The state legislature ended a record long session earlier this month, which included passing a $38.2 billion, two year operating budget. Changes to the recreational marijuana system and a transportation package that paves the way for a host of Sound Transit projects were just a couple of the actions CHS covered in 2015.
To prepare for next year’s session, Capitol Hill resident and 43rd Legislative District Rep. Brady Walkinshaw wants to know your priorities. As the name might suggest, Walkinshaw’s #ChangeOneThing survey asks residents to identify the single most important issue facing the district. You can take the survey here.
Two of Walkinshaw’s most notable accomplishments in this year’s session had direct Capitol Hill ties. Joel’s Law, inspired by the 2013 death of Joel Reuter on Capitol Hill, would strengthen involuntarily commitment guidelines for people suffering from mental illness. Another Walkinshaw bill expanded access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse the deadly effects of a heroin overdose.
Oh goody, YET another dead end survey. I’ve heard the candidates groaning about the endless surveys they’ve been required to respond to this cycle but I have to say I am starting to understand. I’m so tired of filling out surveys listing my / our neighborhood’s / our city’s top issues: how about having some of these elected officials just picking an issue and working on it. You were elected on various platforms based on issues important to you and your electorate. You see something that needs fixing among those issues, enough to maintain your attention: fix it. Send a survey inquiring about the effectiveness and next steps AFTER you’ve accomplished something.
This frustration at surveys is not meant to take away from Mr. Walkshaw’s accomplishments: his wins for Joel’s Law and expanded access to naloxone, are both huge for our neighborhood.
Leaders should lead, not ask where. Give me five specific problems with solutions listed with cost estimates. I’ll prioritize, maybe toss in a sixth. But I hire legislators to determine what is realistically feasible. If left to my own prioritizing, I’d call for a crow season in Seattle but only for hunters with valid driver’s licenses east of the Cascades.
The State of Washington needs to regulate the finances of
Continuing Care Retirement Communities to protect the interests of residents. We a deposit of tens of thousands of dollars; we are promised future medical care. But nothing in WA law prevents a board from the kind of poor management that would waste residents’ money, or take on so much debt for expanded buildings that residents’ contracts would be impossible to fulfill. Please notice our vulnerability and regulate retirement communities.
Sincerely,
Alice Wesley
Please support codification of regulations for CCRC retirement residences. I live at Skyline, in Seattle. I would like to be assured that the quality care I expect will occur as I need it, and that my substantial investment will be protected by laws regulating this burgeoning industry.
Thank you,
Sally W. Soest
Seattle