Margarita Prentice
Encyclopedia
Margarita Lopez Prentice is a Washington State Senator
. A Democrat
, she represents the 11th District, which includes Seattle's Beacon Hill, South Park and portions of Renton
, Kent
, Tukwila
, Burien
, and SeaTac
.
in 1988, taking office the following January. She served until 1992, when she was elected to the Washington State Senate
, taking office in January 1993. Her current term ends January 2013. 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. Prentice also serves as an ex-officio member of the Washington State Gambling Commission
.
The legislation's implementation was delayed until courts ruled on its legality. A week before the law took practical effect, Dan "Wretchy" Martin won an on-line poker tournament and netted $160,000 for his efforts.
Mr. Martin has won more than $2 million dollars playing poker on-line. Regarding Martin's statement's about the possibility of leaving his home state to pursue his life's dream and chosen profession, Sen. Prentice said:
"I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense," Prentice told ESPN.com. "You mean you're going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life. … I have nothing against card playing. That's fine. If you want to do that, but I'm sure not going to worry about someone … you know. Let them go pump gas."
departure from Seattle, Prentice supported funding a new sports complex that would have accommodated them, among others. 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." Prentice 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."
According to the Washington State Legislature
Final Bill Report on SB 5279, it was introduced because: “Short-term small loans serve a credit need in the community. . . . It is better to regulate the activity than to simply ignore it or prohibit it.”
This legislation was approved by the Washington Legislature in a 144 to 1 vote and became effective July 23, 1995. When the $15 fee per $100 borrowed on a two-week term is converted into an APR (annualized percentage rate) it is approximately 390%. News sources have reported on Prentice's opposition to attempts to cap the allowable fees on these loans to 36% APR.
In a series of articles attacking Prentice, the Seattle Stranger
dubbed her "Senator MoneyTree
" because of her acceptance of contributions from Moneytree, a financial services company founded and headquartered in her district. Washington State Public Disclosure Commission
records as of August 19, 2008 indicate that there have been no Moneytree-related contributions to the Senator since 2004 and that in the past combined 10 years, Prentice has accepted a total of $1,050 from Moneytree and/or its principals – less than half of one percent of contributions the Senator has raised in the 2008 reporting period alone.
; 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.
Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, she represents the 11th District, which includes Seattle's Beacon Hill, South Park and portions of Renton
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
, Kent
Kent, Washington
Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...
, Tukwila
Tukwila, Washington
Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, Burien
Burien, Washington
Burien is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located south of Seattle. As of the 2010 Census, Burien's population is 33,313, which is a 2.9% increase since incorporation. Annexation in 2011 has increased the cities population to about 45,000....
, and SeaTac
SeaTac, Washington
SeaTac is an American city in southern King County, Washington, and an outlying suburb of Seattle, Washington. Incorporated in February 1990, the City of SeaTac is ten square miles in area and has a population of 26,909 according to the 2010 census...
.
Public service
Prentice was elected to the Washington House of RepresentativesWashington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
in 1988, taking office the following January. She served until 1992, when she was elected to the Washington State Senate
Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....
, taking office in January 1993. Her current term ends January 2013. 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. Prentice also serves as an ex-officio member of the Washington State Gambling Commission
Washington State Gambling Commission
The Washington State Gambling Commission is an agency of the government of the State of Washington, founded in 1973 as the state's gaming control board, which is responsible for enforcing gambling laws and regulations. This organization is the second oldest national agency of such a type...
.
Gambling
On June 7, 2006, legislation that Prentice pushed through made it illegal to gamble on-line in Washington state.The legislation's implementation was delayed until courts ruled on its legality. A week before the law took practical effect, Dan "Wretchy" Martin won an on-line poker tournament and netted $160,000 for his efforts.
Mr. Martin has won more than $2 million dollars playing poker on-line. Regarding Martin's statement's about the possibility of leaving his home state to pursue his life's dream and chosen profession, Sen. Prentice said:
"I just think some of these arguments are utter nonsense," Prentice told ESPN.com. "You mean you're going to move so you can play poker? Gee, lots of luck in your life. … I have nothing against card playing. That's fine. If you want to do that, but I'm sure not going to worry about someone … you know. Let them go pump gas."
