How do we pay for it?

That perennial question forms the basis for much of what is being discussed today in Seattle by the Joint Transportation Committee.

Continuing a busy summer of meetings, JTC will spend time addressing alternative transportation funding methods. As vehicles become more fuel efficient and people cut back on driving, the fuel tax that funds most of Washington’s transportation projects isn’t going as far as it used to. The JTC is looking into how the state can best continue funding transportation projects as we move into a new era.

Also on the agenda for today’s meeting is ferry funding. Washington State Ferries will present its final long-range plan, which is the result of three years of intensive study and discussion. The committee will also discuss ferry fares (including, probably, yesterday’s news that the Transportation Commission rejected a proposed summer surcharge).

Stay tuned to JTC’s meetings page to read the agenda and other materials.

Want to be a "Key Communicator" for the Department of Early Learning?

The state Department of Early Learning is currently working on a plan to ensure all children in our state have access to quality early learning opportunities. The goal is to make sure every child starts kindergarten ready to learn. Research overwhelmingly shows that children who start behind, stay behind and investments in early learning save thousands in remedial education and reduce drop-out rates.

Giving all kids a strong start is a pretty ambitious goal and DEL is hoping that parents and educators throughout the state will help. They're recruiting people to sign up as "key communicators," and offer regular feedback on DEL's work.

How does it work? Simply sign up to receive a weekly email with info on DEL's work along with a link to a simple survey so you can share your thoughts. Below is last week's email. This is an interesting way to learn more about one of the most critical efforts underway to strengthen our education system.

Dear members of the Key Communicators Group,

Thank you for your continued work and input as a “key communicator” as our state moves forward with creating an early learning plan.

New information has been added to the early learning plan page on the Department of Early Learning Web site. Please click here to read about how the planning work is being divided into three subgroups: Policy; Indicators; and Financing. You’ll see some of the key questions that the groups are addressing. Please click here to offer your initial input into some of these key questions. Your input will be captured and shared with the planning teams.

Thank you for being part of this effort. Together, we can ensure all Washington children have early learning opportunities that help them start school ready to succeed!

Labor Day marks start of expanded benefits for many unemployed workers seeking retraining

In 2000, the Legislature established a Training Benefits Program to help workers who have been laid off and unable to find work because of a declining demand for their occupation. The program essentially provides extended unemployment benefits while a worker is going back to school.

This past session, the Legislature approved Rep. Steve Conway's legislation that expanded the program to help more people as they seek retraining and new job skills. Starting Monday, September 7, these benefits will now be available to more people: workers who are disabled due to illness or injury, low-income workers who need training to qualify for a higher-paying job, and current or recently-discharged members of the Washington National Guard.

The additional benefits provide 26 weeks of unemployment benefits while the worker is in training. You can find out more information about the program here.

Rep. Clibborn: State is making progress on transportation issues

The state, as most other states across the country, is facing serious budget challenges.

But in today's Bellingham Herald, Rep. Judy Clibborn, chair of the House Transportation Committee, reminds us that our transportation budget is actually in pretty good shape right now. The Legislature recently approved a record $4.74 billion worth of projects around the state, including $341 million in stimulus funding.

This money is not only helping repair and update our infrastructure, but is also putting hundreds of people to work. According to Clibborn, "WSDOT reports that July payroll hours related to these federal funds totaled $5.4 million and resulted in roughly 834 full-time equivalent jobs. The average salary was a good-paying $38 an hour."

Clibborn does point out there are daunting challenges yet to tackle. Of critical concern? "As people drive less and insist on more fuel-efficient vehicles, how do we maintain revenue for a system so reliant on fuel-tax receipts?"

Check out her op-ed in today's Bellingham Herald for more.

UW to receive $126 million dollar federal grant

Thanks to a $126 million grant from the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative, the University of Washington is going to be gettin' down, waaaaay down, on the seafloor of the Pacific Ocean.

According to the UW, this is the largest federal award the University of Washington has ever earned and "is the culmination of a two-decade quest to transform the manner in which science in ocean basins can be conducted."

The UW will use the money to install nearly 500 miles of fiber-optic and power cable and seven science nodes on the seafloor off the Pacific Northwest.

What's a science node and why all the fuss?

From what our unscientific eye can tell from all the fun stuff posted on UW's website, a node is like an underwater satellite, providing an amazing glimpse into what's happening along the ocean floor and deep in our ocean waters. The nodes will collect all kinds of data that researchers and scientists can use for things like monitoring seismic activity, researching climate change, and more. And regular folks like us will have access to stunning real-time seafloor footage, a great tool for teaching and learning about our oceans.

The project also opens up a new pool of jobs. The grant will result in 30 new positions at the University of Washington. And though exact numbers aren't known, UW President Mark Emmert and Mike Kelly who is helping manage the project say there will be a "huge trickle-down effect" for additional local jobs as UW seeks sub-contracts for engineering and other support services.

This is a good reminder that institutions such as the University of Washington play an incredibly important role, not just in educating students, but in keeping Washington state on the global forefront of groundbreaking research and science initiatives.

Congratulations, Huskies!

First meeting tomorow of ed reform group

Remember all the hullabaloo about the big ed reform bill we passed this last session?

Well, tomorrow is the first meeting of the Quality Education Council, the group formally charged with overseeing the implementation of all the reforms.

State Reps. Pat Sullivan and Skip Priest, the two main authors of the legislation, will serve on the council which is tasked with preparing initial recommendations for the Legislature by January 2010.

According to the QEC website:

The Council will submit an initial report by January 1, 2010 with recommendations, including: resolving issues or decisions requiring action during 2010 session, and determining the funding necessary to continue development and implementation of ESHB 2261.

The initial report also addresses:
- Consideration of how to establish a statewide beginning teacher mentoring and support system.
- Recommendations for a Program of Early Learning for at-risk children. - Recommended schedule for concurrent phase-in of changes to the instructional program of Basic Education established by ESHB 2261 and implementation of funding formulas and allocations to support it, with full implementation by September 1, 2018.
- Recommended schedule for phase-in of new pupil transportation funding formula, beginning no later than September 1, 2013.

The all-day meeting starts at 9 so grab some coffee and tune in or log on to TVW to watch the opening rounds of nitty-gritty education reform discussions.

Rep. Dunshee hosting two town halls this Saturday

Residents of the 44th legislative district are invited to meet with State Rep. Hans Dunshee this Saturday.

Lake Stevens Town Hall -- 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Stevens School District Admin Building, Room A, 12309 22nd Street NE

Everett Town Hall -- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southeast Family YMCA, 13723 Puget Park Drive

Bicyclists, birders and biodiesel supporters especially welcome (or so we're guessing by this delightful YouTube video).