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Olympia, WA 98504-0436
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Seattle, WA 98121
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Local Governments
News
An invite to celebrate 12 new anti-trafficking laws 5/16/2012
You Are Invited to celebrate the enactment of 12 new laws on human trafficking in the 2012 Legislative Session.
Details:
Recent anti-trafficking laws to be highlighted at Seattle press conference and continuing legal education seminar 4/27/2012
OLYMPIA—Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D—Seattle, and other anti-human trafficking advocates, invite the media and advocates to attend a press conference held on International Labor Day—a day which reminds us that even though many protections were achieved after labor unions went on strike May 1, 1886, modern day trafficking and labor abuse still exists. Discussion will include twelve newly enacted laws and other anti-trafficking efforts.
Meet 36th District state legislators at a town hall 4/20/2012
OLYMPIA — Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson and Rep. Reuven Carlyle invite the public to attend the 36th Legislative District Town Hall. This provides an opportunity for constituents to meet with their legislators and discuss the 2012 legislative sessions, followed by a question and answer period. Coffee will be provided.
Huffington Post: Lawmakers In 5 States Tell Feds To Back Off Medical Marijuana 4/2/2012
In an open letter to the federal government, lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle called on the government to stop using scarce law enforcement resources on taking pot away from medical marijuana patients.
Postdoctoral and clinical employees have collective bargaining rights under new law 3/30/2012
OLYMPIA — Today Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law granting collective bargaining rights for postdoctoral researchers and clinical employees at the University of Washington and Washington State University. Collective bargaining may begin under the provisions of the Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act.
Bill to revive tax break for film productions now law 3/29/2012
OLYMPIA — Today Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law to revive a tax incentive program that expired last July to attract movie production to Washington state.
“We have tourists from all over the world going to the town of Forks because it was the setting of the hit vampire movie series, Twilight,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D—Seattle, sponsor of Senate Bill 5539. “That's great, but imagine the economic impact the region would have seen if the movies had actually been filmed in Forks, with locally-hired crew members and all food and lodging expenses going straight into the local economy. Renewing the competiveness program will continue to spur job creation and have a multiplier effect for every dollar invested throughout the economy.”
Anti-trafficking bills, including focus on online child escort ads, signed into law 3/29/2012
OLYMPIA — Today, bipartisan bills to combat human trafficking, including legislation to keep minors from being exploited through online ads for escort services such as Backpage.com, were signed into law.
In 2002, Washington was the first state in the country to pass anti-trafficking laws. On this 10-year anniversary, 12 new laws shows Washington continues to lead the fight against human trafficking.
Bill to combat child escort ads on Backpage.com now law 3/29/2012
Kohl-Welles e-newsletter update 03/28/12 3/28/2012
Dear Neighbors,
This week’s e-newsletter highlights:
“Penn State” bill expanding mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect in higher education signed into law 3/19/2012
OLYMPIA – Legislation (Senate Bill 5991) introduced by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, requiring higher education employees to report suspected child abuse or neglect in Washington state, has been signed into law.