Innovation Partnership Zones are in for some new cash

A few days ago, the Department of Commerce, which is charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington, announced that there are $13.5 million in the Capital Budget for Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZ) to foster economic growth. 

Anything that fosters economic growth is a good thing, but what are IPZs, anyway?  

The Innovation Partnership Zones program was created in 2007 by the Washington State Legislature to strengthen the connections between research and business, encouraging regions in Washington to fire up their global competitiveness, and create more high-paying jobs.   

It’s been five years and, so far so good, as we have 14 of them!  This session with a measure sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, we strengthened them by requiring that they must be part of an industry cluster, which will encourage the creation of more zones that will prompt current and future economic development.  

The projects that will receive funding include: 

Tri-Cities Research District - $5 million for a new research and education facility in the heart of the area’s wine country, allowing Washington State to continue to solidify its position as the second leading wine producer in the nation.  

Walla Walla Valley IPZ - $3.67 million for human capital, addressing a shortage in energy technicians in the region who are responsible for maintaining the area’s 5,000 wind turbines.  

Tacoma: Urban Clean Water Technology Zone - $3.6 million for three new labs:

• Clean Water Innovation Development & Technology Transfer Laboratory.
• Shared use lab at the Center for Urban Waters to develop new clean water technologies. 
• Clean Water Technology Aquatic Toxicology Lab to study the effects of pollution and diseases on fish, aquatic insects and bivalves. 

Grays Harbor IPZ - $750,000 to equip the Coastal Innovation Zone R&D Business Incubator Facility to help businesses develop, test and commercialize new products with a heavy focus on reuse of industry byproducts and wastes. 

Bothell Biomedical Manufacturing IPZ - $500,000 for a new incubator space to house companies that design, develop and manufacture biomedical devices.  

For more information on these projects go here.

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.

Got housing issues? Maybe we can help!

The economy is getting better and our unemployment rate is lower than it has been in years, but times are still tough, and one of the hardest hit areas is housing. This session we passed bills that will help the homeless, provide housing assistance, and lend a hand to homeowners in crisis.

We’re supporting proven services that reduce homelessness with HB 2048, which expands highly successful programs that provide services for the homeless. On any given day, 23,000 people are homeless in Washington. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, will raise $126 million over the next five years for state and local homeless programs via a $10 increase in certain document recording fees.

With the passage of HB 2640, we’re improving the cost-effectiveness of housing assistance. This measure will help Housing Trust Fund dollars go further by emphasizing cost-effectiveness of investments. It requires the Housing Trust Fund to consider both total costs and the cost of housing per unit when reviewing applications for funding.

HB 2614, sponsored by Rep.Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, is a comprehensive bill aimed at helping homeowners in crisis by providing alternatives, remedies, and assistance. This measure brings clarity to the short-sale process. A short sale is when a lender accepts a discount on a mortgage to avoid foreclosure. But in some cases the homeowner is still on the hook for the outstanding debt.  HB 2614 creates a notice mechanism so that homeowners are informed if the lender/bank will still collect what’s left of the debt after the home is sold, and it reduces the amount of time, from six to three years, that lenders have to pursue homeowners for remaining debts.

To further help struggling homeowners, HB 2614 was amended to include the provisions of two other consumer protection bills that got stuck in the legislative process:

Rep. Tina Orwall’s HB 2421 makes important changes to the Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011 to make the mediation program run more smoothly, and streamline the demands on lenders:

• Meet and confer process can be over the phone.

• More time for scheduling mediations.

• More time (120 days instead of 90) between the notice of sale and the trustee sale.

Sen. Adam Kline’s SB 6515 provides remedies for when a home is lost due to mistakes in the trustee sale. Currently, if you lose your home because of a mistake in the foreclosure process, it is impossible to get it back. These provisions allow for the trustee sale to be void if:

• There was an error in the foreclosure sale process.

• There was an agreement for a loan modification or other agreement to postpone the sale.

• The services accepted funds to satisfy the loan when they had no legal duty to do so.

To read this post in Spanish, click here.

