Rockefeller announced chair of Senate Water, Energy & Telecommunications Committee

OLYMPIA — Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, has been selected to lead the Water, Energy & Telecommunications (WET) Committee by the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus. Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, was named to serve as vice chair. Rockefeller’s selection follows the resignation of previous chair Sen. Erik Poulsen, D-Seattle. Poulsen has resigned from the Legislature. more>>>

McDermott named to Senate committees, ready to ‘hit the ground running’

OLYMPIA – Sen. Joe McDermott (D-Seattle) has been named to three influential senate committees, capitalizing on his experience with issues ranging from education to civil rights. McDermott will serve on the Early Learning & K-12 Education, Governmental Operations & Elections and Judiciary committees. more>>>

Senate Democrats announce new committee assignments

OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats today announced several changes to committee membership, necessitated by the departure of Sen. Erik Poulsen several months ago and the election of Sen. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, to fill his seat, and of Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, who had been appointed to fill a seat vacated by Sen. Mark Doumit. more>>>

Veterans Day not the only day to honor and remember veterans

As we observe Veterans Day, I again reflect on the importance of honoring, not just today, but every day, those who have served our nation. During the 2007 legislative session, I and my Senate colleagues were proud to support Washington citizens who have served our country in the armed forces. We passed important legislation that honors and supports veterans. more>>>

Seattle Storm hail Franklin as ‘woman of inspiration’

OLYMPIA – It’s been years since she made a layup and her hook shot was never that menacing. Yet the Seattle Storm named Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma, as one of six “Women of Inspiration” in its second annual listing of the distinction. more>>>

Keiser honored for leadership in funding children’s health insurance

OLYMPIA – It was one of the capstone accomplishments of the Legislature in the session that adjourned in April. Thanks to the tenacity and leadership of Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, 39,000 more children in Washington will have health insurance. For this success, she was awarded the “Public Policy Maker” award by the South King Council of Human Services. more>>>

Keiser’s accomplishments lauded at Washington, D.C. event

OLYMPIA – Washington will be prominently represented at a national forum for state policy successes. The Progressive States Network, in partnership with the Center for American Progress Action Fund, is hosting the June 14 event in Washington, D.C., where legislators from several states are discussing landmark gains made by their legislatures. Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, was invited to talk about advances made in health care and family leave legislation in the session which adjourned in April. more>>>

McAuliffe honored for support of outdoor education programs

OLYMPIA – During a walk in her community, Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, saw a young girl picking up paper in her yard. McAuliffe asked what she was doing, and the girl replied, “I’m picking up my world.” more>>>

Eide receives school administrator group’s highest award for education leadership

OLYMPIA – She hails it as an unprecedented victory for the education community — and the education community seems to agree with her. After working on the issue since 1993, a measure by Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, to allow the passage of school levies by a simple majority cleared the Legislature this year. more>>>

Keiser lauded nationally for leadership on affordable health care and family leave issues

OLYMPIA – She championed affordable health care and family leave insurance for Washington’s working families. Both measures were signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire this legislative session. For her groundbreaking efforts, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, was named May Legislator of the Month by the Center for Policy Alternatives. more>>>

Haugen hails session a success

OLYMPIA – It truly is the little things that count, according to Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. “We do a lot of big things in Olympia,” she said, “but it’s the projects for the people back home that really matter the most to me.” more>>>

Taking care of business

OLYMPIA – He’s been a soldier and a senator. Now he can add one more title to his résumé. The Everett and the South Snohomish County Chambers of Commerce announced last week that Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, is a recipient of their annual “Business Champion” award. more>>>

Haugen honored with local “Business Champion” award

OLYMPIA – The Everett and the South Snohomish County Chambers of Commerce have honored Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, with their annual “Business Champion” award, the Joint Government Affairs Committee from the two chambers announced this week. more>>>

Whidbey artist’s work graces Olympia office of Sen. Haugen

OLYMPIA — The watercolors of Anne M. Waterman are now on display in the Olympia office of Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. Haugen, an avid collector of art wherever she travels, prefers to use her office to showcase artists from her 10th Legislative District. more>>>

