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Category: Special Programs

Honoring workers with money-saving ideas

Honoring workers with money-saving ideas

Secretary Reed (third from left) with some of the honorees Fourteen state employees recently were honored for their ideas that resulted in over $1 million in savings last year at the annual Innovations in State Government Awards ceremony in Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office. “With our state government facing a terrible multibillion-dollar budget deficit, we need our state employees more than ever to help find ways to save the state money,” said Reed, chairman of the Productivity Board. “The…

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Nominate a hero for Medal of Valor!

Nominate a hero for Medal of Valor!

Know somebody who recently saved a life or did something else heroic? Nominate him or her for the Washington State Medal of Valor. Secretary of State Sam Reed is accepting nominations for this medal, one of the most prestigious honors presented by the people of Washington. Nominations will be accepted until October 15. Medals will be awarded at a Joint Session of the State Legislature during the 2011 session. The Medal of Valor recognizes individuals who have risked their lives…

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Gregoire signs hard-times budget

Gregoire signs hard-times budget

Governor Gregoire has signed a new budget for Washington state, but warns that we aren’t out of the woods yet. The Democratic governor signed the $31 billion spending roadmap Tuesday. Combined with a package of tax increases, the major budget revisions address a $2.8 billion gap that developed as the economy deteriorated after the 2009 legislative session.  A variety of taxes, including an additional $1-a-pack on smokes, taxes on bottled water and candy, and higher business taxes on some services, are…

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Welcome, Combined Fund Drive!

Welcome, Combined Fund Drive!

It’s official: The Combined Fund Drive will be transferred from the Department of Personnel to the Office of Secretary of State! The Governor just signed bill 6540, authorizing the move. The Office of Secretary of State welcomes three new employees and the workplace giving program that has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for charities since its creation in 1984.

Three cheers for money-saving state workers

Three cheers for money-saving state workers

Secretary of State Sam Reed, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, Attorney General Rob McKenna and other state officials helped honor more than 30 state employees at the Innovations in State Government Awards ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday. Among the honorees were eight employees who helped  the Office of the State Actuary earn the Agency of the Year award by achieving $220,000 in first-year savings alone.

How domestic crime victims can vote safely

How domestic crime victims can vote safely

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we’re reminded that some victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking or stalking decide not to register to vote out of fear their perpetrator will track them down through voter registration records.  The Office of Secretary of State can help. We have a program that allows  victims to register to vote without their addresses being found. The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) works with community domestic violence and sexual assault  programs in an effort to keep…

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Money: How can we save it?

Money: How can we save it?

With the state operating budget in serious trouble and Gov. Gregoire and the Legislature looking for ways to reduce spending and streamline programs, it only makes sense to encourage state workers to offer ideas on how to save money. That’s exactly what the state Productivity Board does. Since 1982, this board has provided a way for front-line state employees to suggest such ideas, and to be recognized for their efforts.  To the left is the latest flyer from the board that encourages workers to share their…

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