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Lisa Brown on Policy and Politics
More from Morocco 11/16/2009
Yesterday we went to Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane in the foothills of the Middle Atlas mountains. It was ironically created because of a Saudi Arabian oil spill off the coast of Morocco. The Saudi government paid money to Morocco for the incident, but the oil moved away from the Moroccan coast and it was agreed that the money could be used to start a university. It is conceived as an “American style” English speaking university, but from the newspapers and journals in the library, and from the composition of the faculty, it seemed to me to be a truly international university with influence from Europe and from other African and Arab countries.
Pictures from Morocco 11/12/2009
Click this link to my photostream to see just a few pictures from Morocco. So far, an incredible experience...
On women’s illiteracy and Facebook in Morocco 11/10/2009
It is always great to be on a college campus. We went to Mohammed V University in Rabat for a few meetings. We learned that the women of Morocco launched a “million signature” campaign in 1992 ( the same year I was first elected to the Legislature). They ultimately won impressive changes to the Muduana (the family code).
Hello from Morocco! 11/9/2009
Yesterday I arrived in Casablanca, Morocco to lead a delegation with the Center for Women and Democracy to explore issues and leadership challenges facing women. So far I have seen a fascinating mix of traditional and contemporary economy, architecture and culture. On the road from the Mohammed V Airport, men were herding sheep and pulling handcarts. Most women wore traditional clothing and headscarves. Mercedes and Volkswagens zipped past our bus and resorts were visible along the coast. Satellite dishes sprouted from rooftops in affluent and very poor neighborhoods.
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown on Boeing’s announcement 10/28/2009
"I am deeply disappointed in today's announcement. I had great hope that Boeing, in the end, would decide to keep the second line of the 787 here in Washington.
"I'm especially disappointed that the decision was made at a level that we could not influence locally. In the Senate, we wanted to keep 787 here at home - we worked with both sides and saw strong local interest from local Boeing leaders and employees to keep the 787 here at home – but the decision was made far away, and, very unfortunately, we were unable to affect it here at home.
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown on the state of talks between Boeing and the Machinists 10/28/2009
"Today’s news that Boeing's 787 second production line may be headed to South Carolina is very troubling. I’ve spoken with Sen. Patty Murray's office this morning. Like most Washingtonians, we both want the second line of the 787 made here in Washington where it belongs.
"I’ve talked with the Machinists, and I know that Washington's economy relies upon the tens of thousands of family wage jobs Boeing brings to the state. And I’ve talked with Boeing, and I know that Boeing relies upon Washington's broad and highly skilled workforce that is the lifeblood of the aerospace industry.
Mind the gap 10/1/2009
We’re still three months away from the 2010 legislative session, but it already looks as though the biggest story from 2009 will carry over into the new year: how to deal with the gap between the cost of services and the revenue need to pay for them.
Last session, the Legislature faced a $9 billion budget shortfall that we closed with $2 billion in one-time fixes, $3 billion in federal stimulus, and $4 billion in very difficult cuts. It was a brutal exercise that none of us in Olympia signed up for, and few wish to repeat.
North Spokane Corridor: 'Let's celebrate' 8/22/2009
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, helped open the first segment of the North Spokane Corridor this afternoon. The three-and-a-half mile segment stretches from Freya Avenue to Farwell Road and is the first drivable stretch of highway to open for a megaproject six decades in the making.
Answering your Questions 4/19/2009
I want to say thank you for participating in our online town-hall. 327 people from all across the state submitted over 100 questions, and cast over 5,800 votes on what they thought were the best questions.
Here’s my answers for the top five questions, and I’ll post the next five answers tomorrow.
A fairer tax system, if the public wants it 4/9/2009
Those of us in the Legislature who favor a more fair tax system were never under the illusion that making changes would be simple or quick.
Opponents to a modest income tax on the most affluent in our state have been vocal and vociferous. Because they can’t argue about what the proposal is, they focus on the specter of what it might become. In the past, this has been a prescription for the status quo, preserving a tax system that is more unstable and less fair than the people of Washington deserve.