Keeping it short

Rep. Cindy Ryu measures a bit over five feet, one inch from head to toe, but she hoped to stand tall on the floor of the House in praise of a yet-more-diminutive colleague,Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, who is retiring after 15 years in the Legislature.

Alas, Ryu was unable to rise in salute to Kenney, what with the crush of business at the session’s close.

But here’s what she planned to say in her not-long speech.

As a fellow member of the Short Caucus, I would like to talk about legs.

I know the saying, “If you want something done, you ask a short, busy woman,” is true because over the last year and half, I’ve seen and learned from Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney about:

setting goals, putting legs on them, and charging into whomever or whatever the challenges and barriers may be.

Rep. Gutiérrez Kenney is an embodiment of how we can achieve the American dream, one step at a time.

Phyllis, you are leaving large footprints to fill.  I will miss you.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Bipartisan tributes to Reps. Dickerson, Finn, and Gutièrrez Kenney

Three retiring members of the House Democratic Caucus were honored this morning with resolutions on the House floor.

Representatives Mary Lou Dickerson, Fred Finn, and Phyllis Gutièrrez Kenney are all retiring at the end of their terms this year.  As is the tradition in the House, the three were each called up individually to the rostrum as their resolution was read in full, after which House members from both sides of the aisle rose to say additional words of praise and share stories – and humorous anecdotes – about them.

Rep. Dickerson has served in the House since 1994, and currently chairs the Health & Human Services Appropriations & Oversight committee.  She represents Seattle’s 36^th Legislative District. In a floor tribute from Republican Rep. Norm Johnson, he mentioned Rep. Dickerson’s 2008 receipt of the “Smackdown Award” from Fuse for her efforts to keep toxic chemicals out of children’s toys and products. The resolution honoring Rep. Dickerson can be found here. 

Rep. Finn came to the House in 2009 to represent the 35^th Legislative District.  He serves as vice-chair of the Community & Economic Development & Housing committee.  His House colleagues were likely surprised to learn today that in the 1960’s and 70’s, Rep. Finn was a member of a rock-and-roll band called The Routemen.  The band even performed at the 1965 World’s Fair.  The resolution honoring Rep. Finn can be found here.

Rep. Gutièrrez Kenney first came to the House in 1997, and chairs the Community Development & Housing committee.  She represents Seattle’s 46^th Legislative District.  Fellow Seattle lawmaker Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos noted in her tribute this morning that Rep. Gutièrrez Kenney is a cancer survivor. A recent HDC Advance post about her retirement announcement can be read here, and the resolution honoring her can be read in full here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

Veteran Seattle lawmaker Gutiérrez Kenney announces retirement

Upon announcing that she will not seek re-election this November, State Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney released the following statement: 
 

“I feel truly honored that the people of North Seattle have allowed me to represent them all these years. It has been a wonderful experience. Every decision I have made has been with their best interests in mind; I hope they feel that I have served them well.

I have enormous faith in the people of Washington state. They can be tough on their elected officials, but that’s because they believe that we, as a state, can and will be better. I share that belief.

By the end of this term, I will have served 16 years in the Washington State House of Representatives. The House is an institution that I hold very dear to my heart, and I count many of my colleagues – on both sides of the aisle – among my friends.

We may not see eye to eye on some issues, but I believe all of us, Democrats and Republicans, come to Olympia with a true commitment to the people we represent and a true desire to make our One Washington a better place for all.

I thank my husband Larry and all my kids for their love and support, but also for putting up with my absence three or four months out of the year, for many years.

And lastly, I am grateful for the trust, partnership and support of North Seattle residents, for making my service in the House so tremendously rewarding. While I will be out of elective office in 2013 for the first time in 16 years, I hope to continue my involvement and find new opportunities to serve our community and our state.”

House Speaker Frank Chopp issued this statement:          

“To me, Phyllis’s story is the embodiment of the American Dream. Born to migrant workers, she spent her early years working in the fields. But she believed in the promise of this country and in the value of education and look at what she achieved!

However, she never forgot her roots. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of the underrepresented in our state, improving conditions for farm workers, fighting for educational opportunities for lower-income students, and providing shelter for the homeless.

