URGENT: Levy Cliff Bill May Get a Vote on Saturday

Update 2: So much for that.  A great account from the News Tribune about how the Dems attempt when down in flames.  They did try but I am very puzzled that one Dem left before it was done and the Lt. Gov. didn't follow thru (he may have had a reason.)

So if the Senate refuses to hear the levy cliff bill, down the district tumbles.  I have to laugh at the argument that the "real" work is McCleary and the levy cliff is a "distraction."  Nearly every single legislator has a school district that will be affected by the levy cliff and boy, when it happens, I hope their constituents howl.

Oh, there was this:

On Friday, Republicans released an education plan that would eventually avoid the levy cliff if passed by the Legislature.

There is analysis of their plan to be done but the early issue you can see is that Seattle will take it on the chin, property tax-wise. 

end of update

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article129292844.html#storylink=cpy

Update:

A great map from WA Dems showing legislative districts and then, the school districts in them and how much money they would lose via the levy cliff.

I highly recommend calling

• Senator Zeiger (Puyuallup SD will ose nearly $9M), 
• Senator Rossi (Bellevue will lose $10M, Lake WA SD will lose $4M, Redmond will lose $4M), and Mercer Island SD will lose nearly $3M)
• Senator Miloscia (Federal Way SD will lose nearly $8M and Auburn will lose nearly $7M.)  

Remind these senators what this could mean for their own school districts to lose that kind of money.

We can do this!  As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over until it's over."

end of update

The Dems in the Legislature have decided to go for broke.  From The News Tribune:

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, said Senate Democrats have identified ways they can bring legislation to the floor without the aid of Republican Senate leaders.

But Democrats are hoping that Republicans agree to bring up the measure, House Bill 1059, using the normal channels, so that such an action isn’t necessary, he said.

It appears that the vote would take place on Saturday.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article128981024.html#storylink=

From Washington's Paramount Duty:

The State Senate will vote on Friday morning at 10AM on an important procedural motion that, if adopted, would allow a vote on the bill to delay the levy cliff soon afterward. We need to flood Senate offices with calls urging them to bring this bill, HB 1059, to the floor and then to vote yes on it.
Need to find your Senator or their phone number? Click here and urge your Senator to immediately pass the bill to delay the levy cliff!

If you need a script: “Hello, I am your constituent from [name your city or town]. I need you to vote to bring HB 1059 to the floor and vote for the bill. We must delay the levy cliff so that teachers don’t get fired and students don’t lose important classes and programs they need to succeed. I know you have the power to save our schools from financial peril and I need you to lead on this."

Call your Senator right now and urge them to immediately pass the bill to delay the levy cliff! Click here if you need to find your Senator or their phone number.

Below are some of the Senators who most urgently need to hear from the public. If even just one of them votes yes, the bill can pass and our schools will be saved from the levy cliff. If you or anyone you know lives in any of these legislative districts/areas, please ask them to call their Senator right now! 

 (Editor's note: Fain, Rivers, Schoesler are not going to flip; I would not bother with them.  Zeiger and Braun are good bets.)

Hans Zeiger
25th LD: includes Puyallup, Fife
360 786-7648
hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

John Braun
20th LD: includes Chehalis, Centralia, Castle Rock
360 786-7638
john.braun@leg.wa.gov

Joe Fain
47th LD: includes Auburn, Kent, Renton, Covington, Federal Way
360 786-7692
joe.fain@leg.wa.gov

Ann Rivers
18th LD: includes Vancouver, Ridgefield, Camas, Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, Hockinson
360 786-7634
ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov

Mark Miloscia
30th LD: includes Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific
360 786-7658
mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov

Jan Angel
26th LD: includes Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Lakebay, Purdy
360 786-7650
jan.angel@leg.wa.gov

Dino Rossi
45th LD: includes Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Woodinville, Duvall
360 786-7672
dino.rossi@leg.wa.gov

Maureen Walsh
16th LD: includes Walla Walla, Prosser, Horse Heaven
360 786-7630
maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov

Mark Schoesler
9th LD: includes Ritzville, Pullman, Colfax, St. John, Asotin
360 786-7620
mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Phil Fortunato
31st LD: includes Enumclaw, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Sumner, Edgewood, South Prairie, Wilkeson and Carbonado
360 786-7660
phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov

Brad Hawkins
12th LD: includes Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Twisp, Winthrop, Leavenworth
360 786-7622
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov

Randi Becker
2nd LD: includes Eatonville, Yelm, Orting, Graham, Roy, Rainier
360 786-7602 305
randi.becker@leg.wa.gov

Lynda Wilson
17th LD: includes Brush Prairie, Orchards, Cascade Park East (Clark County)
360 786-7632
lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov

Curtis King
14th LD: includes Stevenson, White Salmon, Naches, Goldendale, Tieton, Roosevelt
360 786-7626
curtis.king@leg.wa.gov

Barbara Bailey
10th LD: includes Stanwood, Camamo Island, Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, La Connor
360 786-7618
barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov