Over at the Seattle Times, political reporter Jim Brunner writes about a coalition of lefty groups that sent a letter yesterday to US Sen. Patty Murray—one of the 12-members of the "Super Committee" that's tasked with cutting $1.5 trillion in government spending—requesting that Murray attend a "Listening Session" hosted by social service advocates that include the Healthy Washington Coalition, Social Security  Works Washington, Washington State Labor Council, Washington CAN!, and Health Coalition for  Children and Youth.

The coalition wants Murray "to come listen to stories of constituents who care deeply about the fate of our country and these programs.  We want to support the Senator's efforts by providing her with the stories and voices of workers and community members who need to be heard."

The letter asks Sen. Murray to consider meeting with the group during Senate's September Recess between Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, October 2nd.

Murray's office told the Times :

Murray spokesman Matt McAlvanah emailed a statement Tuesday night, saying Murray "is committed to listening to the ideas and thoughts of Washington state constituents and making sure they have a voice at the table. All event and meeting requests will be considered based on scheduling and with the demands of the critical task in mind."

Pet peeve: While everyone is focused on the $1.5 trillion in upcoming cuts, very little has been made of the $900 billion in discretionary cuts that were also mandated by Obama's debt limit deal. Over the next ten years, Congress has to trim a total of $900 billion below its projected budgets.

Where does that come from? Just like the $1.5 trillion, it's yet to be determined.