Litzow's mistatement, and can Eastside Democratic legislators support progressive taxation?
Saturday I attended the 41st Legislative District town hall, where Rep. Judy Clibborn (D – Mercer Island — left, below), Rep. Tana Senn (D – Mercer Island), and Senator Steve Litzow (R – Mercer Island) answered questions about tolling of I-405, charter schools, taxes, and Puget Sound Energy’s plan to install new high-power lines (Energize…
Supporting the Solar Incentive Bill HB2346 in Senate
The Solar Extension bill HB 2346 is alive and is now in the Senate. It supports the Solar industry in Washington state by helping to make an installation more affordable up front. The Bill will have a committee (Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee) hearing on Wednesday, February 24. To get out of this committee…
Washington State Legislature Adds Insult to Injury for Struggling GED Students
On February 10, 2016, the Washington State House passed House Bill 2743 – a bill that its prime sponsor, Chris Reykdal, claimed would “help GED students.” We normally do not single out a single legislator for criticism. But this case, the bill is so offensive and the harm to GED students is so great that…
Black history, U.S. history are inseparable
Image: Community College of Aurora (Source) This month is Black History Month. In reality, every month is Black History month, because without black people, there would be no United States. Black history is tied up with slavery and capitalism, territorial expansion, annihilation of native Americans, the Civil War, Jim Crow, and ongoing inequality. It is tied…
Is the 2016 Washington State Legislature the Most Corrupt Legislature in History?
When one uses the term “corruption” one is likely to think of big states like Texas or Florida or Illinois with all of their bribery and kickback schemes. In this article, we will provide a few examples of why the Washington state legislature may be not only one of the most corrupt legislatures in the…
SAFE newsletter on homeless, TPP, neoliberalism
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT! Standing Against Foreclosure & Eviction NEWSLETTER February 5th, 2016 Updates THE 2016 ONE NIGHT COUNT found an increase of 19% Everyone’s talking about our State of Emergency on Homelessness yet our problem keeps growing. Here are the results from the January 29th One Night Count. “At least 4,505 men, women, and children were without shelter during the three…
Roll up our Sleeves: Fight TPP! February 3rd Signing Protest
Rally at City Hall, then march to the Federal Building (5 blocks downhill) to deliver our message, (we might also pay a visit to the Chambers of Commerce). On February 3, (February 4th in New Zealand), head trade negotiators from 12 countries around the Pacific Rim will gather to sign the biggest corporate trade agreement…