In Search of Innovation: SB 5442

AN ACT Relating to an accelerated baccalaureate degree program....(SB5442) 

This legislative session a lot of tough choices have had to been made. Ever now and then a the legislature comes up with a logical and cost effective change versus the number of increase growth and cost of government. In the first part of march i worked with a could school in Olympia to lobby and learn more about what is going on with higher education reform. One of the things I stressed is a push for innovation not just reduction or growth of a program.  SB5442 would allow the university to create a fast track three year degree, such as a honors program or adjust what many student dread, the general education requirements.  The idea of this bill is to allow students the choice to take a hard course load so they could graduate sooner. So those that have a specific goal or dream and get the education they need and get out into the world sooner.

This program would save students time and money and the state money, as the state subsidies a large amount of tuition for state schools. I hope to see more bills such as this come out of Olympia. As the saying going; 

"If we want something we have never had, we have to do something we have never done"

I think finally our legislators are getting the idea. If you love or hate the bill let your legislature know so maybe we can have more innovation in our state and local governments.

Privatizing the liquor board......again?

With our states economy a little worse for wear, the state legislatures are turning to some older ideas to save the state money and increase revenue.

"A new initiative to privatize state liquor sales has been filed with the Secretary of State's office. In November, Washington voters rejected two ballot initiatives to privatize liquor sales. But conservative blogger Stefan Sharkansky says his new proposal would maintain tax revenue and impose tighter control on private liquor sales. He helped craft last year's Initiative 1100. Sharkansky's initiative would only allow stores with a five-year record of no public safety violations to sell liquor, seeking to allay last year's fears of minors gaining easier access to alcohol. 

Private retailers would collect liquor sales tax at the current level, so the state would still receive revenue to continue public service programs. Sharkansky says privatization would allow the state Liquor Control Board to focus on controlling liquor, rather than promoting it."(Seattle Times)

During the election season both initiatives that were on the ballet regarding this issue failed. But when the state is looking for any way to save a few bucks, legislation like this doesn't sound to far off any more. If you reduce regulation you thus increase sale and taxation of said goods..... Sounds good to me! With the controversy of the Four Loko debacle forgotten my most voters, it will be interesting to see how our state feels about the bill now. Though trial comes creativity and ingenuity. I hope to see more bills of this nature coming out of Olympia in the future. I think it is time for our state to look at innovative ways to change the structure of our government instead of looking for more people or goods they can squeeze for taxes.