I'm healthy. Under 30. Active. Cheap. In other words, I'd be perfect (if not for my employer-provided health insurance) for a bill introduced by Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee that would create health insurance plans tailored to young people. See SB 6030 here.

California is one of several other states that have the plan, which, for reasons beyond me, they call Tonik. Here's a snippet from their Web site:

Basically there are 3 Tonik plans to choose from:
1. Thrill Seeker (AKA Tonik 5000)
2. Part-Time Daredevil (Tonik 3000)
3. Calculated Risk Taker (Tonik 1500)
All three plans offer $10 generic prescription drugs, low copays for doctor visits and $100 copays for the Emergency room (deductible waived)...
The average price of Tonik for someone under 30 ranges from $77 - $164

Sounds radical. And like a new brand of alcohol-infused energy drinks.

The bill had a hearing on Monday, along with the various universal healthcare bills we covered. If the bill goes any further, I'll be sure to inform you before I quit my job to mountain bike full time with my Tonik 5000.

There's a bill up for hearing in about 30 minutes that would ban gifts to state legislators, regardless of their value. That includes trips to conferences in Hawaii, tickets to the Rolling Stones (or bigger name acts like Hannah Montana).

The bill (HB 1157, found here) was introduced last year, but didn't get so much as a hearing. At the time, House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said the bill was overkill and that it gave the impression that lawmakers were being feted around like ... well, other lawmakers -- specifically the ones in Congress.

"I don't see a problem right now. If there was a problem and it was rampant, I'd say absolutely," Kessler said.

So, we can infer that either it has become rampant or the bill is getting a hearing just for kicks.

I know some of our readers are lobbyists. What do you think? Have the 900-some of you gone on a rampage?

The House today passed the Public Works Trust Fund bill, House Bill 2437, on a 97-0 vote. The real significance of this bill is who gets to be its prime sponsor, the first name on the bill.

The fact that it's Larry Seaquist should tell you a few things:

1. He's up for reelection. (yes)
2. He's either a freshman (yes) or in a swing district (yes).
3. House Democratic leadership is looking out for him by letting him sponsor it. (yes)

It's always nice to go into campaign season and be able to tell your constituents you brought home the bacon and that you were behind a jobs-creating measure. (yes and yes).

To find the bacon for the 26th Legislative District in Pierce and Kitsap counties....

=> Read more!

I meant to post this Monday when I got it, but got sidetracked.

Sen. Mark Schoesler brings his "aw shucks" wit to some issues. This is one of those times. They can't exactly make the same threat as the professional teams. I mean, the other professional teams.

For Immediate Release: For Interview Contact:
Jan. 21, 2008 Sen. Mark Schoesler (360) 786-7620

Schoesler statement on UW request for Husky Stadium funding

OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, today issued this statement on the University of Washington’s recent announcement that it is seeking $150 million in public funding for renovations to Husky Stadium:

“What are the Huskies going to do if the Legislature says no to their funding request? Threaten to move out of state?

“There is no way the Legislature should provide state funding to help renovate Husky Stadium. Even though it costs far less money, WSU didn’t even think of going to Olympia to ask for money to fix up Martin Stadium. The Cougars are right to deal with their stadium project without asking for state help. With all of their rich alums and wide fan base, the Huskies should try to raise the stadium money without going to the Legislature for help.

“It would set a bad precedent for the Legislature and would unfairly give one of our state’s Pac-10 football teams a recruiting advantage over the other Pac-10 football team.

“If the Legislature won’t provide $300 million to help the Sonics pay for a multipurpose arena and convention center that could be used nearly every day of the year, why should we agree to give $150 million of the public’s money to fix up a college football stadium that probably would see only a dozen or so games a year? College football stadiums rank pretty far down the people’s list of public funding priorities.”

UPDATE: I ran into Schoesler in the hallway this afternoon.
"Portland does not have PAC-10 football," he said. I guess that means if the Huskies do need a new home, that might be one.

This item was worth it just so I could write that headline.

Actually, it really is a good thing. The county just sent out a press release saying Councilman Shawn Bunney will be on the program Thursday with fitness trainer and TV personality Jillian Michaels of NBC's "The Biggest Loser."

Bunney is participating in a MultiCare-sponsored program that encourages Pierce County residents to lose a combined 1 million pounds over the next year through exercise and good nutrition. As part of Michaels' presentation, Bunney will "donate" the 92 pounds he has lost over the past 12 months toward the 1-million-pound goal.

Bunney achieved his weight loss through nutritional dieting as well as walking and bicycling most of Pierce County's parks and trails.

Michaels' appearance will be at MultiCare's ninth annual "Do Something Healthy" program tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway. Tickets are sold out. More information is available here.

I covered the anti-abortion rally on the capitol steps yesterday. Aside from writing the story, I spent a chunk of the day processing this surreal experience: Rep. Jim Dunn, R-Vancouver, doing "the good Christian thing" by pointing across the way at the abortion rights protesters, proclaiming that they're "minions of the evil one."

A friend used to say that when you point a finger at someone, four more are pointing right back at you. Aside from the fuzzy math, I saw her point: Dunn lost all of his committee assignments late last year after telling a staffer that he was buying her a drink so he could take her to bed.

Just as the irony circuit in my mind was shorting out, a half dozen streakers wearing nothing but silver masks bounced by the thoroughly bundled-up crowd.

Here's a picture of the crowd, minus the nudies:

Never a dull moment.

Just got this from a legislative staffer, who, for obvious reasons, must remain anonymous. Remember Dole doing those Viagra ads after he got out of politics?

This has been making the rounds. Do you think it's Nose-worthy?

Subject: New Entry for 2008 Dictionary

Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Don't know what drug you'd take for that particular condition. Maybe you blog readers can suggest something.