Sep 08

Sick Leave – Industry Lobbies Are Trying Four Tactics to Undermine a Bill Designed to Help Seattle Workers

From the Slog:

On Monday, September 12, the Seattle City Council is slated to vote on legislation that would require all Seattle employers to offer up to 72 hours of annual paid sick leave to the 190,000 full-time workers in the city who currently lack that benefit. Not only useful when they’re ill, a worker could use the paid days off to care for a family member or deal with domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

…  Taking advantage of the council’s trepidation, lobbies for downtown businesses, large employers, and the hospitality industry are putting the screws on. With days left before the vote, city hall sources tell The Stranger that lobbies are shopping around various amendments that would weaken the bill.

The full article is here:  The Stranger Blog

Sep 01

PCO Elections

From Natalie McClendon:

Attached is a memo from me outlining an approach to legislation for 2012 to address the matter of PCO elections, in the wake of the ruling on the Top Two Primary. I am proposing that the Party consider online voting for PCO’s.

I propose that the Executive Board discuss this on Friday, September 16; then send the matter to the Central Committee for discussion the next day. If the body supports the concept of online voting for PCO, I would seek authorization to pursue legislation in the 2012 Session.

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Sep 01

Three Charts to Email to Your Right-Wing Brother-In-Law

Problem: Your right-wing brother-in-law is plugged into the FOX-Limbaugh lie machine, and keeps sending you emails about “Obama spending” and “Obama deficits” and how the “Stimulus” just made things worse.

Solution: Here are three “reality-based” charts to send to him. These charts show what actually happened.

Spending

More here:  Truth-Out

Sep 01

Where pay for chief executives tops the company tax burden

At least 25 top United States companies paid more to their chief executives in 2010 than they did to the federal government in taxes, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The chief executives of those companies were paid an average of more than $16 million a year, the study found, a figure substantially higher than the $10.8 million average for all companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index.

More here: MSNBC article

Aug 30

Redistricting Proposals to be Unveiled on Sept. 13

The Washington State Redistricting Commission—tasked with drawing up new voting districts at the congressional level to accommodate Washington State’s new 10th District and, as they do every 10 years, tweak state-level legislative districts—will unveil its plans on September 13. The group has until June 2012 to finalize the new districts.

More details are here:  Publicola

Aug 29

Bob Hasegawa, legislator of the year

Congrats to Bob Hasegawa, who was named a legislator of the year by the WSLC.

http://www.thestand.org/2011/08/wslc-posts-convention-videos-resolutions/

Aug 29

Public issues survey

If you live in the unincorporated areas of King County, then the county is your local service provider. That means you need a voice on issues and concerns unique to your community. Creating more opportunities for public input is what the next round of forums is all about.

In July, the King County Council created a new framework for public engagement in the unincorporated areas that utilizes Community Service Areas (CSAs). Countywide Community Forums is partnering with the county to get feedback from you on how best to implement the new CSA model.

CLICK HERE to take the online survey, or you can join us at one of the following forums.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m., Issaquah Library
  • Thursday, Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m. Duvall Family Life Center
  • Saturday, Aug. 27, 12 Noon, Maple Valley Library
  • Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m. North Highline Fire District Headquarters

You can access more information at Countywide Community Forums.

Aug 22

Picnic reminder

Just a reminder… the 11th LD Democrats’ annual picnic is this Sunday at noon.  Please join us and enjoy some food, music, and plenty of awesome Democratic fun!  Details are here:  https://www.11thlddems.org/blog/2011/08/11th-ld-annual-picnic/

Aug 22

Sen. Prentice’s e-newsletter 8/19/2011

http://blog.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/prentice/sen-prentice-rsquo-s-e-newsletter-8-19-2011/

Aug 17

Elect Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel

The candidate who has pledged to keep the hospital public is trailing in the primary—the candidate who wants to sell off the assets of Public hospital district #1 is ahead.

In order to win in the general election in a low-turnout odd-numbered year, Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel needs financial support and volunteers to doorbell and phone bank.

electmaryalice@yahoo.com
http://www.electmaryalice.com/contribute.aspx

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Aug 17

2011 Endorsements

I’ve updated our endorsements list for the general election.  https://www.11thlddems.org/blog/2011/06/2011-endorsements/

Aug 16

Events feed

Have you ever wanted to subscribe to just our events in RSS?  Now, you can.  Check out the link at the right of the 11th LD web page or use this address in your RSS reader:  https://www.11thlddems.org/blog/category/events/upcoming/?feed=rss

Aug 16

Where to Go to Party on Election Night

The Slog posted some good info if you want to schmooze with the candidates tonight:

Tunnel Referendum/Proposition 1
Protect Seattle Now (Reject): Havana, 6:00 PM
Let’s Move Forward (Approve): Miners Landing, 6:00 PM

City Council Position 1
Jean Godden: Fare Start, 7:00 PM
Bobby Forch: Rob Roy, 7:00 PM
Maurice Classen: Great Nabob, 6:00 PM
Michael Taylor-Judd: Attending Protect Seattle Now’s party at Havana.

City Council Position 9
Sally Clark: Doing whatever everyone else is doing.

King County Council District 8
Joe McDermott: Beveridge Place Pub, 8:00 PM

King County Council District 6
Jane Hague: didn’t return our calls, as usual.
Patsy Bonincontri: Party pooper.
Richard Mitchell: Crossroads Grill, 7:30 PM
John Creighton: George’s Place, 7:00 PM

Aug 16

Election Day Reminder

Reposted from the Beacon Hill Blog:

Today is Primary Election Day. Ballots must be postmarked today to be counted. If you prefer not to use the mail, you can drop off your ballot by 8 p.m. at one of the official drop boxes.

You may also vote in person at one of the accessible voting centers, which are open to all voters. This is what you need to do if you’ve lost or damaged your ballot.

Need to refresh your memory about the issues and candidates? You can see a copy of the voter’s pamphlet for statewide races here. Local races can be found at the King County Elections website instead.

King County Democrats Endorsements are here:  http://www.kcdems.org/node/9
11th LD Democrats Endorsements are in our newsletter archive (Sorry, I’ll make it easier for the general election):   https://www.11thlddems.org/blog/category/newsletters/

Aug 14

Zack Hudgins bundle of joy

Zack Hudgins and his wife just had a baby boy, Sebastian Quintana, yesterday. Born yesterday at 6:31am, weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches. Congrats you two!

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