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Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp Obstructs Workers' Comp Reform
Updated May 19, 2011
Reform is drastically needed for workers' compensation in Washington state. Workers' comp costs threaten to kill the state budget and business, as companies face the prospect of double-digit workers' comp increases.
That's been the judgment of this Seattle business-news portal, the Association of Washington Business (AWB), and other business leaders. It might surprise you to learn that most state lawmakers want workers' comp reform, too.
But debate is being stymied in the Legislature. Bills would continue protections for injured workers without further decimating the state's operating budget. Plus, reform would give the workers an option to take a lump-sum payment.
Yes, it would be voluntary. The idea is patterned after successful workers' comp systems in our neighboring state, Oregon, and 43 other states. But reform is stalled. Yes, Washington remains in the Neanderthal Age while the reform ideas are continuing to work in 44 other states.
Why doesn't common sense prevail?
"It is House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) and a group of union and trial attorney supported Democrats in the House who are blocking a vote on voluntary settlements," writes AWB President Don Brunell.
"Remember, the bill passed the Senate with a bipartisan 35-14 vote," adds Mr. Brunell. "Gov. Gregoire, in her press conference yesterday, again called for the legislature to address workers comp and said it is imperative to prevent another round of double-digit rate increases in 2012."
Not only has Speaker Chopp and the Legislature failed to act in the best interests of the state in workers' comp reform, state residents face the prospect of a suspension of most state-government services in the near future.
"There are only a few days left in this special session and there is no budget," warns the AWB president. "What appears to be happening is a stalling tactic by the Speaker until the July 1 deadline approaches and then only leave time to address the budget. The budget must be adopted by July 1 or state government shuts down."
The issue has drawn the attention of the state's largest newspaper – a brilliant Seattle Times editorial entitled, "Speaker Chopp: Who is running your House? | Kate Riley."
Ms. Riley's editorial astutely disparages the stonewalling by Speaker Chopp:
"Washington state's Speaker of the House Frank Chopp is outvoted on much-needed workers' compensation reform.
"You wouldn't know it though, because he won't allow a floor vote on the bill."
Despite overwhelming support in the Legislature for workers' comp reform, the newspaper sheds further light on the disingenuous behavior in the Legislature, specifically regarding a reform bill in the House:
"So, House leadership referred HB 2109 to the black hole of the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee. On this issue, it's a 'black hole' because the Democratic majority on the committee is stacked with union-friendly members, including some who are labor officials in their own right.
"According to his bio, Chairman Mike Sells has been the elected secretary-treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council since 1976 — the position became full-time in 1998. Of the seven Democrats serving last year, five have 10-for-10 voting records on the Washington Labor Council's 2010 Legislative Voting Record. One each scored nine and eight."
So, organized labor is the culprit behind the scenes. The unions would rather see a hike in workers' comp rates.
That's unacceptable. What we need is Speaker Chopp's empathy for Washington state's overall welfare to accelerate economic recovery. Washington needs a healthy economic environment for the creation of jobs. Let's join Ms. Riley is demanding a solution. Speaker Chopp: Who is running your House?
From the Coach's Corner, here are workers' comp resource links:
AWB: ESB 5566 Will Minimize Sting in Workers-Comp Rates
"Now there sits a man with an open mind. You can feel the draft from here."
– Groucho Marx
Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.
Tax Increases Will Cost Washington Businesses, Consumers $6.7 Billion Next 10 Years
July 15, 2010
The well-documented lack of transparency and suspension of voters' rights by Washington state lawmakers in the 2010 legislative session will soak taxpayers an additional $6.7 billion over the next 10 years, according to a new study by the Washington Policy Center (WPC).
"State lawmakers raised taxes at the worst possible time – in the midst of a recession with record-high unemployment levels," says Dann Mead Smith, WPC President. "We compiled this report to help give taxpayers a clearer picture of the details and cost for each tax increase."
The respected think-tank's study is comprised of 12 pages of data, which includes an explanation of each tax increase and details of how each tax increase encumbers businesses and consumers for the next 10 years.
As it has done repeatedly over the years, the Legislature suspended the protections voters passed in Initiative 960, which required transparency and a two-thirds legislative majority vote in order to hike taxes. The Legislature passed SB 6130, which suspended the voter protections against unwanted new taxes.
"The bill temporarily repeals provisions of voter-approved Initiative 960 until July 1, 2011," states WPC's report at www.washingtonpolicy.org. "Washington voters passed Initiative 960 on November 6, 2007."
The $800 million in new taxes include:
- Business and Occupation taxes
- Canceling Real Estate Excise Tax exemptions
- Increasing taxes for Public Utility Districts
- Hiking the 911 excise tax
- Hospital Bed taxes
- Bottled water, soft drink, beer, candy and gum taxes
- Tobacco taxes including a 500 percent increase on cigars
"Lawmakers increased total state spending by 43 percent in the last five budget cycles, a period in which state population grew only 11 percent, and inflation increased just 19 percent," states the Report on 2010 Tax Increases in Washington State.
"By repealing the non-binding advisory votes, lawmakers expected their names would not appear in the official voters' pamphlet for 2010 next to a description of the tax increases they had enacted," the study notes. "The purpose of this report is to provide much of the information the public would have received in the official voters' pamphlet if the legislature had not repealed the public disclosure provisions of Initiative 960.
Well, if you're unsure how your legislator voted on taxes and other issues, visit: www.washingtonvotes.org.
Meantime, here's a tip of the Biz Coach cap to Washington Policy Center for its usual fine work.
From the Coach's Corner, you might be interested in the results of these polls:
- More Voters Say Washington State is Headed the Wrong Way
- Big Surprise in Washington State Race for U.S. Senator
If you want to do something about these tax increases, you might also want to consider these organizations:
- Association of Washington Business, www.awb.org
- Enterprise Washington, www.enterprisewashington.org
I-1053: Critical to Washington State Businesses and Workers
June 10, 2010
Washington state voters face critical decision-making. The success of the state's economy and job-creation efforts hinges largely on Initiative 1053. Proponents have been working feverishly to qualify I-1053 for the Nov. 2010 ballot. It would restore monetary protections for businesses and all other taxpayers from the perennial chicanery of the state Legislature.
It requires a two-thirds legislative vote for any new taxes. In my view, it insures a higher degree of transparency, which is constantly lacking in the Legislature.
"Reinstating the supermajority vote for new taxes has never been more important with the very real threat of even more tax increases in the 2011 session – or earlier," says Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, which is also known as the state's chamber of commerce.
"This warning has been confirmed by recent news from Governor Gregoire that a special session may be necessary as the state budget may be in doubt due to lawmakers relying on federal funds that are not likely to materialize," he adds.
But it has not yet qualified for the ballot with enough voter signatures.
"With less than a month left to gather signatures some may wonder how many of the initiative campaigns will be successful and qualify for the ballot," says Jason Mercier, director of the Center for Government Reform for the Washington Policy Center.
"One measure, I-1053, may benefit from news from the Office of Financial Management that the state is facing at least a $3 billion deficit in the next budget," asserts Mr. Mercier.
"This means lawmakers' first choice to solve the problem next year may be tax increases unless the voters re-impose for the fourth time the restriction that tax increases require a two-thirds vote," he warns.
Fourth time? Yes, he's right – a fourth time. For many years, I've been writing about legislative chicanery that has damaged commerce and taxpayers. Every time voters approve restrictions on spending, lawmakers find ways furtively and overtly to circumvent the will of voters.
In 2010, lawmakers suspended transparency provisions and the provisos of I-960, which voters passed in 2007. It mandated tax increases could only be implemented by a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Legislature or upon approval by voters. But then, after the destroying voters' protections and refusing to require efficiencies in state government, the Legislature passed more than $800 million in additional taxes.
But there is some good news. Sixty percent of voters are in favor of the requirements of I-1053, according to the Washington Poll in May, 2010. In another Washington Poll, More Voters Say Washington State is Headed the Wrong Way.
In a sense, that's encouraging because the Washington State Office of Financial Management echoes a dire warning about future budget issues that I've been giving for what seems like forever.
Its budget-writing instructions for state agencies for the 2011-13 Biennium states:
"A preliminary estimate by OFM indicates that a gap of about $3 billion between expected revenues and basic spending pressures (not including any new programs or policies) will need to be addressed to balance the budget," according to budget instructions by the state office of financial management ( see page 7 of the document).
"Although stronger-than-predicted revenue growth would help remedy this situation, revenues would need to grow by more than 9 percent per year to make up most of the projected gap, a rate which is unlikely to be achieved," the authors warn.
From the Coach's Corner, for more information, here are resource links:
Association of Washington Business – www.awb.org
Washington Policy Center – www.washingtonpolicy.org
Enterprise Washington – www.enterprisewashington.org
More Voters Say Washington State is Headed the Wrong Way
May 24, 2010
Washington state is headed south when it needs to go north. That's what a larger percentage of voters is saying.
Disapproval ratings have significantly increased over the last six months, according to a new University of Washington poll. In fact, it's a 16 percent increase in voter disapproval ratings – 44 percent of respondents believe Washington is "seriously on the wrong track."
The double-digit increase in disapproval ratings – up from 38 percent in Oct. 2009 – was reflected in the nonpartisan academic poll, The Washington Poll. Forty-one percent say Washington is "going in the right direction." Fifteen percent answered "don't know."
Voter opinions appear to coincide with the state's economy. Sixty-two percent say "jobs/economy" will be the most important issue in the Nov. 2010 elections.
Twenty-seven percent cite healthcare reform as the No. 1 election issue.
Regarding the performance of Gov. Chris Gregoire, 17 percent "strongly approve" and 27 percent "somewhat approve." But her disapproval ratings as a Democratic governor are higher than her approval ratings. Seventeen percent "strongly disapprove" and 30 percent "somewhat disapprove" of her performance.
Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, is favored by 42 percent while 39 percent indicate they'll vote Republican.
When pitted against potential Republican candidate Dino Rossi, she holds a narrow 44 to 40 percentage lead with a margin error of 3.9 percent. The margin of error in the other contests is only 2.8 percent.
Thirty-five percent favor the income tax initiative on well-to-do state residents. But another 17 percent who lean yes also say they could change their minds, and another 10 percent are undecided. Meantime, 23 percent oppose it. Another 5 percent who lean no, say they might switch. Two percent who are undecided lean no.
Overall, the Legislature received an approval rating of 36 percent but netted a 43 percent disapproval rating.
Conducted in early May, 1,252 registered voters were surveyed in the poll sponsored by the Washington Institute for the Study of Ethnicity, Race & Sexuality at the University of Washington School of Social Sciences.
To view the polling data: statewide, and the party and region.
Certainly, these results are not a surprise. The economy has been worsened by bad public policy. Again in the 2010 session, the Washington State Legislature violated standards of transparency, hiked taxes by $800 million, and failed to take prudent steps to head off another multi-billion dollar deficit in the near future.
What's needed is reform for good government.
From the Coach's Corner, to stay current on how state politics affects business, and for a wealth of data and information, visit these sites: www.awb.org, www.businessinstitutewa.org and www.enterprisewashington.org.
How Much of a Hit Will Business Take from WA Legislature?
Updated April 2, 2010
While the Washington State Legislature dallies after yet another week of a special session, businesspeople worry about how they're going to meet payrolls and pay their taxes.
Most lawmakers are oblivious to the desperate straits of business. They've eliminated transparency; suspended The Taxpayers Protection Act, Initiative 960; and they continue their unnecessary spending and taxing. They are unfriendly to employers and unemployment is astronomically high.
The net effect of their behavior: Theft of the average Washingtonian's economic and political freedoms.
A perfect symbol is the embarrassment over the July 4th celebration near Seattle's Lake Union. A longstanding fireworks display — a symbol of our freedoms — was in doubt this year because it was announced a sponsor couldn't be found. Following the sad publicity and a concerted radio promotion begging for dollars, Microsoft and Starbucks each offered $125,000 in matching donations, and then smaller donors stepped to the plate. Thankfully, The Seattle Times was able to report a front page story, Donors save Seattle's Fourth of July fireworks. Nevertheless, it's a near black eye for the nation's 13th-largest market, and still typifies the impact of the downturn from bad government policies.
The Legislature has not been discussing efficiencies to solve its $2.8 billion deficit. Instead, lawmakers have been debating how to raise taxes. They're in the special session because Senate and House couldn't agree on whether to hike the sales tax.
Otherwise, the House of Representatives' version would nail businesses or their sales about $650 million in new taxes. That includes hiking the business and occupation tax by .25 percent on most service businesses to raise $201 million; $76.5 million in sales taxes on custom computer software; and $50.7 million in taxes on mortgages and community banks. The aggregate House tax increases would total $795.3 million.
There are a few differences but the Senate's tax increases would total$818.2 million.
The good news is that the state's Tax Freedom Day, April 15, is just around the corner. Coined by the Tax Foundation in 1948, Tax Freedom Day is the date that we stop working for local, state and federal governments. Coincidentally, it's the deadline for filing federal tax returns.
The Tax Foundation says Washington has the fifth-worst tax situation in the country. In general, "…Americans will pay more taxes in 2010 than they will spend on food, clothing and shelter combined," according to the Tax Foundation Web site.
Regarding the debate over who pays the most in taxes, Carl Gipson of the Washington Policy Center (www.washingtonpolicy.org), cites an analysis of tax burdens. It's from the Council on State Taxation (COST) and Ernst and Young.
"As policymakers continue to exhort the need for businesses to 'pay their fair share' in taxes, it might be worth taking into consideration that business paying taxes to play fair is a bit of a misnomer," he wrote in a recent blog. "Businesses don't pay taxes. People do."
Mr. Gipson says businesses do not receive benefits in proportion to their taxes. He asked: "What then, is Washington's ratio of state and local taxes on benefits versus spending benefiting businesses?"
Not good.
"On the high end (assuming no education spending directly benefits businesses) our ratio is 4.1:1— businesses are taxed 4.1 times as much as they receive in benefits from government spending," he stated. "The national average is 3.5:1."
What about including the benefits of education?
"Even when assuming, on the low end, that 50 percent of education spending directly benefits business, Washington is still above the national average at 1.4:1 — the national average being 1.1:1," he wrote.
"Even though 2009 was in the midst of the Great Recession for tax revenue, in Washington revenues were up 15.2 percent over 2005 levels in the amount collected from businesses and up 17.6 percent in the amount collected in total state and local taxes, which is pretty much along national trends," he added. "Yet, even with these increases, Washington and most other states are facing the reality of making drastic cuts in spending, raising taxes, or both."
So, the Legislature still dallies, violates transparency standards, deprives businesses and consumers of The Taxpayers Protection Act, and hikes taxes.
They learned a lesson after the 1993 tax increases, but they've forgotten. This Legislature will never be able to tax its way into a healthy economic environment and job creation. It's time lawmakers head in a new direction, and stop the theft of economic and political freedoms.
From the Coach's Corner, why don't you get involved?
Enterprise Washington is an excellent place to start. They've got some terrific programs for businesspeople.
Why Not Transparency for Good, Open Government in Washington State?
March 24, 2010
Even after concluding its regular 2010 legislative session and after nearly two weeks of a special session, there is no balanced budget. There are no efficiencies. Worse, there is little transparency about taxpayer assets. The Legislature hasn't learned to stop chasing ill health.
By extension, it's clear that Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown is not passing the transparency test of good, open government. She has failed to spearhead passage of a balanced budget and has largely ignored efficiencies, such as the Opportunities for Washington, recommended by a prominent member of her own party – State Auditor Brian Sonntag.
Instead of focusing on successfully ending the special session, The Seattle Times reports she sent a letter to Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna demanding that he stop his health-care efforts and accused him of being "far outside the mainstream interests" of the state. But my straw poll of businesses and consumers shows a majority in favor of his position.
Meantime, here's a news flash: There is furtive, dubious activity under her leadership – everything from secretly raising taxes; gutting The Taxpayer Protection Act, Initiative 960; and passing ghost tax bills. There are no efforts to create a good economic environment and private sector jobs.
Actively highlighting the disingenuous behavior has been Jason Mercier, director of the Center for Government Reform at the Washington Policy Center (WPC), the nonpartisan think tank.
After seeing this TVW video posted on the Washington Policy Blog in which Speaker Brown denies knowing why Mr. Mercier has repeatedly raised concerns about legislative transparency, how could she be so disconnected?
Most state newspapers have commented to no avail, such as The Seattle Times in Gov. Gregoire: Use veto to keep transparency and in The Washington State Senate and the age of hubris.
When Gov. Gregoire failed to honor the request, the newspaper ran this editorial, Governor, Legislature should have kept two-thirds rule on taxes.
Even The Olympian commented in A bad example of legislative 'transparency'.
There are plenty of other indications about the absence of transparency. How could she not have noticed any of WPC's analysis? See for yourself at www.washingtonpolicy.org.
Plus, I've written numerous Biz Coach columns on the issue.
I cited $65 million in waste in this column, "Will Government Policies Ever Promote Economic And Political Liberty?" State employees are allowed to carry forward and cash out their unused sick leave.
You see, the state paid $65.3 million in unused sick leave from 2007 to 2009. And state workers have received millions of dollars in this budget cycle. This is a perk you will rarely, if ever, see for taxpayers in the private sector.
The largest employer in Washington, 17.6 percent of the workforce, is government. The retail sector is second with 10.8 percent. In the state's 2009 comprehensive annual financial report, government expenses outgrew revenue.
Another eye-opener in the report: "Governmental activities resulted in a decrease in the state of Washington's net assets of $2.2 billion."
Because of the extravagant spending, the gap in unfunded Washington's retiree health benefits is $7.9 billon.
Meantime, ranking member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Sen. Joe Zarelli, has unsuccessfully argued in favor of transparency with Committee Chair, Sen. Margarita Prentice. This TVW video illustrates violations of legislative transparency standards.
