Newsletter Format

1st District
Represents portions of northeast King County and south Snohomish County,
including areas of Bothell, Woodinville, Mountlake Terrace, and Brier.
Al O'Brien (D)
Mark Ericks (D)
Rosemary McAuliffe (D)

2nd District
Represents Pierce County, including McKenna, Rainier, Roy, Ft. Lewis,
Spanaway, Orting, Graham, Yelm, and the City of Eatonville.
Jim McCune (R) **
Tom Campbell (R) **
Marilyn Rasmussen (D)

3rd District
Represents the heartland of the downtown Spokane area,
extending to the North Side and South Hill.
Alex Wood (D)
Timm Ormsby (D)
Lisa Brown (D)

4th District
Represents part of Spokane County.
Larry Crouse (R)
Lynn Schindler (R)
Bob McCaslin (R)

5th District
Represents East King County, including North Bend, Snoqualmie,
Issaquah, and portions of unincorporated King County.
Glenn Anderson (R)
Jay Rodne (R)
Cheryl Pflug (R)

6th District
Represents a crescent shaped district around the North, West, and Southern parts of the City of Spokane, a small portion of the City of Spokane Valley, and sizeable portions of North and Southwestern Spokane County (including Airway Heights, Colbert, Chattaroy, and southern Deer Park).
Don Barlow (D)
John Ahern (R) ***
Chris Marr (D)

7th District
Represents Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, Lincoln
and parts of Okanogan and Spokane Counties.
Bob Sump (R)
Joel Kretz (R)
Bob Morton (R)

8th District
Represents most of Benton County, including Richland and Kennewick.
Shirley Hankins (R)
Larry Haler (R)

Jerome Delvin (R)

9th District
Represents the counties of Adams, Asotin, Garfield
and Whitman and parts of Franklin and Spokane.
Steve Hailey (R)
David Buri (R)
Mark Schoesler (R)

10th District
Represents all of Island County and portions of Skagit and Snohomish counties, including the cities of La Conner, Oak Harbor, and Stanwood.
Chris Strow (R) **
Barbara Bailey (R) **
Mary Margaret Haugen (D)

11th District
Represents parts of South Seattle, Burien, Sea-Tac, Tukwila and the southern part of Renton.
Zack Hudgins (D)
Bob Hasegawa (D)
Margarita Prentice (D)

12th District
Represents Chelan and Douglas Counties and parts of Grant and Okanogan Counties.
Cary Condotta (R)
Mike Armstrong (R)
Linda Evans Parlette (R)

13th District
Represents most of Grant, all of Kittitas and part of Yakima Counties.
Judith Wamick (R)
Bill Hinkle (R)
Janea Holmquist (R)

14th District
Represents parts of Yakima County.
Mary Skinner (R)
Charles Ross (R)
Alex Deccio (R)

15th District
Represents all of Klickitat County and parts of Yakima, Skamania and Clark counties.
Bruce Chandler (R)
Dan Newhouse (R)
Jim Honeyford (R)

16th District
Represents parts of Benton and Franklin counties,
and all of Columbia and Walla Walla counties.
Maureen Walsh (R) **
Bill Grant (D)
Mike Hewitt (R) **

17th District
Represents a portion of Clark County.
Jim Dunn (R) **
Deb Wallace (D)
Don Benton (R) **

18th District
Represents parts of Clark and Cowlitz counties.
Richard Curtis (R)
Ed Orcutt (R)
Joseph Zarelli (R)

19th District
Represents Pacific, Wahkiakum, and parts of Grays Harbor and Cowlitz counties.
Dean Takko (D)
Brian Blake (D)
Brian Hatfield (D)

20th District
Represents all of Lewis and south Thurston Counties.
Richard DeBolt (R)
Gary Alexander (R)
Dan Swecker (R))

21st District
Represents Edmonds, Mukilteo and portions of Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.
Mary Helen Roberts (D)
Brian Sullivan (D)
Paull Shin (D)

22nd District
Represents the northern portion of Thurston County, including all of Olympia and portions of Lacey and Tumwater, and the unincorporated communities of Johnson Point, Cooper Point, Tanglewilde, Thompson Place, and Boston Harbor.
Brendan Williams (D)
Sam Hunt (D)
Karen Fraser (D)

23rd District
Represents Kitsap County, including Bainbridge Island,
Silverdale, Poulsbo, Kingston, and parts of Bremerton.
Sherry Appleton (D)
Christine Rolfes (D) ****
Phil Rockefeller (D)

