Impeach Bush and Cheney: Hold impeachment signs at street corners: Passing motorists show tremendous support! Dates, locations, and times may vary, so contact Janet Jordan 352-0779 jordanjanet@hotmail.com. Sponsor: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney, www.CitizensImpeach.org.

Voter-Owned Elections: On March 17 Governor Gregoire signed the Local Option bill recently passed by the Legislature. This law restores the opportunity for a city, town or county to offer public financing for campaigns for local office if its voters choose to create such a program. Rich special interests have been exercising too much power over elections. Under a program of Voter-Owned Elections, public financing levels the financial playing field. A candidate who demonstrates support from a minimum number of voters in their district can qualify for public funds to run a primary campaign. In exchange, they agree to campaign spending ceilings, running their campaign only on the public funds provided, and accepting no private funds. This system works well to elect state legislators in Maine and Arizona, supreme court judges in North Carolina, and city council members in Portland, Oregon. Voters and candidates alike find these “Clean Election” or “Voter-Owned Election” programs to be very workable and satisfying. More states and localities are considering them. They are affordable to the public, and they stop the spiraling costs of campaigns. They are nonpartisan in design and result. They favor neither incumbents nor challengers. Instead, public financing means election outcomes are determined by issues and voters, not by who can raise the most money. More information in our state is available at Washington Public Campaigns, www.washclean.org.

Legislative victories for four environmental priorities: The Olympia FOR’s December-January issue (page 5) highlighted “Priorities for a Healthy Washington,” four pieces of legislation that many environmental and other progressive groups were supporting. All of them passed! Climate Action & Green Jobs (HB2815) sets responsible limits on climate pollution, sets a path for creating a “green jobs” economy, and reduces miles traveled – which is a key step given the fact that half of our global warming pollution comes from cars and trucks. Local Solutions to Global Warming (SB6580) will help local governments make land use and zoning decisions that reduce driving and meet the growing demand for green, walkable communities. Evergreen Cities (HB2844) helps retain and replant trees in urban areas to reduce storm water flooding and pollution. The trees also will absorb CO2 and protect our quality of life. Local Farms - Healthy Kids (SB6483) will make Washington a national leader in the local food movement by getting more Washington grown produce into our schools and food banks, thus improving children’s health and creating new and thriving markets for our farmers. These four successes show the power of involving many nonprofit organizations in setting priorities and the power of focusing efforts on the top priorities.

Tues April 15: Income Tax Day: Do you want your money spent for war? All across the nation people use April 15 as an opportunity to inform the public about how much of our tax money goes to war – and what the government should be doing instead. Will there be a Tax Day event in Olympia? Yes, if you would organize it. What could you and your friends do? Information and resources are at www.nwtrcc.org and www.wartaxboycott.org/tools.html and www.warresisters.org/flyers. The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee can be phoned toll-free at (800) 269-7464

Iraq Moratorium – Ideas and Tools: On the third Friday of each month people across the nation are encouraged to organize local participation in a nationwide Iraq Moratorium. People can find ways to stop business as usual and devote special time and attention to stopping the occupation of Iraq. The website www.IraqMoratorium.org offers a pledge signup sheet, postcards related to the 4,000th US troop death, a sample news release, and other resources. Don’t expect people in big cities to carry the load for us, because grassroots people live everywhere, and each of us is powerful. Info: (512) 772-4557

Cuba: Now what? Now that Fidel Castro has announced his retirement, it’s time for the United States to retire its Cold War-era Cuba Policy! A variety of peace and solidarity organizations urge people to contact our U.S. House and Senate members and urge them to replace our policies of sanctions and isolating Cuba with a new approach. We need to join the rest of the world and engage with Cuba. We want our rights to travel to Cuba restored. We look forward to the day when we can have normal relations with the government of Cuba and the Cuban people.

Volunteers are needed for TCTV crews – and TCTV provides the training: The Olympia FOR relies on volunteer labor to produce our TCTV programs. Sometimes we are short on crew members. Can you help? TCTV provides training, and you can receive this through the Olympia FOR’s organizational membership. If you go through the training please notify the Olympia FOR (491-9093 info@olyfor.org) when you are certified for camera, audio, editing, or other functions. Many programs need volunteers to direct from the control room. Info: 956-3100 www.tctv.net. If you’d like to learn to direct TCTV programs (not necessarily the Olympia FOR’s, but any program), Carol Burns offers to mentor you to help you develop the skills in directing. Carol is at 866-7645 carolburns98@comcast.net

Brown leather glove found after Sat. Dec. 15 Holiday Peace Vigil: Contact the Olympia FOR (360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org) to claim it.

Women’s black sweaters and women’s black leather glovesfound after Fri. Dec. 28 Impeachment Party: Contact the Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney (360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net) to claim them.