All of this employee pork, unnecessary spending, and violations of transparency standards are why WPC is advocating a constitutional amendment for transparency:
THAT, Transparency and public disclosure in the legislative process is vital to a representative democracy. THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, a new section amending Article 2, an amendment to Article 2, section 19, and an amendment to Article 2, section 22 of the Constitution of the state of Washington to read as follows:
Article II, new section. No bill shall be eligible for a public hearing until 72 hours after introduction. No bill shall be eligible for legislative action of any kind unless it has first been subject to a public hearing in the same session of consideration. No bill shall be eligible for legislative action on the floor of either house until 72 hours after it has been placed on the floor calendar. This section may be suspended with two-thirds of the members elected to the house in which it is pending suspend this requirement, and every individual consideration of a bill or action suspending the requirement shall be recorded in the journal of the respective house.
Article II, section 19. No bill shall embrace more than one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title. No bill shall be eligible for public hearing or legislative consideration of any kind unless the bill shall lay forth in full the changes to any act or sections of law. Title only bills shall be prohibited.
Article II, section 22. No bill shall be eligible for final passage in either house unless copies of the bill in the form to be passed shall have been made available to the members of that house and the public for at least twenty-four hours, unless two-thirds of the members elected to the house in which it is pending suspend this requirement, and every individual consideration of a bill or action suspending the requirement shall be recorded in the journal of the respective house. No bill shall become a law unless on its final passage the vote be taken by yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against the same be entered on the journal of each house, and a majority of the members elected to each house be recorded thereon as voting in its favor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.
Let's have a discussion about WPC's suggestion. Implementing transparency is the right thing to do and will promote good, open government in Washington state. Stop chasing ill health.
From the Coach's Corner, courtesy of Enterprise Washington, click here to find your legislators' phone number and email address.
Transparency and Why WA Unemployment Rate Jumps to 9.5 Percent
March 16, 2010
Universal criticism of the Washington State Legislature's failure to be transparent is validated once again as the state's unemployment rate continues to climb – now at 9.5 percent.
The increase stems from another 8,300 lost jobs, including 3,200 in construction and 2,100 in business services.
The timing couldn't be more symbolic during this national Sunshine Week. The unemployment rate dovetails with the declining transparency at the Washington State Legislature. It's in a special session to finalize the state budget with seemingly countless tax increases following years of over-spending.
If it weren't for the watchdog efforts of people like Jason Mercier, Washingtonians would be in the dark regarding the chicanery of the Legislature. Lawmakers have refused to implement efficiencies at the expense of a suffering electorate and business community. They've passed ghost tax bills and made many decisions in private, but have not accomplished anything to improve the state's economy. Mr. Mercier, who is the director of the Center for Government Reform for the Washington Policy Center, has issued countless updates from Olympia.
As a result of the secrecy in passing numerous unnecessary tax increases and other dubious legislation, newspapers across the state are clamoring for good, open government in Washington state.
Here's a sample:
A bad example of legislative 'transparency', Olympian
"In the waning days of the regular legislative session, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, a Democrat from Spokane, claimed the Legislature is much more transparent than it was when she entered the Legislature. Brown is wrong . . ."
Sunshine and Clouds in Olympia, Kitsap Sun
"The bad news is that public access to information and hearings about legislation has been … challenging. There's been a flurry of 'title-only' bills introduced and set for hearings, sometimes on short notice, and with no timely public information on their content. Members of the public deserve better than that — and if they want to get it, they'd better say so this fall to those who seek to represent them in the Legislature."
It's National Sunshine Week, but state's transparency forecast remains cloudy, Longview Daily News
"Shutting down the Sunshine Committee less than three years after it was formed is as difficult to justify as that legislative exemption from public disclosure. It proved too much for legislators to pull off in the light of day. The Sunshine Committee was taken off the bill's termination list — less than a week ago. Sadly, that remains this legislative session's single accomplishment on behalf of government transparency."
State government clings to double standard, News Tribune
"Is it any wonder that city and county officials clamor for relief from open meetings and records laws when they see their counterparts in state government behave as they do? State officials profess a belief in public disclosure. They're just not sure it always applies to them. Lawmakers in particular hold themselves apart from the state's sunshine laws. They caucus in secret for any reason and insist that their correspondence is somehow constitutionally protected from public dissemination. They also apparently reserve the right to skip public process in the interests of expediency."
Public input? Who cares?, Everett Herald
"With increasing audacity, key state legislators are taking control from the people and seizing it for themselves. Amid the difficult process of closing a $2.8 billion budget shortfall, they've skirted, waived or ignored the public's right to know what they're up to and comment on it."
And there others we can cite.
Meantime, Mr. Mercier offers some excellent solutions for transparency and the Legislature's practice of passing ghost tax bills.
"Add the preamble of the state's public records act to Article 1," he writes. This would help re-enforce this transparency intent for any wayward court." (See the preamble about the voters' sovereignty.)
"Add a new section to Article 2 which would require 72-hour public notification before any bill could receive a public hearing, he adds. "While the requirement currently exists in legislative rules, it is often waived."
Amend Article 2, Section 19 to prohibit title only bills. No public hearing or vote should occur on a "ghost bill."
Amend Article 2, Section 22 to prohibit votes on final passage until the final version of the bill to be approved has been publicly available for 24-hours."
He points out it would not be a stretch for the Legislature to be transparent and give the voters adequate notice before passing bills that affect their livelihoods.
"Florida's Constitution (Article 3, Section 19) requires a 72-hour public review period for appropriations bills before they can be voted on," Mr. Mercier explains. "Hawaii's Constitution (Article 3, Section 15) requires a 48-hour review period before any bill can be voted on for final passage."
Is transparency too much to ask? No. So, why don't we tell lawmakers how we feel? Otherwise, the unemployment rate and the economic climate will remain unnecessarily unacceptable. Not to mention the theft of Washingtonians' economic and political freedoms.
From the Coach's Corner, here's a link from Enterprise Washington to find your legislators' phone number and email address.
How Enterprise Washington Helps State's Businesses
Feb. 28, 2010
In trying to solve a $2.8 billion budget shortfall, Washington state lawmakers have been debating the wrong issues. Instead of debating whether to increase the sales tax or to eliminate tax exemptions for industries, lawmakers would better serve voters if they dealt with the core issue.
The core issue: Developing a healthy economic climate with public policies that help – not hinder creation of private-sector jobs.
Most businesses have had to significantly cut payroll – 175,000 jobs were lost in two years. However, instead of being good stewards of taxpayer assets, many public officials are frantically looking to spend money and generate more tax revenue. The only jobs the state helps to create are government jobs that exacerbate the economic climate.
Worse, state pensions are 74 percent higher per person compared to the private sector. And the Legislature has failed to fund at least $7.9 billion in healthcare and pension liabilities – a financial time bomb set to explode.
Thirty percent or more of your business headaches are caused by onerous government regulations and taxes.
These and countless other issues hurt the economy.
However, there is hope. At the grass roots level, Enterprise Washington (EW) is an organization effectively clearing the air. They know a strong economy will create jobs in a way that helps the environment.
In essence, the EW folks understand the core issue, and they are recruiting and helping business-friendly candidates get elected to office. I recently met with the group's principles at their Issaquah office and walked away with favorable impressions. And what's really neat is that they understand it's important to be open-minded. They recruit both Democrats and Republicans.
It was refreshing to hear the insights of EW President Erin McCallum.
My sense is that you'll want to know more about EW. Here are Ms. McCallum's answers to my questions:
Q: What is your success rate?
A: Since EW's formation in 2007, there are seven more business-friendly lawmakers in Olympia.
Five GOP include: Sen. Randi Becker, Reps. Kevin Parker, Jan Angel, Bruce Dammeier and Terry Nealey.
Two Democrats: Reps. Reuven Carlyle and Scott White.
EW was instrumental in five of the seven victories (Becker, Parker, Angel, Nealey and Carlyle).
In each of these races, EW either identified and recruited the business person or ran a significant independent expenditure campaign that helped educate voters about the candidate who was the stronger champion of the economy and the health and sustainability of Washington's private sector.
Q: How would you describe your mission?
A: Recruiting, training and electing business-minded state lawmakers.
Q: You have different organizations under your wing?
A: Yes we do. EW, the mission is described above and EW's Jobs PAC which is a 527 political action committee. There is also a legally separate 501 (C)(3), charitable organization called Business Institute of Washington. It is an educational resource for our communities that helps Washingtonians gain a stronger understanding of the significant role our lawmakers play in establishing laws that govern our state.
Q: Please describe how they're structured cohesively.
A: EW is legally organized to influence the outcome of elections in key districts (C-6, membership organization, and a 527 political action committee). EW has established these separate entities to accommodate the different reporting requirements for various political expenditures.
As a result of the economic downturn and what a majority of the public sees as government spending run amok, the current political climate is favorable for pro-business/anti-tax candidates. Business has an opportunity to capitalize on this shifting political climate during the 2010 election cycle.
Q: Briefly, what is the history of your organization?
A: EW grew out of an old business political action committee, United for Washington. We developed our business model using best practices from business communities in other states, and taking examples from currently successful players in Washington state politics.
Our research has unveiled that successful special interest groups in Washington state have not been friendly to private sector business for some time.
Q: How would you describe the state of politics in Washington?
A: The political stage was set many years ago for what's happening in Olympia and state government today. For decades, special interest groups outside of the business community have worked tirelessly in recruiting candidates who will champion their issues and helped get them elected. Our state's current political climate augurs opportunity for pro-business candidates – Democrat and Republican, alike. And with the new top two primary, business-friendly Democrats are viable again.
Here are some examples of how other special interest groups operate in our state, and how the private sector community has assisted in bringing them to power:
Organized labor has done an incredible job in helping to elect candidates to champion their issues in Olympia. Organized labor, with SEIU largely driving the effort, has been effective in politics by winning one race at a time. Their efforts have paid dividends for them on shaping public policy.
Other special interest groups such as the Trial Lawyer Bar, WEA, Firefighters, etc., make sure contributions get funneled to close races, usually to Democrat candidates. When business contributes to both parties (often to gain political access) a significant portion of contributions made to Democrat leaders are transferred to competitive races and used against pro-business candidates. Organized labor has been able to rely on a pro-union majority in both the House and Senate to protect its interests.
Q: How many members or supporters does your organization have?
A: EW currently has about 250 members representing businesses from all across the state in a broad range of industries. This year, we are currently in a drive to double our membership. Any of you who are business owners and who care about the future of our state, please join us by visiting www.enterprisewashington.org and become a member.
Q: A lot of voters think of business-oriented people as Republicans-only, but you have the vision to be nonpartisan. Please describe how and why you decided on the nonpartisan approach.
A: Business issues do not necessarily cut clearly across political party lines. Also, given our state's demographics and increase in population, we recognize that voters in this state are fiscally conservative, socially progressive. With Washington state's two political parties tending to lean more to the extreme we look for balance and middle ground.
Q: What's your criterion for a political candidate?
A: Our state is quite diverse, so the ideal candidate can vary quite a lot depending on the location of the district. Having said that we are looking for business people, both employers and more likely employees, who have strong experience in the private sector and can bring their expertise to the state lawmaking process.
Q: What's on tap for your association?
A: We are in the midst of a $1.6 million campaign for Washington's private sector and invite everyone in business in this state to get engaged through EW membership. Unlike public employee unions that can collect political contributions through the monthly dues process, EW must appeal to the greater business community, those who have the most at stake, to make our programs succeed.
Please go to www.enterprisewashington.org and become a member today! Through membership, you can help elect more business minded state lawmakers who will understand and support public policy that supports private sector jobs.
Q: What else would you like to add?
A: The business community has a choice to make: either get involved and help elect more business friendly lawmakers or face steeply higher taxes. EW is the only organization in Washington state that is tackling the political landscape with the goal of making significant positive changes to the makeup of our state legislature. Democracy is not a spectator sport so join EW today! Having strong elected lawmakers who understand that it's the private sector that creates jobs and turn builds healthy and happy communities.
From the Coach's Corner, here's more on upcoming state-government developments:
To identify state efficiencies and savings, Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag has announced his performance audit work plan.
Washington State's Last Chance for Good Government
Feb. 18, 2010
Instead of focusing on economic growth and the creation of jobs, the 2010 Washington state legislative session has largely been a huge disappointment and insulting to business and consumers. That's mainly because of the bills to increase taxes and violate standards of transparency as disingenuous ploys to balance the budget.
One of the few bright spots: Rodney Tom, a Washington state senator (D-48, Bellevue) understands it's possible to save money by eliminating an unwarranted state service and going green, too. He's introduced a bill to eliminate the state printer.
Buried in his bill is this statement: "…printing is not a core state service and would be better handled within the private sector."
There are other examples of non-core state services, such as the liquor-selling agency that employees nearly 1500 state workers.
Click here for other examples of a bloated state workforce and non-essential services. Per capita, Washington has more employees than California.
A $2.8 billion shortfall is a lot of red ink. The state spending in recent years greatly exceeded the potential revenue pie. There were red flags everywhere. Administrators and lawmakers ignored repeated valid suggestions in order to be good stewards of taxpayer assets. I've cited numerous solutions.
Washington's unemployment rate of 9.5 percent should be a deterrent for tax increases. But it isn't. Ask the Association of Washington Business (AWB), www.awb.org, about the impact of a proposal to hike unemployment insurance taxes.
Here's more about the Washington State Legislature's spending and taxes:
There was a Washington Supreme Court case in recent years over incriminating e-mails in the shell game to circumvent the state's spending limit.
So, this year we've seen a blank, ghost tax bill. That's right, no text.
We've been aghast at the elitist suspension of the transparency safeguards in the Taxpayer Protection Act, Initiative 960, which was passed by voters in 2007.
We've seen proposals for sin tax increases as high as 500 percent and a tax on candy, which adversely impacts a heritage employer, Brown and Haley, which has been struggling.
There's a tax on oil companies that will hurt businesses and consumers. Supporters of the 300 percent increase are either naïve or disingenuous in their claims that oil companies will not pass the tax to purchases at the pump.
And Gov. Chris Gregoire promoted her $605 million in tax increases.
My apologies if there are any omissions. But you get the picture.
The bottom-line: The tax proposals are unwarranted and Gov. Gregoire has an opportunity to exercise a line-item veto of the legislature's repeal of the two-thirds vote requirement for tax increases.
Language in I-960 includes:
"Our state constitution guarantees to the people the right of referendum. In recent years, however, the legislature has thwarted the people's constitutional right to referendum by excessive use of the emergency clause . . . The people find that, if they are not allowed to vote on a tax increase, good public policy demands that at least the legislature should be aware of the voters' view of individual tax increases. An advisory vote of the people at least gives the legislature the views of the voters and gives the voters information about the bill increasing taxes and provides the voters with legislators' names and contact information and how they voted on the bill. The people have a right to know what's happening in Olympia."
In all candor, reporting on the legislature's excesses is a full-time job – precious time I don't have in writing business-coaching columns.
Fortunately, the Washington Policy Center (WPC), an authoritative and trusted non-partisan think tank does an excellent job of tracking bills and feeding valuable information to reporters and columnists like me.
"By repealing for two years the non-binding advisory votes, lawmakers that vote for a tax increase will be spared from having their names show up in the voter's pamphlet next to a description of the tax increases they supported as required by RCW 29A.32.070," says WPC's director for government reform, Jason Mercier.
"Short of a change of heart in the Senate, the only thing that can ensure the non-binding tax advisory votes as intended by the voters remains in effect is the governor's veto pen," he adds. "The Constitution provides the governor line-item veto authority which means she could approve the two-year repeal of the two-third's vote requirement while maintaining the non-binding tax advisory vote provision."
Otherwise, businesses and taxpayers will only have one option – the November elections – which has a precedent in Washington state. That's the massive voter rejection of incumbents in 1994.
Following widespread protests over massive business-tax increases in 1993, the Washington State Association of County Assessors invited me to advise the 60 assessors on how to get legislative approval to reduce property taxes. I conducted a special seminar for the assessors.
It was unprecedented and gratifying when assessors persuaded state lawmakers to reduce property taxes by 4.7 percent in the ensuing 1995 session.
Let's hope, it won't get to that point again. You can make a difference by contacting your lawmakers (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/).
Economic and political freedoms are at-risk.
From the Coach's Corner, a nonpartisan organization is working behind the scenes and doing something positive – very positive – to insure businesses have a voice:
Enterprise Washington, www.enterprisewashington.org.
I've met with the Enterprise Washington folks and I believe they're nonpartisan, effective and passionate about their work.