Collective bargaining
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. . . .”Temporary housing
In 1995, Prentice was a sponsor of SB 5503 which directed the Washington Department of Housing to begin reporting on the status of temporary worker housing conditions and to develop livable and decent temporary worker housing in Washington State. In 1998, she was a co-sponsor of SB 6168 which made "it easier and cheaper for farmers and others to construct seasonal housing for temporary workers." It also allocated $2 million to develop housing for low-income farm workers.Extension of tax exemption laws
In 1997, Prentice was a sponsor of SB 5193. 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.Anti-discrimination
In addition, Prentice 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.Veterans' benefits
In 2007, Prentice prime-sponsored bills asking that the federal government to 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 the 11th district
Prior to the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
departure from Seattle, Prentice supported funding a new sports complex that would have accommodated them, among others. 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." Prentice 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."
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 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 (SB 5279) regulating payday lending in Washington.According to the Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
Final Bill Report on SB 5279, it was introduced because: “Short-term small loans serve a credit need in the community. . . . It is better to regulate the activity than to simply ignore it or prohibit it.”
This legislation was approved by the Washington Legislature in a 144 to 1 vote and became effective July 23, 1995. When the $15 fee per $100 borrowed on a two-week term is converted into an APR (annualized percentage rate) it is approximately 390%. News sources have reported on Prentice's opposition to attempts to cap the allowable fees on these loans to 36% APR.
Campaign contributions
Prentice is a fund raising heavy hitter for herself and for the State Democratic party. August 2008 Washington Public Disclosure Commission records show that Prentice has raised more than $231,000 in the 2008 election year reporting period.In a series of articles attacking Prentice, the Seattle Stranger
The Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
dubbed her "Senator MoneyTree
Moneytree
Moneytree, Inc. is a check cashing and payday loan provider headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with branches in California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada...
" because of her acceptance of contributions from Moneytree, a financial services company founded and headquartered in her district. Washington State Public Disclosure Commission
Washington State Public Disclosure Commission
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission is a non-partisan agency of the Washington State government. Its purpose is to collect reports from political candidates and ballot measure sponsors regarding campaign contributions and expenditures, and provide these reports to the public. The...
records as of August 19, 2008 indicate that there have been no Moneytree-related contributions to the Senator since 2004 and that in the past combined 10 years, Prentice has accepted a total of $1,050 from Moneytree and/or its principals – less than half of one percent of contributions the Senator has raised in the 2008 reporting period alone.
Recognition
Throughout her legislative career, Prentice 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 CouncilWashington State Labor CouncilThe Washington State Labor Council is the Washington branch of the AFL-CIO. It represents all AFL-CIO affiliates in state politics, and is major interest group, particularly for Democratic politicians. The organization was split when several national unions broke from the AFL-CIO and formed the...
- Legislator of the Year, Washington State Nurses AssociationWashington State Nurses AssociationFor the Memphis, Tennessee radio station previously carrying the calls WSNA, please see WKQK.Founded in 1908, the Washington State Nurses Association is the professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses in the U.S. state of Washington...
- 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 memberships and activities
Prentice is a member of various civic and political organizations including:- American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties UnionThe American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
- Amnesty InternationalAmnesty InternationalAmnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
- Democratic National CommitteeDemocratic National CommitteeThe Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
- First Vice President, Washington State Nurses AssociationWashington State Nurses AssociationFor the Memphis, Tennessee radio station previously carrying the calls WSNA, please see WKQK.Founded in 1908, the Washington State Nurses Association is the professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses in the U.S. state of Washington...
, 1968–1972 - Labor Officer, Washington State Nurses AssociationWashington State Nurses AssociationFor the Memphis, Tennessee radio station previously carrying the calls WSNA, please see WKQK.Founded in 1908, the Washington State Nurses Association is the professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses in the U.S. state of Washington...
, 1974–1978 - Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
- Renton Historical Society
- Audubon Society
- Humane SocietyHumane SocietyA humane society may be a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons, although in many countries, it is now used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals...
of United States
Personal
Prentice attended Phoenix CollegePhoenix College
Phoenix College is a community college located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Founded in 1920, it is one of the oldest community colleges in the country....
; Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
, St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. A nurse for more than 20 years, she worked in various capacities, including hospital administrator and various assignments as a registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
. She also served as a member of the Renton
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...
school board.
She has three children and five grandchildren.
External links
- Official website
- Biography at HistoryLinkHistoryLinkHistoryLink is a website that is an encyclopedia of Washington State history. The site has more than 4,500 stories. There are 500 biographies and more than 14,000 images....
- Washington State Nurses Association – Hall of Fame Inductee Biography