It is with extreme pleasure and excitement I announce that Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th Legislative District, Deputy Majority Whip and Chair of the Washington State House of Representatives Environment Committee will be our next guest speaker sharing his thoughts and plans for Washington State and the Seattle Puget Sound Area at our next meet up.
Where: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery and Restaurant
1201 First Ave S. (across from the sports stadium - free parking in their lot
subject to availability.)
Date: Saturday, 11/8/14
Time: 12:30 - 3:00 - Please arrive on time. No seating allowed after 1:00pm
Cost: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your
choice of food from a limited-choice menu)
Why: Meet Rep. Fitzgibbon and share ideas!
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon’s Biography taken from his website:
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon was elected to represent Washington State’s 34th District in 2010. Prior to his election, Joe served as a legislative staffer in state and local government and as the Chair of the Burien Planning Commission.
As a state representative, Joe serves as the Chair of the Environment Committee. He also serves on the Transportation Committee, Finance Committee, and Local Government Committee. Joe has worked on the Transportation Committee to expand transit, and to make walking and bicycling safer.
Joe has successfully passed into law environmental reforms that improve the functioning of those laws without compromising environmental protections.
He has strongly advocated for cleaning up Puget Sound, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting and improving Washington’s land use laws, and expanding access to the electoral process for historically disenfranchised populations like low-income people and youth.
From the Washington State Legislative website:
The House Environment Committee considers issues relating to the State Environmental Policy Act, air quality, aquatic lands, oil spill prevention, recycling and solid waste, hazardous waste, toxics, climate change, and parks and recreation. The committee also oversees the Puget Sound Partnership’s activities in Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Quotes from Joe Fitzgibbon:
On climate change, May 6, 2014:
I applaud Governor Inslee for his leadership on this urgent issue that requires immediate action.
Climate change is one of the most present and serious problems facing our communities. It threatens our modern lifestyle and economy in ways almost too numerous and scary to list.
The University of Oregon found that the effects of climate change on water supplies, public health, coastal and storm damage, wildfires, and other impacts, will cost Washington nearly $10 billion PER YEAR after 2020 without mitigating actions being taken. If we take action sooner, these costs will be markedly lower.
Climate change also presents us with an amazing opportunity to transform our economy in a way that positions Washington in its rightful place as a leader on environmental conservation and preservation. The available solutions can help dig us out of a sluggish recovery, preserve our planet for future generations, and make Washington an even more prosperous place to live through an influx of new, exciting, and forward thinking industries...
On transit, 6/30/14:
What would the 34th district look like if bus service suddenly vanished? Take a minute to imagine what changes our community would undergo.
Seniors would no longer be able to get to medical appointments.
Thousands more cars would be on the road each day, spewing carbon into the air and jamming up our streets.
People who cannot afford to own a car would be stranded and unable to get to work or to local businesses.
While the possibility of bus service completely vanishing in our neighborhoods is quite small, the possibility of dramatically reduced service is very real...
On education, March 11, 2014:
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) today introduced HB 2803, setting a price on emissions of climate change causing carbon pollution and using the proceeds to meet the legislature’s obligation to fund basic education laid out in McCleary v. State of Washington.
“By the 2017-19 biennium, the state needs to secure an additional $4 billion to fund our schools. This bill provides one pathway to finding that revenue in a way that helps us achieve our statutorily targeted greenhouse gas reductions,” Fitzgibbon said.
The bill would place a $10 tax on each metric ton of carbon dioxide emitting in the 2015-17 biennium and increase the tax to $20 in the 2017-19 biennium. Even at this higher level, the tax would still be lower than the $30 (Canadian, $27 US) tax on each metric ton currently in place in British Columbia.
Because we are all part of Daily KOS we have the clout to attract influential guest speakers. Your participation in these events assists greatly in this effort.
I've said this before but let me say it again.
Our group is the hub of a wheel with spokes emanating from that hub. A place where people can share their reasons for being part of Daily KOS. A place where people can inform others of their activist efforts so like-minded individuals can connect. A place where we can invite others to join our community. A place to make new members feel welcome and connected. And a forum giving us the opportunity to hear from our local leaders and us a chance to share our ideas with them. And a place to gather and have a good time.
I do hope you can join us at the Pyramid on Saturday, November 8, 2014 to spend some quality time with Representative Joe Fitzgibbon.
Please RSVP in comments or send me an e-mail to reserve your seat. See you all there!
Thanks for all you do!
#stronger united - Connect, Unite, Act
Please note: As previously discussed and agreed to there will NOT be a meet up during the month of December. Next get together will be sometime in January. Exact date yet to be determined. J. C.