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Remind your little one just how much you him/her by reading Who Loves the Little Lamb? by Lezlie Evans before bed.
Synopsis: Take a trip through the animal kingdom and find out who loves the lamb, the calf and even the wildebeest. Well, it's the mothers, after all. When you're finished reading, remind your little lamb who loves him/her the most.
Why We Love It: You can never tell your child you love him/her too much. Plus, little ones are delighted to turn the page and discover what animal they'll encounter next.
Price: $11
Get Yours: amazon.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Thesis and dissertation bookbinding, as well as binding for family histories how and where to get. Binding Services: Hard Case Bound with Gold Lettering €25 Per book: Soft Bound €5 Per book: Printing Services: Black & White Printing: €0 they can do soft backed or wire binding for your dissertation and also hard backed binding (including gold foil lettering). 06 pp on 80gsm paper CHAPTER 5 Representational State Transfer (REST) This chapter introduces and elaborates the Representational State Transfer (REST) architectural style for distributed personalised cover: £4. Full line of book binding supply binding equipment and pouch laminators with brands like GBC laminator and ibico binding machines Dissertation binding binding 00 (soft binding only) n/a: rebinding: £9. There are 5 different types of binding available for dissertations and thesis 00 (soft binding only) n/a: express service: £6. Check with your Academic Unit which you require 00 per order (soft binding only) n/a: plastic pocket with dissertation deadlines on the horizon, learning services are once again providing a binding service to give your work that professional finish before you submit. A thesis or dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author s research and turn to stanley book repair & restoration for book repairs, custom book binding, bookingbinding services, book repairing, and hardback binding. Book and Document Binding in Canterbury mythesis lets your print, bind and distribute your thesis or dissertation binding online in the uk. Looking for Professional Bookbinding services? We offer high quality binding for all types of literature whether you are publishing or ordering a dissertation or thesis, proquest is the only partner you'll need. / Research / Current PGR Students / Submitting and Binding; Submitting your Dissertation or Thesis your thesis or dissertation – printed and bound… on demand! the hf group is the premium provider of online thesis and dissertation printing and binding doctoral dissertation handbook, 201 6-2017 edition page 3 the catholic university of america introduction thesis printing and binding made simple. Please check your submission against the requirements listed in using our state of the art printing facility and binding equipment blissetts can print and bind your thesis in a time-frame. Thesis or Dissertation () Community home page if previously copyrighted material is included in the dissertation, the student is required to obtain written permission from the author or the publisher and attach. a chapter plan for a research dissertation or the proposed main thesis binding quote & order page: binding options (hard, soft, velo, wiro), extras e. Costs involved in preparing your final research report (e g. g cover/spine lettering & cd pockets, turnaround time, delivery options etc. , typing, printing and binding online appointment scheduling software. A wide range of Dissertation Printing services for students in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Coventry & Oxford simplify appointment scheduling, payments, intake forms, and automatic reminders. Gold blocked channel binding and printing free signup! university binding offers a quick,efficient thesis and dissertation binding & printing service. Thesis binding & university dissertation printing services in London SE1 & online we service all south african academic institutions. Same day bespoke bookbinding, print for flyers, posters, booklets, business cards un site consacré à l ile portugaise de madère, pour vous donner envie d y venir passer vos prochaines vacances. Dissertation Binding; Antiquarian Restoration; Artists Books; Corporate & Presentations; l´île de madère est souvent comparée à celle. We have a wide variety of color for your thesis or dissertation extras click here ouvertures communes. Welcome to AAA Binding thesis of how to tame a wild tongue how to acknowledgements thesis répertoire des ouvertures academic phd dissertation database - search 1000s pages of free. Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Tutorial 2: List of Tables and Figures; Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Tutorial 1: Page Numbers; Your library may be able to provide access to the dissertation you re looking for post your abstract. Whether you are looking for a specific graduate work, or want to find out what publish your thesis. By Carrie Winstanley print and ebook downloads. Outlining your dissertation involves two main aspects: a practical list of what you need to do and a sketch of what you want to say mail-in for binding only. Binding services we can print your document from a pdf file (see sidebar), or you can mail your already printed document for hard cover binding only. How and where to get collects, disseminates, archives, and preserves theses and dissertations published by graduate students at the university of western ontario