24th District
Represents Clallam, Jefferson, and part of Grays Harbor Counties.
Kevin Van De Wege (D)
Lynn Kessler (D)
James Hargrove (D)

25th District
Represents Puyallup and South Hill, and parts of Midland,
Summit, Fife, Tacoma, Edgewood and Milton.
Joyce McDonald (R) ***
Dawn Morrell (D)
Jim Kastama (D)

26th District
Represents parts of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.
Patricia Lantz (D)
Larry Seaquist (D)

Derek Kilmer (D) ****

27th District
Represents portions of Tacoma and Fife in Pierce County.
Dennis Flannigan (D)
Jeannie Darneille (D)
Debbie Regala (D)

28th District
Represents Fircrest, University Place, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Tillicum,
and West Tacoma; Anderson, Ketron, and McNeil Islands.
Troy Kelley (D) ****
Tami Green (D)
Mike Carrell (R) ***

29th District
Represents South Tacoma, Parkland, and portions of Lakewood and University Place.
Steve Conway (D)
Steve Kirby (D)
Rosa Franklin (D)

30th District
Represents Federal Way, Milton, Algona and Pacific.
Mark Miloscia (D)
Skip Priest (R) ***
Tracey Eide (D)

31st District
Represents south King County and northeast Pierce County, including Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Edgewood, Enumclaw, Greenwater, Sumner, and Lake Tapps.
Dan Roach (R) **
Christopher Hurst (D)
Pam Roach (R) **

32nd District
Represents Northwest King and Southwest Snohomish Counties, including Edmonds, Kenmore, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and Woodway.
Maralyn Chase (D)
Ruth Kagi (D)
Darlene Fairley (D)

33rd District
Represents SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent, and Tukwila.
Shay Schual-Berke (D)
Dave Upthegrove (D)
Karen Keiser (D)

34th District
Represents West Seattle, Burien and Vashon and Maury Islands.
Eileen Cody (D)
Joe McDermott (D)
Erik Poulsen (D)

35th District
Represents Mason and portions of Grays Harbor, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties.
Kathy Haigh (D)
William Eickmeyer (D)
Tim Sheldon (D)

36th District
Represents Seattle: Magnolia, Queen Anne, Phinney Ridge and parts of Ballard, Crown Hill, Denny Regrade, Fremont, Greenwood, Lake Union, Loyal Heights, Sunset Hill.
Helen Sommers (D)
Mary Lou Dickerson (D)
Jeanne Kohl-Wellses (D)

37th District
Represents Rainier Valley, Madrona, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Beach, Mt. Baker, Leschi, Columbia City, southern Capitol Hill, Skyway and parts of Renton.
Sharon Tomiko Santos (D)
Eric Pettigrew (D)
Adam Kline (D)

38th District
Represents Snohomish County including Everett, Marysville
and the part of the Snohomish Valley west of Highway 9.
John McCoy (D)
Mike Sells (D)
Jean Berkey (D)

39th District
Represents the eastern portions of Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties,
and the northeast portion of King County.
Dan Kristiansen (R)
Kirk Pearson (R)
Val Stevens (R)

40th District
Represents San Juan, eastern and northwestern Skagit
and southwestern Whatcom counties.
Dave Quall (D)
Jeff Morris (D)
Harriet Spanel (D)

41st District
Represents Bellevue, Mercer Island, Newcastle, west Issaquah and northeast Renton.
Fred Jarrett (R) ***
Judy Clibborn (D)

Brian Weinstein (D)

42nd District
Represents the western half of Whatcom County.
Doug Ericksen (R) **
Kelli Linville (D)
Dale Brandland (R) **

43rd District
Represents Seattle: Capitol Hill, University District, Madison Park, Washington Park, Broadmoor, Montlake, Wallingford, Madison Valley and parts of Fremont, Laurelhurst, Ravenna, Denny Regrade and downtown Seattle.
Jamie Pedersen (D)

Frank Chopp (D)
Ed Murray (D)

44th District
Represents a portion of southwest Snohomish County.
Hans Dunshee (D)
John Lovick (D)
Steve Hobbs (D) ****

45th District
Represents Woodinville, Duvall, Carnation, and
parts of Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish.
Roger Goodman (D)

Larry Springer (D)

Eric Oemig (D)

46th District
Represents part of King County and the city of Seattle.
Jim McIntire (D)
Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (D)
Ken Jacobsen (D)

47th District
Represents part of southeast King County
from the Renton Highlands to Kent to Black Diamond.
Geoff Simpson (D)
Pat Sullivan (D)
Claudia Kauffman (D) ****

