Jolt
Afternoon Jolt: The Walker Connection
Today's Loser: Blue Washington
Susan Dreyfus, a Wisconsin native and daughter-in-law of a former Wisconsin governor who now heads the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, is an old friend of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker—you know him as the guy who's trying to eliminate collective bargaining rights for state employees—and has given him some substantial campaign contributions in the past. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Finance Database reveals that Dreyfus has given Walker $1,850 since 2005 to Walker, with the most recent contribution in 2009.
Dreyfus doesn't appear to hold the same anti-union sentiments as Walker. Her spokesman, Thomas Shapley, tells PubliCola that as DSHS head "she's been more than willing to go to the table with unions"—which she calls "labor partners"—even pulling all nighters from time to time. At the same time, Shapley said "she doesn't apologize for being a friend to [Walker]."
Today's Winner: Green Washington
It's about time environmentalists got some victories in Olympia. Today, the state house passed three bills strongly favored by state environmental groups. Legislators approved bills from two freshman reps, including Rep. Andy Billig's (D-3, Spokane) legislation to limit the use of fertilizers that include phosphorus and Rep. Rep. David Frockt's (D-46, Seattle) bill to outlaw the use of coal tar sealants used in parking lots and driveways.
The house also passed Christine Rolfes' (D-23, Bainbridge Island) bill to update the state's oil-spill plan through increased regulation. The oil lobbyists were also out in force trying to pick off Democrats today, encouraging them to vote against the Rolfes legislation. Their efforts seem to have had the opposite effect. Even Hans Zeiger (R-25, Puyallup), who many see as an arch conservative, ultimately ended up voting for the legislation.
Susan Dreyfus, a Wisconsin native and daughter-in-law of a former Wisconsin governor who now heads the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, is an old friend of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker—you know him as the guy who's trying to eliminate collective bargaining rights for state employees—and has given him some substantial campaign contributions in the past. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Finance Database reveals that Dreyfus has given Walker $1,850 since 2005 to Walker, with the most recent contribution in 2009.
Dreyfus doesn't appear to hold the same anti-union sentiments as Walker. Her spokesman, Thomas Shapley, tells PubliCola that as DSHS head "she's been more than willing to go to the table with unions"—which she calls "labor partners"—even pulling all nighters from time to time. At the same time, Shapley said "she doesn't apologize for being a friend to [Walker]."
Today's Winner: Green Washington
It's about time environmentalists got some victories in Olympia. Today, the state house passed three bills strongly favored by state environmental groups. Legislators approved bills from two freshman reps, including Rep. Andy Billig's (D-3, Spokane) legislation to limit the use of fertilizers that include phosphorus and Rep. Rep. David Frockt's (D-46, Seattle) bill to outlaw the use of coal tar sealants used in parking lots and driveways.
The house also passed Christine Rolfes' (D-23, Bainbridge Island) bill to update the state's oil-spill plan through increased regulation. The oil lobbyists were also out in force trying to pick off Democrats today, encouraging them to vote against the Rolfes legislation. Their efforts seem to have had the opposite effect. Even Hans Zeiger (R-25, Puyallup), who many see as an arch conservative, ultimately ended up voting for the legislation.
