With the first day of April nearly upon us, and NPI’s 2015 Spring Fundraising Gala not far behind, it’s now time for us to announce who the final speaker at this year’s gala will be. Previously, we had the pleasure of revealing that U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer would be our opening speaker and Kirkland City […]
Monthly Archives: March 2015
Posted inAppreciations & Remembrances, Spirituality
Father Gerald F. Lovett: 1935–2015
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. — Traditional Irish blessing We may still be in the midst of Lent as spring […]
Posted inElections, Legislative Advocacy
Push poll creator Tim Eyman doesn’t want fiscal impact disclosures added to ballot titles
A bill that would add fiscal impact disclosures to the ballot titles of many future initiatives has drawn the ire of political profiteer Tim Eyman only a week after passing the Washington State Senate by a three-to-one margin. Substitute Senate Bill 5715, originally prime sponsored by Senator Joe Fain (R‑47th District; Kent, Covington, Auburn) seeks […]
Posted inElections, Party Politics
Kim Wyman and Pam Roach’s SB 5978 won’t guarantee a meaningful presidential primary
Editor’s Note: Yesterday, I traveled down in Olympia to testify before the House Government Committee on SB 5978, Kim Wyman and Pam Roach’s bill to replace our state’s presidential straw poll with an expensive, meaningless straw poll in the event the Democratic Party decides to use a caucus to allocate its delegates to the 2016 […]
Posted inElections
Meet Tim Eyman’s new wealthy benefactor: Developer Clyde Holland of Holland Partners
The gears of Tim Eyman’s initiative factory appear to be spinning with full force once again following a major infusion of cash from two wealthy right wing developers, new reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission show. The campaign committee for I‑1366, Eyman’s initiative for 2015, reported that for February of 2015 (its first month of […]
Posted inAnnouncements, Events
Kirkland City Councilmember Shelley Kloba to emcee NPI’s 2015 Spring Fundraising Gala
Tonight, with NPI’s 2015 Spring Fundraising Gala now just six weeks away, we are thrilled to announce that we have a fantastic Master of Ceremonies lined up to run this year’s speaking program: Kirkland City Councilmember Shelley Kloba. Shelley is one of the Eastside’s most principled and hardworking elected officials. She was appointed by her […]
Posted inElections, Party Politics
Senate backs Kim Wyman’s irresponsible plan to alter Washington’s presidential primary
A bill that would automatically replace Washington’s 2016 presidential primary with a meaningless, fantastically expensive presidential straw poll if the Democratic Party refuses to begin using the primary to allocate its national convention delegates passed the Senate with ease yesterday evening following a bewildering floor debate. By a vote of thirty-six to twelve, the Senate […]
Posted inBreaking News, Economic Security, Policy Topics
House of Representatives passes bills to raise minimum wage and provide sick + safe leave
In a significant victory for working people, the Washington’s House of Representatives tonight adopted legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage to twelve dollars an hour by 2019. Fifty-one representatives voted to pass HB 1355, while forty-six voted against passage. One representative was excused. The roll call was as follows: Voting Yea: Representatives Appleton, Bergquist, […]
Posted inLegislative Advocacy, Policy Topics, Public Planning
Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen upholds majority rule in the Washington State Senate
In a victory for democracy, sense, and the rule of law, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen today ruled that a Republican-engineered Senate rules change to require two-thirds votes to advance revenue-raising bills is unenforceable because it violates the Washington State Constitution. Owen, who presides over the state Legislature’s upper chamber in his capacity as President […]