Since I began my blog in earnest I’ve made hundreds of posts (usually once a day), received thousands of hits, offered some candid insight from a citizen legislator perspective, built a strong following in the 36th District and elsewhere and generated–I hope–some meaningful dialogue.

For the next week, I’m going to unplug, tune out and connect with my wife and kids.

So before I disconnect, a few random thoughts before I take a solid week off from blogging and returning December 2 during Committee Days in Olympia.

In reflecting upon today’s news that the new projected deficit has reached an astonishing $2.6 billion, we must have the courage to embrace bold systems changes. Real reforms that stretch the institutional bureaucracy to think, act, reflect and move forward with conviction. We must question old assumptions about what state government can do well and uniquely. What we shouldn’t be doing anymore. What level of government should provide what type of service? It’s all on the table.

Superintendent Randy Dorn’s suggestion today to delay graduation requirements in math and science hit me like a punch to the gut. Randy is so damn smart, thoughtful and courageous I’m sure he has a very strong case. But my gut just doesn’t feel right about it. We must have the moral grounding to demand excellence from our kids, to raise expectations and standards, and to stop pulling back as we get closer to the tension over math and science performance boiling over. I haven’t connected privately with Randy yet and so am open to being convinced, by my intuition is running–hard–in the opposite direction. I see Governor Gregoire is not on board either. My reaction is less that of a legislator and more that of a parent. We must press forward.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, (D-Queen Anne), my seatmate and treasured friend, has been under the weather recently following some complications from minor surgery. It was a huge disappointment to her and everyone that she wasn’t able to attend her famous 16th annual Post Election debriefing and auction fundraiser tonight at Hales Brewery. She was missed very, very much and the Governor, Dow Constantine, Mike McGinn, Lisa Brown, Lynn Kessler did a wonderful job of entertaining the 36th District Democrats on Sen. Kohl-Welles’ behalf. Dow’s sense of excitement about the future of King County was inspiring. I particularly enjoyed connecting with Mayor Mike–a name I rattled off and that might just stick–about working with legislators, city council members and others to build a Seattle-friendly agenda together.

The state’s projected whopping $2.6 billion deficit cannot be filled solely with spending cuts, new taxes or government reforms. We must embrace a courageously honest approach to combining all three together. In the end, I will not vote for an all-cuts budget, but I also want to see vigorous government reforms as a part of the package. Perhaps, just for a random example, we could reconsider our decision to build a $300 million state data center.

Realistically all of the legislation that has been drafted for the past few months by legislators–including me–is off the table. The budget deficit makes it virtually impossible to explore meaningful policy initiatives during a short session scheduled for 60 days. We need to focus on the basics of the budget.

As the new round of cuts begin that will hit the University of Washington and the other four year institutions in the face, surely we must be convinced that now is the time for bold systems thinking in higher education. The Council of Presidents is working on strong legislation in partnership with key legislators. I hope it’s focused and forceful about using performance agreements to push, prod and agitate for accountability and an outcome-based system that links money to student success. In my personal view from the back bench, it’s time to embrace a new approach to how we regulate higher education from an operational, capital and structural perspective. I am hopeful that this is the year we look seriously at giving the universities tuition setting authority, capital construction flexibility and operational control in exchange for a robust and impassioned embrace of their ‘public mission’ to ensure comprehensive access and affordability for a rich diversity of Washingtonians. Please visit my three part blog series on higher education here, here and here.

The State Board for Community and Technical College runs a 470,000 student, 34-school institution that does an extraordinary job of lifting up our state’s economy and quality of life. Workforce development, academic transfers, adult basic education are all core mission areas–and go to the DNA of the federation’s ability to change lives. I am a deeply committed, passionate advocate for this fantastic system and it’s future, and treasure my time on the state board. My hope is that many of the important systems improvements that need to occur in any large institution such as this–from adjunct faculty roles to enhanced distance learning to sharing back end student technology systems–can happen this year.

Do we now have the courage to look under the hood of the $1.2 billion a year we spend on technology? If not now, when? If not us, then whom? The old model is broken. It dangerously assumes the state can compete on price and value with the most aggressive, efficient and innovative companies in the world. My goal is ultimately to make technology a ‘line item’ in the budget that receives much deeper analysis, critical assessment, measurement and real accountability. The agency’s won’t like it, but taxpayers will gain critically needed transparency into this massive spending bucket.

My blog usually receives hundreds of hits per day. Yesterday, following the post about Wendy as a woman of valor, the number skyrocketed as friends and family clearly sent around links to others. It felt good to let people know of her courageous generosity of spirit.

I am deeply grateful for your graciousness in spending so much time visiting my blog and connecting with me in this way. I’ve done my best to make it interesting, engaging, real and meaningful beyond the traditional shallow rhetoric. And a step beyond the unwillingness of many to take a stand on the weather. See you December 2.

Your partner in service,

Reuven.