Fwd: Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kenney, Rep. Phyllis <Kenney.Phyllis@leg.wa.gov>
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Subject: Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney
To:

 46th Legislative District · kenney.phyllis@leg.wa.gov

October Assembly Days
State Revenue Outlook
Extension of Unemployment Benefits

For more news and resources, please visit my web site.

Dear Neighbors,

Hope you are enjoying this lovely autumn weather.  These are the days
that really remind us how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful
state!

Even though it doesn't seem like the summer has ended, the Legislature
will be in Olympia October 1 and 2 for what are called Committee
Assembly Days.  Public hearings and work sessions will be heard on a
large variety of issues as your Representatives continue gearing up
for the 2010 session.  A complete listing of committee action can be
found here.

State Revenue Outlook

Late last week, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council adopted a
revised state revenue forecast.  This forecast has two components:
the final numbers for the 2007-09 budget, which ended on June 30,
2009, and changes to the 2009-11 budget, which we are now in.
Together, for all four years, the General Fund-State change is a loss
of $237.7 million.

This change in revenue shows that with both the General Fund and the
Budget Stabilization Account, the 2009-11 ending fund balance is in
the red by $184.9 million.  Remember, though, that this is a two-year
budget and we are only three months into it, so this is an estimate of
where the state's revenues would be at the end of the 24 month
biennium if no action were taken.

Despite the lower-than-estimated numbers, there was some good news in
the forecast – economists around the country believe we are now at the
end of the recession and easing into economic recovery.

Dr. Arun Raha, the director of the council, made these points:

·         It now seems very likely that the recession ended in the
third quarter of 2009.

·         The recovery will be slow with consumer spending constrained
and unemployment elevated for some time.

·         Washington is expected to outperform the nation in the
recovery, primarily because our state's economy is more trade
intensive than others.

·         Revenue collections lag the economic recovery.

If you'd like to see some of the charts used in the presentation, here
is the link:  http://www.erfc.wa.gov/pubs/rev20090917color.pdf

Unemployment numbers may continue to grow, but there's some relief on
the horizon

While most economic indicators are looking better, recovery will be
slow and unemployment numbers will remain high for some time to come.
This is not just true here in Washington, but around the country.
Most businesses will need some time before they get to the stage of
expanding their workforces again.

The first bill we passed during the 2009 Legislative session increased
unemployment benefits for those laid off during the Great Recession.
That, coupled with extended eligibility funded by the federal
government, helped an awful lot of families get by during the last
several months.  And not only families benefitted – economists say
that for every $1 paid by Unemployment Insurance, $2.15 is returned to
the local economy.  So the corner grocer, the neighborhood barber, the
local hardware store, etc., also were helped by these government
actions.

However, because jobs are still so hard to find, many people are
reaching the end of that economic lifeline.

The good news, however, is that the House of Representatives in
Washington DC voted Tuesday to extend benefits for another 13 weeks
for the unemployed living in states with unemployment rates of 8.5
percent or higher.  Washington's rate is currently 9.2 percent, so our
struggling workers will qualify.

The Senate is expected to act on the measure within days.  You can
read more about these extended benefits here:   House votes to extend
jobless benefits

________________________________

My home page | Contact me | House Democrats Home | Washington State Legislature

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. To send any comments, or
to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please go to my E-memo page.

Fwd: September Newsletter: Back to school edition

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: White, Rep. Scott <White.Scott@leg.wa.gov>
Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Subject: September Newsletter: Back to school edition
To: WALEG-HOUSE-WHITE@listserv.wa.gov


In This Issue

Economic Forecast

K-12 Education

Town Hall

________________________________

Visit my web page

Contact me

About the Legislature

State Representative Scott White

Working on the issues important to you!!!

46th Legislative District   |   white.scott@leg.wa.gov

09/23/09

 

New forecast: More hope, but more pain

 

A new (Sept. 17th) state revenue forecast suggests that the recession has almost certainly bottomed out.  Economists now expect Washington to be one of five states leading the national recovery… but that is only the good news.  Too many families won't see relief any time soon.  Unemployment will remain tragically high for much of next year.  We will all have neighbors in need for a long time as the crises slowly recedes.

