What We're Working on Now

League of Women Voters^®
of Thurston County

Describes current work League members are doing

Planning Ahead. LWVUS Education Study. LWVUS Privatization of Government Study. Thurston County Sustainable Development Policies. Thurston County Government. County Critical Areas Ordinance. National, State and Local Budgets. Fun in 2010. 2011 Programs. Other Issues.

Planning Retreat - August 13, 2011

The 2011 planning retreat was held on August 13, 2011 at Clydia Cuykendall's home. Summary of 2011 Retreat
To see results of the 2010 planning retreat, see the attached article. Retreat, August 2010

US League Study on Federal Role in Education

In June 2010, the biennial League of Women Voters convention in Atlanta GA approved a study of the Role of the Federal Government in Public Education. The committee and scope for this study were approved by the LWVUS Board of Directors in October 2010. Between November 2010 and Spring 2011, the study materials, leaders' guide, consensus questions, resources and timeline were developed by the study committee, and the consensus questions were approved by the LWVUS Board of Directors in April 2011. Local Leagues are asked to participate in the study and respond to the consensus questions by November 30, 2011.
The Thurston County LWV held two meetings to reach consensus on this study. The following consensus report will will be forwarded to the national League as part of its study.
Consensus Report, October 2011
Consensus Questions for the Study
The following documents are required reading for participation in the consensus process for this study.
Common Core Standards and Assessments, by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD
Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding by Pat Aaron
Funding and Equity Issues by Jean Pierce
Legislation and Funding for the Education Of Children Who are Disadvantaged by Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD
Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill
Additionally, there is a State study related to this topic which may be informative to members participating in this consensus process. Early Care Education Study, September 2008, State of Washington League of Women Voters
For more information, contact Margie Reeves, 360-866-7507 or Cynthia Stewart, 360-413-1210

LWVUS Privatization of Government Study

The national League of Women Voters is sponsoring a study on privatization of government services. The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good.
Study information will be provided soon to local Leagues. Some early reading material on this topic is provided below.
In November 2011 through May 2012, the Thurston County League and other local Leagues will host meetings to educate members and the community and come to consensus. These will be posted on the Calendar page of this web site as they are scheduled.
Suggested Reading:
The Meaning of Privatization, Paul Starr, 1988
Government Privatization: History, Examples and Issues, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, October 2006
Privatization, a Seattle League of Women Voters Study, Sept. 2009

Thurston County Sustainable Development Policies

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has received a multi-year grant for the purpose of developing regional policies for sustainable development. The project will culminate in adoption by each jurisdiction of recommended sustainable development in their respective comprehensive plans. The TRPC requested a League liaison for this project, and the Board designated Cynthia Stewart for that role. Karen Verrill and Carolyn St. Clair also represent the State League, on behalf of the publication, "The State We're In", which will be updated as part of this project.
The Thurston County League has joined together with other groups and individuals to form a coalition for the purpose of studying sustainability issues and providing comments to those working on this policy development project. See the Sustainability Roundtable web site, at http://www.sustainabilityroundtable.net for more information about the coalition.
The TRPC web site has details about their project. See it at http://www.SustainableThurston.org.
Cynthia Stewart produces a status report on this project every week or so. Here is the most recent report. TRPC Sustainable Development Plan Status as of October 19, 2011

Thurston County Government

On June 24, a study group presented their report on Thurston County government, which identified both structural issues and financial issues that need to be addressed. The study was about the county but includes options for solutions that involve other municipal governments as well. In September, the membership will be asked to form a consensus position that expands upon the current position. The full study or excerpts are both available.
Options for County Government, excerpts
Options for Local Government, June 2010
Current Position on Thurston County Government
Consensus Meeting Discussion Guide
CTED Report re Counties, 2007
Appendices to CTED Report: Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Summary of Appendices

Thurston County Critical Areas Ordinance

The Thurston County League is following the County's development of a critical areas ordinance (CAO). The Thurston County League has actively encouraged and supported the development of a strong and effective CAO for many years. Though there have been been many delays in completing this project, the current Commissioners appear committed to protecting the County's resources responsibly and have demonstrated that commitment by adopting the following goals:

Cultural Resource and Identity Preservation We [the Board of County Commissioners] are committed to protecting the natural beauty and cultural richness of Thurston County including key elements such as working farms, native forests, and our rural character. Preserving resources of cultural and historical importance is also a priority. We will take steps to fully implement the county's transfer of development rights program to preserve agricultural lands and open space.

Environmental Sustainability The Board [of County Commissioners] supports a quality physical environment for the future + one that assures land use and transportation patterns are sustainable over time. This means curtailing sprawl, supporting transportation alternatives that consume less space and energy, and encouraging economic development that produces "green jobs." It also includes strengthening Thurston County's internal sustainability policies regarding purchasing, public facilities and waste reduction. In addition to completing and adopting an update of the Critical Areas Ordinance, we will work with other jurisdictions on climate change issues.

To see draft chapters of the proposed Critical AReas Ordinance, see the Thurston County planning department's web site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/critical_areas/criticalareas-chapters.html.
Hearings are pending before the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. To get information about the hearings, you can sign up at the Planning Department web site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/contact/constant_contact.html.
For more information, see the Thurston County links above or contact Thurston County League member Peggy Bruton, gimleteye@comcast.net.

National, State and Local Budgets

Every level of government is struggling financially for resources to accomplish their missions. In Thurston County, a number of members are investigating how these budgets work. The public is encouraged to read along with our members.
For participation in America Speaks, a national town hall meeting on the federal budget, League members are reading Federal Budget 101. For a summary of the national results of this town hall event held on June 26, read America Speaks press release, 6/26/10.
The State of Washington budget will affect many citizens in Thurston County, so League members here are also reading Transforming Washington's Budget, June 2010. For a description of the 2011 budget development process, see the Governor's press release about it, 2011 State Budget Process.
And in conjunction with its study of County government, League members are updating themselves on the status of Thurston County's General Fund by reading this quarterly update June 2010 General Fund Update.

Fun in 2010

See photos of League members at Olympia's annual Lakefair event in July. Thurston County Suffragettes on Parade
See photos of Thurston County League members at the Day of Jubilation, November 8, 2010 (credit to Stefanie Felix, Stefanie Felix Photography, (206) 729-6655, http://www.stefaniefelix.com) Day of Jubilation. Additional pictures are also available on the Secretary of State web site, http://www.sos.wa.gov/gallery/default.aspx?l=Suffrage-Centennial.

2011 Programs

Presentation materials used for programs in 2011 can be accessed here. (Note that not all programs had formal presentations suitable for uploading onto this web site.)
LOTT (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater & Thurston County Wastewater Treatment System), April 2011 LOTT Presentation
Legislative Update, March 2011. State LWV Legislative Report http://www.lwvwa.org/positions.html.
Olympia Stormwater Management, February 2011 Stormwater Presentation
Thurston County Financing, January 2011 Financing Presentation

Other Issues

Thurston County League President Clydia Cuykendall and Board member Pat Dickason, who is also a State League Board member, attended this year's State League Convention in Tri-Cities in May. See their report to the Thurston County League on this event. Cuykendall & Dickason Report on State League 2011 Convention
Some of the Thurston County LWV members are members of the State Lobby Team. And some work on issues for other Leagues. The following summary of the federal Health Care Reform bill passed earlier this year was prepared by one of our members at the request of another League chapter. What is in the federal Health Care Reform bill

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 3, 2012 12:26 PST.