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Washington: Sen. Mike Carrell

June 1, 2009 - 12:21 pm
NEWS FEED: News Tribune

This week at Tacoma City Hall

By Ian Demsky

Here's what's on tap for the Tacoma City Council this week.

A Tuesday's study session, Council members will get an update form State Sen. Mike Carrell on the 2009 legislative session and homelessness.

On the agenda for Tuesday's regular Council meeting:

*A resolution setting a hearing for June 16 on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code.

*A resolution accepting $321,221 in grant money to enhance preparedness for mass casualty events.

*Some purchasing resolutions including $1.9 million to rehab the East 34th Street Bridge; $118,000 for computer software licensing; $85,000 for car batteries; and $1 million to renew (and increase) the city contract (good through July 2012) for the rental and laundering of uniforms and linens. The garments are mainly for Public Works solid waste and wastewater management employees, and Public Utilities workers, which are provided under labor agreements.

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There have been 36 comments posted in response to this story.

February 26, 2009 - 04:42 pm
NEWS FEED: News Tribune

Death penalty bill died; so did dogs in bars, gay marriage, etc.

By Joe Turner

Majority Senate Democrats put out a list of bills that technically died on Ash Wednesday because they were not approved by the committee to which there were assigned.

But if they were among your favorites, don't go into mourning just yet.

Easter is April 12. And yes, some of these could rise from the dead by then or a couple weeks thereafter.

But just for the record, here are a few bills from the "Dead Bill List."

Sen. Ed Murray's proposal to get rid of the death penalty in Washington did die. So is his proposal to allow same-sex marriages. So too did Sen. Ken Jacobsen's perennial proposal to let him bring his dog into a bar when he goes drinking.

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There have been 24 comments posted in response to this story.

February 16, 2009 - 12:59 pm
NEWS FEED: News Tribune

Carrell bill would restore housing vouchers for ex-cons

By Joe Turner

I haven't had a chance to read Senate Bill 5525 yet, but I know that groups that try to help offenders made the transition back into the community were devastated when former Washington Corrections Secretary Harold Clarke pretty much got rid of the housing voucher program. (Clarke is back East now.)

Ari Kohn, who works in a post-prison education program, was chief critic of Clarke's move. Its replacement is a program that will helps only about one-tenth as many offenders as the old voucher program. The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development was put in charge of organizing "mentored" housing arrangements.

Not sure what the status of that program is.

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There have been 27 comments posted in response to this story.