Dear Neighbors,

This week we passed a special marker in the 2014 session – the halfway point!  We are almost at what is called the House of Origin cut-off, which means that bills originating in the Senate must be passed to the House and vice versa. Otherwise they are dead for this year – unless, of course, the bill is related to the budget.

Update on my bills

As the cost of higher education is shifted away from state support and more toward the contribution of students and their families, dual credit courses allow students an opportunity to cut the cost of their higher education by earning college credits while in high school.

Many high school students in our state participate in these rigorous dual credit academic courses, such as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) or Cambridge programs.

However, because each institution of higher education has its own unique policies related to awarding such credit, the dual credit work that students do while in high school is not always recognized by institutions of higher education.

That’s why I introduced HB 2285 this session, which requires the Washington Student Achievement Counsel (WSAC) to review institution policies related to providing students dual credit and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the steps that should be taken to improve the practices of the higher education institutions.

I am pleased that HB 2285 passed the House unanimously and is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Higher Education Committee on February 20th.

 

The HDC Advance, Facebook & Twitter

Did you know the House Democratic Caucus has a blog? We call it the Advance and, if you take a look, you’ll find that it’s pretty eclectic and informative. You’ll find posts on legislative activity, of course, but on many other current topics, too. The caucus also has a Facebook page, and you can follow us on Twitter. It’s important that citizens have as much access to their government as possible. We believe our blog and social media tools are great ways for you to always know what we’re up to here in Olympia. I encourage you to visit these sites, and remember that I also have my own Facebook page and will be happy to friend you.

Ask Me!

Click to watch me respond to constituent emails on closing tax loopholes to support schools, and on health care expansion.

Washington groups flock to their Capital

One of the most important and interesting parts of the legislative process is community engagement.  We want to know what is important to you! Throughout the session many groups make the trek to Olympia to visit us and talk about their priorities. It’s great to see so many engaged Washingtonians at the Capitol!   This is just a small sample of all the groups that have come to visit in the first half of session:

• Teachers and school support staff
• City of Renton
• City of SeaTac
• Local chemical dependency providers
• Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP)
• Auto Dealers
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• PTA
• Puget Sound Skills Center students
• ECEAP & Head Start
• AARP
• Muslim Americans
• Advocates for the developmentally disabled
• Adult family home providers
• American Cancer Society
• Humane Society
• Arts & culture
• Home care workers

We look forward to seeing many more of you here in the next few weeks. Our doors and our ears are open; come see us!

But you don’t have to be part of a group to make a change!

Think you need a fancy suit or law degree to make a difference in Olympia? No and no. Citizen-activists make a difference here every day.

Take Jeff Schwartz — just a regular guy with a full-time job, two kids, and a big time problem on his hands. Jeff’s youngest son, Jacob, had a rare gastrointestinal disorder that caused his body to reject food.

In order for Jacob to get nutrition, he required a certain type of formula that didn’t come cheap. One day, Jeff’s insurance company stopped providing coverage for the life-saving formula. Jeff and his family suddenly had to pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket every month to cover the costs.

That’s when Jeff got in-touch with a few of my colleagues in Olympia, wanting to ensure that no family has to suffer the same hardships as his own. Jeff worked with lawmakers to draft a bill requiring that insurance companies cover the formula that children like Jacob need to survive. If the bill passes, no Washington family will go through what the Schwartz family went through.

The long story short: Never underestimate a dad with a plan.

Even after Jacob was cured of his disease, Jeff didn’t give up his fight. His resilience and commitment to doing the right thing reminds us all what is great about the legislative process – anyone, rich or poor, young or old, can make a difference.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s weekend!

Sincerely,