploitation, a topic recently reported extensively by the Seattle Times. State Rep. Jim Moeller, who has been working on the problem for several years, said these measures “definitely merit highlighting in the Win Column for our vulnerable population.”

* House Bill 1494 establishes needed standards for agencies that refer citizens to social-help programs and services. “The majority of referral agencies do a good job matching senior citizens with appropriate services,” Moeller said. “Fortunately most of the time, there’s no problem at all. But yes, there are those agencies that fall way short of meeting their responsibilities, sometimes endangering the health and well-being of very vulnerable adults.”

Moeller explained that the new law requires a disclosure form including “clear and cogent information acknowledged by the senior citizen about what the agency does and doesn’t do, and directions for making a complaint to the Attorney General. An intake form to assist with a proper referral (i.e., information on any medical conditions, special diets, behaviors or cultural needs) would also need to be completed.”

* House Bill 1053 implements recommendations from a 2009 report delivered by the Washington State Bar Association elder law section’s executive committee guardianship task force. Recommendations carried out in the new law direct that:
* Lay guardians will receive free training, which will be available online from the state Administrative Office of the Courts or superior courts.
* Expiration dates will be set for letters of guardianship.

“A serious problem also addressed in the legislation is the fact that it’s been very difficult to determine the number and status of guardianships in Washington,” Moeller said.

* Senate Bill 5042, which includes directions outlined in House Bill 1104, adds what Moeller calls “very important and much-needed teeth” to current laws on the books to protect vulnerable adults. The measure will:
* Prohibit either wrongful control or withholding of a vulnerable adult’s property (and it spells out exactly what constitutes financial exploitation).
* Require the Department of Social & Health Services to provide a statement of rights to vulnerable adults whose cases are under investigation.
* Provide standards for the department to work with federally recognized Native American tribes to investigate abuse or financial exploitation that has taken place on tribal land.

The new standard expands the definition of “financial exploitation" beyond just the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult’s property. The proposal would include in the law’s definition the illegal or improper control over or withholding of property.

Moeller in recent years has won widespread public, legislative and gubernatorial support for laws to halt exploitation of vulnerable senior citizens and other people. Moeller has worked with a task force of southwestern Washington citizens and other concerned individuals and organizations to create protective standards, including this year’s meticulous effort against exploitation.

Here’s a very good link to a May 16, 2011, Washington State Court of Appeals decision on what’s called the slayer statute: http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/65101-3.pub.doc.pdf.

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.

Complete Streets bill keeps everyone looped in

The loop is big enough for everyone. And for sure, you’re darned right: Everyone should be kept in it when the subject is Washington’s transportation infrastructure. That’s the simple message, profoundly stated, in state Rep. Jim Moeller’s successful “Complete Streets” legislation this year in the state capital.

“Motorists and their passengers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists have a right to know that it’ll be safe going for them when they hit the road,” said Moeller, whose House Bill 1071 has cleared both legislative chambers and is on the governor’s desk. Terms of the measure direct the Washington State Department of Transportation to talk with local jurisdictions before the department undertakes any highway-design work or major repairs to city streets that are part of a state highway.

Carrie Dolwick, State Policy Director for the Transportation Choices Coalition, pointed out that “transportation advocates are very pleased the Legislature is taking a more serious look at how we strike a balance for all modes of transportation in Washington. This bill is a first step to allow state resources to be invested in streets that are for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper.”

“When you’re talking about this concept of ‘complete streets,’” Moeller explained, “you’re talking about designing and operating streets in a way that guarantees safe and reliable access for everyone – and that includes pedestrians, bicyclists, public-transportation users, and motorists. Although it’s obviously true that many cities are already built out, the grant program in this legislation will, first of all, allow opportunities for making those city streets much more efficient, and, second, improve the infrastructure for all users,” he continued.

”It’s really very simple: We need to champion an inclusive transportation infrastructure that is tied indivisibly to the idea of one Washington, with opportunity for all who travel and traverse that infrastructure. This legislation reflects the genuine need for an inclusive transportation infrastructure.”

Oly greets Wylie

This morning the House of Representatives welcomed its newest member, Sharon Wylie, who was appointed to succeed Jim Jacks as a representative from the 49th Legislative District.

"I am humbled and excited to serve the people of Southwest Washington in the state legislature. I pledge to the families back home that I will work tirelessly to represent their interests, and that I will utilize my background and experience to serve the needs of our district. I am eager to begin working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the serious economic challenges facing our state,” said the Vancouver Democrat.

Wylie was recognized on the House floor by Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, her fellow 49th District representative.

To read more, go here.

To read this blog post in Spanish, go here.

Hey, Vancouverites! Come get something off of your chest at a Town Hall meeting

Town Halls are every bit as American as your mama's (or your papa's) best apple pie, but these little community get-togethers won't saddle you with even half the calories.

Clark County folks will have a chance in a couple of days to pull up a chair for a Town Hall of their own. Three Vancouver lawmakers are inviting southwestern Washington residents to a meeting Saturnday morning, January 8, from 10:00 till noon. The gathering will be held in the sixth floor hearing foom of the Clark County Public Service Center, which is located at 1300 Franklin St. in Vancouver.

State Reps. Jim Moeller and Jim Jacks will be joined by state Sen. Craig Pridemore. The three represent the 49th Legislative District, which includes Vancouver west of Interstate 205 and Hazel Dell. They are preparing for the 2011 legislative session that kicks off Monday, January 10. No doubt, the thorniest issues in the upcoming 105-day session involve the hunt for answers to the economic quandary. But a number of other pressing matters also await consideration. The legislators will use what they hear at the town hall to help make sure their work in the state capital reflects what constituents in the real world are really thinking.

Yes, you're darn tootin' these types of town meetings are an American tradition. Without a doubt, public involvement must forever play a starring role in the way we Yankee Doodlers govern ourselves. And that holds true whether you're talking citizen participation in the tradition of Norman Rockwell's famous Freedom of Speech painting or citizen participation in the manner of modern-day political blogs.