 

I'm also deeply troubled that state revenues are expected to fall another $238 million in this budget cycle.  This figure hugely understates the problem:  It doesn't include billions of dollars lost earlier in the recession, and it doesn't reflect much higher mandatory state costs for increased recession-driven needs, such as unemployment compensation or the cost of educating all of the children who are leaving private schools for public schools as families try to stay afloat.

 

The bottom line is that state officials will likely call for additional cuts of $800 million to $1 billion from education, health care, the social safety net and other important services.  This is on top of billions of dollars slashed earlier this year.  When I think about all the hardships I've heard from teachers, senior citizens, people with disabilities, college students facing closed classes and higher tuitions, and many others who have been hurt by state budget cuts, the prospect of more budget pain is heart wrenching.

 

Clearly, we must prioritize and make even better use of public-private partnerships, performance audits and other tools to increase government efficiency and make limited dollars go farther.  We also need to look at new revenue options that the public will support and which will help ensure that we are able to fully fund our public schools and provide critical services to those most in need.  We will get through this, but we must work together to minimize the pain of the recession.

 

Education: We MUST do better

 

Last week, I attended an all-day meeting of State Representatives who believe that improving policies and funding for public schools must be a top priority in 2010 – and beyond.  I'm excited by some of the new strategies we're examining for funding school construction (with less burden on local property taxes), making better use of technology, reducing the dropout rate and achievement gap, replacing the WASL, rewarding top teachers, and improving links between preschool, public schools and higher education.  These strategies will be fleshed out in the months ahead.

 

I have to say, though, some lawmakers still don't "get it" – they seem to think the paramount duty of the state to provide for basic education doesn't apply during economic downturns.  But as any teacher or administrator will tell you, the damage done by underfunding schools in a recession doesn't go away when prosperity returns.  Kids don't get to relive school years, and when talented but frustrated teachers leave for other careers they rarely return.

 

This year, the first day of school was also the day a lawsuit was filed to challenge state underfunding of schools as a violation of the Constitution.  We shouldn't need lawsuits to tell us our duty.  We must find a better way to improve school funding.  It is time to find the courage to do what we know is right.

 

Save the Date:  Special Joint Town Hall on Education Funding

 

Please join me and your local Seattle Public Schools Board Directors Sherry Carr and Peter Maier for a first ever "Joint Town Hall Meeting" to discuss funding for Seattle Public Schools.  7:00pm, Tuesday, October 20th at Olympic View Elementary, 504 NE 95 ST.  More details to come.

 

We hope to see you there!

 

School of the Month:  Broadview-Thomson K-8   

                                                                                                    

One of my favorite parts about being your State Representative is the opportunity to meet with young people to discuss issues and answer their questions about government.  Kids are naturally inquisitive and have a tendency to "call it like they see it".  Near the end of the last school year I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Ms. Sumner's 5th grade class at Broadview-Thomson K-8 School to hear presentations by students and talk about the job of legislator.

 

Please contact my office if you would like me to come meet with your child's class or school.  Also, I regularly meet with local neighborhood groups and constituents in the 46th legislative district.  Just give us a call or send an email and we'll work to set it up.

 

Thank you for your interest in state government and for subscribing to my E-memo.  Your input is important to me and is key part of the democratic process.  As always, please contact my office anytime with questions, ideas or concerns.

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott White

State Representative 46th Legislative district

 

 

PS – You can learn more about the legislature and my work to serve you by visiting my legislative homepage at:

 http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/white/

 

________________________________

Please do not respond to this message; it is an automated service. 

·         To contact me directly, please send an email to white.scott@leg.wa.gov or call our district office at (206) 366-7830.

Fwd: Phone bank to defeat Eyman's 1033!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Aisling Kerins, No On 1033 <info@no1033.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Subject: Phone bank to defeat Eyman's 1033!
To: Chad LUPKES <chadlupkes@gmail.com>

Dear Chad,

As you know, we're facing a tough battle to defeat Tim Eyman's latest bad idea: I-1033, a dangerous initiative that would severely handicap our state.

Now is the time to get to work and win this fight.<

We will be hosting a number of phone banks over the coming weeks to tell Washingtonians why it's so important we defeat Eyman's I-1033:

• King County
  WCV/WEC -- 1402 3rd Ave., Suite 1400, Seattle
  Tuesdays, Wednesdays next two weeks
  Capacity: 20
  
  RSVP to Sierra Hansen at txsierra@hotmail.com.
  

