Drew Hansen

Drew Hansen is an American politician, lawyer, and author of the Democratic Party. He is a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 23rd district since 2011.[1]

Drew Hansen
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 23rd district
Assumed office
September 1, 2011
Preceded byChristine Rolfes
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Julie Hansen
Children2
ResidenceBainbridge Island
EducationHarvard College (BA)
Oxford University[lower-alpha 1]
Yale University (JD)

Hansen is a Harvard graduate and Rhodes Scholar. He studied theology at Oxford University and earned his J.D. at Yale Law School.[2] He is the author of The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech that Inspired a Nation.[3]

Political career

Hansen has led Washington state's expansion of computer science education. He sponsored legislation (HB 1472)[4] to encourage students to take AP Computer Science, which the Seattle Times called one of the "key education reforms" in the legislative session.[5] Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith said Hansen's bill "represents an important step forward for our kids and for the technology competitiveness of Washington state." [6] Hansen also sponsored legislation (HB 1813) [7] to create statewide computer-science standards and a computer-science teaching endorsement and to expand eligibility for scholarships for students interested in teaching computer science. HB 1813 was supported by nearly every major technology company in Washington.[8]

Hansen has championed new college opportunities in high-demand fields. He secured new funding for new electrical engineering and cybersecurity degrees, offered in an innovative partnership between a community college and four-year universities.[9] He was also responsible for the funding expanding the University of Washington-Seattle computer science degree program.

Hansen was the principal architect of Washington's legislation to protect marine and tourism industry jobs by cleaning up derelict and abandoned boats.[10]

Hansen sponsored[11] the first-in-the-nation law to restore net neutrality at the state level (HB 2282) [12] after the FCC repealed net neutrality nationwide. The bill received widespread bipartisan support and was signed into law on March 5, 2018.[13]

Hansen reportedly considered a bid for Attorney General of Washington in 2020,[14] but did not run.[15]

As an attorney, Hansen successfully represented cities in a lawsuit challenging air pollution. The Texas Clean Air Cities Coalition, a group of over 30 Texas cities, opposed the construction of a new petroleum coke-fired power plant. Hansen represented the cities, establishing that the air modeling used to support the proposed power plant was unreliable, and leading the power plant's expert to concede on cross-examination that he could “not say with certainty that any of the modeling that [he] testified about in connection with [the trial] was 100 percent accurate.” [16] After the trial, two judges recommended denial of the plant's permit, in a decision quoting from Hansen's cross-examination.[17]

A significant part of Hansen's law practice has involved representing victims of financial fraud. He has represented the city of Baltimore, the lead plaintiff in litigation arising from the manipulation of LIBOR during the 2008-2010 financial crisis. He also represented small businesses alleging they were injured by financial arrangements in violation of the usury laws.[18]

Education

Hansen received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University, and then studied theology at Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School.[19]

Notes
  1. Studied theology on a Rhodes Scholarship.

References
  1. "Drew Hansen – Democratic Member of the WA State House of Representatives". Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  2. "Drew Hansen". Harper Collins. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  3. "The Dream". Harper Collins. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  4. "Washington State Legislature". apps.leg.wa.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  5. staff, Seattle Times (2013-04-25). "Editorial: Legislature must enact key education reforms". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  6. "Gov. Inslee signs into law Rep. Hansen's bill promoting computer science in schools". Bainbridge Island Review. 2013-05-14. Archived from the original on 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  7. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1813&year=2015
  8. http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/03/hey-state-reps-every-tech-company-in-washington.html
  9. http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/budgets-feature-oc-degrees-ferry-operating-money_83267378
  10. "Editorial: State needs to get tougher on derelict vessels". The Seattle Times. 2013-02-04. Archived from the original on 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  11. Captain, Sean (2018-02-27). "The Net Neutrality Defender Fighting Trump From The Other Washington". Fast Company. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  12. http://apps2.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2282&Year=2017&BillNumber=2282&Year=2017
  13. https://www.fastcompany.com/40537222/washington-just-passed-the-countrys-toughest-net-neutrality-legislation
  14. https://crosscut.com/2019/04/jay-inslee-running-president-heres-who-might-lead-wa-next
  15. https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Attorney_General_election,_2020
  16. http://www.caller.com/news/testimony-ends-in-las-brisas-hearing-ep-362547772-316628191.html
  17. http://www.susmangodfrey.com/News/News-Archive/Susman-Godfrey-Persuades-Judges-to-Recommend-Denial-of-Las-Brisas-Permit/
  18. http://www.susmangodfrey.com/attorneys/drew-d-hansen/#Pane1
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