We are going to miss her.”

For Rep. Gutiérrez Kenney's biography, please click here. 

To read this story in Spanish, please click here.
  

Rep. Darneille fights back for homelessness

Responding to a surge in homelessness from the Great Recession, the House approved a bill Feb. 9 to attack the problem – but not before an edgy partisan exchange.

The facts are these: On any given day, 23,000 people are homeless in Washington, and another 6,500 live in abandoned building or under bridges – or in cars.

“Sometimes, that (living in a car) is not a bad thing,” Republican Bill Hinkle of Cle Elum told the House, adding that it could provide motivation for self-improvement.

Rep. Jeannie Darneille of Tacoma would have none of that.

“This is not the way children should live in our society,” she said.

The measure – House Bill 2048, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney of Seattle –  would raise an additional $25 million a year for homeless programs via a $10 increase in the fee for recording property deeds, mortgages, and other real-estate documents with county auditors.

The 55-42 vote for the bill sends it to the Senate.

Watch Rep. Darneille’s remarks on the House floor:

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

46th Legislative District Town Hall THIS Saturday

• Meet with members of the 46th Legislative District as they prepare for the 2012 Session. 

• Inform your lawmakers of issues important to you and your community. 

• Learn about the issues facing lawmakers as they return to Olympia. 

• Receive an update on actions taken during the special session and the continuing budget process. 

Saturday, January 7th from 1 to 2:30 PM
North Seattle Community College Concert Hall at 9600 College Way North

For a map and driving directions, please click here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

House votes to help immigrants do the right thing the right way

Last night the House unanimously passed HB 5023, a measure to crack down on quasi-legal assistants who swindle hard working men and women out of hundreds or thousands of dollars with the promise of fixing their immigration papers.

This consumer protection bill solves the problem of people using misleading labels, such as “registered immigration assistant” and “notario publico,” a term that is the equivalent to attorney in some Latin American countries. With these titles they deceive vulnerable immigrants about their authority, qualifications, competency and ability to provide professional services.

The deceptions that have taken place as a result of this practice have caused serious harm to immigrants and prevented them from getting the legal advice and services they do need.

By eliminating the current state registry of “immigration assistants,” the bill stresses that only lawyers are authorized to provide legal advice on immigration matters. Under this measure assistants to lawyers can still translate, transcribe and provide other helpful services to immigrants that do not constitute the practice of law.

Watch the video below to see freshman Rep. Cindy Ryu, a naturalized citizen, as her moving remarks remind everyone in the chamber what being an American is all about:


The measure has the support of immigrants, immigrant organizations, and other groups that work directly with immigrants, such as One America, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This is really a good consumer protection bill,” said Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, who sponsored the House companion to the Senate measure that passed. “Too many people wanting to do the right thing are instead seeing their lives ruined from having trusted these individuals who masquerade as attorneys.”

SB 5023 now goes back to the Senate for concurrence and then to Governor Gregoire for her signature.

House honors César Chávez’s legacy

State Reps. Luis Moscoso and Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney celebrated the life of César Chávez and honored his legacy with House Resolution 4647, adopted last Friday by the Washington State House of Representatives.

“I was a teen in the ‘60s when I first heard about César Chávez,” said Moscoso. "César’s belief in non-violence and his dedication to the poor and to workers had a great influence on me; his faith in humanity gave me the strength to persevere in the struggles of our times.”

In the other Washington, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring March 31st as César Chávez Day, saying that “Chávez’s legacy provides lessons from which all Americans can learn.”

“César Chávez is a hero, not only for farm workers but for all workers who deserve to be recognized for their important contributions, and who merit dignity for the diverse—and often hard—work they carry out every day,” said State Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney.

For the full release, click here.

