Update from Olympia

by Sen. Claudia Kauffman

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.

This is my first session as state senator representing Auburn and other nearby communities, and I am privileged to work on an issue very dear to me – education. The Senate recently passed four bills to revolutionize education in Washington, to ensure that all components of our public education system (early learning, K-12 and institutions of higher learning) work together to promote lifelong learning and prepare students for success in today’s fast-paced economy. One of these bills, which I sponsored, would create a statewide early learning plan and an early learning program rating system, so parents are better informed of child care options. The other bills would phase in optional all-day kindergarten, create new investments in math and science education and better prepare teachers for their very important job.

One of the first bills signed into law this session by Gov. Chris Gregoire will also help Washington children succeed, by providing health insurance to 38,000 children. Senate Democrats and Gregoire are committed to expanding health insurance access to every child in Washington by 2010, and have made steady progress toward that goal in each of the past several years.

Reliable health care and a world-class education system are just two necessities for healthy communities and families – we also need opportunities for business development, which is one of my top priorities in Olympia. I sponsored a bill to create the Microenterprise Development Program to provide training, start-up capital, and growth assistance to operators of microenterprises. These are the smallest of the small businesses, and are usually operated by a sole-proprietor and his or her family members. Strengthening family business is good for our economy and communities, and my bill unanimously passed the Senate and is now being considered in the House of Representatives.

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, my full-time job and our district until the next session begins in January 2008. For the next month we’ll be hard at work on issues that matter to Washington families, and I look forward to updating you again after the 2007 Legislature has adjourned.

Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, is vice chair of the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee, and serves on the Transportation, Early Learning & K-12 Education, and International Trade, Economic Development & Management committees.

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