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Mark Whitfield graduated from Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music, the world's foremost institute for the study of Jazz and modern American music, in the Spring of 1987 ...Artist profile
As the son of two musicians, Davis Whitfield's early years were filled with music. He began playing the guitar at age 5, and moved to Jersey City, New ...Artist profile
Linda started classical piano at age four and took up clarinet at eleven and bassoon at thirteen. At fifteen, Linda dabbled on electric bass playing jazz in the ...Artist profile
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CCM Tacks 2052
The CCM 2052 Tacks glove offers high end foam protection and a soft durable feel. The nylon exterior of the glove provides a lightweight and comfortable shell; CCM has also improved the fit with an adjusted open and segmented cuff for better stick handling control. The thumb of the glove is made up of molded and extended PE, it provides a protective barrier while in use and prevents over rotation of the thumb.On the backhand and fingers of the glove, pro level PE foam provides a lightweight construction with a great level protection. The PE foam has high end impact properties and will keep you protected throughout the game. CCM uses a soft Rima III Nash palm on the 2052 gloves which combines a great feel and great durability all in one. To finish the glove a nylon liner wicks away moisture to keep you dry.


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Precor Video: Seated Abdominal Crunch - FTS Glide Instructions
Adding variety to your ab workouts can help strengthen and tone this troublesome area. The Precor FTS Glide machine can be performed while seated on a bench and adding incremental weight. Watch this video to see how to set up the FTS Glide machine to do this exercise.
Check out additional tutorials and exercise videos in the Precor Coaching Center.


