Category Archives: Social Justice

Legislative “Progress” – Early March

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Ross

Each Legislative session has a rythym all its own. This one is waiting expectantly for something to happen. I think you’ll see a flurry of activity towards the end of the month as budgets start to get released. At the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Education, Health Care, Social Justice, Tax Policy, Transportation | Tagged | 1 Comment

Helping Foster Kids Launch

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Ross

Investigate West published awesome investigative journalism on what happens to foster children when they “age out” of our system at age 18. As a parent I’m quite proud of my kids who are both in the 19-21 age group. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Social Justice | Tagged | Comments Off

A Good Deal for Washington

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Ross

One of the three key items that need to be resolved this year is the Medicaid expansion that is part of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) or “Obamacare. (The other two are the overall budget and education funding increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Health Care, Social Justice | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Frustrating but Powerful

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ross

This week I attended a meeting hosted by the Mockingbird Society where foster youth and young alumni of “the system” present proposals they’ve worked on in small groups for a year on how to improve their experiences. This isn’t the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Education, Social Justice | Comments Off

End of Session Budget Update

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Ross

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Washington State Legislature. It’s an honor and a privilege. This year was pretty “special.” There’s nothing like a little drama to spice up a legislator’s life. This session had it … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Education, Environment, Health Care, Social Justice, Tax Policy | Comments Off

Continuing Economic Distress

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Ross

This is a fascinating chart that shows the difference between the current recession and everything after the Great Depression. As you go further back in time the data become less and less comparable to today’s situation, so we can’t really … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Education, Social Justice | Comments Off

Healthcare cost reduction: non-obvious solutions

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Ross

If you’re interested in how to reduce healthcare costs you might want to watch this Frontline video from PBS. http://video.pbs.org/video/2070853636/ It’s about an article Dr. Atul Gowande wrote in the New Yorker in January that is an amazing look into … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Health Care, Social Justice | Comments Off

Amazing Foster Kids

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Ross

This morning I attended the Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit put on by The Mockingbird Society. This was one of the most amazing presentations I’ve ever attended. Groups of foster youth from each of the regions spend the conference … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Justice | Comments Off

How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Ross

Last month’s Atlantic Magazine has a great article on the transformative effect the current recession will have on people in America over the next few decades. It’s a little depressing a read, but very thought-provoking. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/03/how-a-new-jobless-era-will-transform-america/7919 Here’s the blurb the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Climate, Social Justice | Comments Off

Ending Homelessness?

Posted on October 10, 2009 by Ross

Last week I attended the annual breakfast for the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. We’re 3 or 4 yours into a ten-year plan to take this on. I’m concerned that the financial crisis we’re in will delay accomplishment … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Justice | Comments Off