WASL alternatives coming

By Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio

The Washington House today (Fri) voted to authorize the state school superintendent to develop new ways to assess student progress, other than the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL.

The bill’s sponsors say the WASL should continue to be the primary assessment tool. But Vancouver Representative Deb Wallace says good students who fail the WASL should be given other ways to show off what they know.

“We find that having alternatives is a valid way to assess their learning,” she said. “It is a valid way that also accepts and appreciates that children and that people have different styles and that we can still stay to the rigors of our education system.”

The bill requires the state superintendent’s office to develop, by next fall, three other assessment methods. That may include giving grades or college entrance exam scores more weight or may allow student portfolios to be considered before graduation.

Before the alternative assessments could be considered, the student must first take and fail the WASL, twice.

The House approved the bill by a 96-to-two vote and sent it to the governor for her signature.

E-waste recovery bill clears Washington House

By Austin Jenkins
Northwest News Network

Have you been wondering what to do with that old computer in the basement? Washington may soon have a free e-waste recycling program. Legislation passed the House of Representatives Thursday.

If you're like most people you have a collection of e-waste cluttering your basement, garage or attic. Now legislation has passed the Washington House and Senate that will create free drop-off sites. It requires TV and computer-makers to foot the bill for the statewide e-waste recycling program.

Democrat Representative Dave Upthegrove from Des Moines says, "This is an innovative, progressive proposal that uses free-market forces, privatizes the recycling and will result in a better, cleaner environment."

Some argued for a California-style system. That's where the consumer pays a recycling fee at the point of purchase. The e-waste bill needs to make one more stop in the Senate before it heads to the governor. If signed into law, it will take three years for the program to be fully up and running.

Idaho may jail moms who use meth

By Elizabeth Wynne Johnson
Northwest News Network

Idaho may become the first state in the Northwest to make it a felony for a woman to use illegal drugs during pregnancy. It’s supposed to help protect the littlest victims of substance abuse, but critics worry about how it will be used.

Idaho’s first-responders and lawmakers say they’re tired of seeing the growing number of children affected by methamphetamine and other drugs. So they’re taking aim at pregnant women who use drugs with a proposed law known as the “Meth Mom” bill. It would order the women into drug treatment if appropriate.

But the felony status of the crime could mean up to five years in prison or a $50-thousand fine.

That worries North Idaho state senator Shawn Keough. In rural communities that don’t have drug treatment programs or counselors, she says a conviction is an automatic jail sentence.

“To make it a felony and to say that it is to provide treatment but not make certain that treatment network is in place is not a step that I was willing to take,” she says.

The bill narrowly passed the Senate this week. Now it’s on to the House, but no date has been set for a hearing.

Sonics against voting on Key Arena improvements

By Austin Jenkins
Northwest News Network

The clock is running out on Washington's legislative session. But the Seattle Supersonics still hope for a big win. They want taxpayers to foot the bill for a Key Arena remodel.

Thursday the team shot down a proposal to put the issue to a vote of the people.

It feels like the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Players in the Sonics-Key Arena controversy have picked-up the pace. The latest idea: let King County voters decide whether to fund a $220-million makeover of the arena through a tax extension.

The Sonics' Terry McLaughlin opposes the idea, saying, “It's a challenging issue and it is so largely because of the timing - the timing and the uncertainty. Like any business uncertainty is not a welcome environment in which to operate."

McLaughlin won't say how much money the Sonics will contribute to a Key Arena expansion. He does say team owners will pay cost overruns if they are allowed to manage the project and the facility afterwards.

The Sonics say without a taxpayer-funded remodel, the team will have to move. The issue could go down to the buzzer with the legislature scheduled to adjourn next Thursday.

Human services advocates feel betrayed by Dems

By Austin Jenkins
Northwest News Network

It's one-party-rule in Olympia these days. Democrats control the House, the Senate and the Governor's office. Plus, there's a hefty budget surplus. You'd think these would be glory days for lobbyists who work on behalf of children, the elderly and the poor. Instead, there's a sense of frustration and disappointment.

The budget debate on the floor of the Washington State House tells the story.

Saying, "They say that justice is blind and I say we cannot turn a blind eye on the children in our state," Mercer Island Democrat Judy Clibborn tries to get an extra $3 million to give health coverage to children of immigrant parents.

Clibborn's amendment passes. It's an important victory for lobbyists who advocate on behalf of poor children. But even with the extra money, 5,000 kids will remain on a waiting list, according to Seattle-based Children's Alliance. Jon Gould is deputy director.

"We believe that there is nothing more clear and present than a parent who applied for health coverage for their child in December and to tell those parents they have to wait to get coverage is just unacceptable when we have such a big budget surplus," says Gould.