If you cannot attend one of the posted phone banks, please sign up now and we will be in touch about future dates and locations.

I hope you will make your voice heard, literally, in this important fight.

Remember, a similar TABOR plan was implemented in Colorado in 1992 with disastrous consequences. The share of low-income kids without health insurance doubled. Colorado's per capita funding for education plummeted to 49th in the nation. The state couldn't even afford to vaccinate children entering school to help protect against diseases like whooping cough. So in 2005, Colorado voters suspended the law to save their state.

Now Tim Eyman wants to bring the same terrible plan to Washington in the midst of the biggest recession since the Great Depression -- and we can't let him.

Thank you for joining us and standing up for Washington's small business owners, teachers, firefighters and so many others. Together we can defeat Eyman's I-1033.

Sincerely,

Aisling Kerins
Campaign Manager
No on 1033

P.S. Your help is crucial to defeating this dangerous initiative. Please email Sierra Hansen at txsierra@hotmail.com to sign up for one of our phone banks now!

no1033.com

Thanks from Rusty Williams

My friends,

It is my sincere wish to thank you for your help and support in the re-naming of the West Seattle Bridge after Jeanette Williams. The 46th District Democrats along with their colleagues in the 34th, 36th, 37th and 43rd legislative districts voted 546-11 in favor of the renaming. Mayor Nickels, who up until that point had been resisting the nomenclature, signed off on the City Council resolution almost immediately upon its receipt. This was such a shocker that when His Honor gave me the news at a political event we were both at, I actually hugged him. I hugged Greg Nickels. This is very disturbing. Regardless, it is now a reality and you have yourselves to thank for making our city a more honorable community.

As I said in my address to the City Council upon passage, Mrs. Williams, a well documented pioneer and champion for women's rights would see this not as a personal honor, but as a significant event in that a large and important civic structure was named after a women. Something of a rarity. So please accept my ardent thanks from my family and from women everywhere.

Rusty Williams
Democrat

General Election Literature Distribution Plan

Regions will remain the same as the primaries though some organizers will change.

All PCOs are invited to a literature bagging party to happen on Sunday, Oct. 4th At the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St.

Literature will be collated for all precincts at a lit distribution party on Sunday, Oct 4th from 1:30-4:00 pm. This is a volunteer party, not a pick up party. All PCOs are encouraged to attend as those attending can receive only the lit they wish to carry. Everyone who attends will help collate all precincts.

Candidates are requested to provide 15,000 pieces of lit to cover precincts with PCOs. Campaigns are also requested to provide one or two volunteers or staffers to the party on the 4th. These people will be in charge of counting out bundles to match the number of doors in a given precinct. There will be no advanced drop off of lit so the lit should come with the volunteers to the party.

All precincts with PCOs will be collated first, followed by empty precincts.

We are targeting likely voters who are likely or strong Democrats. If any PCO would like to doorbell every door, please contact Jason Sawatzki and/or Chad Lupkes so we can make sure that the quantity written on the bag during the collation has the number you need.

PCOs will be asked to walk their precinct by Sunday the 18th of October

At the October general membership meeting we will be asking for volunteers to pick up empty precincts. ROs will help check out precincts by region.

Anyone walking a precinct should email or call their RO when they have finished it. ROs will contact all PCOs and volunteers who haven’t confirmed the week of the 19th of Oct. ROs will then submit a list of precincts that were confirmed to be walked to the District Chair.

Anyone wishing to return extra lit or pick up more lit can go to an ongoing exchange from Oct 5th through the 11th from 11 am to 9 pm at Sylvia Haven’s Garage at 10418 12th Ave NE.

All campaigns are requested to pick up whatever additional lit from Sylvia by Tuesday Oct 27th.

Extensive analysis will be done with the election results, to determine the overall effect of our canvass.

At our Holiday Party we will be presenting awards to the PCOs and volunteers who did the most effective jobs delivering turnout as well as votes for our endorsed candidates.

Welcome Sylvester Cann to the Executive Board!

At the meeting last night we held a quick election to fill a vacant spot on the Executive Board. Sylvester Cann IV was elected to fill the KCDCC Male Alternate position.

We had some trouble with the audio system in the school, so we were not able to show the video that Sylvester had put together for the membership. I have posted the video on YouTube so everyone can see it:

Welcome to the board!

