AAUW-WA Public Policy

Marriage Equality Bill - updated

2012-02-01T11:43:00.000-08:00

You should be able to watch the debate on www.tvw.org if you missed it tonight.

ESSB 6239

Marriage & dom. partnerships

Senate vote on 3rd Reading & Final Passage

2/1/2012

Yeas: 28 Nays: 21 Absent: 0 Excused: 0

Voting Yea:  Senators Brown, Chase, Conway, Eide, Fain, Fraser, Frockt, Harper, Hatfield, Haugen, Hill, Hobbs, Kastama, Keiser, Kilmer, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Litzow, McAuliffe, Murray, Nelson, Pflug, Prentice, Pridemore, Ranker, Regala, Rolfes, and Tom
Voting Nay:  Senators Baumgartner, Becker, Benton, Carrell, Delvin, Ericksen, Hargrove, Hewitt, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford, King, Morton, Padden, Parlette, Roach, Schoesler, Sheldon, Shin, Stevens, Swecker, and Zarelli
Absent:
Excused:

Today is National Women and Girls in Sports Day !

2012-02-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

From AAUW website:

Today is National Women and Girls in Sports Day -- the perfect time to go to bat to achieve equity for girls and women in sports!

Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs which receive federal funding assistance, has made great strides in breaking through barriers for female athletes. But today, 40 years later, there is still work to be done -- particularly at the high school level. High schools girls continue to face discrimination in scheduling, equipment, facilities and overall participation opportunities.

Better information can help high schools enhance compliance with Title IX and aid in fostering the continued expansion of athletic opportunities. Unlike colleges, high schools are not currently required to disclose any data on equity in sports, making it difficult for high schools and the communities they serve to assess their compliance with Title IX and the status of girls' access to athletic opportunities. The High School Athletics Accountability Act (H.R. 458) would address this gap, requiring high schools to report basic data on the number of female and male students in their athletic programs and the expenditures made for their sports teams.

Take Action! (click link to go to AAUW 2 minute activist)

Urge your Representative to cosponsor and support the High School Athletics Accountability Act of 2011 (H.R. 458).

Ask Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

2012-01-30T09:05:00.001-08:00

From the AAUW Action Network:
The Violence Against Women Act Needs Support Today!

Take Action!

Tell the Senate: It's Time to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act!

Last week, AAUW and a broad coalition of advocacy groups held a briefing on Capitol Hill for senators and their staff on the critical need to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Reauthorization is the process by which Congress prescribes changes to existing laws and extends the authorization for a law to receive appropriations (funding). The Senate has heard from professional advocates in Washington -- now they need to hear from you.
Raise your voice and ask your senators: Cosponsor and support the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (S. 1925)!
AAUW knows that VAWA programs often provide the only or best support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Now, VAWA reauthorization is ready to go -- the Senate just needs to act. The vital programs supported by VAWA are in desperate need of updating, and we can't allow our leaders to dawdle on such an important issue.
Help lead the charge for women and girls nationwide: Ask your senators to reauthorize VAWA!
To send a message asking your senators to cosponsor the bill to reauthorize VAWA, visit AAUW Two-Minute Activist or click on the "Take Action" link in the upper right hand corner of this email.

2012 Regular Session - Week 3

2012-01-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

With just seven days left in both houses before the cutoff date for hearing any new policy items, it is not surprising that legislators heard testimony this week on a very wide range of important issues. Monday was a big day for marriage equality legislation, with public hearings in both houses and an announcement by Senator Mary Margaret Haugen that she will cast the 25th vote needed to pass this legislation in the Senate. In addition to marriage equality, legislators also held hearings on measures to abolish the death penalty, prevent and reduce youth involvement in street gangs, establish minimum standards for paid sick and safe leave, and expand voting access.

Monday was also an exciting day for education, thanks to the support of those who came down for AAUW-WA’s annual lobby day! Thank you! With so many policy items to consider and so little time before cutoff, legislators are making decisions right now about which bills will make it out of committee and where our state’s limited resources will go. They need to continue to hear your perspective as their constituents and as champions for Washington’s investment in education.

We are still well over $1 billion away from closing the gap in our state budget and ideas for more cuts and reductions in spending are still swirling around the Capitol. Without additional revenue, we are facing another one-sided budget full of devastating cuts to education as well as critical social and health services.

By taking just a few minutes this week to speak out to your legislators, and by inviting your friends and family to do the same, you can be part of a budget solution we are all proud of, one that does not leave our most vulnerable citizens behind or further slash access to higher education. Calling the legislative hotline during business hours at 1-800-562-6000 takes just a few minutes and allows you to reach out to all three of your state representatives and the Governor in a single call. Alternately, you can use the legislature’s online search tool, found here, to obtain contact information, including e-mail addresses, for each of your representatives. The next several days will see lots of movement and activity in both houses. Let’s build on the momentum from a successful lobby day Monday to make sure that our legislators do not forget that education – and the revenue we need to fund it fully – are amongst our highest priorities.

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Ballots coming for February 14 special elections

2012-01-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

I got my ballot in the mail today -- Here are the
school districts in King County with elections:

School districts

Auburn School District No. 408
- Proposition No. 1 Educational Program and Operations Replacement Levy
- Proposition No. 2 General Obligation Bonds - $110,000,000
Federal Way School District No. 210
- Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Existing Educational Programs and Operations Levy
- Proposition No. 2 Capital Projects Levy
Renton School District No. 403
- Proposition No. 1 Replacement Educational Maintenance and Operations Levy
- Proposition No. 2 Building for a Lifetime of Learning School Building
- Improvement Bonds - $97,000,000
- Proposition No. 3 Technology Capital Projects Levy
Tukwila School District No. 406
- Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring School Programs and Operation Levy
Vashon Island School District No. 402

Proposition No. 1 Technology and Capital Projects Replacement Levy

You can access an online King County voter guide here:
http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/voterlookup.aspx

If you live in another county, check with your county elections website.
You can access them through the secretary of state's website.
For instance, Pierce County website:
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/aud/elections/main/current.htm

Equal Pay Day is April 17 this year - start planning now

2012-01-25T12:15:00.001-08:00

Check out the AAUW website for ideas:
http://www.aauw.org/act/issue_advocacy/actionpages/PayEquityIdeasforAction.cfm

Tax preferences are subject today in Senate Ways and Means

2012-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

You can watch this hearing on TVW or online at www.tvw.org .

Ways & Means - 01/25/12 3:30 pm

Full CommitteeSenate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:

SB 6088 - Strengthening the review of the legislature's goals for tax preferences by requiring that every new tax preference provide an expiration date and statement of legislative intent.
SB 6159 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for amounts received with respect to dispute resolution services.
SB 6244 - Modifying the use of funds in the fire service training account.
SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers. (Hearing is on the Proposed 2nd Substitute.)
SB 6201 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers and local interest web sites.
SB 6061 - Changing the nonresident sales tax exemption into a refund program.
SB 6166 - Concerning cigarette tax revenue for tobacco usage prevention and treatment programs.

AAUW Weekly Session Report Week 2

2012-01-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

AAUW Weekly Session Report

A Recap of Week 2 of Regular Session

January 16 – January 20, 2011

Even as more than a foot of snow fell on Olympia this week, hearings and meeting schedules were as busy as ever, with education remaining a frequent subject of discussion around the Capitol. At the House Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Monday, where legislators continued to hear briefings on the landmark McCleary decision, Committee Chair Representative Ross Hunter noted that he expected “a robust debate” on this topic as session continues. A recent spate of newly-introduced bills suggest that Representative Hunter may be right. House Bill 2533, introduced Tuesday, would require the legislature to make all Basic Education and other K-12 education appropriations before taking action on any other areas of the budget. 28 Representatives have already formalized their support for this measure by “signing on” to the bill, and statewide press have certainly been paying attention. For a brief story on this measure, as reported by The Olympian, please click here.

House Bill 2534, which would repeal the nonresident sales tax exemption and direct that revenue towards funding K-12 education, and House Bill 2470, which aims to provide increased educational opportunities for underserved youth, were also introduced early this week, joining a number of other education policy bills now before the legislature. With several such bills scheduled for committee hearings next week, AAUW-WA’s Lobby Day on Monday, January 23^rd will provide an excellent opportunity for you to share your thoughts with the women and men who represent you here in Olympia. Listed at the end of this report are a number of hearings being held both on Lobby Day and throughout the week. We hope to see you here on Monday!

Amidst the continued talk of education, there was also continued talk of revenue, with a number of noteworthy bill introductions this week. Some of these ideas included a capital gains tax put forward by Representative Jinkins, a proposal to create an income tax while lowering the sales tax from Representative Reykdal and Senator Frockt, and an attempt to increase accountability for tax breaks sponsored by Representative Carlyle. This last proposal was filed on Tuesday, one day after both the House and the Senate heard presentations on Washington’s tax breaks from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, which recommended discontinuing or reviewing 11 out of the 25 tax breaks it studied.

