Demogram - 46th District Dems
Transcription
Demogram - 46th District Dems
46th Legislative District Democrats www.46DEMS.org April 2015 General Meeting Thursday, April 16th Sign-in: 7:00pm Meeting: 7:30pm From the Chair First, I want to apologize for the length of the March meeting. I appreciate everybody who stuck around until the end. I was responding to suggestions to work more candidates in throughout the meeting and I still need to find a balance there. But we did get a lot done. We had a great program, hearing about the youth programs in King County, we’ve now got new bylaws, a budget, and we passed a resolution. And we got to hear from a dozen candidates! In April we’ll be hearing from Peter Steinbrueck on the Sustainable Neighborhoods Assessment Project. There’s more info on the program later in the Demogram. We’ll also be looking at our endorsement rules for the year. And another reminder, we’ll be at a new location for this meeting, the George Center for Community. Going forward, we’ve also got a very busy election season coming up. We’ll be co-hosting forums for Seattle Districts 4, 5, and 6 which will also contain the citywide districts 8 and 9. We will have city council races in all three cities, mayors in Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, port races, county races like elections director, and school board positions in all three school districts. Due to the tight schedule we’ve moved the May general meeting to the 2nd Thursday (May 14th) so we can have a forum before the May 16th Endorsement meeting. Stay tuned for more details. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns. I’m eager to hear what we can do better. Thanks, Phillip Duggan chair@46dems.org General Meeting Thursday, April 16th Sign in starts at 7:00 Call to order 7:30 George Center for Community 2212 NE 125th (Complete Agenda on Page 2) 1 46th District Executive Board Members Agenda for April 16th, 2015 Chair: Membership Meeting - 7:30PM Phillip Duggan chair@46dems.com Sign in / Meet & Greet - 7:00 First Vice Chair: Phillippa Kassover pmkassover@gmail.com Secretary: Jesse Peidfort jesse.piedfort@gmail.com Treasurer: Betty Means bmeans56@comcast.net State Committeeman: Call to order Flag Salute Approval of agenda Approval of minutes John Webber (365-0741) john.p.webber@comcast.net State Committeewoman: Sarajane Siegfriedt (440-5829) sarajane3h@comcast.net King County Male Representative: Larry Smith gabriel_freeman@yahoo.com Chair’s Report King County Prop1 Special Election King County Male Alternate: Joshua Newman joshua.r.newman@gmail.com King County Female Representative: Program: Seattle Sustainable Neighborhoods Assessment - Focus on the Lake City Urban Hub - Peter Steinbrueck Adoption of Endorsement Rules Betsy Walker etwalker@gmail.com King County Female Alternate: Elizabeth Hanson, eeliz@comcast.net At Large Members: Julie Anne Kempf julie@kempf.com Committee reports Elections Finance Nigel Herbig nigel@nigelherbig.com Halei Watkins haleiuquinna@gmail.com Barbara Whitt (729-7410) barbara@whitts-end.com Jay Johnson johnsondinsdale@seanet.com Alan Zelt alzelt@outlook.com Naomi Wilson naomiywilson@gmail.com State Committee KCDCC Cole Committee Old Business New Business Good of the order Demogram Editor: Barbara Whitt (729-7410) barbara@whitts-end.com Visit www.46dems.org for the latest info! Next Demogram Deadline March 20, 2015 2 Treasurer’s Report Adjourn Minutes for March 2015 General Meeting Submitted by Jesse Peidfort - The agenda and previous minutes were approved without amendments. - Next Meeting: George Center for Community, NE 125 th St. and 22nd Ave. NE Candidate Introductions: City Council - David Toledo (D5) - Discussed need for sewage infrastructure at Green Lake - Sandy Brown (D5) - Discussed his involvement in campaigns for R74, I-594 - Bill Bradburd (City Council, At Large) - Running on neighborhood access; would like to bring back citizen planning and supports that fits in neighborhoods Other Offices - John Wilson (County Assessor) - Introduced himself; he was deputy assessor and Chief of Staff to Ron Sims. Wants assessor’s office to help achieve affordability and access. - Samuel Chung (King County Superior Court Judge) - Veronica Galvan (King County Superior Court Judge) Program - Homeless Youth & Youth Issues Moderator: Naomi Wilson, E-Board member and N. Seattle Boys and Girls board member Other Panelists: - Kira Zylstra (Solid Ground): Issues for youth include housing, hunger/nutrition, shelter programs, and transportation. There are limited affordable housing options, and academic success is often correlated with health and housing - Nicole Parish (North Seattle Boys and Girls Club Ed Director) - Mentioned that the North Seattle