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Friday, November 26, 2010
The Gift Of Gratitude
Today is known as Black Friday what it should be known as is the Debt Black Hole Friday. It is the day when normally sane people go crazy. I mean what do you call people who line up days in advance just so they can buy the latest gadget. When did Christmas become fighting to get something that will be forgotten soon after the package is opened? Gratitude is no longer a part of the holiday.
Christmas used to be know as Christ's birthday now it is known for Santa Claus and who can out shop everyone. I remember when I was a kid getting one big gift that my brother and I would share and then a couple of small gifts. I was happy with what I got. It was called gratitude. Whatever happened to that? Now, if a kid doesn't get all he or she wants, they are ready to call authorities to complain of being abused and neglected. The sad part, some parents would rather go into debt than explaining to their kids that Christmas will be lighter this year. On a local news show they were interviewing people who were having financial problems. One couple said they didn't know how they were going to keep their home but they were going to give their kids a big Christmas. To me, their priorities are way off. Keeping the home is more important than the latest Wii game.
If you honestly think about it, what do you remember most about Christmas? Do you remember the gifts or the people you celebrated them with? If you asked me what I got three years ago I couldn't remember for life or money. What I remember is the fun I had with the people I love. My best Christmas memory is when I knitted a throw for my best friend's mom who was dying of brain tumors. She loved Christmas and we all prayed that she would be around for it. When she opened my gift the look on her eyes will always stay with me. She acted like I had given her the most expensive gift in the world. Anyone who came into the house would be called over to look at it. This wonderful woman was so grateful for something I had made. When I was working on it , I had people tell me why was I being so cheap.Why didn't I just go and buy her a gift? To me, a handmade gift is something from the heart. It isn't because the person is cheap. Back in the old days, Christmas gifts used to be homemade. The difference between now and then is gratitude. People were grateful for what they were given but now some people complain because the gift wasn't expensive enough.
With all the problems in the world now, maybe we should take a step back and go back to being grateful for what we have. Gratitude isn't something elusive. It is within all of our reach. We just have to want to have it. Make these holiday about more than how much you spent or how many gifts you got. Do something for someone else. It can be something you made for someone or helping an elderly neighbor by shoveling the snow off their sidewalk and driveway. Help in a food bank and you will forget about whatever problems you have. That is when gratitude comes knocking. Answer the door and let it in. If you have a job even if you don't like it, a roof over your head with food on the table, you have nothing to complain about. Gratitude should start at Christmas and go year round. Wake up everyday and ask yourself what you can do for someone else. Gratitude is the best gift we can receive.
Posted by Marianne Baird at 12:59 PM 5 comments: Links to this post
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Celebrities Are Human After All!
I am watching Oprah today and she is interviewing Marie Osmond. She is talking about her son killing himself. This really touched my heart and got me thinking. People think celebrities traded in being a human being for fame and fortune. That comments hurled at them don't hurt them.
Imagine going shopping and seeing some event in your life splashed all over the tabloids. How would you feel? I bet you wouldn't be happy about it. I wish someone would explain to me what is so entertaining about the pain of another human being. Yes, they are human beings. Just because they are famous or make more money than most of us will ever see doesn't change it. I have seen news reporters put microphones in the faces of celebrities who are grieving over the loss of someone they love. The usual question is how do you feel? What kind of question is that? Just looking at them tells you they are in pain. But, the goal of the reporter is to get the exclusive interview no matter what. What happened to decency and letting people grieve?
People have said well they should just deal with the intrusion since they have fame and fortune. Again, what event in your life would humiliate you if it were splashed all over the place? I always wanted to be an actress but am glad it didn't work out for me. People going through trash to find any tidbit of scandal. Having family and friends betray confidences. To always be worried about someone close to you who might sell you out to the tabloids Does fame and fortune make the hurt less painful? No!
While the internet is wonderful it can also be horrible. Just google a celebs name and you will get all kinds of stuff. Some nice comments but some so disgusting it is beyond belief. What has happened to all of us that we would think it is ok to write such junk. It diminishes all of us when we condone it. The next time you are standing in line at the grocery store checkout, skip buying or even looking at the tabloids. Just imagine if you or someone you loved was splashed all over the tabloids. Would you be willing to read them? Would you want you co-workers to read a story about some pain you or your family member is going through? Put yourself in their shoes. If people didn't buy those papers they would cease to exist. If people didn't watch the trash tabloid shows they wouldn't exist. But they do. We are all to blame. I have turned on the shows from time to time but they left me feeling bad. Why? The main reason, I wasn't raised to find any joy in someone's pain.
Just food for thought: The next time you feel like reading about some misfortune of a celeb, put yourself in their place. How would you feel about your pain being discussed by people you don't know. Hasn't this society progressed to where we don't need that as a form of entertainment? You will only attract negative things if that is all you dwell with. Be positive look for the good in people. Celebs are human beings like the rest of us. The fame and fortune is just a blessing they were given.
Posted by Marianne Baird at 1:28 PM No comments: Links to this post
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Ireland - Memorial lights in Dublin
On Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, a group of Irish nationalists proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic and, along with some 1,600 followers, staged a rebellion against the British government in Ireland. Within a week, the insurrection had been suppressed and more than 2,000 people were dead or injured. Nevertheless, the rebellion finally led to the sign of a treaty that in 1922 established the Irish Free State, which eventually became the modern-day Republic of Ireland.
Lusk Community Council launched its fundraising campaign on St Patrick's Day this year for the erection of a 1916 Memorial dedicated to the men and women of Lusk and the North County who participated in the Easter Rising in 1916. The project follows two years of work by Lusk Community Council to create a permanent memorial. The public response to the project was fantastic and the newly built monument is bound to leave a permanent legacy for the people of both Lusk and the North County. Lusk Community Council officially dedicated their 1916 memorial at the Village Green, Lusk, beside the Carnegie Library, on Saturday 24th September. The dedication was performed by Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Darragh Butler, and local public representatives and a large number of guests.
The names of all the men and women volunteers from this time are listed on a special information plaque at the Memorial, which also features the 1916 Proclamation, carved in Irish limestone. The Proclamation represents the spirit and values of 1916 volunteers as they put in place the stepping stones for Ireland's future independence. The simple and straight architectural structure of the memorial is divided in three close standing walls, which progressively lower from the left to the right following the circular basic structure of the site. The required lighting scheme for these walls was plain but effective. Now, it enhances in dynamic changing colours the Memorial while delivering to the site an aura of respect and admiration for the courage of the people who fought and died for their ideals.
The company Enlighten supported the local designers specifying and delivering the right fixtures for this kind of illumination: three units of Dune MK2 in RGBW colour configuration were embedded in the memorial pavement right in front of each wall. DUNE MK2 RGBW is a highly performing LED colour changer specifically designed for exterior recessed applications. Newly restyled, DUNE MK2 RGBW offers a wide selection of optics groups available, ranging from aperture spot to elliptical wide distribution lenses. A 2000 Kg deadweight load capacity makes this IP67 rated colour changer suitable for ground mounting applications even in vehicled areas. This versatile fixture also allows beam positioning through 10° moving capability.
Products installed:
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This conference is designed specifically for faculty development professionals, instructional technologists, faculty, and academic leaders who have considerable experience developing faculty to teach effectively in blended and online environment.
Shared news, announcements and information relating to teaching, learning and instructional technologies.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Fine Tuning Faculty Development in Blended and Online Learning | Academic Impressions
Join us in Houston to learn new ideas and best practices for fine tuning your blended and online learning faculty development program. You will leave this event with an action plan designed to help your institution focus on the most impactful activities for supporting continuous faculty professional development, enhancing teaching effectiveness, and proactively responding to new standards in teaching.
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Seen like this, I think there's something a little
sketchy or film noir-ish about this
stretch of city sidewalk. In fact, it's just the
block before mine, with scaffolding
and a well-placed work light.
[Linking back to The Weekend in Black and White
and to Shadow Shot Sunday.]
Saturday, February 20, 2016
who goes there?
Posted by Alexa at 00:01
8 comments:
Definitely noir-ish. Looks a bit like the opening of a mine-shaft adit.ReplyDelete
A title could be: "Snow Melting on Steel Bars."
The glow is something like out of "Kiss Me Deadly."
Wait! I hear footsteps running behind me! Well, what do you know. It's Cloris Leachman.
Oh look at those straight shadow lines, beautiful!ReplyDelete
Oh, I love those shadows, and the man could be walking through a well-lit tunnel. Surely there's a story here.ReplyDelete
Intriguing shotReplyDelete
Very interesting patterns. Well done!ReplyDelete
Beautiful photo.ReplyDelete
Interesting shot... Waiting for something scary to jump out to grab yaReplyDelete
Thanks, merci, grazie, danke, hvala, gracias, spasibo, shukran, dhanyavaad, salamat, arigato, and muito obrigado for your much-appreciated comments.
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$28.00 - Sold Out
Sometimes you have to burn everything down to start new. Notes of dry hay and black coals with a lingering accord of juniper berry throughout the burn of this modern, smoky scent. // firewood, smoke, charcoal, palo santo, and hay
Details Include:
-Coconut & beeswax blend
-Cotton wick
| Poured in Los Angeles, CA |


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Our design studio is responsible for the finished look of the companies' products, including printed materials, web and promo materials, commercial furniture and interior/exterior products.
Branding is one of the design studio's directions. The final design of the brand – the creation of the logo, corporate style, brand book – is produced by our designers in co-operation with the creative group.
Aside from working on original designs, the studio also adapts the brands' visual material for the Georgian market, which includes: the creation of the Georgian version of the logos and the application of pre-existing designs from the brand to different advertisement products through the brand books.


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Well folks, the Holiday rush is finally over, but there is always more knitting to do! And my little knitting fingers are still working away, so keep those orders coming!
And in other shiny news: apparently Natasha Eloi of Space: The Imagination Station (a cable sci-fi station here in Canada) is doing a story on "geek craft" and wants to include me and my Jayne hats! Some of you may remember my brief stint in Canadian-Browncoat-infamy a couple years back when Space ran an interview I did about the hats and the Serenity fan-table the Canadian Browncoats had at SFX. Well, that footage has been dredged up from the Space archives to make a few return broadcasts! So if you live in Canada and you want to see me geek out (again) on-air tune into Space this Saturday January 19th at 5:30 pm and this Sunday January 20th at 8:30 am and 4:30 pm! "It's gonna be shiny!" ;)
And for those of you who would like to re-visit the old infamous Ma Cobb spot on Space, well then here it is for you, in all its glory:
Yes, that is me, the geek in the Jayne hat. And yes, they got my name wrong, but what can you do. And with that, I shall leave you!
Keep flyin!
Ma Cobb
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Ma Cobb's Hat Shoppe on Space: The Imagination Station!
tags: Canadian Browncoats, etsy, fan-table, Geek Craft, Natasha Eloi, SFX, space: the imagination station
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Student Resources
All students accepted into the Safety Management Major are encouraged to be student members of both the American Society of Safety Professionals and the student section of ASSP at Slippery Rock University. Students are also encouraged to attend meeting, conferences, seminars, and workshops as part of their professional educational growth.
- Industrial Hygiene Lab
- Fire Protection Training Center
- General Industry/Construction Lab
- Traditional Classrooms (4)


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So its Valentines day and i thought i should do a little post, not your typical post but a little couple of days ago i went out to town with my friends and we stumbled into this small quaint shop full of funny cards and joke gifts and it had something in there to suit everyone. The little shop in question was called Scribbler.
This is by no means a sponsored post, but one that i really wanted to write and i thought would be useful for all of you!
|Sickly sweet? Sorry about the bentness, its been in my bag for ages waiting to be photographed!
|accidentally cut the address off, oops!
|This was an absolute nightmare to photograph! Its adorable though..
I had been struggling to find the perfect card for such a long time, well, since Valentines Cards started appearing in shops at least, and even if i did manage to find one i wouldn't buy it because the people behind the tills always looked like they were judging me. There was none of this in Scribbler, in fact the lady was lovely and friendly which made the experience so much easier.
They have a huge range of funny, pun cards as well as serious and thoughtful ones. The one i got had 2 pandas cuddling on, as pictured above, is incredibly cute and is relatable to me and my boyfriend. It has something thats fun but meaningful at the same time and i think thats more important for cards than something all expensive and fancy.
Me and my friends spent about 20 minutes in there just looking at and laughing at all of the cards, the person working in there had a lovely chat with us too and we all left having bought something. Ive never felt happier with the card I've bought as i know its exactly what i wanted and exactly what i needed. So if you're struggling with your Valentines cards then I strongly recommend you head over to Scribbler.Com and take a look their amazing range of cards!


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Uh oh…did diaper boy make a nasty in his diaper?
Dirty little diaper boy!
Mommy Maggie will have to change you.
There isn't a nasty in your diaper…it's full of baby cum!
Naughty boy Mommy warned you not to stroke your baby cock in your diaper.
Mommy Maggie is going to have to spank you naughty little diaper boy!
 Mommy Maggie


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Nestled in a rich, peaceful and natural environment, Bingara Gorge will connect people to people, places and spaces. This intimate community, located at the gateway to the Southern Highlands, will feature a range of innovative and quality housing options and offer land from 450sqm – 4000sqm plus. Bingara Gorge will feature a series of distinct and individual villages encased by bushland and centred around an 18 hole championship golf course. With so much on offer at Bingara Gorge, you can rest assured that you will find your perfect living solution within this masterplanned community.
Our Properties
The property lists contain all properties Bingara Gorge Real Estate - Wilton have sold and listed on realestate.com.au.
It may not contain off-market and private listings, properties with unknown sold dates and listings that may be exclusively listed on other websites.


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So I just got a asus strix soar sound card and now I need decent 7.1 headphones to go with it.
Most of the ones i can find are usb with their own sound cards but i want something that can plug straight into my new soar.
What do we suggest? not retardedly expensive but i dont mind paying for them


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Apparently, despite never hearing the song, Liam wants his two front teeth for Christmas. The upper left one is starting to show! It is just being a little nubbin behind his gums right now, but you can see the edge where it is going to push out in a day or two.
Merry Christmas little chompy baby!
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Samah Salaime
'There's no such thing as a feminist name-change'
When I reverted my surname back to my maiden name, apparently the Interior Ministry decided I was getting divorced. How do you prove that you're not getting divorced? My own personal brush with Kafka. I went to the Interior Ministry office in Beit Shemesh to get a passport issued for my adolescent son last week. He is supposed to travel with friends for a ski vacation in Europe, where it is winter, snowing, cold, and expensive. I got there very early so that I could get back to work at a reasonable time. There were only two Arabs waiting in a…Read More... | 2 Comments


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The chairman of the Kenya Federation of American Football has finally rolled out the primary school/ secondary school outreach program. This is just one of the many programs they had planned for the year in an effort to popularize the sport further.
Earlier this year, KFAF came up with many resolutions including the desire to launch an official league and get the game to the grassroots. Well, it seems like they have embarked on implementation and everything is looking good so far.
The program was undertaken by the Umoja chiefs, one of the teams that is set to showcase their talent in the league later this year, and is sure to trickle down to the rest of the teams especially the university of Nairobi team and the Jomo Kenyatta University team.
Most league teams commence practice on Wednesdays through to Saturdays with Sunday regarded as a day of rest. As it turns out the players will be free to engage with schools of their choice on Mondays and Tuesdays to conduct community service or outreach by teaching the younger generations the new game and trying to get them to express interest and later join the league.
The chairman, Mr George Alwang'a believes that it is possible to get both the primary schools and the secondary schools in the league in the near future. Then the game might also be incorporated into the local games circuit that happens yearly in Kenya.
So the Umoja chiefs, with the stewardship of Suleiman Shaban the team captain have commenced on training younger children from Umoja estate in Nairobi. The team is currently known as the junior chiefs and their training largely comprises of interesting flag football as opposed to contact football. Despite the large size of the football, the young stars seem to be having the time of their life given the engaging nature of the game.
The kids are quick learns and it's impressive how the want to play the sport every day I come out to train.' Shaban said. The administration was also very supportive of their bid given it kept the children engaged and excited.
Shaban also expressed his concern on behalf of the kids. They were facing a problem of lack of sizeable balls and flags to augment the beauty of the game. Currently, they are using college footballs which are apparently too big for them.
The children didn't seem to notice the size of the ball though, given they were experiencing the game for the first time but boy would they have loved it if they could throw the ball and play quarter backs just like in the movies.
This is definitely a big step for KFAF and if they keep the momentum up and high, they might achieve both their short term and long term goals in record time. The precedence has been set. My guess. American Football is soon coming to the Nairobi neighbourhoods. Its too early to call it a revolution but that is what it will be in the coming years.
Pictures for the flag football team.
story by Francis Obunde


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Higher Level Outcomes and Goals Linkages
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Liberal Arts/General Education Learning Goals
- Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills: Students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Oral Communication Skills: Students will strengthen their oral communication skills.
- Written Communication Skills: Students will strengthen their written communication skills.
- Quantitative Reasoning Skills: Students will enhance their quantitative reasoning skills.
University-Level Student Learning Goals
- Complexity and Diversity: Student will appreciate the complexity and diversity of world cultures
- Technology: Student will understand appropriate uses of technology
- Maturation: Student will mature intellectually, emotionally, and physically
- Contribution: Student will participate as a concerned, intelligent citizen
- Speak and Write: Student will speak and write effectively
- Logically and Critically: Student will think logically and critically
- Physical Universe: Student will understand the physical universe


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On the edge of a geometric pavement at the Tessellated pavement 'Beach' Eagle Neck Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia.
On the edge of a geometric pavement at the Tessellated pavement 'Beach' Eagle Neck Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia.
Sigma DP2 in mono ƒ8 1/25s ISO100
I have been thinking a lot recently about monochrome and how I can get the results I would like in this forest series. I would like to achieve the the look of some of the orthochromatic films that I enjoyed looking at years ago. I haven't tried the mono only setting on the DP2 Merrill since the last firmware upgrade. And while I don't remember reading anything about any improvements via the firmware it looks like there could have been some improvements through that or in the last update of Iridient raw converter. Which as it happens is to my knowledge the only converter other than SigmaPhotoPro that will handle DP2 files. Every time I use this camera I am just knocked out by its files qualities.
Richie Kuhaupt (WA), norfolk pine, cottesloe 2014
Sigma DP2 Merrill ƒ/6.3 1/250s ISO200
This is an exhibit in the annual Sculpture by the sea which is shown on Cottesloe, and Bondi beaches in Australia and Aarhus beach in Denmark. Its a great thing to visit and take photographs of.
Cottesloe beach has a wonderful ambiance for Sculpture by the sea and for once the temperature was a pleasant thirty degrees, in years past it has been very hot so much so that one has to continually wipe the sweat off glasses, cameras and forehead.
The background sound of the light waves hitting the shore, children's calls and chatting adults was shattered by the roar of an Orion maritime rescue aircraft returning from that area of the southern Indian ocean 2500 km away where the missing Malaysian airliner MH 370 might be.
Many of the exhibits and installations are made or constructed of the flotsam and trash that can be found on any beach walk: Plastic milk containers, wine cask bladders, plastic bags, PET drink bottles and in this case the ubiquitous blue pallets stacked and chain sawn into a head and shoulders with a Norfolk pine planted where the lack of brains are. Its a poignant statement. The gaze out to sea, the tree, all made from the remains of pallets painted as blue as the sea and sky from whence they came, then the more practical aspect of a bit of shade for the reclining girl to read her smart phone in. Just another day in Western Australia.
This is a cropped photograph of an ageratum the small perennial shrub variety. Its remarkable in as much as the ageratum is quite hard to photograph and get the colour right both digitally and even more so with film. The camera a Sigma DP2M also a remarkable camera because of its Foveon sensor. I have been playing with this camera for a little over a month and thus far I have learned that in day light the images are gob smackingly brilliant at 100 ISO and okay up to 400 ISO above that the IQ gets worse the higher the ISO. But like Armin Sabet who runs Serious Compacts discovered this camera is quirky Armin found that images shot at ISO1600 could be manipulated in Pro Photo and get reasonable mono images. Well I wanted to try this but Sigma must have changed the ProPhoto significantly with the most current version 5.5.2 and now there is no channel controls. I feel the same can be done in Irident Developer but I haven't had the time to really do it justice yet, promising but not quite yet. Anyway my thoughts drifted around to colour and the fairly well documented Ageratum effect. I had to prune my little shrub and in the process had some flowers left so as one does I stuck them in a pot and set them on the kitchen table. My kitchen lights are LED down lights so I did a custom WB and fired off a couple of frames and then processed them – utter rubbish, colour bleached out and a horrid NHS hospital green background that was supposed to be white. Tried it again with a flat panel fluorescent light not as bad but still pretty awful. I use flash but most of my work is outdoors so the Speedlight tend to stay packed away. The first few frames with flash WB were better yet so I started to adjust the WB to see what happened The position after flash is fluorescent the first couple of frames were under exposed so I cranked up the ISO to the unusable ISO1600 and this was the result I repeated it just to make sure. Not only is the colour almost accurate but there is not that much noise and this was shot at 1/640s @ ƒ16 via a wireless trigger designed for Canon I have done almost no PS work on this image… Quirky little camera the DP2M.
A few days later
Update: I had a few problems with Sigma Photo Pro it crashed every fourth or fifth image load. on my Mac Mini and won't even load on my MBA, There doesn't seem to be anyway to actually contact Sigma about these issues so it of to the Australian distributor! However I uninstalled Photo Pro and reinstalled and begorrah I have a new monochrome menu in Photo Pro with channels
Above 100% Crop and below the Exif data


