Answer the call in Washington

The needs are all around us -- hungry families, neighborhoods not getting the attention they deserve, environmental degradation in sacred spaces. We have been called to serve by many of our political leaders, including President Obama, Governor Gregoire, and by the mayor here in Seattle, where I live. Now more than ever, our service will make a real difference in people's lives. At Democrats Work, we are asking an important question: how do you want to answer the call to service?

Please take 30 seconds to tell us what you think the greatest service needs are.

Here's just one example of Washingtonians answering the call this weekend: Brian Gunn of Auburn is leading a project in northern Pierce County to help restore the natural habitat of South Prairie Creek. You can join Brian and other Democrats Work volunteers on Saturday and help bring this critical stream back to life. (Click here for the details and to sign up.)

In the meantime, we want to hear from you. Tell us your top service priority today.

Community service, at its best, is directed at our most pressing needs and solves serious problems. I hope you will continue to help our neighbors and communities meet the challenges we all face across this state.

All the best,

Thomas Bates
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Democrats Work

Democrats Work connects the grassroots with community service projects -- cleaning up neighborhoods and parks, supporting schools, working at food banks and soup kitchens, honoring veterans. To learn more, go to www.democratswork.org.

Thank Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray for co-sponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act

An important step toward restoring balance and fairness to our economy was taken today--the Employee Free Choice Act was introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Your senators, Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray, helped lead the way by adding their names as co-sponsors.

Thank Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray for co-sponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senatecosponsors/

Now that the fight has moved to the halls of Congress, we need to take our campaign to the next level--and give more workers a shot at the American Dream. Congress will debate and vote on this important bill soon.

Your senators' decision to co-sponsor this bill is critical to demonstrating the broad support for the Employee Free Choice Act. With Big Business interests spending tens of millions of dollars pressuring members of Congress to oppose this bill, you should be proud that Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray are both fighting for working families.

The decision to co-sponsor the bill was not an easy one for senators and it's critical they hear from their constituents today. Thank Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray for co-sponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senatecosponsors

With the most pro-worker Congress in years, and President Obama committed to the cause, this is our best chance yet to pass this bill. But it's anything but a done deal. Corporate special interests are twisting arms, spending millions on misleading ads and spreading lies and propaganda to block the bill.

Senators frequently talk to each other about how their constituents react to their votes and other actions. If we send enough thank you letters to Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray, they'll be able to tell other senators how popular the Employee Free Choice Act is among their constituents.

Thank Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray right now: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senatecosponsors

The stakes couldn't be higher--giving more workers a fair chance to bargain for better pay, benefits and job security will help restore the struggling middle class and make the economy work for everyone.

In solidarity,

Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator

P.S. It's been two years since corporate lobbyists undermined the middle class and blocked this bill. They were backed by the same union-busters and greedy CEOs who ran this economy into the ground--and they will stop at nothing to keep workers from getting a fair shake. Thank your senators today. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/senatecosponsors

Blue Ribbon Committee called for

Councilmembers call for Blue Ribbon Committee to review potential appointees for King County Executive
Hague and Constantine say open appointment process allows more voices to be heard

Metropolitan King County Council Vice Chair Jane Hague and Council Chair Dow Constantine today introduced a motion to establish a formal, transparent process for selecting an appointee for King County Executive. The motion would create a Blue Ribbon Committee that would provide for broader participation in the scrutiny of potential appointees.

“It is critical that we make the right choice with this appointment,” said Hague. “By allowing a wider range of involvement in the vetting process, we will ultimately make a better selection for an interim King County Executive without any backroom deals. A more thorough process with a variety of voices will help the Council appoint someone who will address the County’s budget issues, be responsive to the public and give the public confidence in the management of the office until the general election.”

“This is a critical year for King County government and we must move quickly to appoint an interim executive once a vacancy occurs,” said Constantine. “This process must be open and transparent, while bringing forward a pool of candidates who are both capable and viable.”

Executive Ron Sims on February 2 announced he had been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama Administration. Upon his confirmation and resignation from office, the King County Council under the County Charter will appoint an executive to serve until the next general election in November.

The proposed motion would establish a Blue Ribbon Committee to review eligible candidates for appointment as County Executive. Under the proposed process, each member of the County Council may nominate two candidates, and a candidate would need to be nominated by three or more Councilmembers to qualify for review by the Blue Ribbon Committee.


Members of the panel would consist of King County’s separately elected officials –
the Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney and Assessor, and the Presiding Judges of King County District Court and Superior Court – joined by one representative each from:


• The Municipal League of King County
• The League of Women Voters of Greater Seattle
• The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
• The East King County Chambers of Commerce Coalition
• The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• The Chinese Chamber of Commerce
• The Criminal Justice Council
• Organized labor, and
• The environmental community


The Blue Ribbon Committee would meet, on an expedited schedule, to review the qualifications of eligible candidates and to select two to five names to forward to the King County Council by March 31.

Camp Wellstone Training coming to Seattle

Signup Links:

• Camp Wellstone Seattle: Citizen Activist Track
• Camp Wellstone Seattle: Working on a Campaign Track
• Camp Wellstone Seattle: Being a Candidate Track

Register today!

This 2.5 day training, running from 3-9pm Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, and 9am-3:30pm Sunday, combines lectures from highly experienced trainers, stimulating exercises, and interactive simulations. We're counting on you to organize around issues that matter, help build campaigns for the future, and elect progressive candidates to office.

Camp Wellstone is divided into three tracks:

• Citizen activist track. For people interested in citizen lobbying, issue advocacy, and community organizing, this track provides skills in how to win on issues.
• Campaign track. This track focuses on how to be an effective staff or volunteer member of a winning progressive campaign.
• Candidate track. This is for people who have made the decision to run for office.

The cost of Camp Wellstone is based on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. We are committed to keeping this training accessible to all. If you are able to cover the full cost of your participation in this training, please do so as this will help us continue to train progressives across the country; otherwise, you choose the option that works best for you. Rates are as follows: $200 (full cost), $100 (50% of training cost), or $50 (25% of training cost). This fee covers our book, Politics the Wellstone Way (activist track) or Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way (campaign and candidate tracks), materials, and three meals during the weekend. We are not able to guarantee space at the Camp unless payment is received two weeks prior to the start date.

This camp will be held in Seattle, and the location will be announced to registered participants. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations.

For questions, contact Jen Haut at 651.414.6037 or jennifer@wellstone.org.

King County's Non-Partisan Government Fails its First Test

Please Act Now! Read Dwight's essay below and e-mail the following five County Council members with the simple message:

"Dear Councilmember, We need a strong County Executive to succeed Ron Sims. I urge you to appoint a strong Democrat to be our next County Executive."

Dow Constantine dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov
Bob Ferguson bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
Larry Gossett larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov
Julia Patterson julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov
Larry Phillips larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov

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King County's Non-Partisan Government Fails its First Test
by Dwight Pelz
Chair, Washington State Democratic Party

Last year a group of "political reformers" (financed by Republican business leaders) successfully passed a measure making county government non-partisan. Today that reform is just three months old, but already poised to fail its first major test. Ron Sims has just completed 12 magnificent years of service as our County Executive and has announced that he will leave to join the Obama Administration. Rather than pick a strong leader to succeed Ron, there is talk of choosing a "caretaker."

Succession of office is an important test of our democracy. When a government official resigns or passes away, provisions are made for that position to be filled and for government to continue.

For partisan offices, state law assigns the political parties a role which has allowed vacancies to be filled in an orderly, timely, and predictable fashion. The Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) from the affected jurisdiction meet and choose three member of the party of the departed official, and forward that list to the County Council or County Commissioners, who pick one person.

Last month I traveled to Walla Walla to chair the meeting at which the PCOs convened to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Bill Grant. The PCOs designated three Democrats as suitable replacements, and forwarded that list to the 12 County Commissioners from the four counties in the 16th Legislative District. On February 21st Laura Grant-Herriott, Bill Grant's daughter, was chosen for the position and immediately sworn in.

A similar meeting took place 12 years ago when the PCOs met at the gym of Nathan Hale High School to designate a list of three Democrats to fill the last year of the term of then-County Executive Gary Locke, who was departing to be Governor. On that day, an impassioned Ron Sims stood up and gave a compelling speech about the challenges facing King County - and his ability as a leader to meet them. On that day no one called for a "caretaker" or a "placeholder." Ron was the choice of the PCOs and served for 10 months as the appointed Executive, then was elected to the post three times

The PCOs and the Democratic Party will play no role in 2009 in filling this most recent vacancy. By state law governing vacancies in a non-partisan office, the nine members of the King County Council are charged with the responsibility of naming the next County Executive. But with some of the Council members vying for the job themselves, the Council appears unable to assemble five votes for a strong successor.

Today, instead of the terms "executive" and "leader," we hear talk of choosing a "caretaker" or a "placeholder." We hear cliches about "letting the voters decide the next County Executive, not the Council members." This is not the time for a placeholder. This is the time for the nine members of the King County Council to provide leadership. They need to take a hard vote and appoint a leader, not a caretaker.

King County faces enormous challenges. The County's economic model was in tatters before this current economic crisis began. 2009 will require real leadership in the Executive's office to maintain our courts, our public defenders and prosecuting attorneys, our jails, the Sheriff's office, environmental protection, and basic services.

Voters who chose to make the County government non-partisan were promised that government would work better because party loyalties disrupt decision-making. What we see instead is this decision being postponed because of personalities, not parties.

Political parties make our democracy function better. Congress could not make basic decisions without majority and minority caucuses. Our State Legislature would never adjourn on time without the discipline and structure provided by the parties. It is time to hold the refomers accountable for their reform and ask whether non-partisan government has improved or hindered decision making in King County?

In the past the role of the PCOs and the parties allowed us to fill the vacancy in the County Executive position with a strong leader. The five Democrats on the County Council can continue that tradition by appointing a strong Democrat as our next County Executive.

President Obama Nominates Ron Sims

Dear Chad,

President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate me as the next Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If confirmed by the United States Senate, I will serve the President.

