Jeanne Kohl-Welles
36th District, Seattle
Committees
Olympia Office
219 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0436
(360) 786-7670
District Office
3131 Western Ave, Ste 421
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 281-6854
Local Governments
News
News: Senate votes to expand medical application of medical marijuana 2/5/2010
OLYMPIA — People with terminal or debilitating diseases will now be able to more easily obtain medical marijuana under a measure passed today in the state Senate.
“Washington has a long history of supporting medical marijuana. Senate Bill 5798 only strengthens our laws so those who need medical marijuana most can have access to it,” Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, said.
Blog: Creating jobs in Washington 2/3/2010
It has, in no uncertain terms, been an extremely difficult years for Washingtonians. I suspect many of us will look back at 2009 as one of the toughest years of our lives. The global recession that pummeled our country has hit hard here at home as well, even if not as hard as in some states. About 475,000 Washingtonians received unemployment benefits in 2009, compared to 290,000 in 2008. In March, the number of unemployed workers in Washington reached an all-time high.
Blog: Our workers compensation system 2/2/2010
Yesterday we held a work session on our state’s workers compensation system, which has been under fire since L&I proposed rate hikes in the fall. This article provides a nice overview of the debate.
News: Human trafficking awareness posters placed in rest areas 2/1/2010
OLYMPIA - Some victims of trafficking will soon know where to get help. Posters listing the National Human Trafficking Hotline and state helpline for trafficking victims were posted at rest stops along I-5 this weekend.
"There is a great chance that incidents of human trafficking will increase with the Olympics occurring this month. We must do everything we can to provide information to those who need help, and these posters will do just that," Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles said. “Other states that have done this sort of public outreach have seen an increase in calls from victims seeking help."
Bill would curb use of credit scores to set insurance rates 1/28/2010
The Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee is on hour three of public hearings.
They just heard Senate Bill 6252. Sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, the measure would eliminate the use of credit scores to set insurance rates.
Video: Human Trafficking 1/27/2010
Blog: Reforming our marijuana laws 1/20/2010
This session I will continue to advocate for reforming our marijuana laws. Senate Bill 5615, which I sponsored, reclassifies adult possession of no more than 40 grams of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction carrying a $100 penalty. Cost estimates suggest that this change will save taxpayers $16 million and provide $1 million in new revenue to state and local jurisdictions annually. Recent polling found that a majority of Washington voters support reclassification. I believe that in this time of fiscal crisis, these funds should be directed towards more productive uses than jailing non-violent offenders.
Smith backs human trafficking bill 1/19/2010
Former Washington congresswoman Linda Smith joined human trafficking victims and their advocates this afternoon to give compelling testimony in support of two bills before the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee aimed at curbing human trafficking.
Senate Bill 6332, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, builds upon Kohl-Welles' 2009 enacted legislation requiring international labor recruiters and domestic employers of foreign workers to disclose labor laws to employees.
Blog: Children’s Day in the Senate 1/18/2010
Today was Children’s Day in the Senate, the one day each year where we are encouraged to bring the children in our lives to work. I was lucky enough to get a visit from two of my grandchildren – Emma who is almost 11 and Finley who is 7-years-old.
News: Human trafficking hearing scheduled 1/18/2010
Former Congresswoman Linda Smith, advocates and human trafficking victims will appear in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee to express their support for two bills aiming to help curb human trafficking.
Senate Bill 6332, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, builds upon Kohl-Welles’ 2009 enacted legislation requiring international labor recruiters and domestic employers of foreign workers to disclose labor laws to employees. Under the legislation, health care providers were also supplied information to help identify human trafficking victims.