48th District
Represents portions of King County: parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond,
and all of Medina, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point.
Ross Hunter (D)

Deb Eddy (D)
Rodney Tom (D)

49th District
Represents parts of the City of Vancouver and Clark County.
Bill Fromhold (D)
Jim Moeller (D)

Craig Pridemore (D)

Appropriations

Sommers Chair

Dunshee Vice Chair

Cody

Conway

Darneille

Ericks

Fromhold

Grant

Haigh

Hunt

Hunter

Kagi

Kenney

Kessler

Linville

McDermott

McIntire

Morrell

Pettigrew

Schual-Berke

Seaquist

Sullivan, P

Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

Haigh Chair

Sullivan, P Vice Chair

Dunshee

Fromhold

Hunter

Kagi

Kenney

McDermott

Ormsby

Quall

Seaquist

Wallace

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review

Linville Chair

Ericks Vice Chair

Barlow

Blake

Lantz

Miloscia

Morris

Van De Wege

Williams

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Sullivan, B Chair

Blake Vice Chair

Dickerson

Eickmeyer

Grant

Kagi

Lantz

McCoy

Van De Wege

Capital Budget

Fromhold Chair

Ormsby Vice Chair

Schual-Berke Vice Chair

Blake

Chase

Dunshee

Eickmeyer

Flannigan

Goodman

Hasegawa

Kelley

Pedersen

Sells

Upthegrove

Commerce & Labor

Conway Chair

Wood Vice Chair

Green

Moeller

Williams

Community & Economic Development & Trade

Kenney Chair

Pettigrew Vice Chair

Chase

Darneille

Rolfes

Sullivan, P

Early Learning & Children's Services

Kagi Chair

Walsh R Vice Chair

Appleton

Pettigrew

Roberts

Education

Quall Chair

Barlow Vice Chair

Haigh

McDermott

Santos

Sullivan, P

Environmental Health, Select Committee

Campbell R Chair

Hudgins Vice Chair

Chase

Hunt

Morrell

Wood

Finance

Hunter Chair

Hasegawa Vice Chair

Conway

Ericks

McIntire

Santos

Health Care & Wellness

Cody Chair

Morrell Vice Chair

Barlow

Campbell R

Green

Moeller

Pedersen

Schual-Berke

Seaquist

Higher Education

Wallace Chair

Sells Vice Chair

Hasegawa

McIntire

Roberts

Sommers

Housing

Miloscia Chair

Springer Vice Chair

Kelley

Ormsby

Human Services

Dickerson Chair

Roberts Vice Chair

Darneille

McCoy

O'Brien

Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection

Kirby Chair

Kelley Vice Chair

Hurst

Santos

Simpson

Judiciary

Lantz Chair

Goodman Vice Chair

Flannigan

Kirby

Moeller

Pedersen

Williams

Local Government

Simpson Chair

Eddy Vice Chair

Sullivan, B

Takko

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Puget Sound, Select Committee

Upthegrove Chair

Eickmeyer Vice Chair

Rolfes Vice Chair

O'Brien

Springer

State Government & Tribal Affairs

Hunt Chair

Appleton Vice Chair

Green

McDermott

Miloscia

Ormsby

Technology, Energy & Communications

Morris Chair

McCoy Vice Chair

Eddy

Hudgins

Hurst

Takko

Van De Wege

Transportation

Clibborn Chair

Flannigan Vice Chair

Appleton

Campbell R

Dickerson

Eddy

Hudgins

Lovick

Rolfes

Sells

Simpson

Springer

Sullivan, B

Takko

Upthegrove

Wallace

Wood

O'Brien Chair

Hurst Vice Chair

Goodman

Lovick

Governor Gregoire’s Budget

Go to http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget/highlights/default.htm.

King County Legislative Action Committee – 2007 Platform Summary

Election Reform

· Public Financing—local (McDermott)

· Public Financing—Judicial (Schual-Berke)

· Public Financing—state offices (Miloscia)

· Voting Integrity Bill—audits & accountability

Social Justice

· Predatory Lending—36% cap (Appleton)

· Affordable Housing—Increasing Housing Trust Fund

· Homeowners Bill of Rights (Weinstein)

· Gay Marriage

· Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons

Environment

· Elimination of Toxic Flame Retardants (Hunter)

· Save our Sound

· 100 Million for Parks and Wildlife

· Clean Air—Clean Fuels

Health Care

· Fair Share (Kohl-Wells)

· Sexual Health Education (Schual-Berke)

Education

· High School Completion Bill (Upthegrove)

· Simple Majority—51% authorize school levy (Schual-Berke)

· Full day Kindergarten

Useful Information for the 2007 Legislative Session

1. To CONTACT your legislators in Olympia you can Call, Write or Visit

Go to www1.leg.wa.gov, and click on: Find Out Who Represents You - District Finder.

