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July 22, 2009 |
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Wednes
Bob
Markholt, apprenticeship leader and union activist, dies at 70
With his beloved family by his side, Bob Markholt passed away at Swedish Medical Center on July 19 from complications of lymphoma. An informal gathering will be held at the Garfield Community Center at 23rd Avenue and East Cherry Street (2323 E. Cherry Street) in Seattle on Thursday, July 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. for Bob's family, friends, students and community members. Read more.
Murray to Senate: Health care reform this year!
On
Tuesday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray delivered a speech on the floor of the
Senate calling on her colleagues to work together to reform the broken
health care system this year, and telling the stories of two Washington
state constituents who had lost their jobs, lost their health care, and
ultimately lost their lives. Senator Murray discussed the need for health
care reform that will rein in costs and ensure that all Americans have high
quality, affordable coverage. Read
more.
► In today's Wash. Post -- Senate Finance panel takes careful approach to crafting bill -- While the issue of health-care reform has divided Democrats in the House and stirred relentless GOP attacks, members of the Senate Finance Committee (including Sen. Maria Cantwell) have seemingly ignored the hubbub, and a presidential deadline, as they huddle daily in pursuit of a breakthrough bill. Finance members said the committee was leaning against requiring employers to provide health coverage, although it would impose a fee on individuals who do not purchase insurance. They also said the panel had rejected the government health plan that Obama wants to create and would instead adopt a cooperative model, similar to rural electricity providers.
► In today's Bellingham Herald -- Gregoire: Obama needs to keep pushing on health care -- The governor says that Congress must quickly approve reform, adding that if Congress doesn't act it could be years before there is another opportunity to fix the nation's health care system.
► In today's Bellingham Herald -- Democrats, teabaggers go after Larsen on health care -- The Whatcom County Democrats express "profound disappointment" with Larsen's lack of support for a public option. He says he can't support a public option because it would be based on Medicare reimbursement rates that are unfair to Washington health providers and residents.
► At Publicola -- Is Rep. Inslee the key? -- If Rep. Jay Inslee can sell his progressive ideas as remedies for ballooning costs to the conservative Democrats -- replacing fee-for-service profits with result-oriented programs, for example -- Obama will have the Blue Dogs in his corner.
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TAKE ACTION TODAY The strategy of the insurance companies and others who hope to kill health care reform is DELAY. They want to slow the process down until the 2010, in hopes that the impending election (and their campaign money) will have even more influence on Congress. We need to make sure Congress hears our message: WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT! We need real health reform with a robust public option for insurance coverage. YOU can deliver that message! CALL U.S. REP. JAY INSLEE TODAY at 202-225-6311 (preferred), 800-422-5521 or 206-361-2033. The only committee in the House that has not yet moved HB 3200, the House health care reform bill, out of committee is the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Jay Inslee is a member of that committee. Please call and e-mail him TODAY and urge him to vote to move that bill out of his committee. Attend
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith's Health Care Town Hall Meeting this
Saturday, July 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Milgard Family HOPE
Center, 10402
Kline St. SW in Lakewood. Make plans to attend and bring a friend
or family member to support health care reform NOW with a robust
public option. RSVP via
e-mail or by calling 253-593-6600. "We Can't Afford
to Wait" rally underscoring the human cost of delaying health
care reform will be held Tuesday, July 28 at 11:45 a.m. at the Seattle
Federal Building, 915
2nd Ave. (2nd & Marion).
RSVP to Lori Province how many
people you or your organization can bring. |
More health care news:
► From AP -- Obama may have to wait for health reform passage -- Instead of votes in the House and Senate by August, the best Democrats may be able to hope for this summer is action by the full House by the end of the month and some sort of agreement on a bipartisan plan in the Senate before lawmakers head home for vacation.