club is the oldest Boys and Girls Club in WA; it was est. in 1943 and has 556 members. Its average daily attendance is 110, including ten homeless families and 50% of whom are on free or reduced lunch. - Councilmember Rod Dembowski - Discussed the county’s Youth Action Plan and plans for a Kid-focused ballot referendum in 2015. This levy is needed because kids are suffering from suburbanization of poverty. Improvement in support is needed for - health clinics, youth homelessness, the justice center. - Other discussion included myths about homelessness and specific policies that can help the problem. Those include: Regulated Encampments, Minimum Wage, Bussing, 211, TANF, Tenant Screening Practices, Payday Lending Regulations and others. 2015 Budget - Betty Means (Treasurer) - Adoption of Budget - Moved and seconded; Motion carries. - Leaving 2014 carryforward for 2016. - Changes: Liability insurance, storage space rental - Goal: Return to making political contributions - The Chair acknowledged the work of the Treasurer and Finance Committee Candidate Introductions: City Council - Councilmember Jean Godden (D4) - Wants to continue to work on gender wage gap, living wages. Touted efforts to make City Light carbon neutral. - Halei Watkins - Introduction: worked as community organizer by day for Planned Parenthood. Philosophy is to listen and engage. Council Council - Councilmember Larry Gossett: 1/3 of his leg. District is in 46 th. His philosophy is to evaluate by new proposals by how well they serve poor and working class people in King County. Rules Committee New bylaws are submitted to the body for approval. Changes from old bylaws include: - Due structure is included in the in rules, not bylaws - Meeting notice requirements normalized - E-Board titles/number changed. - Election captains: Acting PCOs in accordance with language of state party - Communications and Tally Committee added Vice Chair Phillipa Kassover moved to adopt; multiple seconds Motion carries unanimously (PCO vote). Candidate Introductions: 3 New Chair Named for Program Committee Hi to all Members. I am Alan Zelt. Last month I was asked by Phillip Duggan to come on to the Program Committee and to follow up on the great work done by Sarajane Siegfriedt. As we all know, Sarajane is the 46th District Democrats ball of fire. With so much activity on her part, she wanted to have an opportunity to take a breath. I believe that I am following her into the committee Chair, not replacing her. I am a newbie on the District, coming from the newest addition in the District, Kenmore. It is my task to continue to provide the District with meaningful programming for our monthly meetings. I believe that we will be successful in that endeavor. But it is the make-up of our committee that will make me successful. Included on it are: Sarajane, Joan Burton, Jay Johnson and Phillip Duggan. One of my tasks is to make certain that all of the District geography is incorporated into the 46th District meetings. While this will add some programming of great interest to all of the District, it will add to, and not diminish the needs of the majority members, from Seattle. Witness that the committee (especially Sarajane) is working diligently to ensure that upcoming election forums and endorsements are properly set up. We welcome and encourage all suggestions for inclusion in our monthly meetings. You can reach us at: program@46dems.org. Important Dates Tuesday, April 14th, 7:00 - 9:00pm, Candidate Forum for Seattle Council District 5 and At -Large Positions 8 & 9, Room CC1161, North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N, Room CC-116 (SW cor ner of Campus, par k in east lot). Door s open @6:30 Thursday, April 16th, 7:30 - 9:00pm, 46th District General Meeting. Program: Approval of 46th Endorsement rules and a presentation on Sustainable Neighborhoods, focusing on Lake City, by Peter Steinbrueck, George Center for Community, 2212 NE 125th (doors open @7:00pm for Meet and Greet / Sign-in) Wednesday, April 29th, 7 - 8:30pm 46th & 43r d LDs Candidate For um for Seattle Council District 4 and at-large Positions 8 and 9, Roosevelt High School, time TBD Saturday, May 2nd, 11am - 1pm, A Discussion on Diversity, Shoreline Fire Department Training & Support Facility, 17525 Aur or a Ave N, Shor eline Thursday, May 14th, 7:30 to 9pm (replaces third Thursday general meeting) Candidate Forum for all Countywide races and Seattle, Shoreline and Northshore School Board Candidates, Center for George Community , 2212 NE 125th St, Seattle (doors open @7:00 for Meet and Greet / Sign-in) Saturday, May 16th, 10:00am 46th District Endorsement Meeting, all races except Kenmore and Lake Forest Park (location TBD) Thursday June 18th, 7:30 - 9pm, 46th LD General Meeting and endorsement of candidates in Kenmore and LFP races. (doors open @7:00 for Meet and Greet / Sign-in) 4 Seattle Sustainable Neighborhoods Assessment: Focus on the Lake City Urban Hub The concept of urban sustainability has emerged as strategic vision for enhancing quality of life in cities without borrowing limited resources from future generations. The Seattle Sustainable Neighborhoods Assessment Project (SSNAP), conducted by Steinbrueck Urban Strategies in the summer, 2014, measures local growth trends, evaluates achievements of the 19942014 Comprehensive Plan: Toward a Sustainable Seattle, and assesses the effectiveness of the city’s Urban Village Strategy. A set of 22 indicators was developed to inform citywide and neighborhood planning, policymaking, goal setting, and public investment. SSNAP’s innovative methodology applies a data-driven evaluation system using commonly available information, no specialized software tools, with the benefits of achieving greater participation, awareness and understanding of the urban environment and how we shape it. need to reach out to these communities as we build toward 2016. About Peter Steinbrueck Peter Steinbrueck, FAIA is a nationally recognized architect, design strategist, community planner, and thought leader on advanced sustainable practices in the urban environment. As a former three-term Seattle city council member from 1997 to 2007, Peter led numerous legislative efforts in to advance innovative urban policies in comprehensive planning, land use and development, transportation and urban mobility, housing, parks, energy and climate, water conservation, municipal waste reduction, historic preservation, and parks. Our program is a condensed version of the SSNAP presentation, focused on the Lake City Urban Hub. It’s surprising findings will better prepare us to evaluate candidates for upcoming City Council endorsements and to participate in evaluating urban strategies included in the Seattle 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The Steinbrueck study indicates that the percentage of people of color in the Lake city Urban Hub has doubled in 10 years, from 25% to 50%. As Democrats, we Coffee Time! I’m thrilled to announce that Charmaine Stouder has agreed to take on the task This is, however, a task that needs more than one of providing you with continued refreshments at person to accomplish it. I would like to meet our meetings. with two or three more people, and Charmaine, to help set up a good routine for providing for Yes, we all love our snacks at our meetings. our meetings and the occasional extra meeting. Something to help keeps us awake, something to quench our thirst, something to fill that remain- Please contact me at barbara@whitts-end.com or ing hole in our tummies after a rushed dinner. 206.729.7410 in the evenings. 5 Groups from around Puget Sound are hosting a Discussion on Diversity: Race, Power and Politics in our American Communities. This will be an opportunity for underrepresented populations, communities of color and ethnic and religious minorities living in the Snohomish and King Counties to learn how they can engage in community activism. Voting to approve Proposition 1 will allow us to replace the dangerously outdated radio network that coordinates emergency response in King County- including all 39 cities and the unincorporated areas as well. The system we currently have is nearly 20 years old, and was built to handle a much smaller population over a more compact geographic area. As the system ages, the frequency of service outages, dead zones, and equipment failures become more frequent- leading to unacceptable gaps in coverage in both rural and urban parts of the county. It is also a chance for civic leaders and elected officials to hear from these groups about the specific and unique needs that their communities face. Topics will include the importance of protecting the vote, the changing demographics of our neighborhoods, policing people of color, and how to organize within your communities. Ultimately, the safety of the public and our emergency responders relies on the radio network to help dispatch and coordinate response during life-threatening situations. Be sure to look for your ballot in April, and please vote to approve Prop 1 so we can continue to protect King County residents for years to come. Hosted by: Representative Cindy Ryu: Repr esentative for the 32nd LD will open the forum as well as speak about her journey from Shoreline Mayor to the Washington State House of Representatives. For more information: www.yesonpublicsafety.org www.facebook.com/yesonpublicsafety Mario Brown: Cur r ently on the Diver sity Commission Task Force for Edmonds. He will speak about the history of “race” in America as well as moderate the discussion. Panel: Representative Luis Moscoso will discuss his fight for voting rights. 