With a $1.5 billion surplus and Democrats in charge, the so-called poverty lobby had great expectations for the 2006 legislative session. They've had some key successes. But the overall feeling is majority Democrats have shortchanged programs for vulnerable populations.

Jerry Reilly is a longtime lobbyist for the Eldercare Alliance. He says his constituents feel Democrats have pushed eldercare issues to the backburner in favor of tax breaks for businesses and other funding priorities.

"Given the context of $1.5 billion and people's additional frustration when they see tax reductions occurring and they see the context of elder issues apparently being a lower priority than education, higher education, environmental concerns, mental health concerns, they're frustrated," he says.

Democratic leaders seem to have little patience for the discontent. Lynn Kessler of Hoquiam is House Majority Leader. She points out Democrats have appropriated millions of dollars for a host of programs that serve the poor, the uninsured, the young and the old.

"In the end,” says Kessler, “we think we've given so much this year and we have repaired much of the safety net that has been disrupted in the last four years. So we feel good about it. I'm sorry that they have to be at their own party and feel so bad when they should be celebrating."

Kessler and fellow Democrats say they're trying to strike a balance between shoring-up programs and saving for the future. In fact fiscal restraint has become the rallying cry of Governor Chris Gregoire and Democratic lawmakers. They know if they spend down the surplus, they could face a deficit next year. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown of Spokane says the goal is to avoid roller coaster budgeting.

"It's important from a budget perspective to not set ourselves up for a two-year budget cycle next year where we have to pull back again and make big cuts or try to put tax increases on the table that aren't going to go anywhere," Brown says.

That tax and spend cycle has burned Democrats in years past and they've been punished at the polls. They don't want to make that mistake again. This is, after all, an election year when all House members and about half the Senators are up for re-election. And it won't be too long before Governor Gregoire is running again. She and Democratic lawmakers want to prove - despite what Republicans say - that they are fiscally responsible.

New date for primary clears Washington legislature

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

Wednesday morning’s 94 to 3 vote by Washington Representatives means that beginning next year, Washington’s primary election will move forward one month to the third Tuesday in August.

The bill changing the state’s primary election date passed the Senate in February. Now all that’s required is the governor’s signature.

Supporters say Washington’s primary and general elections need to be further apart on the calendar to allow time to certify close primary elections and to accommodate overseas voters.

Oak Harbor Republican Barbara Bailey’s district includes the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. She says base personnel deployed overseas complain about not being given enough time between the current primary and general elections to receive and return their ballots.

“The spouses that are left behind really struggle to try to get their ballots to them. As a matter of fact I’ve had many of them come to me and ask me why can’t we do something? There’s just not enough time. So today, we’re going to do something,” Bailey concluded.

Representatives otherwise favoring the primary change worry about losing the 30-day freeze on receiving campaign contributions after the end of a legislative session. A similar freeze before the start of a session continues.

Ed Orcutt from Kalama in southwest Washington was prepared to offer an amendment reinstating the after-session freeze period. But his desire to insure the military vote prompted Orcutt to back off, with a promise that he’d be back to fight another day.

“We have time next year to advance this as a stand-alone bill. But for now, it’s with a heavy heart, but for a very good reason I believe I will not be not be moving adoption of the amendment. I will withdraw it,” said Orcutt.

The change to the primary date will not affect this year’s elections because the measure does not become effective until 2007.

Mercury banned in vaccines for women, children

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

The Washington House today passed without dissent a measure prohibiting vaccinations using vaccines containing mercury.

Not that mercury in vaccines to prevent bacterial contamination is a major problem. The substance hasn’t been used since 1999.

West Seattle Democrat Eileen Cody says the new bill is as much about education as it is public health safety.

There are many people who still believe there is mercury in the vaccines,” says Cody, “and they are avoiding getting their children vaccinated because of this. So we have passed this bill forward, actually trying to turn it into more of an educational piece so that people understand the need for vaccinations and also to take care of the fear of mercury in vaccines.”

The measure received bi-partisan backing. Central Washington Republican Bill Hinkle, ranking minority member of the House Committee on Health, also urged passage.

The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that currently only some flu vaccines contain the compound that includes Mercury.

Extra money for human services agencies. Maybe.

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

The Spokane city council is in a bit of a quandary after last night’s vote to spend additional money on local human services programs.

They’ve come up with nearly $224,000 left unspent from the 2005 city budget that could be added to the $767,000 already budgeted this year for human services agencies.

But council member Nancy McLaughlin thinks adding roughly $195,000 would be enough, considering Spokane’s current financial situation.

“My heart’s desire is to, if I could give them every last dollar of this I could, but at the same time we’re looking at our budget crunch still,” said McLaughlin. “We’ve asked labor unions to give back in concessions. We’ve been asking everyone to tighten in their budgets.”