Fwd: Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kenney, Rep. Phyllis <Kenney.Phyllis@leg.wa.gov>
Date: Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Subject: Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney
To:  46th Legislative District

Topics:
Washington's Shared Work Program
2009-2010 School Year Begins
Investing in Our Future Workforce

For more news and resources, please visit my web site.

Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney

Dear Neighbor:

The end of summer is approaching and I'm preparing for the next
legislative session.  Although we hear in the news that the worst of
the recession is behind us, many in our country are still struggling.
Here in Washington state, we've taken actions that have helped protect
families, jobs and businesses.  With your help, I hope to build on
some of those successes.

Businesses avoid layoffs with Washington's Shared Work program

This past Labor Day - our nation's 127th - provided us all a moment to
reflect on the progress we've made as a country in respecting our
working class families, and the challenges we still face providing
ample opportunity to all who want to work, and to the businesses that
want to hire and keep their workers.

This recession has taken a heavy toll on jobs in our state. But some
companies are avoiding layoffs with the help of the Employment
Security Department.

Thanks to the state's Shared-Work Program, employers can temporarily
reduce the work hours of their full-time employees by up to 50
percent, while workers collect partial unemployment benefits to
replace some of their lost wages.

The employees receive more income than with unemployment benefits
alone, and they aren't forced to look for another job in this tough
economy. Businesses benefit by cutting payroll costs while keeping
their skilled workers until the economy improves.

Here in Washington, about 2,000 businesses and 42,000 employees are
participating in the program.

In a recent survey, 56 percent of participating employers said the
Shared-Work Program has helped them survive the recession, and another
22 percent felt it probably had.  Eighty-eight percent said they'd
recommend it to other employers.

To learn more about the program, visit
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/shared-work.php or call
800-752-2500.

Back to school!

The passing of Labor Day also means that our children are back in
school. As you've dropped your kids off at school these past few days,
you may have noticed new classroom construction taking place. That's
not an accident.

We've made historic investments in our public schools earlier this
year, approving $877 million in the new state budget for school
construction, maintenance and repairs.

These investments pay dividends in many ways – creating jobs in our
communities as well as providing healthy, safe classrooms for our
children.  None of us like seeing school kids walking into a
temporary, portable classroom, or hearing stories from parents and
teachers about schools with lead in the water pipes or walls filled
with mold.

Every new school being built with state funds today will be green and
clean. Our state's Green Building law sets standards that make new
schools safer, better for the environment and better for the kids and
teachers inside, with more natural sunlight and cleaner air than the
old schools. The new schools also save taxpayers money, because they
cost less to heat and cool.

Here is a list of transportation and capital projects funded in the
46th Legislative District as a part of the 2009-2011 budget:

      Transportation improvements

·         WA-522/I-5 to I-405 (multimodal improvements) in Seattle - $544,000

·         I-5 Reverse Express Lane to/from WA-522 (safety) in Seattle - $615,000

·         I-5/5th Avenue to NE 92nd Street (Noise Wall) in Seattle - $4,601,000

·         Concrete Rehabilitation Program (Nickel Funds) on I-5 in
Seattle - $7,237,000

      Department of Community, Trade, & Economic Development

·         Community Center for Sand Point Housing (Building
Communities Fund Grants) - $350,000

Improving colleges and universities

The 2009-11 capital budget also invests $732 million for our state's
public colleges and universities. That money will build and maintain
the new science labs and lecture halls we need to keep our state's
edge in brainpower.

Today's businesses rely on a highly educated workforce, and it's no
coincidence that Washington state is home to some of the nation's
finest research universities, highest educated workers and
world-leading companies like Microsoft, Boeing and Amazon.

Here is a list of projects benefitting the community and technical
college system funded in the 46th Legislative District through the
2009-2011 budget:

      Community & Technical College System

·         North Seattle CC (Facility Repairs "A") - $709,000

·         North Seattle Community College (Minor Works - Preservation)
- $487,000

·         North Seattle Community College (Minor Works - Program) - $702,000

·         North Seattle Community College: Employment Resource Center
- $5,000,000

·         North Seattle Community College: Technology Bldg Renewal - $2,976,000

I hope this information is helpful.  Please keep sharing your thoughts
and ideas. Our democracy works because of active citizens like you.