► In today's NY Times -- Conservative Democrats push health bill changes -- Fiscally conservative House Democrats are forcing party leaders to slow the pace of major health care legislation so Congress and the president can address their concerns about its cost, its impact on small businesses and the shape of a proposed new government health insurance plan.
► In today's Wash. Post -- Like car insurance, health insurance may be mandated -- Known as an individual mandate, it is among the most far-reaching changes envisioned this year by those pushing for health-care reform. And it is one of the few common threads running through all three bills before Congress, increasing the likelihood it will survive the legislative process.
► In today's NY Times -- In health care fight, defining moment nears for president -- Tonight, Obama addresses the nation in a prime-time news conference as the public, and lawmakers, are growing skittish over his next big plan, to remake the U.S. health care system. How he handles the issue over the next several weeks could shape the rest of his presidency, shedding light on his political strength, his relationship with both parties in Congress and his appetite to fight for his agenda.
► In today's Washington Post -- Imperfect health reform still beats status quo (Steven Pearlstein column) -- Among the range of options for health-care reform, there's one that is sure to raise your taxes, increase your out-of-pocket medical expenses, swell the federal deficit, leave more Americans without insurance and guarantee that wages will remain stagnant. That's the option of doing nothing.
More health care obstruction:
► Today at NYTimes.com -- Chamber starts ad campaign against Obama on health care -- The Chamber announces a series of ads beginning tomorrow to oppose health care proposals that include a public plan. (Contact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-638-6582 and urge them to stop their campaign of obstruction. Business owners who are members of your local Chambers: Do you have the ability to prevent your money from being used on political spending that you don't agree with? Union members can opt out, can you?)
► At Huffington Post -- Internal Republican memo: "Engage in every activity" to slow down reform -- As for a GOP alternative to Obama's agenda, the RNC memo doesn't offer much in the way of details, save to make the argument that the status quo isn't as bad as it is being painted.
► In today's Washington Post -- Health insurance industry spins data in fight against public plan -- In opposing a public insurance option, the leader of the insurance lobby told lawmakers: "77% of Americans are satisfied with their existing health insurance coverage." But she didn't mention that the same poll found that, by 72% to 20%, Americans favor the creation of a public plan.
Local news:
| Cap-and-Trade
and Green Jobs Conference The Washington State Labor Council will host the Cap and Trade and Green Jobs Conference from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5 at the Coast Wenatchee Hotel to explain national climate change and energy policy initiatives that will affect every working family in Washington state. The conference is being held the day before the WSLC's 2009 Convention convenes in Wenatchee so delegates are encouraged to come a day early and participate in this important conference. Learn more or REGISTER ONLINE! |
► In today's Columbian -- State pushed to limit TransAlta emissions -- In what could become a national test case, four national and regional conservation groups have told the Southwest Clean Air Agency that it has "the legal mandate and the moral obligation" to limit carbon dioxide emissions from Washington's only coal-fired electrical plant.
► In today's Oregonian -- Wind power throws curve at BPA -- The BPA has seen the amount of wind power flowing onto its grid nearly double in each of the past four years. That surge not only taxes the existing transmission system, most of which is operated by the BPA, but relying on such an intermittent resource has also posed reliability issues for the hydro system.
► In today's Spokesman-Review -- Union contracts contentious issue in six-way council race -- City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin voted against two employee contracts that she says the city can’t afford, stirring criticism from unions and one of her primary election opponents, who points to her helping create a commission that raised council pay from $18,000 a year to $30,000.
► In the Issaquah Press -- Issaquah offers severance package to city employees -- The city faces a $3.6 million budget shortfall, forcing city officials to consider layoffs and program cuts. The number of layoffs will hinge on how many city staffers accept a voluntary severance package.
Boeing news:
► From AP -- Boeing profit up 17%; no update on 787 schedule -- The second-quarter profit topped expectations, largely on growth in defense programs. The Chicago-based company says it will announce a revised schedule for its long-delayed 787 jetliner in the third quarter.