I want to thank you for the support and encouragement you have given me all these years. I would not have been able to serve in an elected capacity without your help. There are no words to express my heartfelt gratitude for your contributions of time and money; no measure of my appreciation for your passion and commitment to work with me on issues that affect our quality of life.

When President Obama was elected, I said to you:

"The Obama administration will mark the beginning of an historic opportunity. We must not fail to seize the moment. This is our time to realign our economy back in favor of working people; to act on climate change by restoring science to its proper role in informing our decisions; to build inclusive communities with great schools; provide everyone with decent housing and health care; and, to achieve racial equality."

I sincerely believed I would be tackling these challenges at the regional level when I announced my intention to seek reelection as County Executive. Little did I imagine that I would be called upon by the President to join him on this historic journey. I am so honored. If confirmed, I will give the President, his administration, and our country my very best. I am eager to promote what we have done here in King County, particularly in helping other metropolitan centers adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build healthy communities that provide economic opportunities for all.

Again, let me thank you for your unyielding support. Leaving King County government will be very difficult, but I look forward to the opportunity to serve our President and our great country.


All the best,

Ron Sims
King County Executive

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STATEMENT OF RON SIMS REGARDING NOMINATION TO BECOME DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT February 2, 2009

President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate me as the next Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. I thank the President for this honor. I am deeply grateful and overwhelmed by his trust and confidence in me.

I also want to thank Secretary Shaun Donovan for his support. If confirmed by the United States Senate, I will serve the President and give his administration and our country my very best.

King County Countywide Community Forums

Aloha Ms. Sheary-

I am the outreach coordinator for the King County Countywide Community Forums (CCF).  The Community Forums is a network for community members to meet and engage in small group discussions on current issues and give feedback to our King County elected officials.  The CCF initiative targets residents and those who work in King County to become engaged with our elected officials and local communities over important matters and issues.  The current issue for the CCF is Citizen Priorities for County Government.  With the county facing a major budget shortfall and cuts to dozens of important human services and other programs, forums participants are asked to provide feedback on their values and priorities for the region.

As the KC Dems has shown a strong commitment to civic engagement in the community, we were hoping that you would be willing to help us get the information about the forums out to the members or your organizations. We hope to have an inclusive and diverse representation of King County in order to provide county council members with a representative picture of how diverse populations are impacted by the budget. If you know of any youth who are in need of service hours, this would be a wonderful way to earn community service hours and to get them involved in civic engagement.

How does King County Countywide Community Forums run? 
You register as a Citizen Councilor to attend or host of a group.  Forums are organized in homes, workplace or libraries throughout King County and you can pick the place and time most convenient to attend a forum.  Along with up to 11 fellow citizen councilors, watch a short video presentation on the topic at hand, discuss the issue among group members and fill out a comprehensive questionnaire. The forum takes about 2 hours.  The survey findings are presented to county officials, the media and are posted on the King County website.  The forums are held only three to four times a year and you are free to attend as many as you want.

A round of Countywide Community Forums starts with the selection of topic by the Auditor, based on the recommendation of a regional Steering Committee.  The Auditor appointed Volunteer Coordinators, who are unpaid citizens and are currently the original sponsors of the initiative, develop all the materials for the forums, subject to the Auditor’s approval. Citizens sign up as Citizen Councilors.  During an approved participation window, all councilors are invited to participate in forums held by fellow councilors in homes, libraries, or offices throughout King County.  A forum is attended by 4-12 councilors who choose the time and place most convenient to them.  Participants introduce themselves, watch a short video, discuss the issue for about an hour and complete a detailed questionnaire.  Questionnaires are mailed back and compiled by the Volunteer Coordinators into a report that can then be shared with County Council, the media, councilors, and is posted on the Auditor’s website.

Why should I participate?
Community members participate at a civic level giving voice on issues that are important to them.  The CCF initiative is outreaching to those who are rarely invited to the table.  We are seeking to gather data through surveys and community discussions to impact public policies.  These diverse voices are rarely heard, so they cannot be considered when public policy is being shaped and formed.  This is an opportunity to meet and to engage with local community members and community leaders; an opportunity to learn about how public policy should be shaped and reformed by the voices of its people.

Purpose and goals of the KC Countywide Community Forums initiative:
The stated goals for the program are to enhance citizen participation, civic engagement and citizenship education.  The program also offers the opportunity to inform policy makers, and by extension, make county government more responsive to its citizens. In particular, the initiative sponsors viewed the program as an opportunity to improve on the traditional public hearing process by offering an accessible alternative. It can also be argued that, because of its organization and roots, the program builds social capital, supports democracy and helps strengthen the community. 

You can sign up at http://www.countywidecommunityforums.orgor go to www.kingcounty.gov/operations/auditor/communityforum for more information. We value your participation and look forward to having you become part of the Community Forums. King County Countywide Community Forums is an intergenerational initiative that welcomes people who live or work in King County and are sixteen and over to participate.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.  I’m excited to support this community based initiative and hope you will join me in sharing this opportunity for civic engagement on issues important to your daily life.  I also have a small blurb that can be sent to your email networks and newsletters.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Mahalo-
Lika McFarland
206-235-8014 / 206-772-2595 polynesia1@comcast.net