Friday, February 13, 2009

Next Week's Hot List

Next Friday is cutoff for House policy committees, so most of their time will be spent in executive sessions. There are still a few hot hearings and work sessions, though. We’ll also add floor action to the daily updates here so check back often.

Monday 2/16/09
130pm HHR C - Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session:
Washington State’s Green Economy Jobs Initiative.

130pm HHR A - Judiciary
Public Hearing:
HB 1581 – Requiring a minimum of three years’ notice on closures or conversions of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities.

330pm HHR B - Transportation
Work Session: Project briefings:
1. U.S. 395 North Spokane Corridor.
2. Columbia River Crossing.

Public Hearing:
HB 1947 – Concerning the regulation and preservation of urban streets through a local option street utility.
330pm HHR A Ways & Means

Work Session:
Governor’s proposal to reinvent government and eliminate boards and commissions.

Tuesday 2/17/09
800am HHR A - Education Appropriations
Work Session: Implementing proposed reductions in higher education in 2009-11.
1. University of Washington.
2. Washington State University.
3. Western Washington University.
4. Central Washington University.
5. Eastern Washington University.
6. The Evergreen State College.
7. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
8. The Higher Education Coordinating Board.

800am HHR C - General Government Appropriations

Public Hearing:
SHB 1165 – Providing for the safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residential sources through a producer provided and funded product stewardship program.

800am HHR B - Health & Human Services Appropriations

Work Session:
Health reform concepts related to state-purchased health care.

1000am HHR D - Higher Education

Public Hearing:
HB 1946 – Regarding higher education online technology.

1000am HHR A - Education

Public Hearing:
HB 2119 – Expanding dual credit opportunities.
HB 2148 – Implementing strategies to address the achievement gap.
HB 2167 – Providing flexibility in the education system.

130pm HHR A - Health Care & Wellness

Public Hearing:
HB 2117 – Modifying the basic health plan.
HB 2128 – Concerning health care coverage for children.

130pm HHR D - State Government & Tribal Affairs

Public Hearing:
HB 1731 – Revising the rules for designation of party preference by partisan candidates.
HB 1798 – Allowing voter registration up to and on election day.

330pm HHR C - Capital Budget

Work Session:
Energy Efficiency Construction and Renovation: Potential projects and the effect on jobs, homeowners and businesses; cost savings; and weatherization.

Wednesday 2/18/09
800am HHR A - Judiciary
Public Hearing:
HB 1663 – Creating relocation assistance rights for nontransient residents of hotels, motels or other places of transient lodging that are shut down by government action.
HB 1766 – Prohibiting discrimination based on lawful source of income.
HB 1773 – Concerning certain notice requirements when terminating month to month or other periodic residential tenancies governed by the residential landlord-tenant act.

Thursday 2/19/09
330pm HHR B - Transportation

Work Session: Project overview:
1. State Route 520 Bridge.
2. State Route 520 Tolling Implementation Committee.

House passes further belt-tightening measures

Responding to the economic crisis facing the state and nation, the House just passed SB 5460, further reducing government spending for the remainder of the fiscal year that runs through June.

The mostly administrative spending cuts cover everything from a freeze on management-level salaries and hiring, to some equipment purchases and travel. The savings are estimated at $6.7 million in state funding.

"This bill is about balancing the budget. And it leads the way by cutting ourselves first," said Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Kelli Linville. "Every bit helps as we try to fight our way out of this global financial crisis."

Today's Hot List

10:00am Floor Action
ESHB 1906 - This is the bill to boost unemployment benefits. The House passed this bill last week, the Senate passed it yesterday with an amendment, and the House will now vote on the bill with amendment (hence the ESHB designation - Enhanced Substitute House Bill).

SB 5460 - This is the Senate early-savings bill (pertaining only to the remainder of the 2007-2009 budget biennium which ends in June). The House passed similar legislation last week.

1:30pm in State Government & Tribal Affairs

Public Hearing on Governor request bills to eliminate certain boards and commissions.
HB 2087 - Eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties effective June 30, 2009.
HB 2151 - Eliminating boards and commissions on June 30, 2010.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

State Rep. Jeff Morris to meet with Sidney mayor, hash out ferry compromise

State Rep. Jeff Morris will head to Sidney, B.C., tomorrow in an effort to implore city officials there to approve a compromise deal with Washington State Ferries (WSF) over current lease rates at their terminal.

