Honoring Black leaders, honoring history.
February is the month where we call special attention to Black leaders both here in Washington State,
and across the nation. It is my hope that while this month serves as a calibration point for all of us to center Black voices, it also serves as a springboard for year-round, day-to-day intentionality. I see it as a reminder to work to continually center Black voices, with particular focus on Black Women who disproportionately shoulder the burden of systemic and institutional racism. It’s particularly important that those of us, honored by the platforms we hold, rise to speak publicly and demonstrate our commitment to do the work. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. powerfully proclaimed, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” It’s up to each of us to be the light.
With that I would like to spotlight an exciting Black leader in our community! Introducing (to some) Dr. Constance W. Rice, President, Very Strategic Group received her PhD in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration both from the University of Washington. Dr. Rice also holds an Honorary Doctorate from Seattle University
and among her shining record of service she is currently serving as the chair of the Board for the Seattle Art Museum, as well as formerly serving as the founding Director of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation USA. Dr. Rice, thank you for your leadership.
Ways and Means, a brief rundown of how it works.
I have the honor to have been selected to sit on the Ways and Means Committee for two years now.
Ways, as it’s called, considers the operating and capital budget bills and related legislation, including the authorization of state debt. The committee also deals with tax policy and other fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation in addition to bills with operating budget fiscal impacts. In short, if a bill has a significant financial element, meaning it raises or spends money, then it must be heard both by its committee of origin and by the Ways and Means Committee. The Ways committee may amend bills to skinny their budget or push out the timeframe to change how the money flows. They may decide not to fund it at all in which case the bill is dead. Washington is unique in that we’re required to produce a four year balanced budget. While this has produced a AAA bond rating, keeping interest rates lower and saving our taxpayers money, it’s daunting to budget writers and the committee who has to vote on the four-year spend. As Chair of Early Learning & K-12 Committee, representing more than half the budget it’s very important that I sit on this committee.
Passage of school seismic safety bill
Earthquakes and Tsunamis are devastating. This year, the
Senate unanimously approved a major school seismic safety funding bill, SB 5933, to protect our children and preserve our schools. I am proud of the work we did and pleased with the Northwest Progressives take on it. Please read below! (their press release will be pasted below our text)
Save the date: an upcoming Virtual Town Hall!
I’d like to hear what’s important to you! Please join me and the rest of the 41st legislative district delegation on February 22nd, 6-7pm via Facebook Live to learn more about what we’re doing and to answer any questions you might have. It’s free and we are taking all the questions we can get to. To ensure your questions are answered, you can submit them ahead of time by clicking here.
To ensure you don’t miss it, Like & Follow my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SenatorLisaWellman
