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The Ralph Munro Institute from Western Washington University spent last week at North Seattle Community College. It has moved to Western's campus in Bellingham for this week, June 25 to 29. Elected officials, public policy experts, political scientists and distinguished scholars will be among the speakers at panels that are free and open to the public.

“The panels will focus on a wide range of some of the most important issues facing our state today. The public is invited to join us for these interesting and lively discussions with key decision makers and experts,” said Sara Weir, chair of Western’s Political Science Department and director of the Ralph Munro Institute.

These sessions took place last week and are available for , Washington state's television station.

Tuesday, June 19: “Budgeting in Challenging Times”

Panel with moderator Dick Thompson, Western trustee who served in the administrations of three Washington governors, including as past director of the state Office of Financial Management; state Rep. Ross Hunter; state Sen. Doug Ericksen; Marty Brown, current director of the state Office of Financial Management; and Rep. J.T. Wilcox.

Wednesday, June 20: “Higher Education: Legislative Challenges”

Panel with moderator Kelly Evans, public affairs and political consultant; state Rep. Reuven Carlyle; Rep. Hans Zeiger; Rep. Larry Seaquist; state Sen. David Frockt and Sen. Steve Litzow.

Thursday, June 21: Initiatives and Referenda: Good for Washington State?”

Panel with moderator Paul Dunn, senior executive assistant to the Western president; Seattle Times journalist Joni Balter; political activist Tim Eyman; state Rep. Chris Reykdal; and Allison Holcomb, campaign director for Yes on I-502, the marijuana legalization initiative.

Below is the list of topics and confirmed panelists June 26 to 28 at Western’s campus in Bellingham. All panels will be from 2:15 to 4 p.m. at Old Main 340 – the Board of Trustees meeting room. No public panels are taking place on Mondays and Fridays, which are filled with classes.

Tuesday, June 26: “Political Influence: Inside the Process”

Panel with moderator Todd Donovan, professor of Political Science at Western; political strategist Ron Dautzauer; political strategist Terry Thompson; and Alex Hays, executive director of the Mainstream Republicans of Washington.

Wednesday, June 27: “Political Reporting: A Challenging Landscape”

Keynote address by Western President Bruce Shepard. Panel with moderator Dave Ammons, former Associated Press capital reporter and current communications director for the Washington Secretary of State; Seattle PI.com columnist Joel Connelly; and Austin Jenkins, Olympia reporter for public radio and host for TVW’s weekly public affairs program “Inside Olympia.”

Thursday, June 28: “Lobbying: Influence and Access”

Panel with moderator Cole Taratoot, visiting assistant professor of Sociology at Western; contract lobbyist Charlie Brown; Wendy Rader-Konofalski, with the Washington Education Association, and Amber Carter, with the Association of Washington Business.

Western’s Ralph Munro Institute is devoted to promoting civic literacy within secondary education and the public at large. It offers students, teachers and community members an opportunity to work with professors, activists and political leaders to learn how local, state and national politics develop. The institute was named in honor of Ralph Munro, a �������� alumnus and trustee. Munro was elected Washington’s Secretary of State in 1980 and continued in that position until his retirement in 2001. Munro plans to attend this year's institute, to participate and to welcome participants.