CALL:

You can call your legislators’ offices directly, or there is a

TOLL-FREE HOTLINE: 1-800-562-6000. TTY: 1-800-635-9993.

During the Legislative Session, operators are standing by:

weekdays from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

HOTLINE Operators will send your message to:

* one of your legislators,

* all three of your legislators,

* the Governor and Lieutenant Governor – or all of these, as you request.

They can tell you who your legislators are, or you can look them up at: www.leg.wa.gov.

PLUS – they have language translation services. It helps if the person placing the call says: “Spanish please” (or another language) and knows enough English to understand “Please Wait.” The wait can be from 1-5 minutes while the operator either a) gets a Spanish or Russian speaker to the phone, or b) contacts an Interpreter Service and connects a 3-way call with the HOTLINE Operator, the caller, and the Interpreter.

WRITE:

Representative ______, P.O Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Senator ___________, P.O. Box 404[leg district], Olympia, WA 98504-04[leg district]

EMAIL:

Write your legislator’s lastname.firstname@leg.wa.gov. e.g. Truman.harry@leg.wa.gov

VISIT:

In Olympia, any day during the session. Citizens are welcome.

Also look for TOWN HALL MEETINGS back in the District by mid-Session.

BONUS: A wonderful (free) resource is the League of Women Voters. Find them in your local phone directory, and ask for their “TRY” pamphlets listing phone/mail/email information for your local, state, and federal elected officials.

2. It helps to understand the Legislative Calendar.

The 2007 Legislative Session in Olympia runs from January 8 through April 23, 2007.

Every day – including Saturdays and Sundays – is counted in setting the 105-day Session. The legislature will be in Session on all holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – 1/15, and Presidents’ Day – 2/19), and may also be in session on weekends near the end.

The dates below control the action on bills: these “cut-off dates” are pretty firm. Bills that fail to get the requisite action before action is “cut-off” most likely will die. The official calendar will not be available until January, but it is possible to anticipate LIKELY key dates. With the caveat that these dates are subject to change a bit.

Here are several critical points in the 2007 Session:

à 1/08 – 2007 Session begins.

à 2/28 – last day for bills to be considered in the Policy Committees of the House/Senate - where they originate (a.k.a. "house of origin")

à 3/6 – last day for bills to be considered in one of the Fiscal Committees of the House or Senate where they originate

à 3/14 – last day for bills to be considered on the floor in their “house of origin”

à 3/30 – last day for bills to be considered in the Policy Committees of the "opposite house"

à 4/03 – last day for bills to be considered in the Fiscal Committees of the "opposite house"

à 4/13 – last day for bills to be considered on the floor of the opposite house

à 4/23 – 2007 Session adjourns for the year.

3. Some easy ways to stay informed about the Session and the issues you care about.

A) READ POLICY WATCH. Go to http://depts.washington.edu/sswweb/policyw/

Each week’s “issue” is posted by Monday during the Session.

B) WATCH TVW Channel 23 on King County Comcast). TVW is a cable network that goes into Committee Hearings and other events around the Capitol during the Legislative Session. In addition to being available by cable, it is also available via the internet.

C). CONTACT AN ADVOCACY GROUP FOR YOUR ISSUE.

There is an advocacy group for almost every issue. One list is at the SSWWEB. They:

Þ Monitor their issues closely,

Þ Distribute weekly (or “as needed”) Legislative Alerts,

Þ Recommend positions on bills and budget items, and

Þ Suggest sample messages, and many also organize Lobby Days.

To find an advocacy group on your issue: ask people affected by the issue, ask professionals who work in that field, ask friends, or use this list.

Compiled by Nancy Amidei (amidei@u.washington.edu) for the Civic Engagement Project,

A joint project of the U of Washington School of Social Work and OMB Watch.

Contact these groups directly to receive their Legislative Alerts.

Aging/Long-term Care –

Alzheimer’s Association of WA - Patricia.hunter@alz.org

Eldercare Alliance - jerryreilly@msn.com

Service Employees International Union: cinagi@seiu775.org,

WA Association of Area Agencies on Aging: w4a@olywa.net

Note: the Senior Lobby will not be doing regular alerts; find information on relevant bills at: www.waseniorlobby.org – or email address: seniorlobby@qwest.net -

Child Abuse & Neglect –

Seth Dawson: sethdawson@att.net;

Childrens Home Society: LippoldLau@aol.com;

Washington State CASA: info@washingtonstatecasa.org .

Child Care and Early Childhood Issues –

WA Association for the Education of Young Children: roberta@waeyc.org ;

Child Welfare/foster care/adoption –

Children’s Home Society: lippoldlau@aol.com

Children's Issues -

Children’s Alliance: jon@childrensalliance.org

Children's Alliance Action Center: http://www.childrenshub.org/calliance/home.html

Childrens Home Society: LippoldLau@aol.com

Washington State PTA - for Health/Safety/Welfare/Education of children and

youth. For its “Grassroots Connection” contact: DonnaRchris@wastatepta.org

Criminal Justice, Re-enfranchisement of former felons –

Justice Works! - lzengage@northwest.net

Washington State Catholic Conference – wscc@thewscc.org

Washington Community Action Network – joshua@washingtoncan.org

Disability –

the ARC of Washington: grier@arcwa.org To be added to their alert list, visit www.arcwa.org and click on link for email alerts. Each person needs to sign up for the service so that they can receive information that points them to their legislators.

Washington Protection & Advocacy: bettys@wpas-rights.org

Domestic Violence –

NorthWest Women’s Law Center: nsapiro@nwwlc.org

WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Action@wscadv.org

Education –

Washington State PTA: DonnaRChris@aol.com

League of Education Voters: info@educationvoters.org. To become an LEV member and receive action alerts, go to www.educationvoters.org.

WA Association of Colleges for Teacher Education: bob@evergreenpublic.com

Statewide Poverty Action – for Opportunity Grants/Higher Ed: kim@povertyaction.org

Environment –

Priorities for a Healthy Washington www.environmentalpriorities.org (sign up web form for alerts and see list of legislative briefings and advocate trainings)

People For Puget Sound www.pugetsound.org rattemann@pugetsound.org

Washington Toxics Coalition www.watoxics.org jdawson@watoxics.org

Climate Solutions www.climatesolutions.org beth@climatesolutions.org

Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition www.wildliferecreation.org Joanna@WildlifeRecreation.org

Family Leave –

Economic Opportunity Institute: marilyn@eoionline.org

GLBT issues -

Equal Rights Washington: info@equalrightswashington.org

NorthWest Women’s Law Center: nsapiro@nwwlc.org

Health –

American Cancer Society - Erin.Dziedzic@cancer.org

American Lung Association of WA - legnet@alaw.org

Washington Community Action Network – joshua@washingtoncan.org

Washington For Health Care - christy@imahealthcarevoter.org

Washington State Hospital Association - cassies@wsha.org

Washington State Nurses Association - Apiazza@wsna.org

SEIU 1199 NW (hospital and healthcare workers) emenzies@msn.com

Head Start/ECEAP –

Washington State Association of Head Start/ECEAP:

Amie Lapp Payne - amie@wsaheadstarteceap.com

Higher Education/Higher Education/Faculty -

American Association of University Women: publicpolicystate@aauw-wa.org

Washington Federation of Teachers: ldodso@sccd.ctc.edu; 206-242-4777

HIV/AIDS –

Lifelong AIDS Alliance - aniab@llaa.org, and, www.CANNetwork.net

Homelessness –

WA State Coalition for the Homeless – sethdawson@att.net

Housing –

WA Low Income Housing Alliance - mail@wliha.org ;

Seth Dawson: sethdawson@att.net

Nick Federici: nickf@earthlink.net

Hunger/Food Assistance –

Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition: Shelley@childrensalliance.org

(information on Food Stamps, WIC, Child Nutrition, EFAP);

Children’s Alliance: http://www.childrenshub.org/calliance/join.html

Can select alerts by “issue cluster,” e.g., hunger, school nutrition, etc.

Washington Food Coalition: Rmabr@aol.com

Infant, Children’s Health –

American Academy of Pediatrics: lippoldlau@aol.com

March of Dimes – 206-624-1373 or chart@marchofdimes.com (alerts “as needed”).

Juvenile Justice –

jon@childrensalliance.org

Mental Health –

Washington Protection & Advocacy: bettys@wpas-rights.org;

Washington Community Mental Health Council: policy@wcmhcnet.org;

Seth Dawson: sethdawson@att.net

National Alliance on Mental Illness – WA: director@nami-greaterseattle.org, or FridayFacts@mail.namiwa.info . 206-783-9264

Ellie Menzies: emenzies@msn.com

Poverty, Economic issues, Payday Lending –

Statewide Poverty Action Network; maya@povertyaction.org. (206) 694-6794

toll free: 1-866-789-SPAN.

kim@povertyaction.org – for Individual Development Accounts

Economic Opportunity Institute – marilyn@eoionline.org

Washington Community Action Network – joshua@washingtoncan.org

Washington State Association of Community Action Agencies - sethdawson@att.net

Reproductive Health –

Planned Parenthood. Contact: ppaction@ppww.org

Reproductive Rights –

Northwest Women’s Law Center. Contact: nsapiro@nwwlc.org

Rural Health –

Washington Rural Health Association: hardt@wsu.edu .

Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Issues:

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs: policy@wcsap.org

NorthWest Women’s Law Center: nsapiro@nwwlc.org

Social Services – King County:

United Way – sgagey@uwkc.org

Substance Abuse/Treatment –

Seth Dawson: sethdawson@att.net;

Association of Alcohol and Addiction Programs: aapwa@qwest.net .

Supported Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities –

sethdawson@att.net

Tax Policy –

Economic Opportunity Institute – marilyn@eoionline.org

Washington Tax Fairness Coalition – martinez@wataxfairness.org or Rmabr@aol.com

Washington Community Action Network – joshua@washingtoncan.org

Tobacco Prevention –

NickF@earthlink.net

American Cancer Society: Erin.Dziedzic@cancer.org

American Lung Assoc. of WA: alaw@alaw.org

Welfare –

Statewide Poverty Action: kim@povertyaction.org

Childrens Home Society: LippoldLau@aol.com

Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition: wrocoly@wroc.org.

Women’s Issues –

Northwest Women’s Law Center: nsapiro@nwwlc.org

Youth –

jon@childrensalliance.org

Faith Communities: -

Lutheran Public Policy office – pbenz@lcsnw.org

Friends Committee on WA State Public Policy - fcwpp@quaker.org

Jewish Federation - governmentaffairs@jewishinseattle.org

WA State Catholic Conference - wscc@thewscc.org

WA Association of Churches – rwells@thewac.org

To sign up for the Faith Advocacy Network (online advocacy with a moral values perspective) go to www.thewac.org

State Executive and Legislative Action

Dave Thomas’ Recommendations

We want our state government, including our executive and legislative branches to enhance our freedoms and opportunities in both the short and long term. This requires passing and implementing liberal legislation that is desired by our mainstream voters and preparing mainstream opinion for electing more liberals and passing more liberal legislation as time proceeds. They must confront long standing intractable issues, whose resolution will enable extending our freedoms and opportunities. We recommend the following priorities:

Passing Public Campaign Financing

It has been demonstrated that at our federal level, $1 billion in campaign donations by powerful and wealthy business interests results in a $160 billion expense to our government and people, in reduced business taxes, reduced competition, subsidies and other business benefits. Similar figures are not available for state governments, but business campaign contributions are certainly not made altruistically and often are oriented to obtaining benefits at the expense of our government and public.

Public campaign financing has proven successful and popular in Maine and Arizona and should be implemented in Washington. As more states adopt public campaign financing, the way is paved for similar measures at our federal government.

Lobbying Our Federal Government

Washington State faces many challenges, especially health care and education, which require federal solutions. Our state government and members of congress (in cooperation with other northwest and western states) should lobby strongly for our federal government to move toward Medicare-for-All and Education-for-All, pushing particularly for quick coverage of our children.

This would greatly free up our state revenues for meeting other needs. Although we would be tempted to lobby concerning other concerns, we can succeed best by focusing upon health and education. In the meantime, we will have to continue providing band aid solutions for our health and education crises. We should do the best we can.

Creating a Broad-Based Coalition for Tax and Spending Reform

Many of our problems are impossible to solve without first implementing a fair, sufficient and stable taxation. Our present sales taxes, utilities taxes and business and occupation taxes meet none of these criteria, and prejudice our tax payers against needed changes. See the following websites:

http://forwashington.org/analysis/lockebudget2004.php

http://www.itepnet.org/wp2000/text.pdf,

http://www.itepnet.org/guide.pdf

http://forwashington.org/analysis/vataxes.php

Governor Gregoire (who as earned a reputation as a mediator who successfully addresses long-standing elephants in our room) should address this issue. The way forward is to create an inclusive coalition of large and small business participants, labor and other employees, government officials, educators, and many others to create and implement needed tax reforms. This coalition should also address creating spending accountability and credibility necessary for obtaining support for necessary taxation.

