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Equal rights win in California

May 16, 2008
10:33 a.m.

Same-sex couples are celebrating yesterday’s decision by California’s highest court to overturn a ban on gay marriage. Until yesterday, California limited marriage to the union between a man and a woman.

The ruling now brings to two the number of states allowing same-sex couples to marry. Proponents of equal rights for same-sex couples in Washington wonder if the ruling will boost chances of making Washington the third.

In 2007, Washington became one of only ten states to offer some kind of legal recognition to same-sex couples. Washington’s legislation created a domestic-partner registry for same-sex couples and provides some basic protections for their families, such as the right to visit a partner in the hospital, the right to make health care decisions, and the right to make funeral arrangements. The bill was expanded this past session

Since the domestic partner registry began in July 2007, more than 3,500 couples have registered, and there are registered partners in every legislative district in the state.

State leaders are hopeful that the verdict will have a positive effect on state efforts. Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) responded to the verdict:

I am very pleased that our state has been a leader in domestic partnership laws, but I agree with the California Supreme Court that domestic partnerships are simply not an adequate substitute for marriage.

Read more: Statement from Washington state Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) regarding today’s California Supreme Court ruling that overturned the ban on same-gender marriage


China in crisis – how to help

May 16, 2008
10:03 a.m.

The death toll from the 7.9 earthquake that recently struck the Sichuan Province of China has climbed to more than 22,000 people, with an estimated 26,000 people injured and thousands more still buried in rubble. Sichuan has been a sister state of Washington since 1982 and Governor Gregoire is urging Washingtonians to help the devastated region cope with the crisis. Washingtonians have a history of helping each other out, as we did last year after the storms and floods in Southwest Washington. We can also help out our neighbors on the Pacific Rim, the people of China, in the same spirit of generosity.

It’s estimated that the quake has caused more than $20 billion in damage. To learn how you can help, visit USAID.

Read more: USAID Disaster Assistance Page


New budget funds Barlow’s plan ensuring bonus pay for elite teachers

May 12, 2008
11:09 a.m.

A Spokane teacher’s call last fall has helped launch new state policy guaranteeing bonus pay for many more of Washington’s best and brightest teachers.

Lori Shauvin, a special-education teacher at Rogers High School, contacted state Rep. Don Barlow’s office about a problem last November. She pointed out that a state law he authored the previous year “is a terrific idea, but it has a hole that needs filling” to make sure elite teachers don’t get overlooked.

The Spokane Democrat worked to get money in the supplemental budget to fund the bonuses for teachers with certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Read more: New budget funds Barlow’s plan ensuring bonus pay for elite teachers


Win an award for conservation and sustainable practices

May 12, 2008
10:58 a.m.

Are you doing your part to protect the environment? If you work for a business, government agency, school or organization that has great sustainable practices, you can apply for the 2008 Governor's Award for Sustainable Practices. The award goes to groups dedicated to reducing or stoppping the use of hazardous materials, waste and emissions, or to switching to practices that conserve resources and energy.

The deadline for applying is June 6. Apply online or read more at the Department of Ecology's website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/GovAward/index.html

Permalink: Win an award for conservation and sustainable practices


Whoulda thunk? Good teaching comes from experience, not grad school

May 7, 2008

4:33 p.m.

According to research by a legislative task force on education funding, it turns out that teachers with more experience are more effective than teachers with a graduate degree.

The Spokesman-Review had a report today highlighting the work of the Legislature's Basic Education Finance Task Force which is working to overhaul the way the state funds K-12 education.

Task force members are hoping to make evidence-based decisions about where money should go. For example, does student achievement improve more when students are in smaller classrooms or when students are in front of a teacher with specialized training? Should we provide incentives for teachers to get more teaching experience or to get graduate degrees?

The task force is scheduled to release its proposal prior to the 2009 legislative session.

Permalink: Good teaching comes from experience, not grad school


Middle-school students can aim for college with scholarship

April 24, 2008
12:08 p.m.

Many low-income students can achieve their college dreams through a College Bound Scholarship, but the deadline for this year’s eighth-graders to apply is rapidly approaching on June 1, 2008.

College Bound is a four-year scholarship that covers the cost of college tuition, fees and books for low-income students who sign a pledge in seventh or eighth grade promising to graduate from high school and to demonstrate good citizenship.

Continue reading: College Bound Scholarship deadline approaching for low-income eighth-graders


Gas price tax manipulation?

April 22, 2008
9:35 a.m.

An editorial in yesterday’s Seattle Times incorrectly asserts that Washington’s gas tax is fourth highest in the nation and is a cause for our state’s high gas prices. This same statistic has been touted by certain state officials, but is a highly misleading distortion of the truth.

Why? Because the rating does not reflect the fact that many states have other taxes on gasoline imposed at the state and local levels.

The facts:

  • The gas tax rate paid by Washington drivers is 7th highest in the nation. Our tax is 36 cents, all imposed by the state. Every penny is spent here at home to reduce congestion, improve safety, and preserve our existing infrastructure.
  • The average price of gasoline in Washington today is $3.64 compared to $3.14 one year ago. The state keeps only 2 cents of that 50 cent increase.
  • In five states, the gas tax is above 40 cents. In fact, Washington's 36 cent rate is lower than states with congestion problems similar to ours (e.g., California - 43.4 cents, New York - 45.5 cents).
  • Washington voters endorsed our gas tax in 2005, when they rejected Initiative 912 which sought to repeal the 9.5 cent gas tax package.

For a detailed state-by-state comparison, check out this report prepared by WSDOT last December.


House Speaker: 2008 session met the challenge

March 13, 2008
8 :45 p.m.

Just sixty short days ago, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp gaveled open the 2008 legislative session by expressing to the members his belief that they would rise to his challenge. That challenge as he put it to them – to lead the state on issues ranging from housing and education, to transportation and environmental health, all while living within the state’s fiscal means.

Continue reading: House Speaker: 2008 session met the challenge

Versión español: Presidente de Cámara de Diputados: la sesión 2008 superó el reto


Read more on The Advance archives »



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