election
Education advocates breathe a sigh of relief
Posted on 05. Nov, 2009 by George.
Children, families and schools can breathe a sigh of relief based on the latest election results. Two statewide ballot measures are trending in the right direction. However, we are disappointed to lose a staunch advocate for public schools in Eastern Washington.
Voters defeat Initiative 1033
More than 56 percent of voters said NO to Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033. Voters in 22 of 39 counties on both sides of the Cascades got the message about I-1033’s devastating impact on schools and universities and city, county and state services we all rely on.
I-1033 lost largely in part to an unprecedented coalition of more than 200 organizations representing education, seniors, health care, environment, labor and business. And, hundreds of volunteers stepped up to phonebank night after night to remind voters that I-1033 would have diverted $8 billion away from classrooms, police and fire, parks and other investments we count on to maintain our quality of life.
Referendum 71 leading
Referendum 71 supporters are optimistic the narrow lead will hold. Half the ballots left to count are from King County where R-71 is winning by large margins. We are disappointed that it’s not receiving broader statewide support. R-71 extends the same legal protections afforded to married couples to families headed by same-sex partners or seniors. Whether at school, a hospital or work, no one should be discriminated against.
Thank you to an education champion
In the 16th Legislative District, which includes Pasco and Walla Walla, Laura Grant lost her bid to return to the State Legislature. It was not for a lack of effort. Laura campaigned vigorously to continue to fight for reforms that will help local schools.
Although Laura’s late father, Bill Grant, represented the district as a moderate, independent Democrat for more than 20 years, she faced an uphill battle running in a traditionally conservative district. We will sorely miss not having this education champion, and the Legislature’s only active teacher, in Olympia.
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My hands are dirty, dirty with democracy.
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by Maggie.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m 22 years old and last year Obama made me want to vote for the first time. I came home for the weekend from college so I could help vote him through the primaries and things have changed ever since. I think someone gave me the democratic bug (no, not H1N1) and I have been hitting the polls with full force ever since.
So what’s the reason for the three-year-lag in getting my voting gears rolling? Some might call it youthfulness, apathy, or laziness even-but I know there has to be more to it than that. I guess I never thought my vote mattered!
We were all sparked by the 2008 election, no matter which party you party with. But young people really got sparked. I never felt more like a member of my own generation than when I dove headfirst into democracy. Who’s with me?!
This year, when 2009 election time rolled around, I still had the democratic bug, bad. Despite being an “off year” for voters, not only did I vote, but I recruited five friends to vote, helped lead two phone banks for the no on 1033 campaign, spent my Saturday doorbelling TWICE (shout out to Laura Grant and Trick or Vote!!) and took part in an important yearly ritual: election parties.
Maybe the bug that bit me was on beast mode, but I don’t think so. I hope not, actually. I want young people to prove that I’m not an anomaly. I didn’t see many student faces out there last night… and for now I will just assume it’s because they were at home being good studiers. But LEV’s college intern Genna was actually doing her homework at the no on 1033 party last night, so, I’m just saying… When Genna asked herself the tough question of “do I celebrate political triumph or do I educate my mind?” She chose both.
A big thank you to everyone in Washington State-especially all my young people who voted and volunteered this year-for rejecting 1033 and approving Ref 71. It’s because of these results we can continue to do our work at LEV!
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Where are the election night parties?
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Mike.
After all the phone calls to voters, signing waving on street corners and status update reminders to vote-it’s time to party.
Here’s a list of election night parties:
Seattle
Twist Belltown
2313 1st Ave, Seattle
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Host: The Municipal League, PubliCola, Seattle Works, the Washington Bus and the Alki Foundation
No on Initiative 1033
Seattle
The Edgewater Hotel, Alki Room
2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67
7:00 PM
Approve Referendum 71
Seattle
Pravda Studios
1406 10th Ave., Suite 200, Seattle
7:00 PM
Host: Campaign Chair Anne Levinson and Campaign Manager Josh Friedes
Tacoma
Home of Ryan Mello & Jerry Hallman
1514 South Oakes Street, Tacoma
7:45 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
Bellingham
Rumors Cabaret
1119 Railroad Ave, Bellingham
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Host: Stephanie Kountouros
Olympia
Darby’s Cafe
211 5th Ave SE, Olympia
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
Tri Cities, Pasco
Out & About
327 W Lewis St, Pasco
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
For additional election night parties for King County and City of Seattle races, click here.
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What’s at stake for kids this election day?
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Bonnie.
A lot.
First: 1033 would lock us into a recession budget that is bad for kids.
Washington’s revenues were severely impacted by the worst recession in memory. State revenue for the biennium dropped by $9 billion and the Legislature was forced to cut K-12 by $1.8 billion, and higher education by $618 million and make even deeper cuts to health care and public services. Eyman’s 1033 would reset the base for the state budget, locking us in to these drastically reduced budget levels.
By locking us into today’s low revenues, and restricting revenue growth thereafter to inflation plus population, this measure would effectively prevent the state from making new investments in education required by basic education reform legislation (HB 2261) passed this session.
Beyond basic education reform, Washington would not be able to progress in early learning or higher education. For example, I represent LEV at the Department of Early Learning’s Early Learning Plan creation (draft to be released on December 1st). Over 120 stakeholders have taken part in this, adding their best ideas to create an implementation plan for early learning over the next ten years. If 1033 passes, this plan will not materialize. What does that mean for kids? Over half of Washington children will continue to arrive to kindergarten unprepared and one quarter of these children will not be reading by grade 3.
Finally, some costs borne by government increase faster than general population, like the number of students, and faster than inflation, like health care for teachers and fuel costs for school buses. This measure would force further budget cuts just to meet current obligations.
Put simply, 1033 won’t allow us to pay for what we currently do and won’t allow us to change our schools to give kids the skills we know they need.
Second: R-71 would affirm the domestic partnership legislation that gives individuals and families the legal protections they need.
Despite the depressing budget situation last session, the Legislature and Governor took a bold step in the right direction by extending the legal protections afforded to married couples to families headed by same-sex partners or seniors who form stable households and register with the state.
This legislation is not just another law. This law supports a family with young children, protects a young gay student currently bullied at school, and ensures an older couple can take care of one another in their final years. This law is about Washington families and children and it needs to stay.
We believe all families need the same basic legal protections:
- Labor and employment protections;
- Access to school and medical records;
- Family leave to care for sick family members;
- Insurance and medical rights; and
- Access to pensions and benefits in the event of disability or death of a parent or spouse.
No purpose is served by excluding domestic partners, or the children of gay and lesbian parents, from these protections, responsibilities and benefits, designed to promote family stability.
Additionally, an estimated 3 to 5 percent of students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or struggle with their sexual identity. In spite of growing levels of acceptance, sexual minority youths are overrepresented in the numbers of young people who are reported with mental health and substance abuse issues, who are victims of bullying, and who commit suicide. Removing discrimination based on sexual orientation from the law sends a profound message of hope and acceptance to those youths.
R-71 will ensure that all families and individuals have protection, a critical step towards changing our world and changing our schools.
Third: Rep. Laura Grant needs to go back to Olympia to continue working hard on behalf of Washington’s children.
Laura Grant knows what is happening in schools today. How? She’s a teacher. In fact, she’s the only current teacher in the Washington State Legislature. Laura is also a mother of three and a former school board member.
When it comes to schools, we can count on Laura to vote for the best interests of students. Last session, Laura voted for ground-breaking reform of our basic education laws that will boost support for schools and classrooms over the next decade.
Let’s send this education champ back to Olympia!
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Make your vote count!
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by George.
Washington’s kids and schools are counting on you to vote and postmark your ballot by today–Election Day.
Here’s what the League of Education Voters recommends on two statewide ballot measures that will have a tremendous impact on Washington’s children and families.
On Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033, the League of Education Voters urges a resounding NO vote.
Click here to learn why you should vote NO on Tim Eyman’s I-1033.
On Referendum 71, the League of Education Voters urges voters to APPROVE this measure.
Click here to learn why you should APPROVE Referendum 71.
Ballots must be postmarked today for your vote to count.
For questions about voting, contact your county auditor’s office.
You may also drop off your ballot at these locations:
- King County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Pierce County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Snohomish County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Spokane County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Thurston County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Clark County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Whatcom County Ballot Drop Boxes
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I-1033 will cost the state $6 billion by 2015
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by Heather.
The Office of Financial Management came out with the official fiscal impact statement for Initiative 1033 yesterday. Looks like by 2015 the initiative will reduce state revenue by almost $6 billion, counties revenue by $694 million and cities revenue by $2.1 billion.
The Washington State Budget and Policy Center have put these numbers in nice chart form for us visual learners.
Considering education (early learning, K-12 and higher education) make up more than 50 percent of the state’s budget, the loss of $6 billion over the next three biennia is no laughing matter — which is why LEV is opposing I-1033. Read our statement on the initiative here.
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Workshops for school board candidates
Posted on 26. Jun, 2009 by Mike.
For local school districts, 2009 is a big election year for school board races.
At least 200 people in many of Washington’s 295 school districts, have filed to run for the position of school director.
School directors are elected members from the community who work with school administrators to set the vision and direction for the school district. They help decide matters involving the school budget, levy and bond measures, and curriculum. They are also the “eyes and ears” of the community–listening to feedback they get from the public at school board meetings.
The Washington State School Directors’ Association, comprised of all 1,477 school board members from Washington state’s 295 public school districts., is holding a series of workshops for 2009 candidates for local school boards.