Counting the homeless and making the homeless count

Caring volunteers will fan out across Washington tomorrow for the annual "point in time" count of the homeless. Gov. Gregoire has proclaimed Jan. 27 to be Homeless Awareness Day, and the House has adopted a resolution by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney to recognize the occasion.
The Community Development & Housing Committee, which is led by Rep. Kenney, will hold a special work session on "The Realities of Homelessness in Washington," at 10 a.m. in House Hearing Room C tomorrow, with special guests including nationally renowned expert Norm Suchar, a leader with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Everyone can take part by tuning in to a live telecast and web cast of the Homeless Awareness Day event on TVW!

Wanted: Workers with college degrees

Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney is one of the leading lawmakers keeping Washington ahead of the curve when it comes to helping more people tap into a post-secondary education, starting with access to our community and technical colleges.

This is a tough calling when the growing demand for college degrees is accompanied by declining state support for colleges and universities. But it's a demand we can't afford to ignore.

"America is slowly coming out of the Recession of 2007 — only to find itself on a collision course with the future: not enough Americans are completing college... By 2018, we will need 22 million new workers with college degrees—but will fall short of that number by at least 3 million postsecondary degrees."

That's according to a new report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.

According to the report, by 2018 the number of new jobs in Washington state requiring postsecondary education and training will grow by 259,000. That's far more than the 107,000 new jobs that will be available for high school graduates and dropouts. Overall, 67 percent of Washington's jobs will require some level of post-high school education.

Rep. Kenney doesn't just talk about getting more people into college, she continuously pushes the doors wider. That's why the state’s community and technical college trustees recently awarded her their 2010 Outstanding Advocate for Equity Award.

They cited Rep. Kenney's sponsorship of the Opportunity Grant program in 2006 which provides millions of dollars for low-income adults wanting to gain new skills or retrain at a community college. She has worked tirelessly to secure resources for Seattle’s community colleges to expand programs for low-income students and increase access to high-demand programs such as engineering.

Rep. Kenney also helped create a ground-breaking new Certified Nursing Assistant program for Spanish-speaking students at South Seattle Community College, a partnership program with Swedish Hospital, the University of Washington and Sea-Mar. The nursing program has since become a nationally recognized model known as I-BEST (Integrated Basic Skills and Education Training) and has been mentioned by President Obama during speeches on education.

It's these kinds of innovations and programs that will bolster Washington's ability to keep our workers well-trained and our employers well-supported.

Feds in town to talk trade with legislators

Today a federal delegation will brief the state’s economic-policy lawmakers on the National Export Initiative, released earlier this year. Announced by President Obama in this year’s State of the Union address, the plan aims to double trade exports in the next five years.

The initiative will have a significant impact to Washington state, the most trade-dependent state in the nation.

The work session will be a joint meeting of three committees: Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy, chaired by state Sen. Paull Shin; House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee, chaired by state Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney; and Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Innovation, chaired by state Sen. Jim Kastama.

It's going on now at the Port of Seattle and you can check out the meeting materials online.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, legislators are thinking green

House Democrats were on a roll this evening as they successfully passed more bills to boost the state’s green jobs sector.

Earlier this session, the House passed the Jobs Act, sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, which funds energy-efficiency projects in schools and other public buildings and would create 38,000 jobs all over the state.

Tonight, an additional four jobs bills were given the go-ahead, all related to the renewable energy field.

HB 2420 recognizes the forest products industry as a “green” one, and expands the definition of “clean energy” to include energy derived from forest products, such as woody biomass. Sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kenney, it is meant to ensure that Washington’s working forests and related timber jobs will continue to have a vital role to play as the economy transitions to more and more green jobs.

HB 2481, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, authorizes the state Department of Natural Resources to enter into long-term contracts with private companies to create biomass energy from state timber lands. These long-term contracts will give companies the confidence to invest in Washington, and create more stable timber-industry jobs while producing home-grown energy to lessen our reliance on imported sources of fuel.

HB 2676 and HB 2677, both sponsored by Rep. Maralyn Chase, permit utilities to loan customers money to pay for energy or water conservation projects. The savings on the customer’s utility bill can then be used to make payments on the loan. This provides an incentive for people to undertake these projects in their homes, meaning more work for the contractors who do them.

Shaping the new commerce department

Big changes are coming for what was once known as the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. It’s now known as the Department of Commerce, thanks to legislation from Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney last session.