As legislators continue to reflect, seek out new ways to create savings, and work on the policy bills before them, they are eager to hear your thoughts and ideas! Make your voice heard either by reaching out to your representatives in person on Monday, or by contacting them via email or over the phone. As always, you can find your representatives’ names and contact information by entering your address into the form, found here.

Next Week – Hearings of Interest:

Monday, January 23 – AAUW Lobby Day!

§ SB 6239, Senate marriage equality bill. Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee, Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 2. 10:00 AM.

§ HB 2470, regarding educational opportunities for underserved students. House Education Committee, O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A. 6:00 PM.

§ HB 2516, House marriage equality bill. House Judiciary Committee, O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A. 1:30 PM.

§ Work Session on higher education awards for AmeriCorps members. House Higher Education Committee, O’Brien Building, Room C. 1:30 PM.

Tuesday, January 24

§ SB 6232, creating the office of the Student Achievement Council. Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 3. 10:00 AM.

§ SB 6229, regarding paid sick leave. Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee, Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 4. 1:30 PM.

Thursday, January 26

§ HB 2199, requiring children to attend school starting at age 6, and HB 2493, reconfiguring the membership of the state Board of Education. House Education Committee, O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A. 8:00 AM.

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Marriage Equality bill scheduled for Monday, Jan 23 in both House and Senate

2012-01-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections

01/23/12 10:00 am

Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED on 1/19/2012 at 11:49 AM

Public Hearing: SB 6239 - Concerning civil marriage and
domestic partnerships. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute.)

The proposed substitute is posted on the Committee’s website at:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/GO/Pages/default.aspx
and is also available from committee staff. Possible executive
session on bills heard in committee.
Other business.

( The substitute involves language strengthening the
exemption for churches - basically they are not obligated to let people
use their facilities for weddings.

NEW LANGUAGE:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 26.04 RCW to read
as follows:

(1) No religious organization is required to provide accommodations, facilities,

advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or
celebration of a

marriage.

(2) A refusal by any religious organization to provide accommodations, facilities,

advantages, privileges, services, or goods related to the solemnization or
celebration of a

marriage does not create a civil claim or cause of action.

Judiciary - 01/23/12 1:30 pm

Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:

HB 2261 - Providing limited immunity for organizations making charitable donations of eye glasses or hearing instruments.
HB 2462 - Regarding immunity for health care providers following end-of-life planning declarations.
HB 2284 - Addressing civil liability of parents and legal guardians under certain circumstances.
HB 2244 - Concerning the liability of landowners for unintentional injuries that result from certain public or private airstrip operations.
HB 2516 - Concerning civil marriage and domestic partnerships.

Committee Meeting Documents
Note: Documents are not available online until the meeting has begun.

House Committee at 6pm Cancelled

2012-01-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

This meeting has been cancelled - not sure when it will be rescheduled.
Education
1/19/12 6:00 pm

House Full Committee
Jt. w/ House Labor & Workforce Dev. & House Higher EducationHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

Dr. Bill Symonds, Harvard Graduate School of Education: "Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Young Americans for the 21st Century" Report.
What are the educational needs of Washington's workforce? Presentation by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, and Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board.

Public Hearing: HB 2170 - Enacting the career pathways act.

You can watch on TVW or online at http://www.tvw.org

Ed Approps Committee - 8am Tues. Jan 17

2012-01-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

If you get up early, you can watch on TVW. They will have it on the website to watch at your
leisure on your computer later. www.tvw.org

Education Appropriations & Oversight
1/17/12 8:00 am

House Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

Update on reorganization of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Supreme Court decision on the McCleary case (K-12 education).
Update on Alternative Learning Experience funding targets.

Public Hearing: HB 2337 - Regarding open educational resources in K-12 education.

A Recap of Week 1 of Regular Session

2012-01-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

January 9 – January 13, 2011

For education advocates across the State of Washington, the prologue to the 2012 Regular Session was written four days before legislators arrived in Olympia, with release of the State Supreme Court’s much-anticipated decision in McCleary v. State. Finding that the State has not complied with its constitutional duty to provide full, substantial, and reliable funding for the education of Washington’s children, the Court articulated its intent to monitor and hold the legislature accountable for implementing the Basic Education reforms it has already enacted by 2018. Our Constitution calls the State’s duty to provide for Basic Education “paramount,” which the court interpreted to mean the State’s first and most important duty.

The McCleary decision gave legislators even more to think about as they returned to their duties Monday and continued to consider possible solutions for closing the remaining $1.5 billion shortfall. In hearings this week, aimed at helping legislators better understand the Court’s decision, legislators grappled openly with the idea that the State should provide funding for education above all other areas of spending. They also discussed their concerns about sanctions or additional lawsuits should the legislature fail to provide this funding.

In its decision, the Court did not address the current budget crisis, though it did find that the legislature cannot continue to rely on local funding sources, such as levies, to provide for Basic Education. This reality makes a strong case for passage of a robust revenue package, without which the legislature will likely be forced to choose between making even deeper cuts to already vulnerable budget items, which may include funding for higher education, and facing further rebuke from the courts.

Now more than ever, legislators on both sides of the aisle need to know that you, your families, and your friends across the state support a bold approach to generating revenue for the programs that matter most to us, so that we do not have to choose between a constitutional responsibility to our children and protecting our state’s most vulnerable citizens.

In addition to the McCleary news, both houses this week also heard testimony about Washington’s successful application for a federally funded Race To The Top grant. The grant will provide Washington State with $60 million in funding over four years to support innovations and improvements that will help to close the achievement gap in early learning and prepare all Washington children to succeed in kindergarten. The Department of Early Learning reports that, under current budget allocations, the grant will require no additional funding from the state until the 2015-17 biennium, and reforms, such as improved access to preschool and expanded teacher training, will be phased in over the next few years, beginning with the lowest-income areas.

Other education developments that we have been following this week include Thursday’s news conference, led by Representative Eric Pettigrew, announcing a bipartisan coalition of support for two new education bills. The first, Senate Bill 6202, is the latest development in a long effort to authorize charter schools in Washington State, and would also give the state increased authority over underperforming schools. This bill will be heard by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. Check the legislative website to find out when the hearing will be on this bill if you’re interested in attending.

The second bill, Senate Bill 6203, would add a training and support component to the State’s new system for evaluating principals and teachers, which was enacted by the legislature last year. With this bill, proponents hope to provide greater opportunities for teachers’ growth and development than the proposal outlined by the Governor last month. The companion bill to SB 6203, House Bill 2427, is scheduled for public hearing before the House Committee on Education at 8 AM on January 19^th, in House Hearing Room A.

Also potentially of interest on January 18^th at 1:30 PM is the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee’s public hearing on the creation of the Office of Student Achievement. The OSA will be tasked with increasing educational attainment in our state, although many decisions remain to be made about the role and functions of this new agency. The hearing will be held in Senate Hearing Room 3. To read the report produced by the Governor’s Higher Education Steering Committee, which recommended creation of the Office of Student Achievement, please click here.

Last but certainly not least, this busy first week of Regular Session began with an exciting press conference Sunday, where some of our community’s strongest advocates for women’s rights gathered to announce introduction of reproductive parity legislation. Thank you, Judy Waring, for attending and showing your support! This session and next, our legislators will make important decisions that will determine how healthcare reform is implemented in our state. The Reproductive Parity Act, which was introduced as House Bill 2330 and Senate Bill 6185, is part of a long history in our state of protecting women’s reproductive rights. By ensuring that any plan that carries coverage for maternity care also carries coverage for abortion, the Reproductive Parity Act will allow Washington women, regardless of income, to continue to make the pregnancy decisions that are best for them, in 2014 and beyond!

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Relevant Committee meetings for Thursday, Jan 12

2012-01-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

Education Appropriations & Oversight
1/12/12 1:30 pm

House Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

State work study and state need grant updates.
Overview of out of school learning opportunities.

Higher Education
1/12/12 10:00 am

House Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm C
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session: Efficiencies implemented at public baccalaureate institutions.

AAUW position on LGBTQ issues

2012-01-10T16:07:00.000-08:00

With the introduction of the same sex marriage bill in the legislature this session, some AAUW-WA members have wondered if AAUW has a position. The following is a quotation from the public policy issue section of the national AAUW website.

For far too long, the civil rights protections guaranteed to millions of Americans have been denied to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) communities. The American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) 2011-2013 Public Policy Program thus reaffirms our commitment to “vigorous protection of and full access to civil and constitutional rights,” and further includes a new plank advocating “freedom in definition of family and guarantee of civil rights in all family structures.”¹

No American should be denied the full range of civil rights and civil liberties due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Such rights and liberties include freedom from discrimination in the workplace, the right to marry, the guarantee of spousal/partner benefits—including the ability to care for dependent children—and the ability to serve one’s country in uniform. Unless and until LGBTQ persons are able to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as their heterosexual counterparts, America’s promise of equal justice under law will remain unfulfilled.

For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.

House committee meetings Tuesday , Jan 10

2012-01-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

Education*
1/10/12 1:30 pm

House Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/9/2012 9:20 AM

Work Session:

Brief synopsis of McCleary v. State decision.

Update on implementation of HB 1521 and ESHB 1546 - Innovation Schools.

Panel presentations from designated innovation schools.

Education Appropriations & Oversight
1/10/12 8:00 am

House Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

Update on the Race to the Top grant for early learning.

Quality Education Council reports on transitional bilingual education funding and early

Supreme Court decides school funding case -

2012-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here is the site for the opinion
http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=843627MAJ

Here is a Seattle Times article on the decision
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2017166784_edruling06m.html

Here is Randy Dorn's ( Supt of Public Instruction) statement:
http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2012/Statement-CourtRuling.aspx

Here is the Governor's statement:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1830&newsType=1

NEWS Supreme Court Decision to be announced Thursday, Jan 5

2012-01-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

Click title of this post to go to their website for the announcement.

Title IX event Friday

2012-01-04T13:55:00.000-08:00

From AAUW Washington Update:

To kick off 2012 and recognize the 40th anniversary of Title IX this year, AAUW is proud to host Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for our “tweet-up” (a meet-up on Twitter) this Friday, January 6, at 4 p.m. EST.
Though best known for creating opportunities for women and girls in athletics, Title IX affects all areas of education. This is an exclusive chance to have your questions about education equity for girls and boys answered directly by the secretary. Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, and Lisa Maatz, AAUW’s director of public policy and government relations, will also answer questions. Submit yours via AAUW’s Facebook page, tweet them using the hashtag #T9Talk, or write them in the comments section below.
During the tweet-up, priority consideration will be given to questions that address equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); sexual harassment and bullying; athletics; career and technical training; and education for pregnant women and students who have children.
We can’t wait to hear from you! Be sure to follow the event on Friday to see if your question is asked. You can even watch a live stream on the Department of Education's website.

Redistricting Commission agrees on plan

2012-01-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

To look at the plan approved by the commission members yesterday, go here

State wins Early Learning Grant -- Race to the Top

2011-12-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Click on title of post for the department of Education press release.

See the reaction of the state Department of Early Learning here

A Recap of Week 3 of Special Session

2011-12-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

Last week’s rumors of an early budget deal became reality this week. Legislators passed $479 million in cuts and efficiencies by wide margins – 86-8 in the House and 42-6 in the Senate – underscoring just how much work had been done to reach agreement before a single vote was cast. A combination of fund transfers, efforts to maximize federal funding, and more cuts add up to the savings that Senator Ed Murray, the chair of the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee, calls a “down payment” on the $2 billion shortfall. The move gives the state a head start on the path towards a final budget proposal. If combined with a robust revenue package, it will go a long way towards avoiding the most painful cuts currently under consideration.

Throughout Special Session, advocates, coalition members and concerned citizens alike have consistently sent a clear message to legislators: We need a strong revenue option as part of any solution to the state’s budget crisis. Legislators will need to act quickly when they return on January 9 to ensure that all revenue options are given full consideration. Special Session has adjourned, but as legislators reflect on the choices facing them when they return to Olympia, it is critical that they hear from constituents who support them in taking swift and bold action on every available revenue alternative. Personal stories of how these cuts will impact you, your family or your neighbors is one of our two most powerful tools in convincing legislators to take action. Our active participation in this process is the other.

You can find your legislators, and their complete individual contact information, by entering your address into the legislature’s online search tool, found here. In addition, you can still leave a message for all three of your representatives and the Governor by making one call to the legislative hotline (1-800-562-6000), which will remain open between sessions Monday through Friday, from 8am to noon and 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Calling or emailing your representatives can be as simple as saying:

· Hello, Legislator. I'm your constituent, and I'm deeply concerned about further cuts to K-12 and higher education.

· I know that you are facing some very difficult decisions, and that you have already had to make significant cuts this year.

· I urge you to balance these cuts with a strong revenue proposal this January to ensure that we have the system of education we need for a productive future in Washington State.

Getting our senators and representatives on board for a meaningful revenue proposal this January is the first critical step in preserving funding for education. As we think ahead, however, to seeing these measures potentially appear on a ballot this spring, it is important that we keep our momentum going. Engage your community in conversations about what revenue means to you and to the future of education in Washington State. The more we talk about this now, the more conviction we will bring with us this spring when we vote for a brighter future for our great state!

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Legislature has adjourned with some minor budget fixes

2011-12-14T17:39:00.001-08:00

Legislature to take up budget issues today in W&M Committees

2011-12-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

Ways & Means* - 12/12/11 3:30 pm

Full CommitteeSenate Hearing Rm 4

J.A. Cherberg Building

Olympia, WA

REVISED on 12/9/2011 at 5:20 PM

Public Hearing:

SB 5883 - Relating to fiscal matters. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute.)
1. A proposed substitute bill will be available Monday, December 12, at 11:00 AM.
2. (http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/Committees/wm/Pages/default.aspx)
SB 5987 - Delaying implementation of certain provisions related to evaluations of persons under the involuntary treatment act.
SB 5994 - Concerning the selling of unclaimed securities.
SJM 8009 - Requesting respectfully for adoption of the federal main street fairness act.
SB 5974 - Including project lead-the-way examinations on the master list of postsecondary courses fulfilled by proficiency examinations.

Other business.

Committee Meeting Documents

Note: Documents are not available online until the meeting has begun.

Ways & Means - 12/12/11 3:30 pm

Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:

HB 2169 - Modifying the uniform unclaimed property act.
HJM 4012 - Requesting adoption of the federal main street fairness act.
HB 2058 - Relating to fiscal matters.
1. A proposed substitute bill will be available Monday, December 12, at 11:00 AM.

( http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/archives/index_budgetsp.asp )

Committee Meeting Documents
Note: Documents are not available online until the meeting has begun.

A Recap of Week 2 of Special Session

2011-12-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

This week, the buzz around the Capitol focused on progress. How much (or little) has been made? How close are legislators to passing a budget that will resolve the $2 billion shortfall that brought them to Olympia 12 days ago?

On Monday, Marty Brown, the Director of the Office of Financial Management and the Governor’s key budget advisor, sent an e-mail to legislators urging them to act quickly and warning that if a budget is not adopted soon, much deeper cuts will have to be made. Journalists and reporters from across the state echoed Mr. Brown’s sense of urgency as the week went on and hearings and work sessions continued without any further indication that legislators were about to release their budgets. For the full text of Mr. Brown’s e-mail to legislators as reported by The Seattle Times, please click here.

In the hallways and meeting rooms of the legislative buildings, however, there is the sense that progress has been measured thus far not in terms of visible action on the Senate and House floor, but in terms of the meetings and negotiations necessary to pass a thoughtful and sustainable budget for these unprecedented economic times. Legislators are working long hours to ensure that the final proposal is the best one possible for the people of Washington. By this standard, there has been a great deal of progress since November 28. Just how much work legislators have been doing behind the scenes to reach a budget agreement became apparent today, when Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown revealed that legislators will work to pass “several hundred million dollars” in cuts before adjourning at the end of next week. The most substantial cuts to programs and services will likely not come until Regular Session, which begins January 9. For more on this story as reported by The Olympian, please click here .

This week, legislators continued to hear strong voices in favor of education funding. On Tuesday, the Senate heard testimony from HECB, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, on the impact of the Governor’s proposal on state financial aid programs. HECB reported that the number of students who were eligible for State Need Grants, which are awarded to students from families earning 70% or less of the State Median Income ($57,000 per year for a family of four), has significantly outpaced funding over the past few years. In 2010-11, 26,000 eligible students could not receive grants due to this shortfall. HECB also testified about the State Work Study Program, which is slated for suspension in the Governor’s budget. Suspending the State Work Study program will result in the loss of $3.1 million in employer matching funds and could erode 40 years of work in building program partnerships with local employers. This is above and beyond the impact suspension will have on the thousands of students enrolled in the program. We will continue to follow these issues closely.

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

There are reports of a possible partial solution to budget

2011-12-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

The News Tribune's political blog reports that the legislators are now looking at some kind of early
action bill that could get them out before Christmas without a new budget.

The problem they are facing is that waiting to reduce expenses now means having to do deeper cuts later because it often takes time to realize the savings, thus reducing the amount saved during this biennium.
Acting now would also help to put any revenue referenda on the ballot early enough to see results in
time to be helpful.

A Recap of Week 1 of Special Session from Pam Crone

2011-12-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Session quite literally came in with a bang Monday as protesters made good on their promise to “Occupy the Capitol.” “Occupiers” of all ages and backgrounds packed into a crowded hearing room after banging on walls and doors demanding to be let in. Shouting back and forth with call-and-response chants denouncing further cuts, they managed to shut down the hearing for over an hour. Monday evening ended with State Troopers arresting a handful of demonstrators in the Legislative Building as they attempted to camp out under the dome. Tuesday saw more excitement as protesters took over a Senate committee meeting, causing it, too, to be temporarily suspended. They seized the moment to hold their own General Assembly, and along the way instructed all present in the hand gestures Occupiers use to conduct assemblies. For an official guide to these hand gestures, click here. Indeed, throughout the week, different groups of concerned citizens from across the state found different means of expressing their concerns, but their voices united around the principle that further cuts to the state budget are unconscionable.

In the midst of all this activity, the majority of hearings this week were focused on presentations of the Governor’s budget proposal, emotional public testimony about the devastating impact of any further cuts, and status updates presented by various state agencies. Neither house released a budget proposal this week, as legislators worked to get up to speed on the issues facing them this special session. Stay tuned for more developments!

In education this week, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held a work session on the GET program, the prepaid college tuition program that helps Washington families save for higher education costs. The committee heard testimony from GET leadership regarding a report, ordered by the legislature last session, on the program’s long-term solvency. The program is not in danger of going bankrupt; indeed, the report concludes that it is sustainable, as long as units are correctly priced, and that ending the current program or closing it to new enrollees would actually pose a greater risk to the State than allowing the program to continue its current operations.

To account for recent and future unpredictable tuition increases, the price has been set for this year at $163 per unit, though payout value remains tied to the highest resident tuition rate at a Washington public university. GET’s Director noted that, even at the increased price, new families continue to enroll in the program and the program is on target to match sales from each of the past two years, both of which were strong. As of the end of September, the program had enrolled 135,000 individuals and had just over $1.7 billion under management. For a full copy of the report, please click here.

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Selected committee meetings this week

2011-12-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Senate Committees

Higher Education and Workforce Development
12/6/11 1:30 pm

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session: Overview of the State Need Grant and State Work Study programs and student loan debt in Washington.

Higher Education and Workforce Development
12/8/11 8:00 am

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session: Update on degree programs that have been abandoned, added, or modified.

Early Learning & K-12 Education
12/8/11 10:00 am
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:
Levy and Local Effort Assistance Technical Working Group Report.
Paula Moore, Office of Financial Management Budget Assistant.
Higher Education Steering Committee Recommendations.
Leslie Goldstein, Governor’s Executive Policy Advisor.

House Committees

Ways & Means - 12/07/11 10:00 am

Full CommitteeHouse Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

Selected K-12 budget reductions in the Governor's supplemental operating budget proposal.
1. Reduce school days.
2. Levy equalization.
School property tax proposal.
1. .

Senate Ways and Means to meet on Higher Ed Wednesday, 11/30

2011-11-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

Senate Full CommitteeSenate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA
11/30 3:30 pm

Public Hearing: Governor's 2012 Supplemental Operating Budget Proposal.
K-12 and Higher Education.

This hearing will be available on TVW either on cable TV or online at http://www.tvw.org
The meeting is available later in the archive section as well

Impact of Cuts on Higher Education

2011-11-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a quote from the HEC Board blog describing testimony on the governor's budget proposal by higher education representatives:

Representatives of the state’s two-year and four-year public colleges and universities also spoke Monday against additional cuts to higher education. They said those reductions would further reduce access to higher education at a time when the state needs more highly educated workers to fill many jobs that currently go unfilled, even in today’s down economy.

They said additional cuts in appropriations would come on top of nearly a 50 percent reduction in state higher education funding since the recession began. The new budget reductions would raise that to about 65 percent.

The additional reductions in state support could increase pressure on colleges and universities to raise tuition, further reducing affordability for many low- and middle-income students in Washington.

AAUW Weekly Session Report November 28 – December 2, 2011

2011-11-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Special Session opens today with the State of Washington once again facing a daunting budget shortfall, this time of $2 billion. With $10.5 billion in painful cuts already made to overall state spending during the past three years – including $4 billion in cuts to K-12 and higher education – it is clear that legislators will face some unbearable choices over the coming weeks.

Last Monday, as expected, Governor Gregoire delivered an all-cuts budget proposal. Although these are only recommendations and we will likely see a lot of changes to them over the next few weeks, the proposal reflects how limited our choices have become. On the education front, the Governor identified $507.5 million in potential cuts, including:

· Shortening the K-12 school year by four days;

· Reducing levy equalization payments for our state’s more vulnerable school districts;

· Suspending the state’s Work Study program, which currently provides aid to 7,600 higher education students; and

· More cuts to state funding for higher education institutions, ranging from 13% at community and technical colleges to 17% at UW, WWU and WSU.

For a more detailed look at the Governor’s proposed cuts to education spending, please click here.

Education fared better in the Governor’s recommendations for raising taxes. Doubtful that the legislature would have the votes to come up with new revenue, Governor Gregoire called on Washingtonians to “spend a half penny more” in the form of a three-year, one-half percent increase in the state sales tax. If the legislature adopts this bill by mid-December, the public could vote on it in March. If approved, it would take effect immediately. The Governor estimates that this initiative could raise up to $494 million, of which $411 million would be specifically set aside to “buy back” the proposed four-day reduction in the K-12 school year ($99.2 million), the reduction in levy equalization payments ($151.9 million) and the 13-17% cuts to state funding for higher education institutions ($160.1 million).

The Governor also made recommendations on legislative alternatives for raising revenue, including $59 million in options any of which could be passed with a simple majority vote and $282 million in options that would require a two-thirds supermajority vote. Money raised with any of the legislative options could be spent as the legislature chooses. For more information on the Governor’s revenue proposals, please click here.

As the session progresses, you’ll have many opportunities to get involved and voice your opinions about the issues that matter most to you. With one call to the legislative hotline (1-800-562-6000), you can let all of your legislators and the Governor know what you think. During session, it’s available Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm and it can accommodate callers in many different languages.

Questions? Contact your lobbyist via email: pjcrone at comcast.net

Letter to the Governor on the budget from Our Economic Future Coalition

2011-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

November 22, 2011

The Honorable Christine Gregoire

P.O. Box 40002

Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Dear Governor Gregoire:

Our Economic Future Coalition is a broad and diverse alliance of more than 130 organizations representing consumers, business, labor, education, human services, faith, health care, environmental protection, higher education, civil rights, and philanthropic interests. On behalf of the Coalition, I want to express our strong support and appreciation to you for your efforts to advance the discussion about a balanced approach to the budget that includes revenue as an important tool to solve the state’s current serious economic and fiscal situation.

As you have indicated in your public comments, the cuts contained in your proposed 2011-13 supplemental operating budget are grim, and would have severe negative effects on the people of the state of Washington and our future if enacted. We know that you do not propose these cuts lightly, but as a last resort in dire circumstances, and that your revenue proposals are likewise intended as a last resort, as a reasonable alternative to prevent such monumental cuts to the essential fabric of our state’s communities.

We look forward to the discussion about whether we as a state should consider seeking a level of revenue higher than what is currently proposed, and what alternative and additional methods might secure such revenue. Your revenue proposal is a strong first step toward having a serious, thoughtful discussion of all options on the table, including not just cuts but also creative ways to maintain vital community services.

The revenue options that you propose, as with other revenue options that we’ve heard, are far better for our state and its economy than another round of budget cuts to basic programs in our communities. Another all-cuts budget

-- on top of the $10 billion in cuts over the last three years -- would hurt our families and our communities by slashing the jobs and services that support a strong economy. Deeper cuts to our communities would hurt our families far more than raising taxes.

It is vital that we end unjustified or obsolete tax breaks that don’t create jobs, reform our tax break system to make it more accountable and transparent, use bonds appropriately to protect and invest in critical services and jobs, and raise revenues in a reasonable and targeted way. We know that only fair, stable, and sustainable sources of revenue will truly rebuild our economy. By considering revenue, you have begun the conversation about how to get Washington back on a path to prosperity.

Now more than ever, to get our economy working again we need investments in our schools, colleges and universities, health care, small businesses, and the local community services that create jobs. A discussion about taxes may be difficult and challenging, but our communities just can’t afford any more cuts or tax break giveaways.

Thank you again, Governor, for your leadership on these critical issues for Washington’s future.

Sincerely,

Nick Federici

Our Economic Future Coalition

Important Hearings on the Governor's Budget

2011-11-23T13:42:00.001-08:00

Next week, the two big hearings on the Governor's proposed budget we've been advised of are as follows:

House Ways & Means Committee at 1:30 next Monday, November 28th, the first day of Special Session
Senate Ways & Means Committee at 3:30 next Wednesday, November 30th

We will obviously need many people to come and pack the room, and to testify in opposition to the cuts and in favor of revenue. Though it will be challenging in this short turnaround time over the holiday weekend, if you can attend please do!

For more information on the coalition of education, health care, civil rights and environmental groups working on the budget (AAUW-WA is a member) go to http://www.oureconomicfuture.org/

Check out the AAUW Blog on birth control issue

2011-11-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

Click on post title to read today's Association article.

Governor's budget recommendations are available online

2011-11-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

You can download all or a part of the governor's budget recommendations to the special session of the legislature which begins on November 28 at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget12/default.asp
This includes a link to the recommended revenue options if you scroll down the page.

For higher education there is a further cut of $160.1million, suspension of the state work study program
($8.1 M) as well as an increase of $7.6 M specifically for enrollment of additional engineering students at UW and WSU.

The revenue options recommended are a referendum for a temporary one-half cent increase in the sales tax and a number of legislative options including some that can be passed by a majority vote and some that will require a two-thirds vote. The governor includes a list of priorities for restoring cuts if new revenue is approved.