Below is the full schedule of workshops. All sessions take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7 • Renton
Puget Sound Educational Service District - Nisqually Room
800 Oaksdale Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98057
Wednesday, July 8 • Vancouver
Clark College - Gaiser Building, Room 213
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663
Thursday, July 9 • Olympia
John A. Cherberg Building - Hearing Room 3
304 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98501
Tuesday, July 21 • Wenatchee
North Central Educational Service District
430 Olds Station Road
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Wednesday, July 22 • Sunnyside
Sunnyside School District - Board Room
1110 South 6th
Sunnyside, WA 98944
Thursday, July 23 • Spokane
Spokane Public Schools - Board Room 101B
200 North Bernard
Spokane, WA 99201
Tuesday, July 28 • Mount Vernon
Skagit Valley College - Nelson Hall 123
2405 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Wednesday, July 29 • Port Angeles
North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center - Room 208
905 West 9th Street
Port Angeles, WA 98363
For more information, visit WSSDA’s website.
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Election Update
Posted on 13. Nov, 2008 by admin.
Late returning ballots have dramatically changed the vote tallies for four of our endorsed candidates running for state representative. Marcie Maxwell and John Driscoll lead their opponents by narrow margins while Liz Loomis and Tim Knue need to make up ground.
These candidates need your help to ensure every vote is counted properly. Contact me at michael@educationvoters.org or (206) 728-6448 if you can help.
The four close races are highlighted below.
*Candidates BOLD are Endorsed by the League of Education Voters PAC
*Last updated Nov. 13, 10:00 AM
| Office | LD | Candidate 1 | % | Candidate 2 | % |
| Governor | Chris Gregoire | 53.20% | Dino Rossi | 46.80% | |
| Superintendent | Terry Bergeson | 47.51% | Randy Dorn | 52.49% | |
| Senator | 1 | Rosemary McAuliffe | 58.03% | Dennis Richter | 41.97% |
| Senator | 3 | Lisa Brown | 74.53% | John Moyna | 25.47% |
| Senator | 4 | Judi Owens | 42.47% | Bob McCaslin | 57.53% |
| Representative | 6 | John F. Driscoll | 50.05% | John E. Ahern | 49.95% |
| Representative | 6 | Don Barlow | 47.14% | Kevin Parker | 52.86% |
| Representative | 8 | Larry Haler | 60.17% | Rob Welch | 39.83% |
| Representative | 10 | Patricia J. Terry | 44.57% | Barbara Bailey | 55.43% |
| Representative | 10 | Tim Knue | 49.64% | Norma Smith | 50.36% |
| Senator | 14 | Curtis King | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Representative | 14 | Vickie Ybarra | 46.67% | Norm Johnson | 53.33% |
| Representative | 16 | Maureen Walsh | 72.44% | Dante Lee Montoya | 27.56% |
| Representative | 17 | Tim Probst | 55.83% | Joseph James | 44.17% |
| Representative | 17 | Deb Wallace | 61.31% | Micheline Doan | 38.69% |
| Representative | 21 | Marko Liias | 65.05% | Andrew Funk | 34.95% |
| Representative | 25 | Rob Cerqui | 46.08% | Bruce Dammeier | 53.92% |
| Representative | 26 | Larry Seaquist | 58.11% | Marlyn Jensen | 41.89% |
| Representative | 26 | Kim Abel | 46.70% | Jan Angel | 53.30% |
| Senator | 28 | Debi Srail | 43.81% | Mike Carrell | 56.19% |
| Representative | 30 | Skip Priest | 52.63% | Carol Gregory | 47.37% |
| Representative | 32 | Ruth Kagi | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 34 | Joe McDermott | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Representative | 35 | Kathy Haigh | 61.73% | Marco Brown | 38.27% |
| Representative | 37 | Sharon Tomiko Santos | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 39 | Fred Walser | 41.53% | Val Stevens | 58.47% |
| Senator | 40 | Kevin Ranker | 58.47% | Steve Van Luven | 41.53% |
| Representative | 40 | Dave Quall | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 41 | Fred Jarrett | 59.53% | Bob Baker | 40.47% |
| Representative | 41 | Marcie Maxwell | 50.50% | Steve Litzow | 49.50% |
| Representative | 43 | Frank Chopp | 86.89% | Kim Verde | 13.11% |
| Representative | 44 | Hans Dunshee | 60.98% | Larry Countryman | 39.02% |
| Representative | 44 | Liz Loomis | 49.91% | Mike Hope | 50.09% |
| Representative | 45 | Roger Goodman | 54.62% | Toby Nixon | 45.38% |
| Representative | 46 | Phyllis Kenney | 82.83% | John Sweeney | 17.17% |
| Representative | 47 | Pat Sullivan | 58.37% | Timothy Miller | 41.63% |
| Representative | 47 | Geoff Simpson | 52.60% | Mark Hargrove | 47.40% |
| Representative | 48 | Ross Hunter | 64.40% | Charles A. Lapp | 35.60% |
| Senator | 49 | Craig Pridemore | 61.73% | Tom Langston | 38.27% |
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Election Results
Posted on 06. Nov, 2008 by admin.