►
In today's Seattle Times -- Boeing
787 may not fly this year -- The structural flaw that delayed the first
flight of the 787 is more complex than originally described by the company,
and its inaugural takeoff is likely at least four to six months away, say
two engineers with knowledge of the problem. (The 787 is already more than
two years behind schedule, or 12 "strikes," a 2-month unit of
measurement based on the 2008 Machinists strike some blame for Boeing's
woes. This latest problem extends the 787 delay by at least two to three
more strikes.)
► In today's Everett Herald -- House to debate tanker deal today -- The appropriations committee will discuss the $35 billion tanker contract when it reviews the 2010 defense spending bill during a hearing this morning. House appropriators have written legislation that allows the Air Force to buy up to 36 tankers annually. That’s a faster pace than what the Pentagon had planned.
► In today's Hartford Courant -- Pratt & Whitney threatens to shut down plant -- Blaming "the downturn in the global economy and its impact on the aerospace industry," the company threatens to shut down one of its three Connecticut plants that employs about 1,000 people. Pratt intends to negotiate with the Machinists union over alternatives to closure.
National news:
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IFPTE President Junemann withdraws as candidate for AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer
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► In today's Washington Post -- Crowded prisons endanger workers, union says -- The stomach-turning catalogue of violence against federal prison employees, provided by the American Federation of Government Employees, is long, serious and apparently unending. The assaults are sometimes fatal. (AFGE’s Council of Prison Locals is circulating an online petition urging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to order the use of appropriated funds to hire more officers, fire Bush-era BOP Director Harley Lappin and hire 9,000 additional correctional officers. Read more.)
► In today's NY Times -- Obama wins crucial Senate vote on F-22s -- With political capital on the line, Obama wins a crucial victory in the 58-40 vote to strip $1.75 billion in financing for seven more F-22 fighters the Air Force doesn't want. (Both Sens. Murray and Cantwell voted "no" in the losing effort to retain the F-22 funding. Murray defends her vote here.)
Legislative
news:
► See the 2009 WSLC Legislative Report and Voting Record summarizing this year's session and outlining the WSLC's new strategy for political endorsements and advocacy.
► At SeattlePI.com -- Basic Health Plan waiting list more than doubles -- The waiting list for state-subsidized health coverage for the neediest residents has gone up 127% in three months. There were 17,000 people on the list in April. There are more than 38,000 now.
► In today's Seattle Times -- Californian dream of end to fiscal nightmare (editorial) -- (This editorial blames excessive spending for both states' budget crises but, in explaining why our state's problems weren't as severe as California's, the Times points out:) Washington taxes corporate revenue; California taxes corporate profit. When a recession hits, profit falls more.
WEDNESDAY,
JULY 22, 2009
Bob Markholt, apprenticeship and union
activist, dies at 70
The following obituary appears in today's edition of the Seattle Times:
Bob was born in Seattle on February 1, 1937, to the late Ottilie (Kepner) Markholt and the late Bob Dombroff. Bob and his brother Lee grew up on a small farm in Parkland, Washington. Bob graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science and from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington State University in St. Louis with a Masters degree.
He was a passionate and committed union activist and lifelong advocate for social justice. His rich life experiences included work as a social worker, a timber faller, a meat cutter and a founder of several worker cooperatives. Bob was the recruiter for the Apprenticeship Opportunities Project at Center for Career Alternatives. He became part of the tenured faculty at Seattle Vocational Institute and built on his own experience with community issues to create his "life's work", the dynamic Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training program (PACT).
Bob brought the perfect combination of compassion and tough love, together with his own dedication, persistence and ability, to help his students overcome obstacles, change their lives, and build self- esteem, self-respect and self-sufficiency. Bob believed deeply in his students, and worked tirelessly for their success. With an unprecedented success rate, the PACT program helped students find opportunities as carpenters, electricians, brick layers, laborers, painters, sheet metal workers, cement masons, plumbers, and roofers. Bob's vision led to a recent expansion of the program to help students outreach to green jobs.