Kenney is the prime sponsor of this year’s legislation, and she also chairs the House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee, where the bill to restructure the department had a hearing this morning.

This “begins the process of shaping the new department,” Kenney said. Kenney laid out that this bill will be a conversation to help the department as they evaluate which programs should stay, and which should be moved into other agencies.Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed testified and boiled it all down to “focus.” Weed laid out the unemployment and economic problems facing the state and described the department’s role in helping the state recover.

The department currently holds many programs, not just economic development. One of the areas they work on is housing. Nick Federici, on behalf of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, testified that the process to evaluate what programs should be in the Department of Commerce has been great. Their request is that housing programs “stay together, wherever that is.”

Women of Color Empowered Committee honors Rep. Kenney for her ongoing political leadership

Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, chairwoman of the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade and dedicated advocate for the Hispanic community in Seattle, was honored by the Women of Color Empowered Committee last Friday for her commitment to helping local communities of color.
“It is an honor to work toward a more promising future for our communities of color and to inspire other women to do the same,” Kenney said. “I’m truly thankful for those who continue to support me in the work that I do. My political achievements are merely a reflection of the continued collaboration among our diverse communities.”
For more than a decade, Kenney has served as a leader for women in politics and has worked to motivate others to venture into the male-dominated political realm. Click here for a more extensive list of her community involvement.

The continuing saga of Washington's aerospace industry

Recent news about Boeing's purchase of a 787 supplier in South Carolina and rumors that the company is considering a second assembly line there for the 787 Dreamliner has sparked worried whispers about the future of the aerospace industry in Washington.
Stop the hand-wringing, say Reps. Jeff Morris and Phyllis Gutierrez in a recent Seattle Times op-ed.
They point out that we've worked hard to make Washington an international hub of the aerospace industry and state leaders are anything but complacent when it comes to ensuring we keep our strong standing.
This year, at the bill signing creating the new Aerospace Council to help bolster our industry, Gov. Gregoire stated:
"Washington is the best place in the world to build airplanes, primarily due to the robust aerospace infrastructure we have in place and our highly skilled, productive work force. Our advantages also include a competitive aerospace tax environment, strong aerospace research and development capacity, and this state's unparalleled quality of life… But in today's challenging times and with our faltering economy, we need to do more to stay ahead. The aerospace council is designed to ensure we are doing all we can in a sustained way to be even more competitive."
Gov. Gregoire also created a subcabinet position in her administration that will help guide us towards a long partnership with our state’s aerospace industry.
On our end at the Legislature, our state has collaborated with aerospace businesses, both big and small, to foster a new generation of highly skilled workers, invest in a state infrastructure that keeps our commerce moving, reduce the tax burden on their products, and streamline the permitting process. House Democrats have pushed for and supported policies that help ensure Washington's aerospace industry remains strong and competitive.

The hard work has paid off. Despite some naysayers and critics, several business publications, academic studies, and public policy organizations have ranked Washington as a one of the best states to open and operate a business for several years now consistently.
Washington state has a proud history of building the world's best airplanes, whether it was the bombers that won World War II, the jetfighters defending America today, or the airplanes moving millions of people from every corner of the planet. Our aerospace workers are the best in the business, without a doubt. But they, and the businesses that depend on these highly skilled workers, rely on our state’s support to remain the best.
And while Boeing is certainly the flagship airplane manufacturer that’s shaped our region, it's not alone. There are myriad other aerospace businesses in Washington that have been attracted to our region, making our state the hub when it comes to parts suppliers, crafts persons, importers, exporters – all of the businesses it takes to keep the industry flying high, as they say.
But anyone in the business will tell you, it’s a tough one. Despite what one might think, studies show that the commercial airline industry is not a big moneymaker. On the contrary, over the history of commercial flight, it’s just barely in the black. That adds a lot of volatility to the market for airplanes, which is a reality our state has had to live with through Boeing’s boom times and busts.
In addition, Boeing and other local manufacturers are facing stiffer competition from foreign manufacturers than ever before, most notably Airbus headquartered in France.
We must remember that fortunes can shift quickly and that sometimes the grass can seem greener elsewhere. That is why we remain steadfastly devoted to ensuring our aerospace industry’s legacy as the world’s best.

