Hella Bus Blog

What's better than young people voting? Maybe young people registering? In this installment of A Shot of Oly, Alex gets into the mix on HB 2205, which would make it easier for young people to register to vote. Hence, an age-appropriate Shot of Perrier. Not 16? Not to worry! Included is a glossary of "what the kids are saying" - follow along!

If you have a lot of nothing, or a little bit of something to do tonight—put aside your plans. We are going to Sonic Boom in Ballard, at 6 PM. Don’t worry, Ballard is kind of cool now. (Kind of).

Tonight is your last chance to see Seattle-based indie luminary Damien Jurado before he heads off on a multi-bi-national tour extravaganza, in support of his most excellent (I’d argue best) new album Maraqopa.

As with all good ideas, Maraqopa came to Jurado in a dream. During a KEXP in-studio last week, the folk songster described waking up in the middle of the night and writing the word “Maraqopa” on a piece of paper. He called Maraqopa a “concept album”, and said that each track was based on a part of that dream. He then refused to explain any further.

In what has become an equality cascade, gays and lesbians just keep on receiving good news.

First Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed.  Then Washington passed full Marriage Equality, followed by New Jersey and potentially Maryland.

And today the Obama Administration stated they will no longer prevent military benefits from being awarded to same-sex partners.

Photo via the AP.

The ruling would no longer deny lesbian and gay partners of service-members from receiving health insurance, military ID cards, hospital visitation rights or any of the other benefits awarded to heterosexual partners. Woo!

In the ultimate irony of all ironies, two awesome bills that would have revolutionized the voting process failed to get a vote by either the Washington State House or Senate.

As if Valentines Day wasn't epic enough; it also marked the cut off date for any bill to be voted out of its house of origin.

The Washington Voter's Right Act would have extended the protections granted by the Federal Voting Rights Act to the state level.  Any institution or process that made it difficult for minority groups to vote and/or elect candidates that represented them could be challenged.  In order for a Representative Democracy to work, our Representatives have to accurately represent the people.

Same Day Voter Registration also failed to get a vote in either the House or the Senate.  Here at the Bus, we think everyone should be registered. And whether you decide you care about an election the same day or 4 weeks before election night, your voice should be heard.  This bill would have made sure the former group of eligible voters still had their voice heard on such crucial upcoming issues as Marriage Equality, Marijuana Legalization, and who'll be our next Governor and President.  (Pro Tip: since this didn't pass, make sure to register before October 8th, 2012.)

Of course, the bill that would allow 16 and 17 year old Washington residents to pre-register to vote did pass the house.  Excited about this (as you should be)?  Come to the next Bus call party February 20th at the Bus HQ and let's get the Senate to vote for it also.

As the brother of a Seattle Schools high school junior, I'm happy to see that the state Senate passed an education reform bill yesterday, 46-3. That's some bipartisan support. The bill, SB 5895, takes up the debate surrounding teacher evaluations, which are currently performed on a two point scale, satisfactory and not-satisfactory. 5895 would increase that to four points of evaluation. That's a 100% increase in granularity! Progress, my friends.

In news that's bound to excite both Net Neutrality fans and pun lovers worldwide: Mike D of the Beastie Boys managed to give AT&T shareholders a chance to vote on wireless Net Neutrality.

Mike D, through his work with an asset management collective called Trillium managed to get the recalcitrant Internet gatekeeper to do something they've been trying hard to avoid.

A shareholder vote will shine more light on AT&T's dubious claims that they need the right to deny or limit service to certain websites in order optimize their network.

More Info on Net Neutrality Than You Can Shake A Wiffle Ball Bat At.

Still kicking butt:

Any bill not passed today by 5PM out of the house of origin is dead in the water.

How did the Bus's favorite bills do?

Marriage Equality: Fabulous!

16 and 17 Year Old Voter Registration: Rocked out of the House and will go to the Senate.

Same Day Voter Registration (SB 6127): In limbo.

Voting Rights Act (HB2612): Same.

If these last two bills aren't voted on (and passed) in at least the Senate or the House, they're gone by the wayside for this year.

