Now taking nominations: Which bills should we track through the Newsriver?

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

As of today, the Olympia Newsriver is officially one week old. The legislative session in Olympia is well underway, with lawmakers facing the difficult challenge of trying to close a huge budget shortfall without much federal aid or the ability to democratically raise revenue.

We want the Olympia Newsriver to be useful to as many progressive activists as possible in the days and weeks ahead. That’s why we’re taking nominations for bills to track. You can nominate a bill simply by leaving a comment on this post, and we’ll track it. At minimum, nominations must include a bill number. You can optionally link to the bill page at the Legislature’s website if you like, or describe your interest in the bill, but that’s not required.

The floor is open for nominations – go ahead and leave a comment! This thread will remain open for at least twenty-one days.

7 Responses to “Now taking nominations: Which bills should we track through the Newsriver?”


  1. Chad Lupkes

    House Bill 1320 – Washington Investment Trust (WIT)

  2. Lynn

    I’m nominating House Bill 1320, the Washington Investment Trust bill sponsored by Bob Hasegawa.

  3. Lee

    Hey NPI,
    I hope to track House Bill 1100, which would implement a working medical marijuana dispensary system. There are a number of local groups (ACLU, CDC) who are also doing a lot of work to track and support this bill.

  4. Sarajane Siegfriedt

    Bill numbers for Washington Investment Trust w/ Senate companion bill, from Bob Hasegawa:
    Update on the Washington Investment Trust

    We successfully dropped the bill earlier this week and now have a bill number in the House and a companion bill number in the Senate.

    H.B 1320 is now posted online and you can see the full bill at this link. The companion bill, S.B. 5238, was dropped in the Senate and is being sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice. You can now track the progress of the bills as they move through the committees at both of these sites.

    We are still on schedule to have the bills heard in the House and the Senate on Tuesday, January 25th. Here is the committee information for when the bill will be heard.

  5. Sarajane Siegfriedt

    Bill number for Washington Investment Trust Senate companion bill, from Bob Hasegawa:
    Update on the Washington Investment Trust

    We successfully dropped the bill earlier this week and now have a bill number in the House and a companion bill number in the Senate.

    The companion bill, S.B. 5238, was dropped in the Senate and is being sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice. You can now track the progress of the bills as they move through the committees at both of these sites.

    We are still on schedule to have the bills heard in the House and the Senate on Tuesday, January 25th. Here is the committee information for when the bill will be heard.

  6. Sarajane Siegfriedt

    Mandatory mediation for foreclosures: Join us for the public hearings for HB 1362 and SB 5275 in Olympia on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support this common sense legislation that will help families keep their homes. Please plan on coming and bring 5 people with you! Please RSVP and let me know how many people you are bringing. To RSVP and for carpooling information, contact Danielle.

    House Hearing on HB 1362
    Wednesday, January 26, 8:00 am
    John L. O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A

    Senate Hearing on SB 5275
    Wednesday, January 26, 1:30 pm
    Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 2

    Can’t make it to the hearing? Email your lawmakers NOW or call them at 1-800-562-6000 and urge them to “support HB 1362 and SB 5275 to help families facing foreclosure stay in their homes.”

  7. Pareja

    The layout for this page is a bit off in Camino. However I like your web site. I may have to install a “normal” browser just to enjoy it. 🙂