*Candidates BOLD are Endorsed by the League of Education Voters PAC
*Last updated Nov. 6, 4:30 PM
| Office | LD | Candidate 1 | % | Candidate 2 | % |
| Governor | Chris Gregoire | 54.25% | Dino Rossi | 45.75% | |
| Superintendent | Terry Bergeson | 48.76% | Randy Dorn | 51.24% | |
| Senator | 1 | Rosemary McAuliffe | 59.71% | Dennis Richter | 40.29% |
| Senator | 3 | Lisa Brown | 75.35% | John Moyna | 24.65% |
| Senator | 4 | Judi Owens | 43.11% | Bob McCaslin | 56.89% |
| Representative | 6 | John F. Driscoll | 50.31% | John E. Ahern | 49.69% |
| Representative | 6 | Don Barlow | 47.66% | Kevin Parker | 52.34% |
| Representative | 8 | Larry Haler | 60.26% | Rob Welch | 39.74% |
| Representative | 10 | Patricia J. Terry | 45.69% | Barbara Bailey | 54.31% |
| Representative | 10 | Tim Knue | 50.40% | Norma Smith | 49.60% |
| Senator | 14 | Curtis King | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Representative | 14 | Vickie Ybarra | 47.55% | Norm Johnson | 52.45% |
| Representative | 16 | Maureen Walsh | 72.45% | Dante Lee Montoya | 27.55% |
| Representative | 17 | Tim Probst | 56.65% | Joseph James | 43.35% |
| Representative | 17 | Deb Wallace | 62.08% | Micheline Doan | 37.92% |
| Representative | 21 | Marko Liias | 65.05% | Andrew Funk | 34.95% |
| Representative | 25 | Rob Cerqui | 48.53% | Bruce Dammeier | 51.47% |
| Representative | 26 | Larry Seaquist | 58.93% | Marlyn Jensen | 41.07% |
| Representative | 26 | Kim Abel | 48.23% | Jan Angel | 51.77% |
| Senator | 28 | Debi Srail | 46.40% | Mike Carrell | 53.60% |
| Representative | 30 | Skip Priest | 52.63% | Carol Gregory | 47.37% |
| Representative | 32 | Ruth Kagi | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 34 | Joe McDermott | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Representative | 35 | Kathy Haigh | 62.57% | Marco Brown | 37.43% |
| Representative | 37 | Sharon Tomiko Santos | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 39 | Fred Walser | 43.05% | Val Stevens | 56.95% |
| Senator | 40 | Kevin Ranker | 59.82% | Steve Van Luven | 40.18% |
| Representative | 40 | Dave Quall | 100.00% | 0.00% | |
| Senator | 41 | Fred Jarrett | 60.96% | Bob Baker | 39.04% |
| Representative | 41 | Marcie Maxwell | 53.03% | Steve Litzow | 46.97% |
| Representative | 43 | Frank Chopp | 87.80% | Kim Verde | 12.20% |
| Representative | 44 | Hans Dunshee | 61.55% | Larry Countryman | 38.45% |
| Representative | 44 | Liz Loomis | 51.28% | Mike Hope | 48.72% |
| Representative | 45 | Roger Goodman | 55.86% | Toby Nixon | 44.14% |
| Representative | 46 | Phyllis Kenney | 83.64% | John Sweeney | 16.36% |
| Representative | 47 | Pat Sullivan | 59.19% | Timothy Miller | 40.81% |
| Representative | 47 | Geoff Simpson | 53.68% | Mark Hargrove | 46.32% |
| Representative | 48 | Ross Hunter | 65.19% | Charles A. Lapp | 34.81% |
| Senator | 49 | Craig Pridemore | 62.74% | Tom Langston | 37.26% |
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A subtle reminder from your friends at LEV: VOTE!
Posted on 03. Nov, 2008 by admin.
The big day has arrived.
Tomorrow we as a nation will make history. Millions more than ever before are expected to take part in our democracy. We as a state cannot risk moving behind as our country moves forward.
So, please remember to vote - and VOTE FOR GREGOIRE. Gov. Gregoire will keep us moving forward - and continue to be a champion for kids and schools.
Don’t know where to vote? Go here: www.canivote.org.
Want to volunteer for Gregoire? Go here.
Remind your friends. Remind your neighbors. Remind people on the street.
VOTE TOMORROW!