Kohl-Welles receives legislator of the year honor

OLYMPIA – For her state-level work against the Iraq War and her introduction of Senate Joint Memorial 8003, requesting the U.S. Congress to refrain from funding an escalation of the American presence in Iraq and to require the president to seek congressional approval prior to any escalation, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, was one of three state legislators in the country to receive the “Legislator of the Year” award from the Progressive States Network at its April 19 gala in Washington, D.C. more>>>

Tom crosses the finish line in legislators’ pedometer challenge

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, helped win $1,000 for the Bellevue School District in the third annual “Legislators on the Move” competition sponsored by Regence BlueShield. The grant will help fund health and fitness programs at a Bellevue school. move>>>

Shifty Sailors bring blend of song and joy to Senate at Haugen’s invitation

OLYMPIA — The tensions of budget negotiations, bill amendments and other final matters of the 2007 legislative session were broken today when the voices of Whidbey Island’s Shifty Sailors resonated throughout the Senate chamber. more>>>

Washington state first in the nation to add Korean American Day in state law

OLYMPIA – With the stroke of a pen, Washington became the first state in the nation to recognize Korean Americans in an honorary state holiday. State Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds stood proudly alongside Gov. Chris Gregoire as Senate Bill 5166, designating Jan. 13 as Korean American Day, was signed into law yesterday. more>>>

36th District survey results listed

Every other year I send a survey to voters in my district. Through the responses, I learn what’s important to many of my constituents, which helps me shape my priorities. more>>>

Sheldon successfully steers licensing bill for veterinary techs through Senate

OLYMPIA – Earlier this year, a group of veterinary technician students from Pierce College came to Olympia to testify in favor of a bill that would change their credentialing from registration to licensure. Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, sponsor of Senate Bill 5485 helped steer the House companion bill, 1331, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, through the state Senate. more>>>

Public invited to attend as Shin honors fallen service members

OLYMPIA – Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, is sponsoring a resolution that pays tribute to Washington service members who have lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The resolution will be read Thursday, April 12, at 11:30 am, on the Senate floor. more>>>

46th District constituents to be kept in the loop through electronic newsletter

OLYMPIA – There is a new way to keep abreast of issues facing Seattle. Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, is launching an electronic newsletter to communicate with his constituents. more>>>

21st District constituents can now receive electronic newsletters, updates

OLYMPIA – Although his legislative newsletters and stationery are printed on recycled paper, Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, wants to “go green” even more. To reduce household waste, Shin is offering his constituents an e-newsletter and periodic legislative updates. more>>>

Shinseki acknowledged for military record, accurate Iraq predictions

OLYMPIA – The Senate today passed a resolution to honor Gen. Eric Shinseki, the first Asian American four-star general in U.S. history, who gained national attention for his remarks on the number of troops needed for the post-war Iraq. more>>>

McAuliffe’s Youth Advisory Council visits Olympia, testifies in committee

OLYMPIA – Six junior high and high school students traveled to Olympia yesterday to meet with Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, to fulfill their duties as members of McAuliffe’s 1st Legislative District Youth Advisory Council. more>>>

Update from Olympia

Last week marked the half-way point of the 2007 legislative session, and I’d like to update you on some of the bills I’ve worked on to help strengthen Washington families and communities. more>>>

6th District constituents can stay informed through e-newsletter

OLYMPIA — Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, encourages constituents who want to track what he and the Legislature are doing to sign up on his e-newsletter distribution list. more>>>

Let's find our broadband gaps and close digital divide

We play games on them, calculate taxes, send messages, write letters, conduct research, get driving directions, buy shoes, find recipes and read news. For many homes, a computer is just as essential an appliance as a stove or refrigerator. more>>>

Now is the time for all good vets to come to the aid of their state

OLYMPIA – They’ve risked their lives in service to their country, now they’re ready and willing to serve their state. The Senate today approved legislation to establish an internship program for returning wounded combat veterans within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). more>>>

