Brian Weinstein

Infobox_State_Senator


name=Brian Weinstein


state_senate=Washington
state=Washington
district=41st
term=2004 -
preceded=
succeeded=Incumbent
party=Democratic
date of birth=
place of birth=
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=
profession=
religion=
residence=
alma_mater= |

Brian Weinstein is a Washington State Senator representing the [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=41 41st Legislative District] .

Background

Senator Weinstein was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2004 to represent the 41st legislative district of Washington as a Democrat, defeating a 16-year incumbent Republican legislator. Prior to his election he worked as an attorney. Senator Weinstein lives on Mercer Island with his wife (Gaylene Vaden) and children Trevor, Arielle and Madeleine. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a BA in Economics in 1976. He then went on to attend the University of Texas Austin School of Law to earn his JD in 1981. He also served as the former Director of the Pike Place Market Foundation Board. [ [http://www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/weinsteinbio.htm Washington State Senate official bio] ]

Legislative History

Weinstein served as Assistant Majority Whip from 2005-06. After only two years in the Senate, Weinstein was chosen by the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the Consumer Protection and Housing Committee. Weinstein is a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. In 2005 at the Governor's request, Weinstein prime sponsored the [http://www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov/ Washington Learns] bill, [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=5441&year=2005 SB 5441] . Signed into law, the legislation required a comprehensive study of Washington's structure and funding of public education, including recommendations for reform. Many of the recommendations have been [http://www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov/legislation.htm adopted] . In 2007, he prime sponsored and helped pass the [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5726 Fair Insurance Conduct Act] which made it unlawful for insurers to unreasonably deny a claim for coverage or payment of benefits. The insurance industry and others tried to repeal the legislation through [http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/r067.pdf Referendum 67,] but the voters [http://www.vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=2&RaceID=0&RaceTypeCode=M rejected it] . In 2008, Weinstein sponsored and passed [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6381 SB 6381] which imposes a fiduciary duty on mortgage brokers (requiring mortgage brokers to act in the best interest of the borrower). Weinstein was also instrumental in securing state funding for the [http://www.wsherc.org/ Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center.]

The Legislature failed to pass Weinstein's [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=6385&year=2007 Homebuyer's Bill of Rights] which would have held builders liable for shoddy construction. In 2007 and 2008 the bill passed the Senate but was never brought to a vote before the full House of Representatives. Never wanting to be a career politician, Weinstein [http://www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/2008/releases/Weinstein/retire.htm announced] he would return to the practice of law and not run for re-election. Weinstein's term ends in January, 2009.

Awards and Recognition

Weinstein is the recipient of the 2008 Fuse "Sizzle" award for "Favorite Gunslinger." The Washington-based online advocacy group honored Weinstein for his "four years as a fearless and relentless crusader for consumer protection." [ [http://www.fusewashington.org/about/192/2008-fuse-awards#gunslinger 2008 Fuse "Sizzle" Awards] ]
*2008 Poverty Action Leadership Award
*2007 Humane Society of the United States state legislator of the year award
*2006 Outstanding Legislator, Children's Alliance
*2005 City of Renton Award; Washington Association of School Administrators Community Leadership Award
*Planned Parenthood award for exceptional commitment and effort

References