McLaughlin suggests cutting part of the Community Health Association of Spokane – or CHAS – dental program allocation along with some added money for Guild School and WSU mobile health unit.

McLaughlin lost when a bare majority of the council voted Monday night to allot the full $224,000.

But she may yet get her way. The council still has to move the money into the current city budget via the procedure called an emergency budget ordinance. To do that will require a supermajority, or five, council votes.

City's investigation bill balloons by $17,000

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

Last year’s city council investigation into the activities of former Mayor Jim West is setting Spokane back nearly $37,000 – or about $17,000 more than originally expected.

Last summer, at the height of the West controversy, members of the Spokane city council took it upon themselves to investigate the former mayor. They hired a Bellevue attorney Mark Busto, agreeing to pay his firm $20,000.

But the investigation became complicated – especially when the former mayor went to court to resist opening personal documents to public scrutiny – and costs ballooned. Busto’s final bill? $37,000.

Some on the council wondered why they weren’t told when Busto’s work exceeded the agreed-to amount.

Councilman Brad Stark went as far as urging the council to reject the additional charge, arguing that a contract should be a contract.

“It’s like hiring someone to remodel your bathroom and they say they’re going to charge you $20,000 and they come back 85 percent more,” he said. “This is out of hand. We had a contract in mind and it said here again, total compensation shall not exceed $20,000.”

Current Mayor Dennis Hession accepts some of the responsibility.

“I was the one who was charged by the council to make contact with Mr. Busto, to negotiate a contract with him,” he said. “So there was an ongoing contact with him and I was helping to make decision when they would ask me how I wanted them to proceed.”

Hession told council members that he had been busy with other duties, especially in November as the mayoral recall heated up and the council investigation neared its climax. Busto’s November billing makes up much of the cost overrun.

Council members eventually agreed to pay up. But Rob Crow said they should learn from this and insist that future personal service contracts require they be notified whenever costs exceed the original agreed-upon figure.

Cell phone ban bill limited to teen drivers

By John Vlahovich
Spokane Public Radio

With a single amendment, the Washington House transportation committee completely changed the focus of a bill restricting cell phone usage by drivers. The new language, instead of applying to all drivers, speaks only to teens holding intermediate drivers licenses.

House transportation committee members offered 18 separate amendments to the Senate-passed bill to forbid all drivers from using a cell phone while behind the wheel. They sought to similarly ban the use while driving of everything from a CB radio to touch-screen GPS locating devices.

But by a 15 to 13 vote, committee members decided just to ban the use of cell phones by teenage intermediate drivers. The full House must still vote on their amended bill.

State Senators voted for the full ban earlier this month, citing highway safety concerns. But Representatives like Republican Jim Buck, whose district is on the Olympic Peninsula, thought other motives might lie behind the bill.

“I’ve got a community that thinks that we come down here and essentially pass laws to be used as revenue generators for some of our junior taxing districts,” he suggested. “I think we’re on the verge of starting a list of behaviors that could be used basically to just generate $106 fines ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.”

Buck’s concern cut across party lines. Mount Vernon Democrat Jeff Morris said it would be difficult to single out all of the many distractions that drivers face.

“I would support a law that makes it a crime for not paying attention to driving generally. But to single this out as a special case I have a hard time with and so do not want to support it,” he said.

The one thing both sides could agree on was that teen drivers as a group have more accidents and this group’s behind-the-wheel behavior should be more tightly controlled.

By Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio

Farmers who are looking for their place in a rapidly-emerging alternative energy market got some encouragement from a Bush administration official today (Mon) in Spokane.

Agriculture Department Undersecretary Tom Dorr told attendees at the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference that the “new energy economy”, as he calls it, is bringing new opportunities for people in rural America.

Dorr told a lunchtime crowd that the trends in the U-S energy industry are clear: both ethanol production and the amount of power created by wind have increased in the last few years.

“Ethanol, wind and biodiesel are getting close to viability without, without subsidies,” he said. “That is, close to full commercialization, and that’s our goal. And we, in fact, are investing to achieve that.”

Dorr says the federal government is providing hundreds of millions of dollars to researchers and investors who are developing new energy sources.

Meanwhile, in the Washington legislature, lawmakers are considering several bills that aim to create demand for biodiesel and provide incentives for farmers to grow the crops needed to make alternative fuels.

But it was clear at the conference that at least a few farmers still aren’t convinced. Some at a workshop on biofuels were wary about switching from their traditional grains because they worry they won’t make money growing the new crops. Others believe that if a lot of farmers jump on the alternative crop bandwagon, they’ll glut the market and drive down prices.