Waiting out Judiciary Committe vote, here's what you can do

We now are awaiting a vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee on House Bill 1307, the student free press bill.

Opposition within the committee seemed to be more vocal and hostile than in the House. However, the opportunity remains to try and sway the opinion of some senators who might be on the fence about voting for the bill and sending it on the Rules Committee.

If you live in Jefferson, Clallam, Grays Harbor and Spokane counties, as well as the Bellevue area, please consider contacting your senator who sits on the Judiciary Committee -- they hold the power to either move this bill on ... or kill it. You can find them through this search engine. You also can contact them through the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000.

The testimony before the committee again was outstanding, as an estimated 100 supporters of the bill descended on the capitol city of Olympia. A standing-room only crowd packed the committee's chambers, and testimony was heard from both supporters and opponents of the bill. You can download audio of the testimony here.

Those speaking on behalf of the bill included legal expert Mike Hiestand, WJEA President Kathy Schrier, WJEA Freedom of Expression Chair Fern Valentine, JEA District Director and Charles Wright Academy pubilcations Adviser Steve Matson, myself, and numerous students.

It's also not too late to contact your senator if don't live in one of those counties. As I found out yesterday with my senator, sometimes just a little personal contact can go a long way!