College budget problems caused by cuts in state support

2011-11-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

Derek Kilmer, chair of the Washington House Higher Education Committee had a
good op-ed in the Tacoma News Tribune.
You can read it here:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/16/1908124/cuts-in-funding-not-salaries-are.html

There are good points listed which could help with conversations with legislators about

potential further cuts in the coming special session.

Did your ballot count??

2011-11-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

King County had about 2000 ballots that could not be counted because the outer envelope was not signed.
Others have signature issues which can still be resolved if people contact them before the vote count is final. Did you know you can track your ballot? Go to the website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx

And click the ballot tracker - then enter your name and birthdate.

Mine was counted - was yours?

Help Protect All Students from Bullying and Harassment!

2011-11-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

Tell the Senate to Promote the Safe Schools Improvement Act (S. 506)

This week, AAUW released a brand new report about sexual harassment in grades seven through twelve, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School. The many disturbing stories and statistics our researchers gathered add up to one fact: sexual harassment is part of everyday life in middle schools and high schools across America.

You can do your part, right now, to help change this: Ask your senators to promote the Safe Schools Improvement Act (S. 509)!

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would significantly strengthen schools' ability and responsibility to combat sexual harassment and bullying. It would require schools to have comprehensive anti-harassment and bullying policies and promote prevention strategies. The bill would also tell schools to maintain and report data regarding incidents of bullying and harassment.

The best and fastest way for this critical bill to become law is as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESEA is the law that sets some of the educational and disciplinary standards for middle and high schools which receive federal funding -- and right now, its anti-harassment and bullying rules are woefully inadequate.

So if you, your friends, or children were bullied or harassed, you can stand up and say "Enough is enough." Tell your senators to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act (S.506) as an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization!

This is a simple amendment, but we need your help. To send a letter to your senators, click the "Take Action link at the top of the page or visit AAUW’s Two-Minute Activist.

New AAUW Sexual Harassment Study released

2011-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

From AAUW Washington Update:

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) today released Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, the most comprehensive, nationally representative research conducted in the past 10 years on sexual harassment in middle and high schools.

House Higher Ed Committee meeting November 2

2011-10-30T19:36:00.001-07:00

Higher Education
11/2/11 9:00 am House Full CommitteeSouth Puget Sound Community College
2011 Mottman Road SW
Olympia, WA

Work Session:

Potential K-12 Cuts

2011-10-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

These are the reductions that Governor Gregoire currently is indicating as likely to be included in her budget proposal to the legislature for the November special session:

-    Delay June 30,2013 payment to July 1,2013

-    Reduce levy equalization by 50%

-    Increase class size grades 4-12 by 2 students

-    Shift bus depreciation payment from October to August

-    Reduce National Board Certification from $5000 to $4000

-    Revise school attendance policy –

-    Eliminate or reduce small grants

-   Reduce staffing for small high schools

Tell the House to Help Keep the Promises of Social Security

2011-10-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, thousands of you took action urging your senators to cosponsor a bill that would close Social Security's funding gap by lifting the cap on payroll taxed for Social Security purposes.
Now it's time to send the same message to the House of Representatives. We need the House to hear the same, powerful support for an even stronger Social Security. Take action now! ...

Governor proposes further cuts to higher education

2011-10-30T10:52:00.001-07:00

The governor has given an early indication of cuts that she is likely to include in her proposal to the legislature for the November 28 special session. These include an additional 15% reduction in state support and suspension of remaining work study program. Further details can be found at
http://hecbwashington.blogspot.com/2011/10/cuts-in-student-aid-and-college-budgets.html

Alert from AAUW re jobs legislation

2011-10-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

Keep Teachers In the Classroom and Off the Unemployment Line!

Take Action!

As soon as today, the Senate could consider legislation that would protect the jobs of up to 400,000 teachers across the nation (S. 1723).

Ask your senators to support the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act (S. 1723) which would protect the jobs of up to 400,000 teachers across the nation!

For more information, go to the AAUW 2 Minute Activist

Protect ALL students from bullying and harassment

2011-10-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

From AAUW 2 minute activist :

This week, members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will consider a bill that would reauthorize and substantially change the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). We need you to tell your Senator to support changing the bill to require schools to adopt anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies that include enumerated categories for protection (including, but not limited to, sex, race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion) in the final bill.

Although the current ESEA committee draft would require all school districts to enact anti-bullying policies, it fails to address all types of bullying and harassment. AAUW supports efforts to amend the legislation to include bill language from Senator Harkin’s Successful, Safe, and Healthy Students Act of 2011 (S. 919) that includes enumerated categories for protection (including, but not limited to, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion). This language specifically and explicitly protects all students from bullying and harassment. ..

Go to 2 Minute Activist here.

High Ed Committee at Seattle U 10/12- audience discussion at end

2011-10-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

This meeting will be held Wednesday Oct. 12 in Pigott Hall Auditorium on the Seattle University campus, 901 12^th Ave., Seattle. That session will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.At the end of the day, Enrique Cerna of KCTS TV in Seattle will moderate an open-mike discussion involving the audience and Higher Education Committee members concerning the state’s higher education priorities and related matters.

Anyone with an interest in higher education is invited to attend!

(to see more information, click title of this post)

Ballots to be sent out 10/21 -- remember to vote

2011-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

See this AAUW video encouraging women to exercise their voting rights.

Living Voters Guide available

2011-10-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is a web-based, interactive site that fosters discussion about the
ballot issues that will appear on the November ballot and has
links to other resources.
You can find it here

When you get to the site, click the arrow on the video for an
explanation of the purpose of the site.

Online Voters Pamphlet available for state ballot measures

2011-10-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

Click here to get the online voters guide to state ballot measures - These will be on all state ballots this November 8.

If you want to see who is providing the funding for and against these measures, go to the Public
Disclosure site here.

Time to make sure your young friends get registered

2011-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

The standard deadline for registering for this fall's November 8 General Election is Monday, October 10.
If you are not registered in Washington, you can register in person at your County Elections Office until the Monday one week before Election Day (October 31, 2011)

It is easy for Washington residents to register online here by the Monday, October 10 deadline.

Be sure to check with your children, grandchildren or young friends who are 18+ or will be 18 by election day. They can register online on that website and they can also make changes to their existing registration on that same site to make sure their ballot reaches them at a current address. Get them registered and in the voting habit now.

Special Session - attempt to pass budget by Christmas

2011-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the Governor's press release:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1772&newsType=1

Higher Ed group to meet

2011-09-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Higher Education Steering Committee formed under legislation passed last year will hold its first meeting Thurs., Sept. 29, 1–4 p.m. (scheduled to be carried live on TVW) The group is
supposed to make recommendations for the Council for Higher Education which will replace the Higher Education Coordinating Board which is to be terminated on July 1,2012.

Funders of initiative campaigns

2011-09-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

As they say - Follow the Money
Look here to find out who is behind the initiative
campaigns.

Higher Education Committee meetings coming in October

2011-09-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

Notice locations -- Seattle and Mount Vernon

Higher Education
10/12/11 11:00 am

House Full CommitteeSeattle University
901 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA

Work Session:

Washington higher education system and college completion rates.
Higher education and regional industry needs.
College completion.
College completion to increase educational attainment.
Priorities for increasing educational attainment.

*Work session will conclude at 5 p.m.

Higher Education
10/13/11 9:00 am

House Full CommitteeSkagit Valley College
2405 E College Way
Mt. Vernon, WA

Work Session:

Washington higher education system, evaluation and research.
Higher education and regional industry needs.
Higher education innovations.
Innovations in higher education to increase educational attainment.
Priorities for increasing educational attainment.

*Work session will conclude at 3 p.m.

Help Keep the Promises of Social Security

2011-09-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

From AAUW Action Network:

Take Action!

Here at AAUW, we think of Social Security as a promise, a commitment that we as Americans make to care for one another across the generations. Although Social Security is among our nation’s best and most efficiently-run anti-poverty programs, it's particularly critical for elderly women -- more than half of whom would fall into poverty without it. So, we are interested when good ideas come along aimed at strengthening and improving Social Security.
Well, a new bill recently introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) presents us with a great idea: We can close Social Security’s funding gap by lifting the cap on payroll taxes for Social Security purposes.
If it sounds complex, it's not. Right now, 94 percent of Americans pay into Social Security on the basis of their whole salary -- but the wealthiest 6 percent do not. Because the cap for individual income stands at $106,800, someone who makes that much pays exactly the same amount into Social Security as does a millionaire or a billionaire.
The Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act (S. 1558) would gradually lift the cap so that by 2033, the wealthiest 6 percent of Americans will be on equal footing with everyone else. This plan would extend the full solvency of Social Security for the next 75 years, ensuring that the program continues to help provide retirement security for future generations.
Take Action! Ask your Senators to become a cosponsor of the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act (S. 1558). You can send a message by clicking the "Take Action" link above or by visiting AAUW Two Minute Activist.

Seattle City Council passes paid sick leave

2011-09-12T16:46:00.001-07:00

Click on the title of the post for an article on the ordinance.

Senate Ways and Means 9/12 -- will be on TVW

2011-09-11T06:48:00.001-07:00

Ways & Means - 09/12/11 1:30 pm

Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session: K-12 budget overview.