The high lease rate at the Sidney ferry terminal is a major factor in WSF’s decision to propose the elimination of the Anacortes-Sidney run. Morris believes an agreement with Sidney officials would go a long way in showing a good faith effort to reach an agreement and save the run. “I know Sidney was frustrated with WSF in getting a lease deal done but the current deal is just not going to work if we want to continue this run.”

In order to save the Anacortes-Sidney run, Morris will be fighting the battle on two fronts: Negotiating a more equitable lease rate with the Sidney city government, and fighting back WSF’s proposal to eliminate the run as a cost-cutting effort.

Added Morris, “I’m hopeful the Mayor and city officials of Sidney will be receptive to revisiting the lease deal and work with us to save a vital link between our two countries. We need actual evidence of a partnership. Talk will not secure a future for this run.”

Yesterday's Higher Ed hearing drew quite a crowd

Yesterday’s public hearing on HB 1706, the bill to extend eligibility for state financial aid to some undocumented high school students, sparked some of the most intense debate seen so far in the session.

The legislation essentially allows undocumented students who are graduating high school, have lived here for more than three years, and have indicated an intent to seek citizenship access to State Need Grants. The State Need Grant program helps low-income students receive higher education. Undocumented students already qualify for in-state resident tuition rates, but currently do not qualify for financial aid.

You can read about the hearing here and here. You can also hear Rep. Dave Quall, sponsor of the bill, in his own words. He spoke to Dave Ross on KIRO 710 this morning.

Rep. Kessler champions protections for sexually harassed tenants

Rep. Lynn Kessler paid her first visit of the session to the House Judiciary Committee today to testify on her bill, HB 1856. The measure would increase safety for victims of sexual assault and harassment by their landlords by allowing them to change the locks on their dwelling unit or break a lease without penalty.

“This kind of legislation does saves lives,” said Rep. Kessler. “If you were the victim of sexual assault or harassment by your landlord, and that landlord had a key to your place and could enter at any time - how could you ever sleep? How could you live any kind of a normal life within those walls? I just don’t think you could.”

The Northwest Women’s Law Center supports the bill because, according to staff attorney David Ward, there is currently a “gap in the law” when it comes to sexual assault victims who are in landlord/tenant relationships with the perpetrators. Although current law allows these victims to break their leases, they lose any rent they already paid for the month they move out, and have no protection against financial penalties for breaking the lease. There is also the special problem of having no right to change the locks.

“The tenant is in a different situation because the perpetrator has a key to the residence,” Mr. Ward testified.

One woman who testified before the committee said her landlord had offered to waive late fees on her rent if she would agree to “go out” with him. When she rebuffed his advances, he demanded an immediate payment of $9000. He also would enter her apartment without giving the required 24 hours notice.

Landlord organizations raised some concerns about the bill in the hearing, but as prime sponsor Rep. Kessler is willing to work with them to move the bill out of the committee by next week’s cutoff.

“Nobody wants to hurt landlords,” Rep. Kessler said as she concluded her remarks. “We just want to protect people who are caught up in this situation.”

Today's Hot List

8:00am in State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing:
HB 1526 -
Removing essential government services as a condition to exempt from taxation property belonging to federally recognized Indian tribes.
HB 1517 - Changing requirements for the restoration of the right to vote for people convicted of felonies.

10:00am in Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Economic future of Washington Agriculture.

1:30pm in Education Appropriations
Public Hearing: HB 1817 - Attaining a world-class K-12 education system (another K-12 funding bill that represents the Full Funding Coalition's minority report to the Basic Ed Funding Task Force).

