I should check my answering machine more often. I guess I was too busy making dilly beans over the weekend.

State Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, left a message to say he is withdrawing from his previously announced run for Congress against U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, and instead will run for re-election to his state House seat in the 2nd Legislative District.

Wonder what that does to JT Wilcox, who announced last week he would be running for what appeared to be Campbell's vacant seat in the state House.

Campbell sent out an e-mail news release late last night. Thanks for the heads up, Tom. Can I interest you in a quart of pickled green beans?

Rep. Tom Campbell declares intent to return to Legislature in 2010.

Roy, Washington. August 31, 2009.

Rep. Tom Campbell announced today he will run for re-election to the Washington State House of Representatives.

“I have been asked by a number of my constituents to reconsider my candidacy for Congress so that I can continue my work in the State Legislature on behalf of the 2nd Legislative District. I have listened to these voices and have decided to once again ask the voters of the Second District to elect me to represent them in the Washington State Legislature.”

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J.T. Wilcox, who used to be chief financial officer for Wilcox Farms, made it official today by announcing that he is running to replace state Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, in the 2nd Legislative District.

Campbell is running for the 9th Congressional District seat now held by U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma.

I say, "made it official" because I was told during the past legislative session that a candidate with a very prominent name was toying with a bid for Campbell's legislative seat. And the word then was "Wilcox," but I didn't know which one.

Wilcox, 48, is getting an early start. It's only August 2009 and the election isn't until 2010. I guess he wants to work on his name familiarity 'cause probably nobody in the 2nd District has ever heard the name "Wilcox."

We did a big spread on Wilcox Farms a few weeks back. You can read all about them 700,000 chickens and their eggs. J.T. Wilcox is no longer with the "family" business -- he left in 2008 -- but he did work there for 23 years.

And the "Got Milk" reference is not a stretch. He was chairman of Milk-Pep, the $100 million program that ran all of those milk mustache and other ads.

His campaign Web site is listed below, but it won't be up and running until later today or tomorrow.

WILCOX ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
J.T. Wilcox Announced his Campaign for State House of Representatives Today Pledging to be an Advocate for Property Rights, Local Traffic Improvements and For Balancing the State Budget Without Increasing Taxes.

Yelm - WA -- Local businessman and community leader JT Wilcox today announced his campaign for the State House of Representatives on the grounds of Wilcox Farms, saying, “Washington State government needs the kind of commonsense I learned right here on the family farm.”

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This post comes to us courtesy of Jason Mercier at the Washington Policy Center, who is ever-vigilant when it comes to state contracts, especially those for which there is no competition.

Former state Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vanvouver, is getting a $69,000 contract to do some work for state schools that only he can do. Why else would it be a sole source contract?

STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
LEGAL NOTICE
SOLE SOURCE ADVERTISEMENT

Legislation was enacted in 2009 (ESHB 2261) that identifies a framework and timeline for developing and implementing a new financing method for schools that meet the constitutional requirements of the state. As a result, OSPI contemplates awarding a sole source contract to Capitol Solutions for a 12-month period to provide expert legislative assistance regarding state and federal legislation affecting OSPI in such key areas as education, financial resources, and budget development in both the capital and operating budget arenas.

Mr. Bill Fromhold, dba, Capitol Solutions, has the necessary expertise to assist OSPI with the time-sensitive and complex work required as a result of ESHB 2261.

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State Sen. Fred Jarrett and Rep. Ross Hunter, both Democrats from King County's Eastside, finished back in the pack in the King County Executive race. It's gonna be King County Councilman Dow Constantine and former TV anchor Susan Hutchison in that race.

So, both guys are likely to be around for next session. Until, that is, Hunter decides to run for Congress.

Here are the election returns as of yesterday afternoon.

Which is the opposite of what Gov. Chris Gregoire has said.

Race to the Top is the special $5.3 billion pot of money set aside by the Obama Administration to encourage states to reform their education systems. Gregoire has said she doubts the state would be eligible because it hasn't met many of the criteria set up – making sure each classroom has a competent teacher, improving achievement in low-performing schools, having a good data collection system to measure results, offering charter schools.