(Photo from markjhandel)

Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney to serve on gov's aerospace council

Yesterday, Governor Gregoire announced the fourteen members who will "oversee state efforts to ensure that Washington remains the leading location in the world in which airplanes are designed and built."
The Governor established the Washington Council on Aerospace based on recommendations after a competitiveness report was released in April.
Among the fourteen serving on the council is Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney who chairs the House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee.
“The aerospace industry is a vital component for our state’s economic foundation. It is important for us to maintain a state-of-the-art workforce at all levels of the aerospace industry to promote economic development and growth while also retaining the companies providing quality, family-wage jobs,” Kenney says.

“I want to thank the Governor for her stewardship and foresight in organizing this council of stakeholders who will make things happen for the aerospace industry in Washington State.”

Legislators agree that higher ed more important than ever

Today, higher education leaders in the House and Senate gathered for a discussion about how, despite the state's economic woes, higher education can and must be used as a bridge to 21st century jobs.
Representative Deb Wallace, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee, emphasized repeatedly that we cannot turn back on our goal of educating more people to higher levels.

To this end, the House and Senate are proposing numerous measures that will help more students tap into financial aid, and support education and training programs that put people to work in high-demand, family wage jobs.
In addition to participating legislators, Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney introduced two students who spoke up about their personal ambitions of going to college and how aid programs have been the key to attaining that dream.
Roxana Garcia from the University of Washington spoke of growing up in a single-parent household amidst rising gang activity and negative influences. She said state grants were the key to her going to college and she encouraged lawmakers to preserve what she called an "investment in the lives of intelligent young adults, but more importantly, an investment in the future of Washington state."
Felicia Perl from the University of Puget Sound talked about the challenges of growing up in the foster care system and having to navigate a path to college without the support of family or parents. She also urged lawmakers to not seek short-term budget relief at the expense of devastating long-term effects.
You can read more about today's press event here.

Governor Gregoire signs first bill of the session, House Bill 1906, flanked by some of the cutest kids you'll ever see.

Just returned from the Governor's signing of House Bill 1906, increasing benefits for unemployed workers by $45 a week.

At the press conference was Rep. Steve Conway, the bill's sponsor, along with Reps. Phyllis Kenney, Tina Orwall, and Speaker Frank Chopp, who drove home the point that this bill is not only an economic stimulus,it's a moral victory for our state's workers.

Also speaking at the event was Heather Reeber who recently lost her job due to the economic downturn. Heather explained what $45 a week could mean to families like hers facing tough times, which could mean food on the table and heat in their home. Heather's a mother of four of the most adorable kids you'll ever see, Brianna, Gavin, Brandon, and Kaitlyn, as evidenced in the slideshow.



For more info, click here.

House Democrats push through increased benefits for unemployed

House Democratic supporters of the bill dubbed it “Money for Main Street,” citing the immediate effect the added money will mean to families struggling to make ends meet, as well as the businesses that rely on them. The bill, HB 1906, increases unemployment-program benefits by $45 a week for workers in the program. Eligibility for retraining help is also broadened to take in honorably discharged veterans, disabled citizens, and low-wage workers.

“These are unemployed workers struggling to pay the rent, put food on the table, and buy shoes for their kids,” said Rep. Steve Conway, the sponsor of the bill. “They’re not high-end investors; they’re not hoarding this money. They’ll take this money to their local grocery store. And they’ll help that grocery store stay in business, as this money circulates throughout our economy.”

“This is a smart plan with a heart,” said Rep. Tina Orwall. “We understand the challenges people are facing, so we created this stimulus package designed to help struggling families and businesses, and to help them when they need it—which is now.”

Rep. Phyllis Kenney had this to say from the House Floor: “This bill is not just about un-employment, it’s really about re-employment. It’s about turning unemployment insurance from a passive income-maintenance program into an active tool for economic development.”

Read the full story here.