2006 Legislative Session
March 9, 2006
(Olympia, WA) Asking congress to allow the state to make medical decisions and removing duplicative requirements in a proposed scholarship program were among the accomplishments of Evergreen Public Affairs during the recently-ended legislative session.
Committees in both the House and the Senate voted to approve a memorial to congress asking that local doctors -- not the federal Drug Enforcement Administration -- be allowed to decide if marijuana is an appropriate therapy for chemotherapy patients, people suffering from glaucoma, those with chronic pain and others. Unfortunately, time ran out in the short legislative session, and it was never brought to the floor for a vote.
Other legislation supported during the session included scholarships for mathematics and science teaching candidates, as well as scholarships for classroom aides in bilingual and special education who want to become teachers. Both were funded in the state budget -- with duplicative requirements for colleges removed from the math/science teacher scholarships.
Evergreen Public Affairs also successfully advocated that the Washington Department of Ecology change its policy on nuclear waste disposal at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. State Ecology Director Jay Manning recently implemented the "Hanford Waste First" policy in making decisions about what the state would allow to be disposed of at the site.
2005
Recognizing Military Service
May 3, 2005
The bill was prompted by the case of Col. Michael Pierce (pictured with Governor Gregoire), a 29+ year employee of the Grant County Public Utility District, who had intended to retire soon when he was activated in the Army Reserve. When he tried to retire, the state told Col. Pierce that he would have to have an honorable discharge and go back on the payroll at the PUD.
SHB 1938 allows members of the military "actively serving honorably" to receive the service credit without going back to work, since military call-ups are routinely being extended well beyond the initial tours.
Increasing Access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and WorkFirst
April 22, 2005
(Olympia, WA) The state of Washington will increase access to help for people struggling to overcome felony drug convictions with Governor Gregoire's signature on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5213. Evergreen Public Affairs, on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, was able to garner votes of 47-2 in the Senate and 77-17 in the House to deliver the bill to the Governor's desk.
The new law, which goes into effect on September 1, 2005, exercises a state option in federal law to not exclude drug felons from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and associated programs.
When implemented, the law will also give people struggling to overcome a drug conviction access to the WorkFirst program, where the motto is "A Job, A Better Job, A Better Life."
(Pictured, left to right, Bob Cooper, Evergreen Public Affairs; Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County, prime sponsor; Rep. Bill Hinkle, R, Cle Elum; Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D- Seattle; and Governor Christine Gregoire as she signs ESSB 5213 into law.)
2004
March 22, 2004
(Olympia, WA) Governor Locke today signed Engrossed Senate Bill 6411, restoring food stamp eligibility to people whose records include drug felony convictions, which will help thousands of people in recovery who are putting their lives back together. Evergreen Public Affairs pushed this bill through the legislative process on behalf of Washington Citizen Action.
The bill also
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A coalition of organizations promoted the legislation, which was crafted in partnership with Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) and sponsored by Sen. Dale Brandland (R-Bellingham). Evergreen Public Affairs, representing Washington Citizen Action, helped lead the effort.
Other legislative successes for Evergreen Public Affairs, on behalf of Washington Citizen Action and in coalition with a wide variety of partners, included:
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