46th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS Treasurer’s Statement Snohomish County Executive John Lovick will Date: March 20, 2015 discuss the diversity in Snohomish County. 46th District Operational Fund Community Activist Sara Franklin will discuss Bank Balance as of March 20, 2015 No outstanding checks organization as labor and work equality. OneAmerica Or ganizing Dir ector Fer nando $ 8,073.56 ********************************************* Mejia-Ledesma will discuss community activism and organizing and social change. COLE FUND – Savings $ 1,136.45 – Certificates of Deposit (5) $53,328.89 TOTAL: $54,465.34 Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary will discuss justice and the racial divide in Snohomish County. ********************************************* All PDC reports current, Submitted by Betty Means, Treasurer May 2nd, 11 – 1, Shoreline Fire Department Training & Support Facility, 17525 Aur or a Ave N, Shoreline 98133 6 Resolution to Support Seattle’s Affordable Housing Linkage Fee WHEREAS, our vision is for all people to live with dignity in safe, healthy and affor dable homes within communities of opportunity; and, WHEREAS, mor e than 42,615 Seattle households ear ning 80% Ar ea Median Income and below are paying more than half their income for housing costs making it difficult to afford basic necessities like food and medicine and leaving those households very vulnerable to falling into homelessness; and, WHEREAS, in or der to affor d the fair mar ket r ent for a two-bedroom apartment in King County of $1,223, a person would need to either earn $21.60 an hour or work 62 hours per week, 52 weeks per year if earning $15 per hour; and, WHEREAS, The Washington State Super intendent of Public Instr uction r epor ted that dur ing the 2012 – 2013 school year, 2,370 students in Seattle schools were identified as homeless; and, WHEREAS: a lack of affor dable housing in Seattle is causing displacement, with negative impacts disproportionately experienced by communities of color and immigrant communities; and, WHEREAS, Seattle’s wor ker s incr easingly str uggle to affor d housing near their jobs and tr ansit in Seattle, forcing them to endure long, expensive, and polluting commutes and placing them far from family and community for too much of the working day; ; and, WHEREAS, Seattle will need to accommodate 27,500 affor dable homes over the next 20 year s to accommodate future growth, in addition to the affordable homes that will need to be created to accommodate existing need; and, WHEREAS, mar ket solutions alone will not pr oduce enough affor dability to deal with this cr isis, and the affordable housing community is doing what it can to meet the needs of Seattle’s growing population and workforce; and, WHEREAS, new development is dr iving demand for affor dable housing, as tenants in new development require service industry workers that cannot afford market-rate housing; and, WHEREAS, an affor dable housing linkage fee is the most pr omising new tool for pr oducing significant affordable housing in Seattle; and, WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council in October 2014, voted 7-2 to support Resolution 31551, stating the City’s intent to implement an affordable housing linkage fee program beginning in October 2015; and, WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council is expected to vote on legislation dur ing 2015 to enact an affordable housing linkage fee in the range of $5-$22 per net square foot of new building area on commercial and residential uses, with fee levels subject to further analysis and information; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 46th District Democrats support City of Seattle legislation that requires developers to pay an affordable housing linkage fee on new development. 7 46TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS DRAFT 2015 Endorsement Standing Rules DRAFT 1. Meeting Scheduling and Conduct a. Meetings to allow the 46th District Democrats to express support for or against candidates and ballot measures shall be called according to the terms of the Bylaws. b. Endorsement Meetings shall be conducted according to these Standing Rules. c. At least one Endorsement Meeting shall be held before both the Primary and the General elections. d. Ballot measures on the November ballot will be eligible for endorsement at the August District General Meeting (August 21, 2015). 