Kitsap Legislators to host Town Hall Meetings

 
Kitsap legislators are set to host Town Hall Meetings this weekend to offer an opportunity for constituents to learn about the issues facing the 2010 Legislature — now in session through mid-March — and to share ideas for balancing the state budget and promoting economic recovery. The events are free and open to the general public.

State Reps. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) and Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) will host two local town hall meetings for constituents of the 23rd Legislative District:

9:30-11 a.m.
Bainbridge Island High School Commons
9330 NE High School Road
Bainbridge Island

1- 2:30 p.m.
Eagles Nest
1195 NW Fairgrounds Rd
Bremerton

Meanwhile, Sen. Derek Kilmer and Rep. Larry Seaquist will hold three meetings in the 26th Legislative District:

Noon
Bremer Student Center at Olympic College
1600 Chester Ave.
Bremerton

2 p.m.
Givens Community Center
1026 Sidney Ave.
Port Orchard

4 p.m.
Peninsula High School Auditorium
14105 Purdy Drive NW
Gig Harbor

Marathon Man

  

There aren't many people in the Legislature with a more well-earned reputation for hard work than Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor), and his chairmanship yesterday of a marathon session of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee only emphasize his dedication.

A typical committee session in Olympia is scheduled for two hours, but yesterdays hearings in Kilmer's committee included four related bills that would attract a larger-than-usual slate of advocates hoping to testify, including:

• SB 6276 (Granting the University of Washington tuition-setting authority)

• SB 6562 (Regarding tuition-setting authority at institutions of higher education)

• SB 6509 (Modifying the budget recommendations developed by the higher education coordinating board to include recommendations on tuition and fees)

• SB 6625 (Changing higher education tuition and financial aid provisions)

So many people showed up to offer testimony and comments that a second hearing room was opened up to accommodate them; they could witness the hearings via a live video feed and were notified when they were "up to bat" for testimony in the main hearing room.


Kilmer had the insight to schedule these bills for hearings during a committee meeting at the end of the day: without having to vacate the rooms for another committee, he could ensure that everyone who wanted to testify had their voices heard and their comments entered into the record.


What was scheduled to be a two-hour session ran to over three hours - you can watch the entire thing on TVW below.