Gregoire said perhaps the state would be ready for a second round of funding if the next session of the Legislature acts on some of these issues.

But a report by The League of Education Voters asserts that the state meet minimum eligibility and should apply for funds now.

"In the wake of the WASL and AYP results announced last week showing flat scores and little progress in closing the achievement gap, Washington State needs this funding more than ever to improve our schools and increase student achievement," LEV said in a statement. "And despite some rumors to the contrary, Washington does meet the minimum application eligibility requirements for the Race to the Top Fund. A bold application would make Washington a legitimate contender for this funding, which would give a much-needed boost to the state's education system."

"While almost every other state in the nation is discussing how to compete in the Race to the Top, Washington State seems to be engaged in a Race to the Sidelines," said Chris Korsmo, executive director of the league.

Their numbers in the Legislature are so small that any announcement from House Republicans is like whistling in the wind (can anyone hear them?), but that's not stopping GOP budget leader Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, from coming out with his Top Ten budget ideas.

Writing the news release at least kept Brendon Wold busy for part of the summer.

Here's an interesting one, only because you don't often see Republicans talk about increasing spending much. Of course, if the state were to spend more on K-12, it would have to make corresponding cuts in other programs to keep GOPers happy.

3. K-12 Education: Do not defer the beginning funding of HB 2261 to the 2013-15 Biennium. If this is the panacea for our new definition of basic education, then there is an obligation to prepare and implement a funding plan beginning much sooner. That plan should replace the Student Achievement Fund and the Education Legacy Trust Account, not augment them.

Here's the rest:

House Republican budget leader releases 'top ten' budget ideas for improving state's budget outlook

'We can either change the way government delivers services, or we can continue with broken promises, drastic cuts, and rollercoaster spending,' says Alexander

Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia, released today his top ten ideas for improving Washington state's budget outlook over the next biennium and into the next decade.

"We have to look at doing some things differently," said Alexander. "We're still stuck using the same failed policies that led to a $9 billion budget shortfall last session and which will lead to another $9 billion – or more – shortfall in 2011. We can either change the way government delivers services, or we can continue with broken promises, drastic cuts, and rollercoaster spending.

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During the discussion of the request by proponents of Referendum 71 to keep secret the names of donors to the campaign, I brought up the last time a similar request was made.

That was in 1994, also surrounding a ballot proposition dealing with gay rights. That year, two initiatives that sought to ban passage of laws giving civil rights protections to gays and lesbians were on the ballot. Opponents, calling themselves Hands Off Washington, asked the PDC for an exemption from disclosure rules.

Opponents were willing to disclose the names and amounts given by donors. But they opposed a recent PDC rule requiring that the occupations and employers of donors also be listed. In January, the PDC passed a temporary exemption – timed to give the Legislature time to address the issue.

The exemption was repealed six weeks later when the Legislature failed to act. Opponents of those initiatives claimed the extra information could lead to harassment and discrimination against donors.

In 1995, the Legislature passed a law eliminating the requirement that donors' occupations and employers be listed. That section, however, was vetoed by then-Gov. Mike Lowry.

Now it is the other side of the issue seeking exemptions from disclosure. Backers of R-71, which would repeal recently passed gay partnership laws, have already succeeded in getting the names of those who signed the referendum sealed. They now seek to have all information about campaign donors sealed as well.

The PDC will meet August 27 to discuss the request.

Still smarting from a legislative session in which they got spanked, the Washington State Labor Council will be holding its annual convention later this week east of the mountains.

I scanned the agenda, looking for a panel discusion on "Don't get angry, get even" but couldn't find it. There was this, however,

After a challenging legislative session in which corporate interests superseded those of working families, the WSLC will be making significant changes in its political program to better target labor's support to the legislators who have truly earned it, regardless of party affiliation. Those changes -- outlined in the newly published 2009 WSLC Legislative Report -- will be discussed at the convention.

Here's the news release. Stuff starts Thursday.

Holt Baker to keynote WSLC convention opener Thursday
Health care, immigration also on agenda at Aug. 6-8 meeting in Wenatchee

The 2009 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO convenes this Thursday at the Wenatchee Coast Hotel and Convention Center, and will feature keynote speaker Arlene Holt Baker, Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO. (See the convention's tentative agenda below.)

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This is the lawsuit in which a bunch of school districts are claiming that the state is not performing its "paramount duty" to fully fund basic education. It's what one staffer called "the really big, giant lawsuit."

It is the 3rd round in a series of similar lawsuits. So far, the Legislature seems to have won the opening rounds. Well, sorta. The Supremes have said the Legislature gets to define exactly what "basic" education is, but once it has that definition, it must fully fund it.

It's a lot easier to follow the rules if you get to set the rules, too.

Aug. 31 is the start date for this round of court action. Trial is expected to last 3 weeks.

Got this news release today from Network for Excellence in Washington Schools:

The public school finance lawsuit brought against the state by a coalition of school districts, statewide and local civic organizations, and education associations goes to trial on Aug. 31 in King County Superior Court. We are lining up advance one-on-one interviews/briefings for political and/or education reporters with Mike Blair, president of the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), either by telephone the week of August 10 or in person between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the offices of Foster Pepper law firm at 1111 3rd Ave., Suite 3400, in downtown Seattle. Let me know if you’d like to arrange an interview.

Here is a link to the plaintiff's friends' page (NEWS).

Needless to say, whatever happens at the Superior Court level is bound to be appealed by the losing side all the way to the state Supreme Court. So, we're nowhere near a final resolution. Not sure there is a final resolution here.

It will be a three-week trial.

This just in from the National Conference of State Legislatures:

Our former governor, Gary Locke, who is now U.S. Commerce Secretary, will be the featured speaker tomorrow at the Legislative Summit in Philadelphia. He'll be talking about the "next steps" in the economic recovery plan to about 5,000 legislators and staffers.

Locke, as many of you know, used to be one of them. He was the consummate budget wonk when he was a legislator from Seattle.

State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, will be in the audience. Not sure how many other Washington state folks are there. I think the state House and Senate stopped paying for that kind of travel, although they would pay for registration. And some Washington legislators could be traveling on their own or with the help of another "sponsor."

White House Brings Message to State Legislators
Commerce Secretary to discuss trade, 2010 Census, smart grid

PHILADELPHIA – In just the first six months of the new administration, the White House has worked with state legislatures to address the most pressing issues affecting states—budget shortfalls, rising unemployment, increased Medicaid enrollment and a rise in welfare case loads. In February, President Barack Obama signed the sweeping $787 billion stimulus package that provided much-needed assistance to states.

Now, state lawmakers attending the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Legislative Summit in Philadelphia will hear an update on Thursday from Washington on the next steps for economic recovery from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.

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Freshman state Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Friday Harbor, a former San Juan County commissioner, spent some time in the hospital.

Here's Sam Taylor's story in the Bellingham Herald.

Our former colleague over at the state election HQ, Dave Ammons, sends us a heads-up about the status of Referendum 71. The folks who are trying to force a vote on the expansion of gay rights in Washington (in the hope voters will overturn what the Democratic majority in the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire did this past spring) say they want to turn in their signatures on Saturday afternoon.

As Ammons notes, we don't know yet whether they have enough to win a spot on the ballot. Saturday is the deadline for collecting 120,000-plus valid signatures.

FYI: Sponsors of Referendum 71, the challenge to the “everything but marriage” domestic partnership bill, SB5688, have requested an appointment for 2 p.m. Saturday to bring in their petitions. They did not mention how many signatures they have in hand as of now, or how many they expect to bring in. To secure a ballot spot will require 120,577 valid voter signatures (4 percent of last year’s vote for governor). Election officials suggest referendum sponsors also submit a 25 percent pad to offset any invalid signatures – or about 150,000 total.

http://blogs.secstate.wa.gov/FromOurCorner/index.php/2009/07/r-71-sponsors-plan-saturday-signature-turn-in/

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