105 Days and Counting: 2013 Legislative session begins Monday, January 14

105 Days and Counting: 2013 Legislative session begins Monday, January 14

Jay Inslee will be inaugurated and the Legislative session begins on Monday – this year is a “long session” (105 days… at least) in which the legislature and Governor create a two-year budget for the 2013-15 biennium. There were big shake ups in the House and Senate after November’s election – on Monday, there will be new faces  and new rules on how lawmakers will work together to fund basic education, social services, transportation and higher education, among other critical services and policies. Stay tuned and speak up this winter!

Gov-elect Inslee names leaders in new administration (partial list):

Governor’s Office, director for Legislative Affairs: Ted Sturdevant

Governor’s Office, senior adviser: Joby Shimamura

Governor’s Office, director for Communications: David Postman

Office of Financial Management (OFM): David Schumacher

Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): Kevin Quigley

Department of Labor and Industries: Joel Sacks

Department of Retirement Systems: Marcie Frost

Department of Veterans Affairs: Alfie Alvarado-Ramos

Employment Security Department: Dale Pienecke

Fall out from the shake up – 48th District Town Hall was held with Rep. Hunter (D
– Medina), Rep. Cyrus Habib (D- Bellevue) and Sen. Rodney Tom:

Legislators from the 48th District met with more than 120 constituents on Wed. January
9, many of whom were angry with Sen. Tom for joining forces with Republicans to
create Republican control in the Senate, despite a majority of Democrats.

More here on the event:

http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/articles/fizz-for-jan-9

http://crosscut.com/2013/01/08/washington-legislature/112396/rodney-tom-hears-constituents-about-party-betrayal/

Feeding Kids in the Summertime: How Can Your Organization Help? Conference Call

This is the time of year to help your community start planning for Summer Meals. Call in – and invite your partners – to hear Crystal FitzSimons, a national expert from the Food Research and Action Center(FRAC), talk about USDA’s Summer Food Service Program and how states across the country serve kids through this program.  WithinReach and Children’s Alliance staff will share info about the program in Washington and resources to help service providers and organizations (including schools) join efforts to feed kids in the summertime.  Designed for NEW organizations who want to learn
about Summer Meals, this call is an opportunity to learn how to help expand participation in summer 2013.

Thursday, January 24 (9:30am – 10:30am)

Call 1-877-808-1928   Pin = 0603

“Eliminating Hunger After School: Expansion of the Afterschool Meal

Program for WA Kids”

Monday, Jan. 28 (11:30am – 1:30pm, lunch provided)

720 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA (United Way of King Co.)

The Children’s Alliance and the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) invite people to join a meeting on Monday, Jan. 28 to learn how we can all help to eliminate the hunger experienced by the children of Washington after school, on weekends, and  during school holidays. Extending the reach of the Afterschool Meal Program to all eligible communities throughout the state will ensure that the children of Washington can participate fully in their afterschool activities, while also receiving the  nutrition they need and may not have access to outside of school.

Register here!

WA State Farmers Market Association Annual Conference:

January 25-27, 2013

Vancouver, WA – Heathman Lodge

Over 200 farmers market managers, staff, board members, farmers, state agency staff, nonprofit service providers and other professionals from across the state attend the WSFMA Conference.  Attendees learn to develop inclusive practices (including public nutrition benefits, like SNAP and FMNP at markets), build leadership skills and strengthen volunteer voices to build stronger partnerships and vibrant markets across WA.

For registration and conference workshop information: http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/conference/index.html

Stand in solidarity with food industry workers on strike:

Support the striking and/or locked out United Natural Food, Inc. (UNFI) drivers and warehouse workers in Auburn. Workers have been on strike for over a month and need support! United Natural Food, Inc. (UNFI) is a major distributor of natural and organic food to places like Whole Foods, Safeway, PCC, etc. However, they have had repeated unfair labor practice charges filed by workers in their warehouse,  which led to a strike over a month ago. Then, the company unlawfully fired 72 workers and the strike continues.

Community allies are organizing the event:

January 19th @ 10am at Teamsters Hall

(14675 Interurban Avenue South, Tukwila, WA 98168)

RSVP to sam@pugetsoundsage.org

You can find more info at www.unfidrivenbygreed.com, sign a petition, donate and more.