King County Charter Amendments, 2009

In years past, the General Election Endorsement Meeting here in the 46th has revealed a weakness in our research. Our goal in doing the endorsement meeting is to prepare our members for the General Election Ballot, and that needs to include all of the ballot measures. This includes the King County Charter Amendments that come to us nearly every year. I am determined to be able to provide useful information to everyone this year. In 2009, we will have four charter amendments to consider here in King County. Here's some extra information on those measures.

---

King County Charter Amendment No. 1

Repeal of Section 350.20.30 and Portions of Article 9 - Transitory Provisions

Shall those no longer relevant portions of King County Charter Article 9 relating to the county's prior transition to a home rule charter and King County Charter Section 350.20.30, relating to the county's transition to a metropolitan form of government, be repealed, as provided in Ordinance No. 16484?

---

King County Charter Amendment No. 2

Repeal of Charter Section 475 - Work Programs and Allotments

Shall King County Charter Section 475, relating to preparation of work programs and requested allotments and to appropriation transfers, be repealed, as provided in Ordinance No. 16546?

---

King County Charter Amendment No. 3

Amendment of Section 800 - Charter Review

Shall King County Charter Section 800 be amended to clarify that charter commission appointees are to be confirmed by the council and to provide that the council is required to consider proposed charter amendments and act on them at an open public meeting, as provided in Ordinance Nos. 16547 and 16599?

---

King County Charter Amendment No. 4

Adding New Section 897 - High Conservation Value Properties

Shall the King County Charter be amended to add a new Section 897 that would provide enhanced protection for certain county properties designated as high conservation value properties by prohibiting the county from conveying or relinquishing its interest in those properties or authorizing their expanded use, except in specified circumstances, as provided in Ordinance No. 16600?

---

You can see the basic information from the Voters Guide on the King County Elections website:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/200911/measures.aspx

You can search for and read about the specific Ordinances on the King County Legislation website:

http://kingcounty.legistar.com/custom/king/legislation.htm

Please feel free to comment on this post with more information and your opinions.

A letter on the Open Space Preservation Act

We received this letter to the Executive Board of the 46th, and I wanted to share it on our blog.

---

September 6, 2009

Executive Board
46th District Democrats

Dear Executive Board Members:

We write to respectfully request your consideration of making an endorsement of the Open Space Preservation Act. This King County Charter Amendment, which will appear on the November ballot, will provide enhanced protection for more than 156,000 acres of open space land that is either owned or held in a conservation easement by King County.

Ninety-five properties would be protected by this Act, representing the most treasured conservation and recreation spaces in King County. They are public lands along our rivers and streams, large wetland areas, huge blocks of forest, and wildlife and salmon habitat, including the Squak Mountain and Tiger Mountain Corridor, Cedar River Waterways, Cougar Mountain, the Upper Raging River Forest, the Snoqualmie Forest, and the Maury Island Marine Park.

The proposed charter amendment does not require the purchase of new land. The Open Space Preservation Act simply strengthens the existing protections on these properties. As such, there are no direct costs associated with the proposed charter amendment.

The Open Space Preservation Act will strengthen the protections on these lands by requiring a supermajority (7 of 9) vote of the King County Council to sell, transfer, or change use. Additionally, the Act requires a public hearing, findings of facts, and 28-day waiting period between introduction and enactment of any sale or change of use. For more information, please visit www.openspaceamendment.org.

The Open Space Preservation Act has received widespread bi-partisan support. It was unanimously supported by the King County Council and Executive, and it has been endorsed by many local organizations including the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

We respectfully request consideration for endorsement by the 46th District Democrats. Please let us know your organization’s process for endorsements and how we can be of assistance in putting this item forward for consideration. Mamie Marcuss and Mina Hashemi Mercer are organizing this effort on our behalf. Mamie can be reached at 206.409.7456 or mamie.marcuss@gmail.com. Mina can be reached at 206.661.0281 or mina@wcvoters.org.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mike Lowry
Former Washington State Governor

Bob Ferguson
King County Councilmember, District 1

Fwd: You are needed at an important meeting in your district

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anna Davis, Washington Toxics Coalition <action@watoxics.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 8, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Subject: You are needed at an important meeting in your district
To: chadlupkes@earthlink.net