Bill would designate Jan 13 as newest holiday in Washington

OLYMPIA – Asian Americans are the 2nd fastest growing minority group in Washington. Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, the first and only Korean-American legislator in the state’s history, introduced a bill that would celebrate the accomplishments of Washington’s Korean-Americans by designating Jan 13 as a non-legal holiday. Today, it unanimously passed the Senate. more>>>

Sen. Kauffman says ‘sì’ to lunch in Spanish

OLYMPIA – Speaking another language is an advantage in business and in life. Just ask Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, who is working with her staff to establish a Spanish conversation group at the Legislature. more>>>

Legislature calls for Filipino vets to get their due

OLYMPIA – During World War II, 200,000 to 300,000 Filipinos volunteered or were drafted to serve in the U.S. military, but were later denied veterans status and are still ineligible to receive U.S. veteran’s benefits. more>>>

Senate boasts largest number of Asian American members in Washington’s history

OLYMPIA – Asian Americans, the second largest ethnic group in Washington, now hold more Senate seats than at any other time in state history. Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane and Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, reflect the growing Asian presence in the Senate. Shin is a Korean-American; Marr and Hobbs are both Japanese-Americans. more>>>

Olympia from the inside out

OLYMPIA – Ever wonder what really goes on inside the marble hallways of Olympia? Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, has begun sharing his observations of the 2007 legislative session with frequent Web log — or “blog” — entries on his Senate home page. more>>>

Sonics' proposal is about much more than a b-ball court

Many have spoken out against the $300 million of public financing for a new home for the Seattle SuperSonics, saying it is too much to spend. However, the proposal is for much more than just a basketball court. more>>>

Asian Pacific Americans mobilize for Legislative Day 2007

OLYMPIA – Washington’s Asian Pacific American (APA) population is diverse; members either hail or have ancestors who are from East or South Asia, Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands. Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, said that despite the diverse mix of cultures and languages within the APA’s community, Legislative Day is an opportunity to unite under common themes such as elder care, immigration reform and multicultural development. more>>>

African-American Legislative Day highlights education, health care issues

OLYMPIA – It’s as much a part of the legislative landscape as the lobbyists and pages: busloads of ordinary citizens come to the Capitol Campus in Olympia armed with information packets, legislative agendas and an appointment to meet with their lawmakers. Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma said that organizations that sponsor legislative days provide citizens with valuable information and the opportunity to effectively lobby their legislators. more>>>

Haugen: $2 bump in specialty plate fee could take care of animal emergencies

OLYMPIA — As For years, Washington has relied on volunteers and non-profit groups such as the Pilchuck Wildlife Center in Stanwood to tend to the wide variety of injured or frightened wildlife that turn up in homes, neighborhoods and other public areas. more>>>

Establishing the state’s official Nordic Heritage Museum

OLYMPIA – The Nordic Heritage Museum is the only one in the United States to honor the legacy of immigrants from the five Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, wants it to be an official museum for Washington. He is the main sponsor of Senate Bill 5857, which would designate the Nordic Heritage Museum as the state’s official Nordic museum. more>>>

Senate passes Marr’s veterans cemetery proposal for Spokane

OLYMPIA – Answering long-standing requests from veterans in Eastern Washington, the Senate today approved legislation by Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, to create a veterans cemetery in the Spokane area. more>>>

Haugen, Senate honor Lady Braves championship volleyball team

OLYMPIA — The Lady Braves state championship volleyball team from La Conner High School toured the state Capitol today as guests of Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. more>>>

Veterinary technicians seek licensure status

OLYMPIA – A group of students from Pierce College’s Veterinary Technology Program came to Olympia in support of Senate Bill 5485, sponsored by Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch. The bill would change a veterinary technician’s credentialing from registration to licensure. It was heard today in the Senate Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Committee. more>>>

Citizen-soldiers honored by Senate

OLYMPIA – They are our fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. They work in the same offices and shop at the same stores. And when our state or country calls, the National Guard responds. more>>>

Students encouraged to “blast off” with the Washington aerospace scholars program

OLYMPIA – The Washington Aerospace Scholars program, sponsored by the Museum of Flight, is seeking high school juniors interested in math, science, computer science and engineering for a one-week internship opportunity to help plan a mission to the planet Mars. more>>>