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Capitol Hill Blog
Chopp announces another run to represent the 43rd

In his announcement, Chopp highlighted his part in building “a 20-year Democratic majority that passed significant legislation to expand health care, build union membership throughout Washington, raise teacher salaries, safeguard reproductive rights and women’s health care, reduce gun violence, and so much more.” Read More

New York Times
Washington State Moves Toward Free and Reduced College Tuition, With Businesses Footing the Bill

Washington State lawmakers have taken a major step toward offering free or reduced college tuition using funds from businesses there, including Amazon and Microsoft, in a move that is being applauded by policy analysts for its innovation and reach.

Last week, state lawmakers passed the Workforce Education Investment Act, which would raise almost $1 billion over a four-year period with a surcharge on companies that employ highly skilled workers, like accounting, engineering, architecture and consulting firms, and the technology behemoths that operate in the state.

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Vox
A closer look at Washington’s superb new 100% clean electricity bill

"That’s the magic sauce, what Washington’s bill does better than any other state clean energy bill I’ve seen: It aligns the interests of utilities, energy developers, and unions behind the project of equitable decarbonization. They all benefit from it. That makes them allies in the fight, rather than at loggerheads, as they have so often been in the past....a model of cutting-edge climate policy." Read More

KOMO News
Washington to implement best paid family & medical leave in America in 2019

Washington state will start implementing one of the best paid family and medical leave programs in America on January 1 – with employees eligible to take up to 16 weeks off in 2020. The new program functions much like insurance and applies to all companies. The premium is equal to 0.4 percent of wages, with both employees and employers each paying their share beginning January 1, 2019. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees don’t have to pay the employer portion of the premium. Read More

Seattle Times
Long-serving Frank Chopp to step down as Washington’s state House speaker after 2019 session

Chopp has been known for standing firm on his priorities, including money for affordable housing, health care and social services. “By almost any objective measure the guy has been the most successful politician in the history of Olympia,” said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who also represents the 43rd District. He credited Chopp with fighting to preserve the state’s social-safety net through the Great Recession and years when Republicans controlled the state Senate. Read More

The Stranger Endorses Frank.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 43 Representative Position No. 2: Frank Chopp The SECB loves a badass socialist. (See Sawant, Kshama.) But socialist Jess Spear didn’t convince us she’s ready to bring the people’s revolution to Olympia, and we think longtime House Speaker Frank Chopp and his maddening incrementalism will actually do more for the issues we care about, … Continued

5. Progressive Change

5 Progressive Change “Thanks to Frank’s work electing a progressive majority in the legislature, the Washington legislature became the first in the country to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and enact marriage equality. Frank is a passionate advocate for social justice and civil rights for all.” – Jamie Pedersen, State Senator, 43rd District

4. The Safety Net

4 The Safety Net “Frank always stands up for the most vulnerable in our community. He led the effort to expand services to help the homeless, including saving and reforming the Disability Lifeline program for the mentally ill and others with disabilities.” – Tony Lee, Statewide Poverty Action Network

3. Education

3 Education “Teachers and parents know they have a progressive leader in Frank Chopp for education. He led the way for a new $1.3 billion investment in K-12 Basic Education and he will continue to close tax loopholes and identify new funding sources to meet our obligation to our schools.” – Kate Sipe, teacher at … Continued

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