Yesterday’s meeting to discuss Evergreen’s response to the Governor’s proposed 2010 supplemental budget was attended by a mix of students and staff. Dixon McReynolds, student trustee, spoke to the dire situation all Washingtonians find themselves in at the mid-point of the 2009-2011 biennium. McReynolds, who spent the 2009 session as an intern in Senator Adam Kline’s office and will serve during the 2010 session as an aide for Senator Debbie Regala, has a broad range of knowledge on legislative issues and a lot of experience when it comes to navigating the complicated venue of state government. His goals this session are to engage effectively with students during the budget-writing process so that when it comes time for the Board of Trustees to vote on Evergreen’s final budget, he has as much input as possible from the student body.

Also present at the meeting was Geoduck Student Union (GSU)  liaison Josie Jarvis, who offered to connect any interested students with the Washington Student Association (WSA). The WSA is a lobbying service provided to the student body and paid for by student fees, and each participating institution of higher learning has student representatives to WSA from student government organizations. This year Evergreen’s liaison is GSU representative Colin Bartlett. Josie encouraged students at the town hall meeting to approach her if they are interested in participating in WSA’s lobby efforts this year. WSA’s website is http://www.wastudents.org

Evergreen’s Executive Director of Operational Planning and Budget Steve Trotter was on hand to translate some of the more esoteric elements of the budget, and he and Director of Governmental Relations Julie Suchanek offered their support and knowledge to students interested in the budget process.

A few people present indicated their lack of exposure to the legislative process, and specifically shared their hesitance at visiting the capitol. Students interested in contacting their legislators have the following resources available:

• http://leg.wa.gov – find information about bills, Senators & Representatives, committee hearings and other issues.
• Email & phone – if you live in Olympia, your legislators are most likely Senator Karen Fraser (D), Representative Brendan Williams (D), and Representative Sam Hunt (D). Their offices are in Olympia, and their staff are all friendly and helpful if you need more information. Here’s how to contact them:

Senator Karen Fraser–  fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov website

404 Legislative Building
PO Box 40422
Olympia, WA 98504-0422
(360) 786-7642
Fax: (360) 786-1999

Representative Brendan Williams – williams.brendan@leg.wa.gov – website

132F Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7940

Representative Sam Hunt – hunt.sam@leg.wa.gov – website

438B Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7992

• If you do not live in Olympia, you can use the legislative web service to find your representatives
• What should you say in an email? An email to your legislator should include your name, address, phone number, the issue or bill number that you are concerned about (if your issue is budget cuts, make sure you are specific about which services or programs you do not want cut).
• What should you say if you call? All Washingtonians can call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993) to let their legislators know how they feel about issues . If you would like to speak instead with a member of your representative’s staff, you can call their office. Let them know what issue you are calling about, how you feel about it, and what if any recommendations you have as alternatives. If you want to schedule an appointment to speak to your legislator, call their office and their staff will help you.