2. Eligibility to Vote a. All members in good standing who will be 18 years of age on or before Election Day are eligible to vote in Endorsement Meetings. b. Persons who were members in good standing of the 46th District Democrats in the previous year may renew their membership up to the time of the Endorsement Meeting. Other members must have become members at least 21 days prior to the Endorsement Meeting. c. Voting by proxy is not allowed. 3. Eligibility for Endorsement a. To be eligible for endorsement, a candidate for partisan office must file as a Democrat and declare affiliation only with the Democratic Party for a period of at least one year prior to the Endorsement Meeting. b. For non-partisan races other than judicial races, a candidate must have either declared affiliation only with the Democratic Party or else publicly indicated non-affiliation with any political party for a period of at least 1 year prior to the Endorsement Meeting. c. To be eligible for consideration for endorsement, with the exception of Presidential candidates and candidates for judicial office, candidates must declare their Party affiliation for the past 5 years and must sign and submit the King County Democrats candidate questionnaire and the 46th District Democrats questionnaire addendum. The Chair of the 46th District Democrats must receive the completed questionnaire (which can be sent to Chair@46Dems.org) no later than 10 days prior to the Endorsement Meeting (i.e., by May 6, 2015 for the May 16th, 2015 meeting). A motion to suspend the deadline for receipt of a candidate’s questionnaire by the District Chair may be made at the Endorsement Meeting and requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote. d. The District Chair or his appointed representative(s) will make best efforts to contact all eligible candidates for office and those advocating for a ballot measure to participate in the Endorsement Meeting and any candidate and issues forums. However, it is the responsibility of any candidate or ballot committee wishing to participate in the endorsement process to contact the District in a timely fashion. 4. Voting a. A minimum of 60% of the eligible voters present and voting, excluding abstentions and excluding ballots ruled invalid, is required to endorse or recommend support. b. As specified in the Bylaws, action taken may include Endorsement, No Endorsement, or No Recommendation. An Endorsement is specifically positive, No Endorsement is specifically negative, and No Rec 8 Standing Rules, Continued... ommendation is as stated—no action, either positive or negative, is taken at that time. Endorsement or recommendation may include adoption of a position specifically opposed to a candidate or ballot issue. c. Voting will be by written ballots issued to eligible voters in all races with two or more eligible candidates. Other votes will be by show of hands. d. Counting of votes shall be completed according to accepted best practices in a manner that allows observation by any member who wishes to do so. e. After voting is completed, witnesses shall observe ballots being sealed in an envelope and handed to the District Chair for retention for at least 90 days. f. In order to expedite the endorsement process, motions will be entertained to endorse a block of unopposed candidates, provided that a motion to divide the question (i.e., flag one or more names from the list for separate consideration) will be in order. A motion to divide requires a second; it requires a simple majority to pass. 5. Suspension of Endorsement Rules Any request to suspend these rules for a particular race or ballot issue must be made prior to consideration of that race or ballot issue; such a motion requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote for such suspension. The requirement specified in Rule 4 of a 60% vote for an endorsement or recommendation cannot be suspended, and any motion to close nominations is prohibited. 6. Endorsement or Recommendation Procedures—Candidates a. Nominations 1. Each eligible candidate shall be given up to 2 minutes to speak. 2. For each race with candidates, the floor will be open to nominations/seconds and “No Endorsement” for all eligible candidates. Only eligible voters may make motions to endorse/nominate or speak on behalf of an endorsement/nomination. A motion to close nominations shall be out of order. 3. For each motion to endorse, a single nomination speech of no more than 1 minute shall be allowed. The Chair may recognize a candidate or member for up to 30 seconds to rebut a negative statement directed against a named candidate. Speakers shall identify themselves prior to making nomination speeches on behalf of any candidate or ballot measure. Eligible voters may NOT cede their time to anyone ineligible to vote at the meeting. 4. All eligible candidates who are nominated and “No Endorsement” will be an option on the First Ballot. b. Voting 1. First Ballot: Each eligible voter will vote for one nominated candidate or “No Endorsement.” If a candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then that motion passes. If neither a candidate nor “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then we will move to a second ballot. In races with two or three eligible candidates, the top two choices shall move on directly to the Third Ballot. In races with four or more eligible candidates, all candidates receiving 15% of the votes cast shall move on to the Second Ballot. If only one candidate or none of these candidates have more than 15% of the votes cast then the top 4 will move on to the second ballot. 2. Second Ballot: If a candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then that motion passes. If no candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of votes cast, the top two will move to a Third Ballot. 9 Standing Rules, Continued... 2. Second Ballot: If a candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then that motion passes. If no candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of votes cast, the top two will move to a Third Ballot. 3. Third Ballot: If a candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then that motion passes. If no candidate or “No Endorsement” receives 60% of the votes cast, then a motion for dual endorsement is in order. This motion must pass by 60%; if not, an endorsement in the race is not made. A show of hands may be called for the dual endorsement ballot. No motion for a dual endorsement is in order until after the third ballot. 4. No more than two candidates may be endorsed for any one office. 7. Endorsement or Recommendation Procedures—Ballot Measures a. Motions to Endorse 1. Ballot Measures include all initiatives, referenda, levies, and other races without candidates. The question to endorse a Ballot Measure shall be considered in the form it will appear on the ballot. Motions for a specific endorsement to support or oppose a Ballot Measure are not in order, as the District’s position—Endorsement (approve), No Endorsement (reject), or No Recommendation (take no position)— will be determined by the voting. 2. For each motion to consider a Ballot Measure, a speech of not more than 2 minutes and a seconding speech of not more than 1 minute will be allowed for each of the three positions (Endorsement, No Endorsement, No Recommendation). Only members who are eligible to vote may make motions to endorse/recommend or speak on behalf of an endorsement/recommendation. Members will hear all speeches for that Ballot Issue before the vote. b. Voting 1. First Ballot: Each eligible voter will vote for Endorsement (approve), No Endorsement (reject), or No Recommendation (take no position). If any option receives 60%, then that vote passes. If no option receives 60%, we move to a Second Ballot. 2. Second Ballot: If either of the top two choices from the First Ballot receives 60%, then that vote passes. If no option receives 60%, then the position of the 46th District Democrats will be “No Recommendation.” 8. Tie Votes a. If any vote for an endorsement or recommendation results in a tie, and the tie affects which ballot choice moves on to the next step or receives the endorsement/recommendation, a Tiebreaker Vote will be held. Eligible voters will revote only on the tied items with the subsequent winner advancing to the next step. b. If the Tiebreaker Vote results in a tie, the Chair or their designee will conduct a coin flip to determine the outcome. 9. Reconsideration of an Endorsement a. Endorsements shall only be reconsidered in the following circumstances: death or long-term incapacitation of the endorsed candidate; withdrawal of candidacy of the endorsed candidate; conscious and deliberate failure by the candidate to file for office on the applicable ballot; disqualification from the ballot of the endorsed candidate; or if the endorsed candidate switches Parties, or by declared choice of caucus, would 10 Standing Rules, Continued... cause the Democratic Party to lose a majority or committee chairperson position in any legislative or governing body. b. Reconsideration of an endorsement in these circumstances requires 10-day written notice to the body and all candidates eligible for endorsement for the affected office. The written notice must specify when the reconsideration and possible new endorsement process will occur. c. It is permissible for the reconsideration vote and potential new endorsement process to occur at the same general or special meeting of the membership. d. A 60% vote of the members is required