3:30pm in Transportation
Work Session: Transit Agencies, Commute Trip Reduction Program.
Public Hearing: HB 1677 – Establishing high capacity transportation corridor areas.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Hope: The Common Denominator

Falling snow did not deter those who gathered in Olympia yesterday for the third annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day. The event, organized by the Refugee Women’s Alliance, is an opportunity for refugees and immigrants to come together in our state capital for a day and share their concerns and ideas with legislators. It is important to hear these concerns and ideas, because our state ranks tenth in the nation in percentage of people who are foreign-born. Washington is also fourth-largest resettlement state in the country.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (Seattle) represents the 37th Legislative District – one of the most ethnically diverse districts in our ethnically diverse state. Nearly one in four residents of the 37th district was born outside of the United States. Rep. Santos addressed those who had gathered for a rally outside the capitol, saying that nothing is more defining to all people – regardless of country of birth – than hope.

“Hope is the fuel that propelled our new president into office,” Rep. Santos said. “Hope gives people strength during challenging times.”

She also reminded those in attendance that a core value of American governance is the notion of equality. All public policy – whether it concerns jobs, education, health care, or business opportunities, must be drafted in a way that includes our refugee and immigrant populations.

Despite the cold, Rep. Santos’ remarks got a very warm response from the crowd.

Legislature honors Medal of Merit recipients

Earlier today the House and Senate convened a joint session to recognize recipients of the Medal of Merit. The Medal is awarded to any person who has been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and state of Washington. It was presented to women's rights advocates Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton, central-Washington civic leader Wilfred Woods, and philanthropist/community leader William H. Gates, Sr.

Star-struck Capitol visitors and staffers noticed Gates' famous son Bill in the House gallery supporting his father.

Today's Hot List

11:30am - Joint Session with House and Senate
Medal of Merit ceremonies

1:30pm in Education
Public Hearing: HB 1758 – Expanding options for students to earn high school diplomas (basically allows high school students who earn their associates degree or a professional-certificate program through Running Start to qualify for a diploma).

1:30pm in Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2021 – Opportunity Grants (important streamlining bill!).

3:30pm in Transportation
Work Session: Oregon’s Mileage Fee Concept and Road User Fee Pilot Program, Puget Sound Regional Council Traffic Choices Study.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

106-year old advocates for senior citizens

Marianne Jones of Lake Forest Park may have set a record when she came to Olympia to advocate for continued state support of adult day health programs.

Marianne is 106 years old.

Even long-time legislators and staff could not remember an advocate coming to Olympia whose advice reflected the experiences of 106 years.

"I was thrilled to meet Marianne and to hear her support for adult day health programs," said state Rep. Maralyn Chase. "Her involvement is truly uplifting and energizing to supporters of the program like myself, and will make any opponents think twice about the value of the service."

Chase emphasized that the early-action budget proposed by the state House of Representatives preserves adult day health programs, which were on the chopping block in Gov. Chris Gregoire's first budget proposal. If Chase and the House get their way, the program will continue to serve senior citizens until at least the end of the current budget cycle and possibly far into the future.

Chase said she is guardedly optimistic about the long-term prospect of state funding for adult day health services.

"Having inspiring allies like Marianne Jones and her daughter Dianne certainly helps," Chase said.

Read the full story here

‘Payday loans’ are back under the House microscope

The often-contentious, always-thorny issues surrounding “payday loans” are back under intense scrutiny in the Legislature. Again this year, the first stop on the payday-loan tour is the House Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. A package of legislative proposals was heard in the committee this morning.

Regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions, these loans are unsecured, short-term transactions offered to consumers by a check-cashing business.

Here’s how the loans generally work: The borrower writes the lender a post-dated check, and then the lender provides a lesser amount of cash to the consumer – minus interest and fees. Following this initial transaction, the lender holds the check for a specified time period, during which the consumer can either redeem the check by paying the face amount to the lender or allowing the lender to cash the check after the loan period has expired.

Today’s public committee hearing took testimony from private citizens and payday-lending industry representatives. The agenda included:

● HB 1310, which restricts harassing communications on the part of check cashers and sellers who are attempting to collect delinquent small loans.
● HB 1425, which prohibits these small loans altogether.
● HB 1684, which limits the balances of all outstanding payday loans to 30 percent of the gross monthly income of a borrower.
● HB 1685, which adds an additional 60-day payment-plan option for small loans.
● HB 1709, which requires a minimum repayment term of 60 days, reduces fees for small loans to 10 percent of the principal, and sets up a new installment plan for borrowers.
● HB 1805, which limits fees on small loans when a payday lender has loaned a borrower an aggregate of $700 in the previous 30 days.
● HB 1806, which limits the amount of small loans to an aggregate of $700.
● HB 1807, which prohibits small-loan rollovers, which in turn are defined as loans made within 24 hours after the repayment of a previous small loan made by the licensee to the borrower.
● HB 1851, which requires that potential borrowers be told about alternatives to a small loan.