A friend, mentor and life coach, Bob taught positive thinking, perseverance and accountability for personal actions to give disadvantaged young men and women a message of hope and guidance for a way out of poverty through education and acquired skill. Bob was awarded the Washington Association of Occupational Educators Annual Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007.
He served on many boards and organizations in the community including the Washington State Labor Council Committee for Job Retention/Economic Development, Governor's Advisory Board for Employee Ownership, Rainier Chamber of Commerce committees on Youth, Education and Social Service and Regional Transit, CAMP Youthbuild Advisory Board, Secretary/Treasurer of the Northwest Community Ser vices Food Bank, Seattle Area Public Health and Safety Net work Board Member, Pee Wee Division Coach of the Rainier District Little League, Founding Board Member of Schools First!, Steering Committee Member of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, the Garfield Community Center, and Board Member of the Seattle Community College Federation of Teachers Local 1789.
Bob is survived by his wife Mary Alice Theiler; his brother Lee Markholt; his children Bobby Markholt (Sherry), Anneke Markholt, Joe Markholt (Sona), Lee Markholt, Al Markholt (Mau de), and John Theiler; his grandchildren Amanda, Dustin and Uriah; his great-grandchildren Caleb, Zyniah, and Mary Cathe rine; his nieces Lee Ann, Anna and Amy; and his many students, co-workers and dear friends.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the community for their many acts of kindness and support, and are deeply grateful to the doctors and nursing staff at the Swedish Medical Center for their compassionate care.
An informal gathering will be held at the Garfield Community Center at 23rd Avenue and East Cherry Street (2323 E. Cherry Street) in Seattle on Thursday, July 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. for Bob's family, friends, students and community members. A formal Memorial Celebration will be scheduled in August. Tax-deductible memorial contributions may be made to SVI-PACT and sent to the attention of Diane Davies, 2120 S. Jackson Street, Seattle WA 98144.
WEDNESDAY,
JULY 22, 2009
Murray
to Senate: Health care reform this year!
She shares stories of
constituents who lost jobs, coverage -- and their lives
On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate calling on her colleagues to work together to reform the broken health care system this year, and telling the stories of two Washington state constituents who had lost their jobs, lost their health care, and ultimately lost their lives. Senator Murray discussed the need for health care reform that will rein in costs and ensure that all Americans have high quality, affordable coverage.
In
her speech on the floor of the Senate, Senator Murray shared with her
colleagues stories sent to her by Rita
Johnson from Seattle and Kathleen Smith from Puyallup.
Excerpts from Senator Murray’s speech:
“I think the fact that these stories are possible in the greatest and richest country in the world is simply shameful. No son should lose a mother simply because she cannot afford care. And no family should have to watch a loved one suffer because insurance companies – instead of doctors – are making the decisions. This is why we need to reform our health care system this year.”
“So when I hear some of my colleagues from across the aisle saying that we should slow down, saying that we should take more time, or that we are trying to reform health care too fast. And when I see them shrugging off every attempt we have made at engaging and bringing them into the process, I think of Kelly, and I think of Janet. And I think of all of the families out there right now with sick husbands, sick wives, sick children. And I think of small business owners who can’t afford to cover their employees, people who have coverage but are worried about losing it in this uncertain economy, or the working Americans who are paying a ‘hidden tax’ in the form of rising premiums in order to cover those Americans who don’t have access to care And as a mother and a Senator I say enough is enough.”
“We cannot continue to play politics with the most important thing to our nation’s families- the health of their loved ones. They say that justice delayed is justice denied, well, health care delayed is too often health care denied. It was denied to Kelly, it was denied to Janet, and it gets denied to more Americans every single day we wait.”
The stories were among over 5,000 stories sent to Senator Murray through her new website murray.senate.gov/healthcarereform.
Copyright © 2009 -- Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO