YOUR|LETTERS Sept. 14
Published on Tue, Sep 13, 2011Read More Letters to the Editor
Redistricting to be completed by November
Dear Editor,
The Washington State Redistricting Commission recently completed a round of 18 public forums in communities throughout the state. We received many insightful comments both at the forums and through other submissions.
My fellow commissioners and I say “Thank you” to all those who took the time to understand the commission’s purpose and to provide comment. You can read all the comments we received, as well as watch the past webcasts of the forums, on our website at www.redistricting.wa.gov.
While our final public forum concluded on August 9, our work is far from done, and we invite you to check in with us and give us feedback as we progress to a final redistricting plan.
Upcoming milestones include September 13, when commissioners will unveil draft maps for new congressional and legislative districts and October 11, when we’ll offer a multimedia opportunity for you to express your views directly to the Commissioners.
Our goal is to release final plans in early November. Please check our website for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Lura Powell, Chair
Washington State
Redistricting Commission, Olympia
Clothing donations helped families in need
Dear Editor,
A huge thank you to everyone who donated clothing to the back-to-school clothing give-away held Saturday, August 27 at Sanctuary Ministries.
Approximately 122 kids left the church with overflowing bags of clothing and coats and your donations made it all possible.
If you are still in need of baby, toddler, children’s, teen, maternity, or adult clothing we invite you to check out our Sanctuary Ministries clothing distribution. We are open every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at our new Care Center, a 1,400 square foot building dedicated to distributing clothing, shoes and bedding to those in need.
We are located on Hwy. 92 and 75th Street NE between Lake Stevens and Granite Falls. For more information or directions please call our office at 360 -386-9871 or visit our website at www.sanctuaryministriesnw.com. Everyone is welcome—there are no eligibility requirements.
Again, thank you for your generosity—you made a lot of kids (parents too) smile.
Pastor Jerry Brady
Sanctuary Ministries
Filibuster rules in the U.S. need to be changed
Dear Editor,
The rules governing how business is done in the U.S. Senate needs to change.
The filibuster isn’t in the Constitution. It’s just a Senate rule that allows rampant obstruction.
It only takes 41 Senators to completely obstruct/prevent debate and block an up or down vote.
The filibuster essentially gives Senators representing as little as 12 percent of the population a minority veto.
Sen. Tom Udall and 24 of his colleagues have proposed a strong package to change the Senate rules.
The new rules would end filibusters on motions to begin debate and would force senators waging a filibuster to actually stay on the floor and engage in debate. That would protect the right of the minority to be heard, but also allow the Senate to conduct its business without endless, senseless delays.
The Senate should approve this package when it reconvenes on January 24. I want to see the filibuster rules fixed so that our Senators can do their jobs—debate and vote on bills.
Sharon Greenspan
Tacoma
Dear Editor,
The Washington State Redistricting Commission recently completed a round of 18 public forums in communities throughout the state. We received many insightful comments both at the forums and through other submissions.
My fellow commissioners and I say “Thank you” to all those who took the time to understand the commission’s purpose and to provide comment. You can read all the comments we received, as well as watch the past webcasts of the forums, on our website at www.redistricting.wa.gov.
While our final public forum concluded on August 9, our work is far from done, and we invite you to check in with us and give us feedback as we progress to a final redistricting plan.
Upcoming milestones include September 13, when commissioners will unveil draft maps for new congressional and legislative districts and October 11, when we’ll offer a multimedia opportunity for you to express your views directly to the Commissioners.
Our goal is to release final plans in early November. Please check our website for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Lura Powell, Chair
Washington State
Redistricting Commission, Olympia
Clothing donations helped families in need
Dear Editor,
A huge thank you to everyone who donated clothing to the back-to-school clothing give-away held Saturday, August 27 at Sanctuary Ministries.
Approximately 122 kids left the church with overflowing bags of clothing and coats and your donations made it all possible.
If you are still in need of baby, toddler, children’s, teen, maternity, or adult clothing we invite you to check out our Sanctuary Ministries clothing distribution. We are open every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at our new Care Center, a 1,400 square foot building dedicated to distributing clothing, shoes and bedding to those in need.
We are located on Hwy. 92 and 75th Street NE between Lake Stevens and Granite Falls. For more information or directions please call our office at 360 -386-9871 or visit our website at www.sanctuaryministriesnw.com. Everyone is welcome—there are no eligibility requirements.
Again, thank you for your generosity—you made a lot of kids (parents too) smile.
Pastor Jerry Brady
Sanctuary Ministries
Filibuster rules in the U.S. need to be changed
Dear Editor,
The rules governing how business is done in the U.S. Senate needs to change.
The filibuster isn’t in the Constitution. It’s just a Senate rule that allows rampant obstruction.
It only takes 41 Senators to completely obstruct/prevent debate and block an up or down vote.
The filibuster essentially gives Senators representing as little as 12 percent of the population a minority veto.
Sen. Tom Udall and 24 of his colleagues have proposed a strong package to change the Senate rules.
The new rules would end filibusters on motions to begin debate and would force senators waging a filibuster to actually stay on the floor and engage in debate. That would protect the right of the minority to be heard, but also allow the Senate to conduct its business without endless, senseless delays.
The Senate should approve this package when it reconvenes on January 24. I want to see the filibuster rules fixed so that our Senators can do their jobs—debate and vote on bills.
Sharon Greenspan
Tacoma
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