Enhancing Our Environment

Our state legislators (working with an inclusive coalition of environmental and other interested groups) should quickly address protecting and enhancing all of our ecosystems and their wild life. This includes the Save Our Sound proposal, addressing global warming and greatly enhancing our usage of renewable non-polluting energy. We should greatly encourage wind farms throughout the windy areas of eastern Washington and energy conservation in transportation, homes and other buildings. As the world is experiencing large grain shortfalls necessary for human consumption, we should encourage the use of alcohol produced from non-edible fibers, not from corn. If not quickly addressed, global warming and environmental degradation will impose enormous costs.

Preventing Urban Sprawl and Creating Rapid Transit

We anticipate major population growth in our Puget Sound region, which we probably can’t stop, even if we wanted to. To protect our environment and minimize costs, we must encourage the concentration of this population in urban centers. We may prefer to live on large exurban lots and drive alone anywhere, but that is no longer feasible and rapidly becoming even less so.

This residential concentration both makes possible and requires rapid transit. We cannot build enough highway lanes to alleviate even our present population, much less the anticipated increases. We must quickly plan and implement rapid transit along those major corridors which are already experiencing congestion, such as I-5, I-405, I-167, I-90, SR-520 and from West Seattle through downtown Seattle to Northwest Seattle.

Preventing Drunk Driver Terrorism

As daily reported in our newspapers, our most dangerous terrorists are drunk drivers. Alcoholics who drink cannot control their judgment and behavior and will drive drunk. To reduce homicide by drunk drivers, alcoholics must be quickly detected and directed to treatment, with confinement for those who do not quit their drinking. First time offenders should be required to spend at least a week in jail. Interventions should be arranged which include their families, work colleagues and others to impress upon the alcoholic the impacts of his or her drinking upon others and his or her self.

Those convicted of drunk driving should be required to carry a driver’s license which is stamped alcoholic with the warning that penalties will sharply increase for further offenses. While wishing the best for alcoholics, we must do whatever is necessary to deter them from maiming and killing others.

Excessive Incarceration

We have many inmates convicted of minor drug usage and other crimes, who would pose little threat to society if released. We should carefully review and revise our criminal statutes to ensure that prison sentences and other penalties are cost beneficial in reducing crime, instead of simply reflecting public distaste for the criminal behaviors. Our reforms will both serve to reduce undeserved punishment and to reduce costs to our state government.

NY Governor Spitzer’s 2007 State of the State Address

I just watched (on C-Span 2), recently elected NY Governor Spitzer's 2007 State of the State address, in which he advocates public campaign financing for candidates in NY and also a series of other ethics, elections and campaign reforms. I strongly recommend you read it on the web at http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/NYS-SoS-2007.pdf. Dave Thomas

Letter by our member Tina Shamseldin Published in Seattle PI on January 2, 2007

Time to Reflect on the Year Gone By

Global Warming, global climate change, climate variability. Can we pick a problem and start solving it now?

We are a society of excess – calories, caffeine, debt, meetings.

We can end homelessness with housing first for those who have been homeless the longest and with the greatest needs.

Why can’t resources and technology be available to all Americans?

The failed occupation in Iraq continues. There’s further destabilization of the of the Middle East. How much more damage can this administration do?

Americans work to restore a balance of power. America is waking up. Hope is restored.

Tina Shamseldin

Lake Hills Liberals Newsletter

Lake Hills in Bellevue, Our City Where Neighbors Care for Each Other

Enhancing Freedom, Opportunity and Cooperation in Lake Hills and Beyond

Welcoming New Neighbors

Events Calendar

Every Thursday 7-8:30 PM in Crossroads Mall near the large chess board at table with red checkerboard patterned tablecloth – Conversation Café –. Participants (mostly Lake Hills Liberals) use a discussion format with each participant addressing an issue in turn with listeners respecting what they say. A great way to learn different understandings and opinions, while presenting and modifying your own.

Every Thursday at 7:00pm, Valhalla Bar & Grill (8544 122nd Avenue NE, Kirkland) - Eastside Drinking Liberally http://drinkingliberally.org/locations.html#seattle

Every first Wednesday at 7 PM at Redmond Community Center (16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond) – 45^th District Democrats monthly meeting

Every third Tuesday at 7:00 at Lake Hills Clubhouse next to Lake Hills Library – Lake Hills Neighborhood Association

Every third Wednesday at 7 PM at Stevenson Elementary School (14220 NE 8th Street in Bellevue) – 48^th District Democrats monthly meeting

Every third Wednesday at 7 PM at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (4228 Factoria Boulevard SE, Bellevue) - 41^th District Democrats monthly meeting

Every fourth Friday at 6:30 PM at Ann Rolio’s home (16109 SE 5^th Street) – Lake Hills Liberals Salon, including gourmet buffet and political presentation and discussion. RSVP to annrolio@comcast.com.