Seattle City Council to vote 9/12 on paid sick leave

2011-09-09T10:44:00.001-07:00

Click on title of post for press release
Message from Janet Chung of Legal Voice to allies on this issue:

You can help ensure that this groundbreaking law (only the fourth of its kind in the nation) makes it through the final vote of the full City Council by:
Taking a moment to thank the Council members who have committed to vote “yes” on a strong paid sick days bill, including the original sponsor, Nick Licata, and Councilmembers Tim Burgess, Sally J. Clark, Jean Godden, Bruce Harrell, and Mike O’Brien.
Urging every City Council member to vote for the paid sick days bill on September 12th without watering it down.
Joining us to stand up for public health and family economic security at the Paid Sick Days rally on Monday, September 12, at 1:45 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, followed by a march up the steps to attend the final vote.

National Womens's History Museum bill out of committee

2011-09-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

On September 8, the National Women’s History Museum bill in the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Get more information here:

http://www.nwhm.org/get-involved/promote/right-here/

Stand up for women on Women's Equality Day

2011-08-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

Read about threats to the top ten advances toward equality for American women on today's AAUW Blog.

Think about ways to share this information today.

Women's Equality Day is Friday, August 26th

2011-08-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

AAUW will be observing the 90th birthday of national women's suffrage with a Summer Snowball Launch to begin a campaign to protect the health and economic rights of women (HERVotes). The idea is to have women use media "snowballs" this Friday at the same time the coalition campaign launches nationally to raise the profile of the effort. See more on the AAUW Blog.

Here is the AAUW Action Network message:

You can join us in blogging and tweeting (hashtag your get out the vote message with #HERVote), but here are three simple ways to get involved in the energy around the HERVote campaign:
Watch
: AAUW’s new “Vote” PSA!
Read:
The top ten achievements women have earned with our votes -- and the current threats to those achievements.
Advocate:
Take Action! Among our achievements at stake is enforcement of Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. Demand strong enforcement of Title IX!

Primary Election Day - Have you sent in your Ballot???

2011-08-16T08:43:00.003-07:00

Ballots need to be in the mail today to be counted.

Congress on break -- look for district town halls

2011-08-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

While the Congress is on a break, you might check with your Congress member's local office and see if she or he is planning to hold a town hall. You might want to ask a question. There is a feedback form on the AAUW website http://www.capwiz.com/aauw/lrm/feedback.tt so that our Lobby Corps can learn from you what the Congress member is saying about AAUW priority issues.

AAUW Applauds Victory for Women’s Health

2011-08-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

(from press release by AAUW)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Issues New Rules on Birth Control

WASHINGTON—The American Association of University Women (AAUW) issued the following statement regarding new guidelines announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new rules require new health insurance plans to cover women’s preventive services such as well-woman visits, breastfeeding support, domestic violence screening, and contraception without charging a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible.

This is a victory for both women and common sense. It’s also a big win for economic sense. For every dollar we invest in helping women avoid unwanted pregnancies, the country saves nearly $4 in Medicaid expenditures down the road. The new guidelines also reflect the fact that prevention can be the best medicine of all and will ensure that women get the basic health care that they need. Healthy moms are an important step toward healthy families.

Challenging Times for Higher Education

2011-08-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

I was looking for something interesting to watch last night and checked out TVW. They were broadcasting a panel discussion on higher education held in July as part of a series. I didn't watch the whole thing -- not that much of a policy nerd - but the introductory remarks by the president
of Western provided a very good overview. You can watch it anytime online here.

Title IX compliance --

2011-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

AAUW-WA is looking at a project on Title IX Compliance. The AAUW website has resources on Title IX including a program in a box. http://www.aauw.org/act/issue_advocacy/actionpages/titleix.cfm

Washington state has had companion legislation since 1975. This includes additional requirements and enforcement options. For answers to frequently asked questions designed for local Title IX coordinators see http://www.k12.wa.us/Equity/Districts/TitleIXFAQ.aspx

The Department of Education recently shifted from investigation of individual district complaints to
consolidated investigation through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
http://www.womentalksports.com/items/read/35/946288

August 16 Primary Election Ballots

2011-07-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

You may already have your ballot for the August Primary. It will be
an all mail election. There are several sources of information online
plus voters' pamphlets which are supposedly now in the mail in some
counties.
People in any county in Washington can get information from the
Secretary of State's website --
http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/Default.aspx .
Click on MY Vote on the right hand side of that page for your own
personal online information or find the appropriate website for your
county by clicking your location on the county map.

Some other sources of information about King County candidates:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201108/contestscandidates.aspx

http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201108/measures.aspx

http://www.munileague.org/candidate-evaluations

Invest in the Future: Support Pell Grants!

2011-07-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

Message from the AAUW Action Network

Take Action!

Pell Grants -- which help more than nine million students afford college -- are facing massive cuts. The students who receive these grants, disproportionately women and minority students, are at risk of being among the victims of Washington’s current budget battle.

Cuts to Pell would not only devastate the futures of the students who rely on it, but also our economy, which desperately needs more college-educated workers to rebound. Pell Grants and other federal tuition assistance constitute a direct investment in the future and long-term economic strength of our country.

Read a post on this issue from the AAUW Blog.

Monday, JULY 18 is registration deadline

2011-07-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

You can still register online through Monday. Primary coming up in August!

Washington Online Voter Registration

Join the National Budget Call-in Days!

2011-07-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

From AAUW Washington Update:

AAUW believes that reducing the deficit is an important step toward stabilizing and strengthening our nation’s economy. It must, however, be done without short-sighted cuts to critical programs that serve millions of women, families, children, and seniors.

Join the National Budget Call-in Days today (Wednesday, July 13) through Friday, July 15 to demand a budget plan that reduces the deficit responsibly.

Call your senators toll-free at 888-907-1485 and tell them that the economic security of working families must not be used as a political football in deficit reduction and debt ceiling talks. AAUW and our coalition allies are focusing on these two messages:

-Any deficit reduction plan must include sensible revenue increases, not just cuts to critical programs which constitute investments in our future economic strength (such as Pell grants and job training).

-A poorly timed, poorly thought-out “balanced budget amendment” will cause more harm than good.

AAUW also urges you to send the additional message:

-Social Security, which is off-budget and does NOT contribute to the deficit, must not be considered in a misguided and misinformed approach to deficit reduction;

NEWS oral arguments available online

2011-07-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Click title to watch the arguments before the State Supreme Court on school funding.

Three Initiative Campaigns turn in signatures

2011-07-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Click title for news from Secretary of State on initiatives

AAUW Opposes Cuts to Social Security

2011-07-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

(from the AAUW Washington Update)

AAUW released a statement in opposition to cuts to Social Security following media reports that the White House and congressional leaders from both parties might consider proposing cuts. AAUW Director of Public Policy and Government Relations Lisa Maatz said, “cuts to this vital program would be all pain, no gain for countless Americans, especially for older women, more than half of whom would fall into poverty without Social Security benefits.”

AAUW remains firm in its position supporting Social Security. The budget must not be balanced on the backs of those who can least afford it. AAUW urges policy makers to stand strong and keep Social Security cuts off the negotiating table.

Take Action! Tell your members of Congress that slashing benefits is not an option.

Tell Obama: A Fair Budget Plan Means SHARED Sacrifice

2011-07-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

(From the AAUW Action Network)

Take Action!

In the last couple of weeks, President Barack Obama has taken a more active role in the budget and deficit reduction negotiations. This is good -- it means the White House recognizes the need for a bipartisan plan that takes meaningful steps toward reducing our budget deficit while ensuring that no plan is built solely on the backs of America's working and struggling families.
As the president and congressional leaders meet, it's critical that they hear from Americans who believe that there is a "path to prosperity" that shares the burden of deficit reduction among ALL Americans. This means closing tax and regulation loopholes that unfairly benefit large corporations, ending the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans, and streamlining -- but not slashing -- federal programs that help keep working families out of poverty and invest in America’s future economic strength.

Governor signed higher ed bills

2011-06-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this higher ed blog for details:
http://hecbwashington.blogspot.com/2011/06/governor-signs-four-bills-with-far.html

A Message from the AAUW Action Network

2011-06-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

The AAUW public policy team invites you to join in on Friday for AAUW’s 2011 Virtual Lobby Day!

Virtual Lobby Day will be an opportunity for our e-advocates to strengthen the impact of Lobby Day, pressuring their members of congress to support the National Women’s History Museum Act and the Campus SaVe Act and to protect and strengthen Social Security! We’ll be sharing videos online on our Two-Minute Activist alert in which members of Congress brief us on these issues, encouraging folks to call in, and urging you all to Tweet and Facebook to spread the word about these issues.

Here is the link to help make the connection - http://www.capwiz.com/aauw/home/

2011 election season gets underway on Monday

2011-06-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

Candidates file for office during the week of June 6-10.
The 2011 Primary Election is August 16. This year's General Election is November 8.

This year most elections are local and non-partisan with some exceptions. There are
a couple of legislative races and some county elections are partisan.