to reopen the endorsement. If the membership votes in the affirmative to reopen the endorsement, then the endorsement process is carried through from the beginning, March Minutes, Continued City Council - Tony Provine (D4): Co-chair of NE District Council, on community group. Invest in people. Affordable housing via various finance - Lorena Gonzalez (At-Large): Introduction; She grew up as a migrant worker and is now Senior Advisor to Murray. - Michael Maddux (D4) Wants to bring more opportunities for family wage. Other Offices - Janet Helson: New Superior Court Judge. She has a families/children background from working at Columbia Legal Services and Evergreen Legal Services. - Mary Jane Goss: Mayor of LFP, running for reelection. Fiscal responsibility/sustainable budget. Homelessness Resolutions: - Resolution Support of Nathan Hale HS students and staff boycotting 11 th Grade Smarter Balance Assessments Speakers Against: Stefan Blanford (Seattle School Board): The District is obligated by state and federal law to administer test. Although they are starting to look at data about which tests are necessary and which ones can be eliminated, there are a lot of benefits to assessments. Sharon Peaslee (Seattle School Board): Addmitted that the way in which we test students does not support teaching/learning, but says that required changes will require changes in state/federal law. SSD cannot change the laws. We cannot make these changes until the law has changed. Lisa Macfarlane (46th) - Takes choice away from students and families. Decision by teachers in NH puts federal money at risk for most at risk kids. Resolution is wrong: Graduate test score threshold won’t be set yet; threshold will keep grad rates consistent. Step away from resolution/separate it from overtesting. Speakers in Favor: Doug Edelstein Nathan Hale teacher. - Explained that the School District is threatening to punish educators who boycott the test. Proposed amendment by Jeff Smith - Amendment stripped most language, and removed mentions of Common Core and broader objections to testing. New language simply supported Nathan Hale educators in their boycott. Speaker Against: Sarajane Siegfriedt - Explained that removed language explains why they are boycotting. is their reasoning. Same as what was passed by 32 nd LD last week. Speaker in Favor: New language is easier to wrap head around. Tells school board to grow a spine. Speaker Against: Elizabeth Hanson - Language proposed to be remove is root cause of problem. - Amendment passes. - Resolution as amended passes. Funds Report Bank: 8085.84, Savings: 1136, COD: 54,465.34, All PDC reports current. New Business - Candidate Forum for City Council District 5 and Positions 8-9: Tues. April 14 @ NSCC with 32nd LD. - D4 forum with 43rd TBD - May 14 - County positions endorsements will be decided at general meeting, moved up from 3 rd Thursday to 2nd Thursday. - May 16 - 3-part Endorsement Day. Lake Forest Park and Kenmore positions in the morning, Countywide positions in Midday, Seattle Council in the afternoon. Location TBD. (See Important Dates Notice for dates/times/places) Good of the Order - NARAL Pro Choice WA Chocolates for Choice fundraiser at Seattle Center, 3/25. Happy hour beforehand. - March 31: State Senate Reproductive Health Act. Meeting Adjourned. 11 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID # 3055 Seattle, WA P.O. Box 15435 Seattle, WA 98115-0435 Return Service Requested Meeting Location Change April 16th General Meeting George Center for Community 2212 NE 125th Street, Seattle, WA 98125 Sign-in: 7:00pm Meeting: 7:30pm We’re trying out a new location for April’s meeting. The school is unavailable this month. Control your Demogram Subscription! Show Your Commitment to the 46th District Democrats. JOIN NOW! Please help us be more “Green” Pay dues electronically via Click and Pledge at our website – where you can pledge as little as $5 a month - or mail a check payable to “46th District Democrats” to PO Box 15435, Seattle, WA 98115-0435. To check if you ar e alr eady a member , email Phillippa Kassover at membership@46dems.org. Email Only! Please e-mail me each month when the new issue of the Demogram is available online. Please DON’T print one for me. (Reducing the amount of money the District spends on printing and postage means more resources available to elect Democrats!) Both Email and Print! I am a NAME_____________________________________ paid member of the 46th District Democrats in good standing, and I would like to receive the paper version of the newsletter. ADDRESS_________________________________ CITY____________________ZIP_______________ Print Only, Please! 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