Thursday, April 19, 2007
BY TOM VOGT Columbian staff writer
Vaughn Brown was at the governor's desk to celebrate the signing of a bill he helped push through the Legislature. But that won't be his last visit to Olympia,
the Vancouver student said.
Brown was on hand Wednesday morning as Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill that will make it easier to become an animal massage therapist in Washington.
Brown, a senior at Washington State School for the Blind, went through a horse-massage training course in Oregon. But Washington's requirements are much
stricter, so Brown enlisted the help of Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Bellingham, in changing the state's law.
Brown testified in January, and Senate Bill 5403 was passed; it will lower the certification requirements from 500 hours of training to 300 hours.
Gregoire signed the bill in her conference room in the Legislative Building.
It was a good first step, Brown said Wednesday afternoon after a group from the school - including Sprocket, his almost-2-year-old golden retriever - returned
to the Vancouver campus.
The 19-year-old student said he plans to go back for the 2008 session to push for a less-restrictive version of the bill.
"The next step will be reducing the requirement for hours," Brown said. "This law requires 300 hours, and that is out of line with the majority of states
in this country. I want to reduce it to 100 or 150 hours. That will involve educating the Legislature and the general public, as well as people in the
animal realm."
In addition to attending the ceremony, Brown said the visit gave him a chance to spend a few minutes with the governor.
"We just talked briefly about life goals. She asked what I wanted to do," Brown said.
His response was another indication that he would be returning to Olympia: "I said, 'I've been thinking about taking over your job.' "
And Gregoire's response?
"Feel free."
Update
Previously: Vancouver student Vaughn Brown testified in Olympia in January on behalf of a bill to certify animal massage therapists.
What's new: Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the bill Wednesday morning.
What's next: Brown said he will try in the next legislative session to make it easier to get state certification.
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