Activities and Services

Our Neighborhood Enhancement Interests and Activities include: block parties; welcoming new neighbors; cooperation among home owners and apartment tenants; environmental enhancement (recyling exchange), crime prevention, disaster response, school and youth services, military concerns, family financial security, and elder support task groups; and free advertisements for members.

Our Political Actions include: displaying yard signs and bumper stickers, letters-to-editors and government officials, campaign support for liberal candidates, canvassing to identify liberal voters and stimulate them to vote, and encouraging formation of liberal groups in other neighborhoods. Our newsletter stimulates networking of liberals throughout our Puget Sound and provides free advertisements for liberal events.

Our Personal Enhancement Efforts include: educating liberals (our newsletter, commentaries and discussions; website; and reading list), healthy living (walking groups), and arts and crafts fair.

· Our Lake Hills Liberals Walks – M & F 5:15 PM and Sat at 7:30 AM at Lake Hills Library parking lot by dumpster. Slow Pokes Walk. – W 5:15 PM Bring your cane or walker to walk a short distance to Larson Lake.

· .In keeping with our principle of not competing with existing services, we won’t add a blog capability to our website. See www.nwprogressive.org/portal to examine many northwest liberal blogs.

Our liberal spirit commentaries (which sometimes accompany our newsletter) address mutual respect and cooperation of religious and secular liberals. They also address changing our mindsets (such as not bringing our experiences to consciousness, insensitivities, resentments and cynicism) which restrict our ability to take advantage of our freedoms and activities. The major restrictions on our freedom and opportunity may be in our head. These can be changed.

Hire Our Neighbors

· Private Piano Lessons (students must have a piano), afternoons - Anna Khosrowian (378-7938), price negotiable

· Housekeeper, price negotiable – Laura Montano (641-5038 ambar_lau@hotmail.com)

· Psychotherapist, accepts insurance - Sandy Mathews (462-7889, www.sandramathews.com)

· Babysitting for infants (occasional evenings and weekends) - $5 per hour- Christy Pacheco- johnpacheco01@yahoo.com 425-653-3565

· Data Entry- $10 per 12 font, double spaced page- Christy Pacheco (425-653-3565 johnpacheco01@yahoo.com)

· Home Repair- prices vary, depending on job- John Pacheco 425-653-3565 johnpacheco01@yahoo.com)

· Auto Repair, price varies depending on job (but always fair), Jaime Speicher (AAS Auto Repair Technician) (425-746-2353)

· Home Repair and Remodeling, Rick Hegdahl (425-256-2427 magical_beginnings@msn.com)

· Life Support Therapies, Astara Burlingame RN. (MD) holistic care, acupuncture hypno therapy, biological medicines (206-370-0356)

Volunteers and Donations Wanted

· Healthy Start needs women volunteers to mentor young mothers – Karen Wilson (karenw@chs-wa.org 425-895-9813). Especially Spanish speaking women – Maria Ines Berardo (mariab@chs-wa.org) 425-895-9576)

· Head Start at Lake Hills Elementary School needs an operational computer for parents of one of their students. If you have one a few years old that you no longer intend to use, call Valery Stoury at 456-5326 The low income families in the Lake Hills Head Start program also need furniture, food, clothing, bus passes or gas vouchers, etc. Safeway and Fred Meyer gift certificates to be used for family emergencies would be greatly appreciated

· Lake Hills Elementary School is looking for volunteers to spend one hour a week with individual students in the classroom or as a lunch buddy. To volunteer, call our VIBES on-site coordinator, Mary Giesen (425-456-5300) to arrange required VIBES training. For additional information, contact Principal Judy Buckmaster, (buckmasterj@bsd405.org)

· Phantom Lake Elementary School needs volunteers who are willing to be trained as Reading Mentors or who are able to spend one hour, one day a week in the school either in classrooms, helping in the office, or being “Lunch Buddies” during our school’s lunch time. To volunteer, call our VIBES on-site coordinator, Beth Drobny (425-456-5600) to arrange required VIBES training. For additional information, contact Principal Tracy Maury (mauryt@bsd405.org)