February 19, 2015 meeting 


There were 20 members, one guest and one guest speaker at the meeting.  Our guest was is the assisted care resident who organizes the plastic egg preparers at the Cheney Care Center.  Bob reported that 5 members will visit the Medical Lake club at noon on February 25 at the Pizza Factory. 




Our speaker was Chris Cargill from the Washington Policy Center (WPC).  The WPC is a non partisan, state wide public policy research group.  He gave a legislative update and also spoke about an upcoming vote on increasing sales tax for STA services.  He said that the voters have repeatedly approved a required 2/3 vote to implement any tax increases; the legislature is debating a 2/3 vote for 'brand new' taxes only.  He reported that the Governor is proposing a gas tax hike of 11.5 cents per gallon (current state tax is 37.5 cents and federal tax is 18.4 cents) and the transportation budget he proposed with this tax would fully fund the North/South freeway in Spokane.  The legislature is also debating implementation of a higher minimum wage (either $12 or $15 per hour).  The average minimum wage earner's household income is approx. $47,000 due to other family members' earnings.




 Regarding the vote on sales tax increase for STA:  he said the increase is expected to provide $300 million and about $76 million would be used for an electric trolley line from Brown's Addition to Gonzaga and continuing on to SCC (6 mile distance).   The WPC questions whether the trolley would generate significant increased ridership and also questions STA assertions that the trolley would enhance business development.  When an electric trolley was implemented in Portland, Oregon economic development only happened in conjunction with government subsidies.

February 12, 2015 meeting 


The meeting was attended by 18 members, about 6 visiting Kiwanians and two guest speakers.  Jack Russell of the Spokane Valley club won the 50/50 drawing.  Steve reported on Cheney High Key Club activities and Keith reported that the assisted living residents at Cheney Care Center are ready to help prepare the plastic eggs for the egg hunt in early April.




Our guest speakers were Dawna Reed and Debra Wheatly from H + R Block.  Dawna gave background on the company - it is international; has existed since 1955 and the seasonal Cheney office has been open for 19 years.  Debra is an enrolled agent and spoke about personal income tax return changes due to the Affordable Care Act.  For 2014 there is a check box to indicate if taxpayers and dependents had insurance coverage in 2014.  If someone has insurance through the Washington Health marketplace, they will get a form confirming 2014 coverage.  For taxpayers who have other health coverage, they will get a confirming form starting in 2015.  She explained that a taxpayer can be subject to penalties if any household member doesn't have coverage for the entire year.  This applies to anyone under 21 who resides in your home and is supported by the taxpayer; it also includes anyone the taxpayer can claim as a dependent even if the taxpayer doesn't actually claim that person as a dependent.  The penalty increases in 2015 and again in 2016.

February 5, 2015 meeting


There were 16 members plus the guest speaker at the meeting.  Margie won the 50/50 drawing and donated her winnings to Feed Cheney.  John Taves won the membership drawing. 




Our speaker was Derrick Cutlip who works with two organizations to recruit foster parents in Washington.  He explained that there is a great unmet need for foster parents.  The State of Washington program includes background checks and two training sessions; there is some compensation for the parents and many times the foster parents adopt the children. The other organization is Safe Families for Children -- this is a church based volunteer organization.  Foster parents are referred by member churches, go through background checks and self training; they are not compensated and fostering can range from just overnight to one year.  Average fostering time is about 40 days.