The 2008 legislative session ended yesterday.
The creatively called child care center collective bargaining bill did not pass.
This is a thank you moment to the Senators in Washington State. This is not a rah, rah, rah we won moment. This is a moment of appreciation to all the senators who continued to be open, thoughtful and measurably considered in weighing the information that came their way. As always this author appreciates Senator Hargrove's standing in the world and his sense of humor. Senator Kohl-Welles with the amount of pressure coming her way remained gracious and open to receiving information. Senator Holmquist brought strength, vitality and directness to this issue. Senator Eide was also straight forward, flexible and pragmatic in receiving information.
This truly as it unfolded wasn't a Democratic vs Republican issue.
I thank Stu Jacobson of Washington Parents for Safe Child Care for asking me to do the research on this bill and provide that information to the senators. This similar bill in 2006 simply had not been on my radar. As I read the details of the bill, wow, what a surprise.
More and more secrecy has seeped in our American culture.
In my opinion this was a defining moment in Washington state history. There will be many more. Though tremendous pressure was put on the senators, in my opinion, the senators were open to information, research and documentation to help them make the decision that they did.
The senators are to be commended and respected. Though many citizens and parents who send their children to licensed child care were too busy to have the time and energy to get into the complexities of this issue; we who could step up to the plate and be researcher and voice for them were gratified to do so.
Our Native Elders tell us the decisions we make today effect seven generations of children going forward.
We gathered, we spoke, we pow-wowed and those holding elected office listened in a measurably significant way. We thank the senators.
