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Senator Steve Litzow is working hard everyday to help make Washington a better place to work, live and raise a family. He is working hard to control state spending and he is delivering on education reform.
Wednesday, November 28, 2011
On September 22nd we learned that the Governor, Christine Gregoire, called a special session to start on November 28th. As of today, we are unable to accept campaign contributions. State law prohibits elected officials from accepting donations while they’re participating in the Legislative Session. Regular session is scheduled to begin January 9th, 2012. After regular session ends in March, I am permitted to accept campaign contributions for my re-election campaign.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Supporting Our Youth with ‘Stand for Children’
Last month on October 20th, I attended a luncheon benefiting the Stand for Children Leadership Center. It was an inspirational event focused on changing the odds and improving the lives of Washington’s K-12 public school students. Listening to Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, was such an encouraging experience. Stand for Children continues to be a leading advocate to ensure our youth, regardless of their background, get the education needed to succeed in today's world.
Working for Better Teachers with the “Martinez Foundation”
On October 11th, I attended the “Keys to Success Luncheon” hosted by the Martinez Foundation. After four years, they have employed twenty-one teachers who are working at underserved schools in the state of Washington. It was also a great pleasure hearing from local author Sherman Alexie. I always enjoy listening to someone from Washington who has worked hard to become successful.
Visiting Small Businesses
Meeting local business owners is always a rewarding experience for me because I am able to hear different stories about how they have grown to become successful contributors of our society. On October 27th, I met Corey McGee, owner of Mercer Island CrossFit. I enjoyed listening to him share how he built his business and the goals he has for expansion so that Mercer Island CrossFit can thrive in Washington.
September 2011 Newsletter
With the announcement that Governor Christine Gregiore has called a special session starting on November 28th, our state government will have to figure out what to cut in order to deal with the $1.3 billion budget shortfall. Read more.
September 2011 Newsletter
I appreciate all the help and support I’ve received from you over the last 17 months and hope I can count on your continued support. Read more.
Going Door to Door Hearing from You
August 2011 Newsletter
I have spent many days in the past month talking with constituents from around our district. I have been engaged in many discussions about the latest legislative session in Olympia and enjoyed hearing the suggestions and comments people have had about it. Education and creating jobs continue to be the two most talked about topics I’ve had with members of the community. Read more.
July 27, 2011
Earlier this month The Nature Conservancy confirmed me as a member of its Washington board of trustees. I'm honored to join the other private- and public-sector leaders from around the state who are working to further the mission of the world’s largest conservation organization.
Protecting the environment is high on my list as a lawmaker, as seen in my support for several successful environmental measures -- legislation to limit phosphorus runoff into Puget Sound, protect sharks from the practice of “finning” and accelerate the retirement of the state’s lone coal-fired power plant. The perspective I'll gain by serving on The Nature Conservancy's state board can only help me to do a better job of that.
Our state is blessed with a wonderful, diverse environment, and I'm grateful for the conservation-minded people of yesterday who helped preserve and protect natural treasures for us to enjoy now (such as Mount Rainier National Park). That's why I advocated in Olympia for continued support of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. It helps fund conservation and outdoor recreation projects, and is an example of how we can be conservation-minded today on behalf of the generations to come.
Session report, part 3: A healthier enviornment, and what's around the corner on transportation
July 15, 2011
When I talk with people around our district about what they want most, transportation solutions and environmental protections are on the short list – not a surprise considering how they influence the quality of life in our part of Washington.
In this post about the outcomes of the 2011 legislative session I’ll touch on steps that were taken, in a bipartisan manner, to safeguard our precious natural resources, and frame the transportation debate that is ongoing at the Capitol.
Session report, part 2: Encourage hiring, control debt
July 7, 2011
This post continues my report on the 2011 legislative session. We took some important bipartisan actions meant to encourage hiring and economic growth – and not a minute too soon, as labor statistics released June 15 showed employment in our state fell in May, and the unemployment rate remaining above 9 percent.
While some sectors have seen growth, Washington is still 151,000 jobs below what we had when the “great recession” began. If legislators want more revenue to invest in the priorities of government – and I see K-12 education at the top of that list – we have to get people back to work, and reduce the amount of money being diverted to pay down the state’s debt. In that light, here are two examples that make good business sense.