Dear Chad, Last spring, Washington was so close to eliminating the hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles. We had chemical industry reps shaking in their boots and working really hard to stop us. We can't let another year go by without protecting kids from BPA, which has been linked to cancer, diabetes and obesity. We know that the chemical industry is closely watching Washington and the Safe Baby Bottle Act. They have sent their lobbyists and allies to meet with your legislators and are mounting an intense public relations campaign touting the safety of BPA. Read part of the story here. We can't let the conversation with legislators stop there! Your legislators need to hear from you about why eliminating toxic chemicals from the products we buy and use in our communities is important to you. Sign up today to join others from your district in a face-to-face meeting with your legislator! Your legislators really care about what, you, their constituents think. But so few people actually take the time to communicate with them. That's why it's so valuable and important for you to meet face-to-face with your legislators about your concerns. You are not expected to be a policy expert, and Washington Toxics Coalition will support you every step of the way. You will join two to five other people from your district to meet with your legislator for 30-60 minutes at  a local café or office in your district. We will provide background information, training, and advice.  But the most important and effective part of the meeting is you sharing with your legislators why you care about the issues.  It's our goal to set up meetings in 25 of the 49 districts in Washington State. But you need to sign up to make that happen.  Sign up today to meet with your legislator! Click here or follow this link: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5121/t/7277/signUp.jsp?key=1293 Thanks for all you do, Anna Davis Field Organizer, WTC Sign up to tell your legislator why protecting kids from BPA maters to you!

See anyone you know in this flyer?

One of our own gets national exposure!  Erica Minshull, the King County Female Delegate and Obama Delegate in 2008 to the State Convention, has had a picture of her used in a national OFA flyer asking for people to express their voices to members of Congress in support of the President's health care reform efforts.  In the picture, taken at the 46th LD Caucus last April, she is speaking with fellow Obama Delegate Kavita Shah.

Here's a link to a scanned copy:

http://46dems.com/2009/Erica_Minshulls_Obama_Flyer.jpg

Congratulations, and let's keep up the pressure on both Congress and the White House to get this done!!

Chad Lupkes

Chair, 46th District Democrats

August KCDCC Executive Board Meeting

Carpenters’ Hall, Renton, August 25, 2009

The meeting opened with an announcement by our own Steve Zemke (on behalf of LAC): 80 organizations have now lined up (with KCDCC) in opposition to Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033, which would adversely affect our state by limiting growth of the state budget to the rate of inflation and increases in population – effectively curtailing potential economic growth. Four Democratic candidates for King County Assessor were invited to give 3-minute introductory speeches. One, Bob Blanchard, did not appear. As for the other three:

Lloyd Hara, retiring as a Port Commissioner, promised a transparent, ethical administration of the Assessor’s office, and to assure that appraisals are realistic in view of current economic conditions. Too many recent appraisals have not reflected that reality and thus been subjected to appeals. Lloyd has won awards in prior public offices: Seattle City Treasurer and county auditor.

Gene Lux is a Group Health board member and former state legislator. The Assessor’s job is a complicated one, and he promised transparency therein if elected.

Robert Rosenberger, of the 37th LD, made clear that their chief opponent, former WaMu chief appraiser Graham Albertini, is definitely a Republican. The KC Assessor’s present appeal rate, 2%, though higher than its usual 1% rate, is still way better than some others; e.g., Phoenix’s 20%.

(Note: The voting on this race will be conducted as part of the general election, with only a plurality required for election as KC assessor.)

MSC (24-10) to endorse Lloyd Hara.

MSC (29-8) to endorse Robert Rosenberger.

M&S to endorse Gene Lux: failed (9-19).

KCDCC’s September meeting will consider whether what endorsements (if any) to make in the Seattle mayoral race, Seattle City Council Position 8, and Seattle School Board District 7. As in the 46th, a 2/3 vote is required.

Rob Holland, who won a remarkable 55% of the primary vote in a 3-way race for Port Commission Position 3, spoke briefly, thanking KCDCC for its helpful endorsement.

KCDCC Treasure Andrew Peabody provided a written report reflecting, among other data, $1795 cash on hand as of July 31. The subsequent KCDCC Aug 22 picnic in the Carpenters’ Hall parking lot was a big success, generating $4372 in income – vs. about $400 in expenses.

Sharon Mast announced that Howard Dean, who’d been the guest speaker at the Clark County Dems Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, may come to King County later in the year.

