the power of the tweet!

Great news. I just sent an email to Veronica Shakotko <shakotko.veronica@leg.wa.gov> asking her for some more details on the work session. She's the one that sent me the invite via twitter. Would like to know what format we're looking at as well as how much time we would be afforded to speak. I've already started doing some research on Baumgartner attempting to learn more about his background. I figure the more we know going in the better.

Found the following information about the work session:

http://app.leg.wa.gov/mobile/meeting...2017%2013%3A30

Commerce, Labor & Sports - 1/18/2017 1:30:00 PM
Full Committee

Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504

Work Session
Wine, Beer & Spirits: Economic impacts on Washington state.
Online poker.

I was part of the PPA lobbying day several years ago, but haven't testified in a committee before. Found some good advice/information here:

http://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Testify.aspx

Looking like anyone can show up, sign in, and have a chance to testify. I know a guy up north that I think will want to participate as well.

We're only going to have an hour, if that. But a good crowd showing up if only for support would be great

We did our thing. Curt did great. John Pappas did great. Me? Meh. I said what I wanted to say, but don't think it hit home with our senators. Too easy for me to just get angry over the whole mess and lose my rational train of thought.

Thanks Curt and FBG!

You got some press! ---> http://www.geekwire.com/2017/online-...-legalization/

I saw the article and posted it on Facebook. At the time it seemed the right thing to do, but I'm having a tough time with some responsibilities I have to the school district I teach at. I figured being a math teacher in a high school for a long time teaching Advanced Placement classes brings a bit or credibility to the stage, but dragging my school district into it brings some attention that they might not want. My superintendent got called by two news outlets looking for a quote. He supports what I was doing, but the district I teach in is pretty conservative.

I also had a few friends tell me they heard some bits on KIRO radio. I considered contacting them to see if they wanted another interview of something similar, but I think now I'm going to let it go. I won't mind testifying again if given the opportunity. Now that I got to sit back and listen to Pappas show how it should be done I have a better idea of the path we should take. We need to focus on making it a safe playing environment for players that are already playing.

I don't think admitting to being a felon was constructive, not sure how well a plea from a law breaker to change the law so they're no longer a law breaker plays. Better to speak in the abstract, allude to players still playing, while preserving 5th Amendment protection

Don't get discouraged though, this isn't over. It was an opportunity to meet Mr. Stebbins face to face, albeit only briefly, and perhaps that will lead to futher discussion. Changing his position would be huge.

What we do now is prepare for December. I'm going to write three bills, and make sure at least one is introduced in both chambers next year. We need to meet individually with all the members of the Senate Committee (with perhaps the execption of Dino Rossi, who won't be there in the next session) and pursuade them action is warranted. To do this, we need to find a player in each member's district to arrange a meeting with their senator, and we'll tag along to help spread the message.

Just how prepared we are will matter a lot

Thanks, Curt. Always willing to give of my time and energy to help. Just let me know what I can do.