In the committee testimony on the issue today, viewpoints were no less divided than public comments taken in last year’s legislative session.

Some folks speaking against payday lending, on the one hand, want to see these small loans totally banned. Citizens speaking up for regulations note that current law allows lenders to require payments prior to a payday, which unfortunately often creates the need for yet another loan. The interest charged on the loans greatly exceeds the state usury rate, according to others. Regulation-supporters maintain that payday lenders target minority communities and military families. When the industry was legalized, additional backers point out, it was thought that payday lending would be a product used only occasionally.

On the other hand, business representatives and some private citizens supporting the industry say that while payday lending should be regulated, it would be a big mistake to eliminate the loans as an option. They emphasize that people should have this choice. If people have more options, according to these folks, they can make better decisions. They say that while it’s true payday borrowers pay for the convenience of these loans, this practice doesn’t invariably lead to the same type of debt as the use of credit cards. Since it must be paid off on the due date, observed one payday-lending supporter last year, this type of loan instills financial discipline.

You can see some of the early reports on the hearings here and here.

Today's Hot List

8:00am in Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: Payday lending bills. (HB 1310, HB 1425, HB 1684, HB 1685, HB 1709, HB 1805, HB 1806, HB 1807, HB 1851)


10:00am in Higher Education
Public Hearing:
HB 1467 – Establishing the University of Washington Snohomish county branch campus.
HB 1726 – Creating Bellevue College.


10:00am in Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing: HB 1695 – Modifying provisions relating to the possession of controlled substances.

Monday, February 9, 2009

What's Hot in the House this week?

Apologies for not posting this last Friday, but here's a (still) early look at this week's interesting committee activities.

Tuesday 2/10/09
8:00am in Financial Institutions & Insurance
Public Hearing: Payday lending bills. (HB 1310, HB 1425, HB 1684, HB 1685, HB 1709, HB 1805, HB 1806, HB 1807, HB 1851)

10:00am in Commerce & Labor
Public Hearing: HB 1609 – Concerning family and medical leave.

10:00am in Higher Education
Public Hearing:
HB 1467 – Establishing the University of Washington Snohomish county branch campus.
HB 1726 – Creating Bellevue College.

10:00am in Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Public Hearing: HB 1695 – Modifying provisions relating to the possession of controlled substances.

1:30pm in State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing:
HB 1738 – Public funding for Supreme Court campaigns.
HB 1787 – Identifying Political Action Committees in campaign advertisements.


Wednesday 2/11/09
1:30pm in Education
Public Hearing: HB 1758 – Expanding options for students to earn high school diplomas.

1:30pm in Higher Education
Public Hearing: HB 2021 – Opportunity Grants.

3:30pm in Transportation
Work Session: Oregon’s Mileage Fee Concept and Road User Fee Pilot Program, Puget Sound Regional Council Traffic Choices Study.


Thursday 2/12/09
8:00am in State Government & Tribal Affairs
Public Hearing: Tribal bill day. (HB 1447, HB 1448, HB 1526, HB 1890)

10:00am in Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Economic future of Washington Agriculture.

3:30pm in Transportation
Work Session: Transit Agencies, Commute Trip Reduction Program.
Public Hearing: HB 1677 – Establishing high capacity transportation corridor areas.

Today's Hot List

1:30pm in Technology, Energy & Communications
Public Hearing: Tax incentives for green energy (HB 1009, HB 1719, HB 1743, HB 1911, HB 1610)

3:30pm in Capital Budget
Public Hearing: HB 1376 – Removing the requirement to purchase art for public buildings during the 2009-2011 biennium.

3:30pm in Transportation
Work Session: Climate change recommendations.

Apture