Chad (KCDCC 1st Vice-chair and technology guru) reported that his recent "Maps and History" project had attracted favorable attention and interest from Dem organizations in other states.

Platform/Resolutions Chair Joel Ware presented two resolutions cleared by his committee with an affirmative recommendation. One, urging prompt enactment of health care reform including a strong public insurance option, was presented on an emergency basis and adopted forthwith. The other, a 36th LD resolution urging the State Dems to retain, improve and strengthen Washington’s caucus system, proved more controversial and, with a tired Dow Constantine having just arrived from a campaign fundraiser, was tabled.

Dow received congratulations on his primary win over three other fine Democratic candidates, whereupon he gave a brief rousing speech. Among other things, he noted that after all the primary votes were counted his total had risen from the initially reported 24% to 27%, and Susan Hutchison’s had dropped from 37% to just under 33% (vs. 62% for the four Democrats combined). So his (our) prospects for the Nov. general election look quite good. The meeting then devolved into a cake-laden “celebration” of Dow’s victory.

The meeting resumed with a successful motion to take the 36th‘s caucus resolution off the table, whereupon it passed 26-11.

Noteworthy among reports from the various LDs in King County was that from the 41st, citing the need for support of Max Vekich for Port Commission Position 4. Disgraced outgoing Commissioner Pat Davis has been working to help Max’s opponent in that race.

Chad reported on SustainableWorks, a nonprofit community organizing group that has obtained $14.5M in stimulus funds to provide green jobs and weatherization for up to 200 homes in part of the 46th LD: the area between 20th Ave. NE and 35th Ave. NE, from NE 65th St. to 80th St. (Anyone living in or near that area who is interested in having an energy assessment done should contact that organization: Also, PCOs in or near that area are needed to leaflet a block or more on October 17th.)

Another attendee urged everyone to call Senator Cantwell promptly with a simple, straightforward urgent message: "We want a public option!"

The meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm.

Dean Fournier, your male rep to the KCDCC Exec. Board
(with an assist from Sarajane Siegfriedt & Erica Minshull)

Notes from the Chair, September 2009

The cause endures, the hope still lives
and the dream shall never die.

—Senator Edward Kennedy (1932-2009)

I woke on the morning of August 26th to read about the passing of the Liberal Lion. We knew it was coming. Let us hope that Gov. Patrick is able to get the law in Massachusetts changed soon so that he can appoint another Democrat. No one will ever be able to fill the shoes, but torch has been passed to us, and our children. We have a lot of work to do, and we’re ready.

Our September meeting will feature the General Election Endorsements as the primary agenda item. (ouch, bad pun). Any endorsements that we have made will stand if our endorsed candidate(s) made it through the Primary election. Any race where we have not made an endorsement will be eligible for nominations, and any ballot measure will be up for consideration as well.

These endorsed candidates made it through to the General Election:

• King County Executive: Dow Constantine
• Port of Seattle Position 3: Rob Holland
• Port of Seattle Position 4: Max Vekich
• Seattle City Council Position 4: David Bloom
• Seattle City Council Position 6: Nick Licata

Races where we have not endorsed a candidate yet include King County Council Position 1, King County Sheriff & Assessor, Port of Seattle Position 1, Seattle Mayor, Seattle City Council Positions 2 & 8, and Seattle School Board Districts 5 &7.

As of this writing, the signatures for Referendum 71 are still being confirmed. Similar the Seattle Bag Fee, we will be asked whether the citizens of the State of Washington approve the law that was passed.

“This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage.”

“Should this bill be Approved  or Rejected?”

One other item that will be on the ballot in November is the latest attempt by Tim Eyman to drown our government in a bathtub. Initiative 1033 would limit the 2010 budget to 2009 numbers, after the Legislature had to cut Billions of dollars thanks to the economic recession. The state of Colorado tried this a few years ago, and it was a huge mistake. If you would like to learn more, contact Steve Zemke and go to http://no1033.com.

The Seattle Housing Levy, which we voted to support in April, will also be on our ballots. See SaraJane’s article on page 4.

Other measures on the ballot will be posted on our website as soon as we know about them.

Thanks to the membership approval of the Raymond T. Cole Fund, Committee pages are up, including a blank Letter of Intent. We have already gotten a few ideas that are far beyond what I expected, and it’s fantastic. Please keep them coming!

Chad Lupkes, Chair