E-Newsletter No. 1

This is my first session as state senator representing the 47th District, and I am privileged to work on your behalf.

We are coming to the end of the 2007 legislative session, and I’d like to update you on some of the bills I’ve sponsored to help strengthen Washington families and communities.

EDUCATION

Education is the top priority of Senate Democrats this session, and we passed four bills to revolutionize Washington’s public education system. These bills would make bold changes to early learning, K-12, and institutions of higher learning, to ensure that all components of our public education system work together seamlessly to promote lifelong learning, and prepare students for success in today’s fast-paced economy.

I sponsored one of these bills, which would improve early learning programs in Washington. Senate Bill 5828 would:

 create a statewide early learning advisory council to create a comprehensive plan for early learning in Washington;
 create a five-star rating system for child care programs to give parents better information about early education options; and
 develop public–private partnerships to bring together communities, businesses, and government to support early learning.

I also sponsored SB 5830 to improve home visitation services for at-risk children. The bill would combine the efforts of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health & Human Services, and the Washington Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect to provide home visitation services to families. Home visits would provide new parents with referrals to a variety of learning, health and family support resources.

All children are born eager to learn, and both early learning bills provide resources to enhance the role of parents as our children’s first teachers.

Finally, I sponsored a bill to better align our state’s special education laws with those of the federal government. SB 5775 would help ensure Washington complies with federal requirements for special education, and provide important services to schools and families with children in special education programs.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I have also been hard at work helping the many small businesses in the 47th District – and elsewhere in the state – acquire the tools they need to compete in the marketplace.

I sponsored a bill (SB 5652) to create the Microenterprise Development Program to provide training, start-up capital and growth assistance to the owners of microenterprises. These businesses are the smallest of the small, and are usually operated by family members. The training created by this bill would provide business development, financial literacy, technical assistance and financial accountability training.

Strengthening family business is good for our economy and communities. With this in mind, I also sponsored SB 5653 to authorize self-employment assistance programs.

Washington’s entrepreneurial spirit is part of what makes our state unique, and both of my bills to help family business passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Keep in touch

The Washington Legislature is part-time, and our session is scheduled to adjourn April 22. After the session ends, I will return to my family and our district until the next session begins in January 2008.

I look forward to hearing about your priorities. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at my office in Olympia at 360-786-7692, or at kauffman.claudia@leg.wa.gov.

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