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Lidiya Girma is an undergraduate student double majoring in political science and sociology. Her research interests include immigration policy and human rights as well as the effect of mental illness in the African refugee community.
My dream is to earn a graduate degree and work to advocate for the improvement of immigrant and minority rights. I seek to identify and prevent discriminatory policies that hinder the progress of minority groups and leave them vulnerable to exploitation. Marginalized groups need to be given a voice and that is what I want my work to reflect.
Feeling Foreign in the 'Burbs: Differing Receptions of Liberian and Somali Immigrants in Brooklyn Center/Park
Abstract: Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park have experienced large demographic shifts in the past decade that show a decrease in white residents and a dramatic increase in their immigrant population. This change has received mixed reactions. While the rise of diversity is celebrated, concern over the effects of minorities on crime rates, housing prices, and quality of life are prevalent. A sizable portion of the foreign born in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park are refugees, including Liberians and Somalis. These two African communities have come to Minnesota seeking protection from civil conflict in their homelands and for new beginnings. However, the social reception of these immigrants differs. This case study provides preliminary observations of how the Somali and Liberian communities have been constructed as either "good" or "bad" and how these perceptions affect their adjustment in the suburbs. This study will also discuss the educational and residential segregation of suburban school districts and its consequences on immigrant minorities' access to quality instruction. Download poster. [PDF]
Lisa Sun-Hee Park is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota and the author of several academic works including Silicon Valley of Dreams and Consuming Citizenship. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from Northwestern University and has taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder as well as the University of California, San Diego. She specializes in Asian American studies, immigrant women's healthcare, welfare policy, and immigration policy.


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Bike Friendly RIchardson posted a challenge for a photo scavenger hunt of 14 outdoor statues in Richardson.
You are invited to participate in Richardson's first Ride And Seek, Photo Scavenger Hunt. Throughout the month of October, we are inviting and motivating folks to get out and ride their bikes, explore their neighborhoods and win prizes! This year's theme will be "The Sculptures of Richardson".
I found the idea to be a great motivator to get out and do a longer ride, which I haven't been doing much for the last two years. It also gave me a great opportunity to put my newly built up touring bike through its inaugural paces. It would be much further than I have been typically riding (15-25 miles) since my round trip distance to Richardson is 25 miles by itself. So I planned out a decent route to pick up all 14 statutes in a single trip.
I did have a route problem on a residential street, Dumont Dr, which was closed and impassible so the day required some on the go rerouting to avoid some roads I would like to avoid riding on. Namely Coit and Beltline. I did ride on Spring Valley to cross US 75 and it wasn't particularly pleasant but it was doable. I think Richardson could use some better pedestrian/bicycle crossings for the US 75 barrier.
Overall it was a great day, and I wish to really thank Bike Friendly Richardson for the idea and the challenge. I think I will try to find some kind of similar scavenger hunt in Plano. Though I am not really familiar with any outdoor statutes here. Anyway, here are the requisite 14 photos of my bike and the sculptures
And to top it off a screen capture of the southern part of the route I took between the statutes!
Again, thanks for the great idea and experience BFR! It was a great day!


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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Live from the cruise: KT-TV
Last week, we picked up our Droid phones. And last night, husband installed on mine a beta client called Qik. Qik on the Droid works like UStream on a PC. Two clicks on my phone and whatever I'm doing is streaming in live DVD quality video on the internet. Plus, it has a live chat feature so I can see what you're replying while I'm filming.
You know what this means? I could be at the NKOTB cruise sail away party next May, phone in the air, and you could be seeing everything as it's happening. HOW COOL IS THAT??
My 2009 roomie Malina asked last night if there was a limit to how long a video could be. I don't think so. What will limit me, though, is that I'll be using the ship's $0.50/minute wi-fi, so I won't be streaming hours of coverage. But every now and then (from approved video-friendly events) you could get a live peek of the cruise.
Qik automatically starts a video feed when I start filming, so I envision that weekend you can leave a browser window open to www.qik.com/ktsummer with the volume on high, and randomly throughout the three days, the noise of live video will scare the pants off of you. Don't worry if you miss one, because videos are stored on my channel so you can watch them anytime.
(Because it is so easy to go live, I'm a bit worried that husband will swipe my phone and start streaming things like me brushing my teeth, but let's hope not.)
Here's a sample video we did last night of the most exciting film subject in the house: our cat.
9 comments:
- AnonymousNovember 12, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I just checked it out a little more, and it works on my BB too! But I don't have wi-fi, so my qik is going to be land bound.ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
I totally think every person who reads your blog/Twitter should send you a few bucks. I would. I can't afford the cruise, but I would love to live vicariously through you!ReplyDelete
Cheri0124 on twitter
(sorry for the delete--typo)
THANK YOU!!! This is so awesome! I'm on the waitlist (regular) and I have little hope of ever getting on that boat. You are such a sweetie for sharing.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 13, 2009 at 3:08 PM
couldnt you just enjoy the cruise yourself rather than trying to do the managements job? if nkotb want to live stream they will.ReplyDelete
i am sure you are just trying to be helpful, but your blog comes over very self-indulgent.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Little Miss Anonymous better watch her tongue! If she doesn't like Katie's blog then why are you reading it? And then giving us your un needed two cents?ReplyDelete
Katie would show pwople more then what NK management would..Plus Katie has been MORE THEN HELPFUL to everyone for the last how many months?!?!?! She takes her time to help everyone out.
Maybe Anonymous is jealous because she isnt going on the cruise or maybe because she's just not a nice person.
Katie I thank you for your blogs and for helping me w/the Joe songs. I'll be on the cruise & I'll look foward to everything you post once I get home!!
This sounds fantastic. Thank you so much for being willing to share, and thank you to your husband for being such a tech-wizz.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 16, 2009 at 4:03 PM
This is amazing!! It's great you're willing to share. Not sure what the other anon's problem is.... sounds like jealousy to me! Keep doing what you're doing KT!!ReplyDelete


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About LRHC
Lowestoft Railway Hockey Club is the only mixed hockey club in North Suffolk and East Norfolk.
The Club is fully affiliated to the England Hockey Board, both the Suffolk & Norfolk Hockey Associations and the East Hockey League.
We are also actively working towards the England Hockey Clubs First accreditation.
We currently run 2 Men's teams competing in the Men's East leagues, 2 Ladies teams.The Club would like to continue developing our junior teams and hope to have a Men's and Ladies Development teams (under 16) playing in the Norfolk Development leagues next season.
Alongside our competitive teams, the Club runs training sessions. These sessions are open to anyone, of all ages, to attend and are held on the Astro-turf at East Point Academy on Wednesday evenings.
Junior training for girls and boys aged 8 - 10 runs from 1800 - 1930.
Development training for girls and boys aged 11 - 16 runs from 1800 - 1930.
The cost of Junior and Development training is £2 per session. As an introduction and welcome to our club your first 3 sessions are free.
Senior Ladies and Men's training runs from 1930 - 2100.
All sessions are structured and led by our England Hockey Qualified Coaches to ensure the best possible individual and team development.
There is currently no waiting list to attend any of our sessions and there is no need to book prior to turning up - just turn up on a Wednesday evening!
What do you need to bring?
We ask that you dress to suit the weather conditions and time of year.
You should wear suitable footwear i.e. trainers.
You should wear shin pads at all times during training sessions, in addition to this padded hockey gloves and gum shields may also be worn.
If you have your own stick please bring it along, the Club has a small number of sticks of various sizes that may be borrowed during sessions.
Finally, we request that everybody brings a drink, preferably not fizzy, to consume during or after the session to keep hydrated.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone from the Club prior to attending then please feel free to contact either:-
Peter Newnham - Club Secretary - Click Here
Gary Bloodworth - Club Development Officer and Junior Coach - Click Here
We look forward to seeing you on the pitch.


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