Margarita Prentice

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WA State Senator Margarita Prentice

Margarita Prentice is a Washington State Senator (Democrat) for the 11th District, which includes Seattle's Beacon Hill, South Park and portions of Renton, Kent, Tukwila, Burien, and SeaTac.

Political career

Senator Prentice was a member of the Washington House of Representatives from May 1988–1992. She was elected to the Washington State Senate in 1993. Her current term ends January 2009. Senator Prentice is the current Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. She is also the former chair and current member of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and serves on the Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee.. Senator Prentice is known as a skilled politician with a reputation "for both loyalty and vindictiveness". The Senator has been praised for her work to improve the quality of education and healthcare in Washington and has championed increased funding for both.

Farm Worker Rights

===== Collective Bargaining Rights =====

In 1993, Prentice was a sponsor of SB 5347 to permit farm and agricultural workers to “self-organize, to join employee organizations, to bargain collectively and to engage in other lawful concerted activities for mutual aid and protection, or to refrain from such activities. . . .” [SB 5347, Washington Legislative Bill Track (1993)].

===== Temporary Worker Housing =====

In 1995, Prentice was a sponsor of SB 5503 to direct the Washington Department of Housing to encourage the development of livable and decent temporary worker housing in Washington. [SB 5503, Washington Legislative Bill Track (1995)] The legislation authorized the State Building Code Council to develop appropriate housing guidelines and required the Board of Health to review all existing housing conditions and report on housing standards. The Washington Legislature unanimously passed SB 5503. The bill was signed into law by then Governor, Lowry and became effective May 3, 1995. Id.

===== Extension of Tax Exemption Laws =====

In 1997, Prentice was a sponsor of SB 5193. [SB 5193, Washington Legislative Bill Track (1997)] At the time, sales and use tax exemptions were only available to workers for housing provided by an employer. This legislation extended that exemption to agricultural employee housing provided by housing authorities, government agencies and non-profit agencies, provided that at least 80% of the occupants were agricultural employees with incomes less than 50% of the median income level. That legislation was passed by the Washington Legislature in a 138 to 4 vote. It became effective on May 20, 1997. Id.

Anti-Discrimination

In addition, the Senator has worked to prohibit discrimination in housing, employment and insurance based on sexual orientation. In 2007, she prime sponsored a bill extending retirement benefits to domestic partners.

Veteran's Rights

In 2007, Senator Prentice prime sponsored bills asking that the federal government provide veterans' benefits owed to Filipino veterans. She was also the prime sponsor of a bill providing for the exclusion of veterans benefits from the income calculation for the retired person property tax relief program.

Sports Arena in 11th District

Prentice has supported funding a new sports complex that would accommodate, among others, the Seattle Sonics. Prentice explained her support of a proposal to locate a new arena in her district in a February 9, 2007 op-ed in the Seattle Times for "the economic activity the new center will bring to the region . . . [and as a] valuable community asset that will create jobs and promote the development of new hotels and great restaurants." The Senator went on to contend that funding the new center would "have almost no impact on King County taxpayers, and no new general taxes [were] are even being considered to pay for the arena."

Finanial Institutions Committee

===== Interstate Bank Branching=====

While the chair of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Prentice sponsored the first bills in Interstate Bank Branching.

===== Federal Share Insurance for Credit Unions=====

Prentice also sponsored and legislation transitioning credit unions to federal share insurance while serving as the chair of the Senate Financial Institutions Committee.

===== Payday Lending=====

In 1995, Prentice and eight other members of the Senate Financial Institutions and Housing Committee were the first to sponsor legislation authorizing and regulating payday lending in Washington. SB 5279 required providers to become licensed and regulated and limited the “[t]otal interest and fees [on the then $500 maximum loans] to 15 percent of the amount loaned.” No public testimony was entered in opposition to this bill. Testimony was introduced indicating that the legislation was introduced because:

“Short-term small loans serve a credit need in the community. Some loan granting costs are constant regardless of the amount of the loan. Therefore, a fee at [15% of the face amount of the loan] is justified. Loans of this type are probably going to occur, whether authorized or prohibited by law. It is better to regulate the activity than to simply ignore it or prohibit it.” [5279-S SBR; Testimony in Support].

This legislation passed both the House and Senate Committees unanimously and was approved by the entire Washington Legislature in a 144 to 1 vote. It was signed into law and became effective July 23, 1995.

Although no bill has ever been brought to a vote in the Washington Legislature that would cap payday loan interest rates at 36% APR, news sources have reported Prentice's opposition to such attempts that would effectively cut the current allowable fee on a payday loan by approximately 90%. Washington law (RCW 31.45) currently limits payday loan fees to no more than $15 per $100 borrowed, sets the maximum loan amount at $700, limits the term to no longer than 45 days, prohibits refinancing, provides for a no-cost right to rescind, mandates borrower repayment plans and limits penalties on default to no more than $25.00. When the $15 fee on $100 loan with a two week term is converted into an APR (annualized percentage rate)under applicable federal Truth in Lending laws, it is approximately 390%.

Campaign Contributions

In the past 10 years, Prentice has raised over $56,000 from various individuals, companies and industries to support her candidacy. Recently, the Seattle Stranger dubbed her "Senator MoneyTree" [sic] because of her acceptance of contributions from payday lenders. However, Washington State Public Disclosure records indicate that the nickname may be unearned; reflecting combined Moneytree-related contributions to Prentice(both corporate and individual) since 1998 of $950 and no contributions since August of 2004.

Recognitions

Throughout her legislative career, the Senator has received recognition for her political and civic work. In 2006, she received the following honors:

• Outstanding Legislator by the Children's Alliance
• Legislator of the Year, Retail Association and Mortgage Brokers Association
• Legislator of the Year, Washington Health Care Association
• Legislator of the Year, Washington State Labor Council
• Legislator of the Year, Washington State Nurses Association
• Legislator of the Year, Home Health Care Association
• King County Nurse of the Year
• Champion of Health Care, Valley Medical Center
• Distinguished Service Award, Washington Association of Homes for the Aging
• Legislator of the Year, Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association

Civic Membership and Activities

The Senator is a member of various civic and political organizations including:

• American Civil Liberties Union
• Amnesty International
• Democratic National Committee
• First Vice President, Washington State Nurses Association, 1968-1972
• Labor Officer, Washington State Nurses Association, 1974-1978
• Sierra Club
• Renton Historical Society
• Audubon Society
• Humane Society of United States

Personal

Prentice attended Phoenix College; Youngstown State University, St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Phoenix and the University of Washington. A nurse for more than 20 years, she worked in various capacities, including hospital administrator and various assignments as a registered nurse. She also served as a member of the Renton school board.

She has three children and five grandchildren.

See also

• Washington State Legislature

External links

• More info
• Washington State Nurses Association - Hall of Fame Inductee Biography