Over several posts I have shared King 5 news investigators reports on “Last of the Institutions”. This hard hitting and truthful series pointed out Washington State’s archaic practice of institutionalizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocates for inclusive communities have been waving the banner for years to close the institutions pointing out all the […]
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Olympia Mayor Shelby recently asked me at a Rotary meeting about my views on the minimum wage – was I for it or against it? I thought for a moment and realized that, in truth, my answer was mixed. My initial response was that an increase in the minimum wage might put some of the […]
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In December I posted a comment and link to a series of reports conducted by King 5 Investigators. The series entitled “Last of the Institutions”, is a multi-part in depth series examining the many facets of Washington States institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Susannah Frame who produced and narrates the series explores the social, […]
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The November 20th edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal includes an article titled “Washington’s Economic Detective: Dick Conway (pictured) explains why the tax system of today starves the state.” Mr. Conway is a regional economic researcher and serves on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers. As a proponent of a single rate income tax […]
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Last week the State of Washington Supreme Court held the Washington State Legislature in contempt of court for not following their decision to fund public education to the degree established in our state constitution. The Legislature has until 2015 to come to a resolution – “On the date following adjournment of the 2015 session, if […]
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Well the legislative session is upon us and before it comes out of the gate we hear “Olympia we have a problem”. The Senate is now run by a new coalition. Here is an excerpt from The Olympian article written by Brad Shannon and Jordan Schrader “Washington’s Legislature opened its 105-day session Monday with a bit […]
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I have given you an account of the state’s use of ARRA funds in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that chose to use the 8.8 million dollars funding a program called Project H.I.R.E (Hiring Individuals with disabilities who are Ready for Employment). I had pointed out how the project fell well short of the goals […]
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I thought I would give you an update on the state’s use of ARRA funds in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that chose to use the 8.8 million dollars “to provide services to 1,000 new DVR customers with disabilities and assist them in finding jobs in high demand, high wage occupations and new green economy […]
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I just returned from the Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) Conference. [More information about the organization is available at http://www.apse.org/. One of their initiatives is Employment First which establishes the idea that integrated competitive employment is the first option for all individuals regardless of disability level or support needs. It is exciting that […]
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Our auditor suggested that we seek ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) funds. Remember this is the federal program that distributed $787 billion in funds to boost our country out of the recession or to keep us from plunging deeper into recession. I replied to his suggestion by noting that funding for our […]
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