Linda Hanson Associates

04/27/2015

Today the state Attorney General's Office must file a report with the state Supreme Court explaining progress this legislative session on funding basic education and the plan moving forward to the deadline of 2018.

This past summer the court found the state legislature in contempt of court for not following the constitution and previous court orders. After receiving the report the Justices will decide to either purge the contempt order or levy sanctions. As I learn more, you will too.

What do you think the states report will say?
What do you think the next action of the court should be?

03/31/2015

For a glimpse into the Senate Ways and Means Chair, Senator Andy Hill, views on what we expect will be the Senate Budget released today at noon.

Following today’s release of the House of Representative’s new two-year operating budget proposal, Sen. Andy Hill, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee issued this statement: “The House’s reliance on volatile tax increases goes against the state’s paramount constitutional duty to fund edu…

03/31/2015

House Finance hears revenue package bill HB 2224 which supports house budget proposal Tuesday at 8 am. Chair Reuven Carlyle has s heduled 4 hours for the hearing.

At ten o'clock House Capital committee meets.

At one thirty House Appropriations meets to vote on budget proposal.

03/30/2015

This week will be a fast moving legislative time in Olympia. Each day this week i wil post the schedule for the next day - this mornings post is for today. Tomorrow's will be posted here late this afternoon.

Capital Budget public hearing at 8:00 am in the House.
House Education at 10:00 - ESSB5748 Teacher Principal Evaluation System
Teachers expected to be in attendance in high numbers to speak against the bill which requires student assessments to be one piece of the evaluation process.
Executive Session at same hearing on paraeducators, transition services for special education students, and parent notification of third grade langauge arts assessments.
And of course, House Appropriations at 1:30 on the Operating Budget HB1106. This will also be a very packed hearing, the chair, Rep. Ross Hunter , is always extremely gracious in allowing everyone to testify, even if it lasts into the evening.
Let your voice be heard.

Follow on tvw.org
Find bill information and hearing documents at leg.wa.gov.

TVW - Washington State Public Affairs Network. Live and Archived videos of the Washington State Legislature

03/27/2015

The House has canceled the public hearing for HB 1106 previously scheduled for Friday March 27 at 1:30, and the Executive Session Saturday at 1:00 pm.

The public hearing on the Operating Budget is now Monday March 30 at 1:30 with Executive Session Tuesday at 1:30.

The budget release is still Friday, March 27 at 11:30 with a media event at the capital. You will find the bill posted at 11:30 at leg.wa.gov

Get bills via web services: The Legislature makes bill, committee, and law information available via web services for developers using automated systems. For more information, see the Legislative Web Services page.

03/23/2015

Today is budget day..or is it? Today is the date the legislature agreed on for release of the House Operating Budget which goes first this year. Shortly after the Senate releases their version of spending and revenue for 2015-2017. But all pre-budget negotations have been behind closed doors, and converstions are being kept very close to the vest. Some legislators say not to expect a budget until next week, others say "lets just do this"!

When I know, you'll know. Stay tuned!

02/25/2015

Please take the 80 seconds to watch this..

Imagine MLK Jr., Anne Frank, Harvey Milk & other inspirational individuals still alive and creating change. Watch and share this video featuring John Lennon's classic song, 'Imagine.'

02/23/2015

The Oscars were very entertaining last night. And as important as all the dresses were....6000 pearls and stunning! - many Oscar winners used the mic to bring awareness to critical issues of our time. Voting rights. Immigration. Prejudices. Weren't these same issues around before? Will we ever put these issues behind us?

Glory!!! OMG! Chills and tears as I watched, listened, and reflected on the Oscar winning performance...more blacks in jails than there were slaves? We are better than this.

02/20/2015

Please join me at the Children's Campaign Fund 2nd Annual Legislative Reception in Olympia on March 19. Network with legislators, child advocates representing all aspects of a child's life, and the CCFund Board of Directors. The reception is at the Waterstreet Café just a few blocks from the state capital from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

02/19/2015

Tomorrow is the first cut off deadline if this legislative session. Policy bills must be passed out of committee, then it is all about fiscal bills....budgets, budgets, budgets. Of coiurse there are ways to get policy bills heard through the budget process.

Use your voice. Your voice matters. Your voice makes a difference. Your stories are what lawmakers want to hear so their decisions are informed ones.

Stay tuned to Linda Hanson Associates as budget talks become public. And coffee is always my treat if you let me know when you are walking the marble halls in Olympia.

02/04/2015

There is much to dislike about taxes, of course, but those we pay in Washington are especially onerous.