STATE GOVERNMENT
Amid budget slog, advocates for children, parks rally
Coordinated by the 40,000-member Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME, the advocates will stage four noontime “Vigils to Protect Kids,” including one on the doorstep of the State Capitol, and a rally for adequate parks funding at the popular St. Edward State Park in Kenmore.
TAKE A STAND! All union members and community supporters of the Public Service Matters coalition are invited to attend the Vigils to Protect Kids at noon on Thursday, June 11 at the following four locations:
OLYMPIA — Along Capitol Way, near Tivoli Fountain, Capitol Campus
EVERETT — DSHS-Children’s Administration office, 840 N. Broadway, gathering at corner of Broadway and Tower (northwest corner).
TACOMA — DSHS-Children’s Administration office, Centennial Building, 1949 S. State St. (southwest corner of building)
VANCOUVER — DSHS-Children’s Administration office, 907 Harney St.
The WFSE reports that the Senate budget proposal ignores the fact that, in order to keep kids safe, an additional 107 positions must be funded, as proposed by the House. Advocates say without this funding, the lives of children are at stake. Right now, Children’s Administration staff oversee 19,124 children, according to numbers from DSHS. And that number of children at risk grows every day.
TAKE ANOTHER STAND! Later Thursday, from 3:45 to 5 p.m., join the Stand Up for Parks rally at St. Edward State Park, 14445 Juanita Drive N.E. in Kenmore.
Advocates say the Senate budget falls short on funding our state parks. They’re pushing for a final compromise budget at the House level of $26 million. Otherwise, they say, parks will continue to decline in services and suffer “death by dilapidation.”
Coming up: The WFSE Executive Board has escalated job actions set for next week to full-blown “Unity Rallies” likely to hit more worksites than the May 20 “Unity Breaks.”
The growing list of June 18 events is posted online.