Special meeting for advocates at AAUW Convention

2011-06-03T16:51:00.001-07:00

If you are going to convention check out this meeting
- notice was in the latest AAUW Washington Update.

Policy Advocates: Join Us For a Special Convention Event

Attention State and Branch Public Policy Chairs—and all AAUW policy advocates! You are invited to join AAUW’s advocacy team for a public policy-focused special interest group meeting at the 2011 National Convention. This meeting, which will take place at 4:30 PM on Thursday (right after the Convention Lobby Day briefing) and does not conflict with any other major activities, is all about connecting you to the staff and to one another.

Legislative Wrapup from Pam Crone

2011-06-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

After 135 days, the legislative session finally came to a close. As of May 27^th, lawmakers approved a two-year, $32 billion spending plan that required massive spending cuts to fill a $5.1 billion dollar hole in the state budget. While much of the session (and special session) was devoted to figuring out how and where to make these cuts, legislators did address a wide array of policy issues over the past 5 months. We’ve discussed many of these policy issues in prior reports so our final report will primarily focus on the adopted state budget for 2011-2013 and its impact on education and women’s health.

A FEW POLICY UPDATES

Efforts at major education reform ultimately fell flat this session – there just wasn’t enough time or energy given the huge budgetary challenges facing legislators. Nonetheless, a number of bills were debated in both the House and Senate that would have made significant changes to our education system. Much of the debate focused on revising the teacher evaluation system, making school districts lay off underperforming teachers, and merging the education agencies into one executive agency. The debate was vigorous from all sides and clearly the conversation is not over, particularly in light of decreased state funding for education. Expect continued public discussion on all of these topics as we grapple with how to promote student achievement and a seamless education system in these challenging economic times.

One truly bright spot worth noting in an otherwise bleak session was passage of SB 5912. This legislation expands family planning services from 200 to 250% of the federal poverty level, thereby enabling more low-income women to access birth control and other reproductive health care services. With the governor’s signature, there will now be parity of coverage for those women seeking Medicaid paid pregnancy care and those who want to access Take Charge family planning services.

And here’s the budgetary overview. For reference you can see what the House and Senate did as independent bodies as well as what was ultimately adopted by the Legislature.

EDUCATION	HOUSE BUDGET	SENATE BUDGET	FINAL BUDGET
K-4 Class Size Reduction	Eliminated although $25 million in funding was provided to decrease K-3 class size in high poverty schools.	Eliminated but $64 million provided to high poverty schools to decrease class size in K-3.	Eliminated across the board funding but does provide $33 million to decrease K-3 class size in high poverty schools.
Levy Equalization (equalizes school funding between school districts)	No cuts made	No cuts made	No cuts made
Funding for I-728 (reduces class size)	Suspended	Suspended	Funding Suspended for 2011-2013
Funding for I-732 (cost of living adjustment for teachers)	Suspended	Suspended	Funding Suspended
K-12 Teacher Compensation	The House wouldn’t impose an across the board pay cut but would freeze “step” increases for longevity and suspend cost-of-living increases. They also would make a smaller cut to certification bonuses, reducing the first-year bonus.	The Senate proposed cutting K-12 employees’ pay by 3 percent and suspend cost-of-living increases saving $251 million over two years.	Imposed 1.9% salary reduction for teachers and other staff and a 3% salary reduction for administrative staff. Teachers' longevity pay increases won't be frozen. National certification bonuses are maintained.
Higher Education Tuition Assistance	Increased by $103 million	Increased by $124 million	Increased by $124 million
Tuition at Universities and Colleges	Allows tuition increases from 11 to 13 %	Allows tuition increases from 11 to 16 %	The budget assumes an annual tuition increase from 11 to 16 % at state universities and community colleges. Universities have authority to set their own tuition, so they could raise tuition even more if they offer more financial aid.
HEALTH
Family Planning Funding	The House budget would have expanded family planning by increasing eligibility from 200 to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. It also included no cuts to DOH family planning dollars.	The Senate's budget cut $2.25 million in family planning spending over the next two years, an 11.25% reduction in spending.	The final budget cut $2.25 million in DOH family planning funding. The good news is that it also increased Take Charge Medicaid family planning from 200% to 250%.
Maternity Support Services	The House budget proposed cutting funding by 25% in 2011- 2013.	The Senate budget reduced funding by 35%, a cut of $14.1 million.	The final budget reduces funding by 30%.
Federally Qualified Community Health Clinics	The House would have cut the Medicaid rate paid to clinics potentially reducing their funding by up to 40%.	The Senate also cut the rates paid to the clinics for poor patients insured under Medicaid by $99 million.	Paid Medicaid rates were cut by an average of 10.6%. The total reduction was $86 million dollars.
Disability Lifeline	Maintains state-funded medical care for the disabled. Eliminates cash grants to the temporarily disabled, replacing them with housing aid.	The number of people eligible for medical care would be capped at about 12,650 people per month in FY 2012 and 11,750 people per month in FY 2013 by limiting new enrollment. This will reduce the program by 1/3 and cut off about 6000 people from access to medical care. Eliminates cash grants for most of DL population replacing it with housing assistance.	Maintains state-funded medical care for the disabled. Eliminates cash grants to the temporarily disabled, replacing them with housing aid.
Basic Health	Coverage is limited to those eligible for the Medicaid waiver. The effect would have reduced enrollment in the BHP from about 52,000 to 40,000 people and it would have capped enrollment at about 41,200 people. The House level would however, allow new people to come onto the program as people leave, which will help the program’s risk pool.	The Senate would have capped the program at approximately 39,000 people per month in FY 2012 and 34,000 per month in FY 2013. Approximately 7000 people would lose coverage. There was /is concern that a much smaller enrollment level due to the enrollment freeze will threaten the viability of the program.	As with the Senate budget, new admissions are frozen. The average enrollment for FY 2012 is expected to be 37,000 per month and 33,000 per month in FY 2013. As Basic Health gets smaller, unhealthy members can put the program on shaky ground. We hope that the program can remain viable despite these cuts.

That’s a quick look at the 2011-2013 budget. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pam Crone at 206/-650-0020 or pjcrone at comcast.net

Court challenge to I 1053??

2011-06-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

The News Tribune blog has a video of the Q&A on the House floor .

(The whole purpose of the Q&A process on the floor is to get things
into the record. The questions and answers are often prepared in advance
and it are often used to establish legislative intent. As they are
officially recorded, they are available for use in court cases. )

The issue in this case is whether the initiative could require a 2/3
vote to raise taxes when the constitution allows the legislature
to pass such laws by a majority. (Article 2, Section 22)

AAUW Update today mentions Seattle sick leave effort

2011-05-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

AAUW Washington Update, a weekly update from AAUW's public policy staff,
mentions the effort in Seattle.

Labor and community groups in Seattle, WA, have started a movement for a citywide paid sick leave policy. The city council has yet to take up the proposal, but at least one council member is supportive. Seattle could become the fourth city—after the District of Columbia, Milwaukee, and San Francisco—to enact a paid sick leave policy.

AAUW has long supported flexible workplace policies and has maintained that offering workers the option to take time off when they or a family member is sick is good for families and for business. AAUW argues that lack of paid sick leave hits low-income employees particularly hard and causes them to put off their health care needs because they cannot take time off work.

AAUW-WA is a member of the coalition working for paid sick leave in Seattle.

Did you watch the gavel fall ??

2011-05-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

I watched TVW last night at 10:25 as the gavel fell on this session.
They finished the essentials - the three budgets (operating, capital and transportation) and the bonding bill and adjourned sine die.

You can watch the last day of the special session

2011-05-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Check it out on TVW or www.tvw.org (click live webcasts)

You can also keep tabs on voting on the legislature's website by clicking either
Senate Floor Activity Report or House Floor Activity Report.

Right now the House is debating the capital budget.

House passes operating budget

2011-05-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

The budget documents can be found here. The latest agreement is at the top of the list marked
by a yellow "new".

There is a deal on the operating budget

2011-05-24T10:22:00.001-07:00

Press briefing started at 10am on TVW -- available as well on www.tvw.org

Click the title for the amendment language that is supposed to be offered
to the budget.

Getting closer to the end

2011-05-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

The legislature evidently has deals on workers' compensation and the operating
budget but not yet on the debt ceiling which is holding up the capital budget.
Even if they do get resolution, it may take a couple of extra days to run bills and
get the paperwork completed so that they can adjourn. They can move fairly
fast when agreement is reached but there are still some procedures that need
to occur before they can wind it up.

Will they finish?

2011-05-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Who knows. There is always some suspense in these hours before the end of a special session. The Senate minority has enough votes to hold the budget and will try to get other things in the bargain.
The final other issues seem to be around one reorganization bill and workers compensation. They will
be in session all weekend. If they can't settle by the end of the 30 days, they will go out and not
be called back in until they have an agreement.

