The complete street. A place where we all can get along to where we need to go gets a mention in the Bellingham Herald.  The BH runs a blog by their Growth and Transportation Reporter, Jared Paben, who writes about Jim’s creative funding bill.

We also found this link on the Seattle PI site where the bill is discussed in the context of not only transportation, but in how our movement choices can affect health.

You can read the legislative record of HB 2911 – 2009-10  here.

Learn more about Complete Streets across America at completestreets.org the website of the Complete Streets Coalition.

GLSEN Washington State is a chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), based in Seattle, with a support staff covering the entire state.

GLSEN Washington State works to make schools safe for all students with an emphasis on meeting the needs of gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning youth.  They offer a broad range of services for students who wish to organize on campus as well as for educators who are interested in creating welcoming and safe places for all students.

We wanted you to know about an upcoming GLSEN event that may interest you:

Join GLSEN at the Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) January 18, 2010
for the

Seventh Annual Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Leadership Summit

This event will be located at the Kirkland teen Union Building 348 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland, WA 9803
on MLK Day,
January 18th, 2010 from 8 AM to 2 PM.

Learn about opportunities for your GSA, hear new ideas and meet other students in GSA’s across Washington State.

**clock hours available for certificated educators**

Don’t miss the fun! Register today.
Notes Lunch is $15 and must be ordered in advance. Vegetarian/Vegan options are available.

Lunch can be paid for at the check-in on the day of the event
or payment may be mailed to:
GLSEN Washington State, 1605 12th Ave., Suite #35, Seattle, WA 98122

The Committee is happy to note that Referendum 71 passed.  The tax initiative, 1033,  that would have strangled our local services was rejected.

Each is victory for all of Washington.

The Columbian online has a short article about Jim’s view on 71.  Sign in to their site to post your comments about the vote.  Some critics  and many supporters are already weighing in.  Post your opinion before the comments close.

We have found it challenge to get news coverage about this election online.  We offer this link to the Secretary of State website for those of you who like to look at the raw numbers.  Raw county results can be viewed here.  Good luck finding any real reporting on the issues and offices that were voted on Tuesday.

Thank you to all who voted.

Ballots are coming the mail soon and we need to assure that our friends and neighbors know to vote APPROVE on Ref. 71.

We are often inclined to reject ballot measures.  Simply put, we need to educate our fellow voters about why Referendum 71 is important to approve in Washington.

It is a matter of fairness for all families.  It is an issue that addresses safety for seniors.  It assures that we honor all families, especially in their times of need.  Approving Ref 71 is imperative.

Get out and talk with your friends.  Let them know why Ref 71 is important to you.  Make sure they know to approve 71.

You can print signs and fact sheets from the Washington Families Standing Together site.  Take time to look over the growing list of supporters.  Plan a ballot party and talk with your group about why we need to Approve 71.

1033 is bad for Washington.  Simple as that.  I am standing with the “NO on 1033” campaign and am offering this post as a resource for all of you who’d like to work to stop 1033 from becoming the law of our land.

Aisling Kerins, Campaign Manager at No On 1033 put it this way in a recent email:

“Tim Eyman’s scheme is a simplistic, one-size-fits-all solution that leaves our children, small businesses, fire fighters, and so many others holding the bag. We can’t allow it to pass, and that’s why making sure we talk to every voter in the next five weeks is so essential.”

Phone banking, calling your neighbors or doing a knock and talk on your block, are all good ways to help put a stop to the nonsense that 1033 proposes.  Displaying a yard sign or placing a sign in your car or home window also helps get the word out.

You can get involved by signing up on the No on 1033 site. Or you can contact the local No on 1033 field organizer, Heather Melton-Stuart. Her cell:  360-521-6255 and her email:  heather@no1033.com.

Help preserve a sound Washington.  Stand together against 1033.