Anyone who loves Democracy - and Democracy made easier for Washingtonians - should contact Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and Deputy Majority Leader Larry Springer to politely request a vote on the Voting Rights Act.

Contact Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown to request a vote on Same Day Voter Registration.

With three hours left on the clock, an e-mail won't have much oomph.  Give 'em a call!

Frank Chopp
360-786-7920

Larry Springer
360-786-7822

Lisa Brown
360-786-7604

Jon Stewart of the Daily Show has, as usual, an excellent takedown of the freedom of conscience exemptions debate in Congress.

My favorite part of yesterday's marriage equality signing ceremony was Governor Christine Gregoire's shout out to her daughters, and the younger generation at large, for changing "her generation's" views on marriage equality.

The gravity of this legislation is apparent; you can even see professional politician Gregoire even tear-up a little.  Amazing.

Of course, don't forget the years and years of work Senator Ed Murray put into this effort.  He's been fighting the good fight before our generation started twisting people's arms.  Congrats to all. Wanna keep twisting?  Volunteer with Washington United for Marriage.

The entire 30 minute signing speech after the jump.

In response to the continuing invented scandal that is the Affordable Care Act's covering of contraception, President Obama made a totally reasonable compromise to appease Catholic Bishops.  Women will still receive any contraception they desire free-of-charge, but the insurance companies will pay for it.

I'm still unclear whether this is a show of pragmatism or capitulation, but predictably, Catholic bishops are still angry about the decision.

To be clear: this kerfuffle at its root is about whether an employer can tell his secretary what birth control she is allowed to use. Regardless of whether the employee is an atheist, Jewish, or one of the 98% of Catholic women who use birth control.

Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that would allow any employer (not just religious institutions) to claim that their personal beliefs prohibit the insurance his company buys from providing any service.  This creates precedent for companies to deny HPV vaccines, blood transfusions, HIV medication, or pretty much anything they so choose to their employees.

This was outrageous enough when it was just about denying women access to the care they deserve.  But now it's about undermining the entire Affordable Care Act.

An amazing Princess Bride Graphic explains it all after the jump.

It's for really real now!  Governor Gregoire signed the Marriage Equality Bill into law!!!!

Legislative aids have said that they have never seen so many people in attendance for a bill signing before.  Washington State is excited.

Congrats to all who worked so hard.  This is completely awesome.  Celebrate.

If you're a fan of free stickers (and what reader of HellaBus doesn't love free stickers?!?!) Washington United For Marriage is offering free bumper stickers commemorating this moment.

Quick update here, last night, HB 2205 (16 and 17 year old advanced registration) passed the house without any of the unfriendly amendments we mentioned before. That means, thus far, Washington is on track to allow 16 and 17 year olds to register to vote ahead of time so when they turn 18 they're ready to vote.

So, what comes next? The Senate companion bill, SB 6128, still has one or two hoops to jump through before (hopefully) making it to a full vote.

Still we are HELLA EXCITED about this development. We're keeping close tabs and will give you all the good info as soon as it happens!

The Bus office is on the edge of our seats. Today, our favorite bill HB 2205 is up for a vote in front of the full house. For those who don't remember HB 2205 would allow 16 & 17 year olds to pre-register to vote. Though you would still have to be 18 to vote this bill is still ridiculously exciting because it would allow us to get out the vote at high-schools.

However there are a few amendments that have to be debated and voted on before the full bill can be passed. Some of these are friendly (read administrative, tweaking language without changing the meaning of the bill) including amendments by our main man Rep.Spoke-Andy Billig (D-3) and Head Higher-Ed Honcho Rep. Hans Zeiger (R-25).

However two amendments one by Rep. Overstreet (R-42) and the other by Rep. Taylor (R-15) would significantly change the bill. Rep. Overstreet's amendment would require 16 & 17 year olds to confirm their address by responding to a piece of mail sent by the secretary of state. This is a pretty clear attempt to mitigate the effect of this bill by placing a barrier that no other voter has to go through.

In a similar attempt to derail the bill, Rep. Taylor's amendment  would require 16 & 17 year olds to present valid photo ID at to register, something many 16 & 17 year olds don't have. Cross your fingers that this bill will pass without the amendments.