Expansion of family planning UPDATE 5/22/11

2011-05-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Update: This bill was passed today in the House

SSB 5912

Family planning services

House vote on Final Passage

5/22/2011

Yeas: 52 Nays: 36 Absent: 0 Excused: 10

Voting Yea:  Representatives Billig, Blake, Carlyle, Clibborn, Cody, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Frockt, Goodman, Green, Haigh, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jinkins, Kagi, Kelley, Kirby, Ladenburg, Lytton, Maxwell, McCoy, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Ormsby, Orwall, Pedersen, Probst, Reykdal, Roberts, Rolfes, Ryu, Santos, Seaquist, Sells, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Takko, Tharinger, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Walsh, Wylie, and Mr. Speaker
Voting Nay:  Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Armstrong, Asay, Bailey, Buys, Chandler, Condotta, Dahlquist, Dammeier, DeBolt, Fagan, Haler, Hargrove, Harris, Hinkle, Johnson, Klippert, Kretz, Kristiansen, Miloscia, Nealey, Orcutt, Overstreet, Parker, Pearson, Rivers, Ross, Shea, Schmick, Short, Smith, Taylor, Warnick, Wilcox, and Zeiger
Absent:
Excused:  Representatives Anderson, Angel, Appleton, Crouse, Hope, Kenney, Liias, McCune, Pettigrew, and Rodne

Previous entry :
SB 5912 which expands family planning services eligibility to 250% of
poverty is scheduled for both hearing and executive session in
tomorrow's House Ways and Means Committee. The meeting will be
covered by TVW.

House Ways and Means to meet tomorrow

2011-05-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

You can get the agenda at http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/WAYS/Pages/Agendas.aspx

The House had taken off until next week but now have been called back and may well work through the
weekend. They have scheduled quite a few bills for this committee session which will be at
9 am on Friday. Included is the expansion of family planning eligibility.

Updated: Senate Ways and Means to vote on business tax bill

2011-05-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Update-- The committee did not act on SB 5945 in executive session.

Senate Bill 5945 is on today's executive action agenda in Senate Ways and Means at 2:30. At 4:30 they were still in hearing. (on TVW)

Summary of Bill:

Non-financial businesses may deduct no more than $250,000 per year for income related to investments.

The deduction for interest income derived from first lien residential mortgages is unavailable to financial businesses which are located in ten or more states.

All preferential B&O rates are increased by 25 percent of the incremental difference between the general and preferential rates. The incremental difference equals the generally applicable B&O tax rate minus the preferential rate.

The Fiscal Note estimates the following impact:

If this proposal is enacted in its entirety, state revenues will increase by approximately $338.3 million in the 2011-2013

Biennium and $551.0 in the 2013-2015 Biennium.

Good News! Expansion of family planning eligibility

2011-05-17T19:57:00.001-07:00

Good news!! The bill expanding Take Charge to 250% poverty passed the Senate with a terrific vote. We had 4 Rs vote yes. On to the House! Pam

SSB 5912
Family planning services
Senate vote on 3rd Reading & Final Passage
5/17/2011

Yeas: 30   Nays: 17   Absent: 0   Excused: 2

Voting Yea:  Senators Brown, Chase, Conway, Eide, Fain, Fraser, Harper, Hatfield, Haugen, Hill, Hobbs, Kastama, Keiser, Kilmer, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Litzow, McAuliffe, Murray, Nelson, Pflug, Prentice, Pridemore, Ranker, Regala, Rockefeller, Sheldon, Shin, Tom, and White
Voting Nay:  Senators Baumgartner, Baxter, Becker, Carrell, Delvin, Ericksen, Hargrove, Hewitt, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford, King, Morton, Parlette, Schoesler, Stevens, Swecker, and Zarelli
Absent:
Excused:  Senators Benton and Roach

House Ways and Means Committee votes to curb exemptions

2011-05-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

The House Ways and Means Committee voted this morning to limit the
exemption for multi-state banks interest income from mortgages.
HB 2078 narrows a tax deduction for banks and other financial
institutions and eliminates a sales tax exemption for nonresidents
to fully fund K-3 class size reductions.

ed reform bill passed out of House Ways and Means

2011-05-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

HB 2111 Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011

report of the quality education council.

Brief staff description:

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to ensure that a fairness and bias review has been conducted before implementing revisions to the state Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

Requires school districts to adopt a policy defining a high school credit and authorizes the State Board of Education to repeal a seat-time based definition.

Authorizes the SPI to require use of a kindergarten readiness assessment in low- performing schools receiving federal school improvement grants.

Allows Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funds to be used to support students in science and requires a study of the impact of remediation strategies funded by the LAP on student achievement.

Requires student performance data from the Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program to be reported online through the Washington State Report Card.

Adopts a definition of a highly capable student and directs the SPI to adopt consistent procedures for school districts to identify, assess, and select their most highly capable students for purposes of the Highly Capable Program.

Allows qualified graduates of the Recruiting Washington Teachers Program in high schools to participate on a space-available basis in an alternative route teacher preparation scholarship program.

Directs a Compensation Working Group to conduct a comprehensive analysis of educator professional development and mentoring needs.

House Ways and Means Committee meeting this morning

2011-05-11T09:13:00.001-07:00

Ways & Means* - 05/11/11 9:00 am

Full CommitteeSenate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED on 5/10/2011 at 3:11 PM

Public Hearing:

HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.

Possible Executive Session:

HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
HB 2078 - Funding K-3 class size reductions by narrowing and repealing certain tax exemptions.
HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
HB 2088 - Creating the opportunity scholarship board to assist middle-income students and invest in high employer demand programs.
HB 2111 - Implementing selected recommendations from the 2011 report of the quality education council.
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.
SB 5289 - Concerning a business and occupation tax deduction for payments made to certain property management companies for personnel performing on-site functions.
SSB 5534 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspapers.
2ESB 5764 - Creating innovate Washington.
ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.

Redistricting Commission starts public hearings

2011-05-10T10:43:00.001-07:00

Click on post title for related article.

Tuition bill goes to the governor - update 5/11

2011-05-09T14:41:00.001-07:00

Prior post -- 5/10
Currently the House is debating 2SHB 1795 which deals with higher education tuition setting authority and financial aids. I am watching now on www.tvw.org

Passed yeas 79; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 2

Update

The Senate bumped the bill directly to the floor and passed it

Passed yeas 32; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 4.

The governor has indicated that she will sign the bill

House contemplating moving teacher notification deadline -Update

2011-05-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

The current date is May 15. As we get closer to that date, districts are
concerned because of the lack of budget agreement. The House is
considering moving to a later date in hopes of letting districts have
better information on which to make those decisions.

The House Ed committee heard this bill this morning but didn't act on
it.

Special Session Update

2011-05-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Latest update from our lobbyist, Pam Crone:

At this point, there is still much work to be done! To begin 
with, there is a funding gap between the Senate and House

budgets of about $300 million. 
 
 There is also a dispute between the Senate and Governor on one

side and the House on the other about worker's compensation. The

Governor and Senate want to make major changes to the system that

most House Democrats refuse to make. The Speaker believes that these

changes would seriously harm workers. 
 
 I believe we are far from an end to legislative work. There are

other major differences between the House and Senate budget

approaches including teacher pay, the Disability Lifeline and Basic

Health programs, the state's debt limit, etc.

 
 We continue to advocate for full funding of family planning at

the House level. On the good news front, the Senate Ways and Means

committee passed SB 5912 this week.  SB 5912 increases access to

Medicaid family planning services (to 250% FPL).

Lots of Action today -- but not the regular legislature

2011-05-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

If you happen to turn on TVW today you will see the Youth Legislature in action instead of the
regular crowd. They will be back on Monday.

House Ways and Means Committee meeting this morning

2011-05-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

Ways & Means* - 05/05/11 10:00 am

Full CommitteeSenate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED on 5/3/2011 at 4:33 PM

Public Hearing:

HB 2048 - Concerning low-income and homeless housing assistance surcharges.
HB 2080 - Modifying tax refund and interest provisions.
HB 2082 - Making changes to the disability lifeline program.
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. (If measure is referred to committee.)
ESSB 5921 - Revising social services programs.
ESSB 5927 - Limiting payments for health care services provided to low-income enrollees in state purchased health care programs. (If measure is referred to committee.)
SB 5941 - Concerning judicial branch funding. (If measure is referred to committee.)

Possible Executive Session:

HB 1131 - Regarding student achievement fund allocations.
SHB 1132 - Reducing compensation for educational and academic employees.
HB 1250 - Transferring funds from the budget stabilization account to the general fund.
HB 2065 - Regarding the allocation of funding for students enrolled in alternative learning experiences.
HB 2074 - Changing functions of the higher education coordinating board.
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. (If measure is referred to committee.)
ESSB 5927 - Limiting payments for health care services provided to low-income enrollees in state purchased health care programs. (If measure is referred to committee.)
SB 5941 - Concerning judicial branch funding. (If measure is referred to committee.)

Committee Meeting Documents
Note: Documents are not available online until the meeting has begun.

Closing some tax exemptions still on the table

2011-05-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard several bills yesterday dealing with tax exemptions. The purpose was to test the waters -- there wasn't a vote. The committee has a hearing tomorrow that includes an executive session on bills in committee. Presumably someone is counting votes. Check out the
Seattle Times take on the hearing.