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eridani
(51,907 posts)Lobby Day 2013: Join us on MLK Jr. Day in Olympia!
Join Poverty Action members from all over Washington State on MLK Jr. Day as we urge our lawmakers to champion Basic Needs programs, fair housing, healthcare for all, racial equity, and more!
During the MLK Jr. Day Summit in Olympia you can meet your lawmakers, share your story, take action for TANF and Disability Lifeline and join the fight for consumer protections. Don't miss this massive day of action in Olympia. This is one of the most critical opportunities for our network to show it's strength and be heard by lawmakers during the legislative session. Don't miss out!
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Monday, January 21, 2013
Temple Beth Hatfiloh
201 8th Avenue Southeast
Olympia, WA 98501
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We're providing free transportation, breakfast, and lunch. Childcare and interpreter services are available upon request with RSVP. Teens and children are encouraged to join this incredible day of advocacy at our state capitol!
For more information or to RSVP please call Poverty Action at (206) 694-6794 or Toll-Free at 1-866-789-7726. Online Registration opens soon, for the latest updates check www.povertyaction.org
*Bus leaves Solid Ground (1501 N. 45th St. Seattle, WA 98103) at 7:30am
**Additional pick up points from Bothell, Tacoma, Kent available.
Dental Access: A Member's Story
When Kim from Vancouver was unexpectedly shut out of her dentist's appointment book, she was shocked. She had been to the same dentist for nearly 15 years with insurance coverage through the Medicaid Adult Dental program.
As a person with diabetes, Kim requires dental care to keep her alive. Without the services provided by dental professionals, Kim could face dire consequences to her health that could potentially become fatal.
In 2011, the legislature made a series of devastating cuts to the Medicaid Adult Dental program, which provides routine dental care for people with very low incomes. During the 2011 Legislative Session, Adult Dental was eliminated for all Medicaid recipients except people with developmental disabilities, long term care patients, and pregnant women. Kim no longer qualified for this essential healthcare service on which she depended.
Unfortunately, Kim's story is not unique. There are thousands of Washingtonians that are being pushed out of the care they need to stay healthy and in some cases, stay alive. During the upcoming legislative session Poverty Action is taking a lead role in making sure that people living on low-incomes have access to the support and services they need.
If you have experience struggling with gaining dental access and want to take action e-mail our Campaign Manager, Danielle Friedman or call her at 206-694-6794.
eridani
(51,907 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)A solution in search of a problem, SB 5585 would require TANF recipients to pass a drug test in order to access their benefits. This bill is ill-conceived, unnecessary, and expensive, serving primarily to reinforce stereotypes that stigmatize hard-working families. We know from our members that these representations of our families are categorically false; parents on TANF are stretching every penny of their cash grant to meet their children’s basic survival needs. This bill is an attack on our community, a dangerous tool to institutionalize racial prejudices, and a narrow-minded assault on low-income people’s dignity.
Click here to OPPOSE SB 5585 and stop the harmful stereotypes of low-income Washingtonians and prevent the institutionalization of racial prejudices by opposing this redundant legislation. http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=511
Expanding Education Access for TANF Recipients: Supporting Long Term Stability
In order to offer low-income parents the same foothold that higher-income students across Washington have attained, we must provide an accessible pathway to education and training opportunities. HB 1342 and SB 5600 do just this for Washingtonians on TANF by extending from 12 months to 24 months the length of time a TANF recipient can pursue education and training opportunities. Because most job training programs take 24 months to complete, extending this timeframe would open doors and assist families in achieving long-lasting stability. Under current law many TANF recipients are forced to drop out of school after just one year of school, forgoing long-term opportunities. Parents receiving TANF need to be able to access the real world training programs that build economic security and help our communities thrive.
Click here to SUPPORT HB 1342 and SB 5600 and provide low-income Washingtonians with educational opportunities and a foundation for economic stability. http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=512
Removing Barriers for Families on TANF: Supporting Families
We all hope that if we face a job loss or other economic hardship, we will have the support we need and the opportunity for a good quality of life. TANF provides a lifeline for families as they work to recover from hardship. While many families are able to leave TANF quickly, there are also families who face serious barriers to employment, including a long-term physical or mental disability, a history of family violence, or a lack of jobs in their community. These barriers make it more difficult for parents to find and keep a job that can support their families. In 2011, the legislature eliminated almost all hardship exemptions to the 60-month lifetime limit for receiving TANF, with devastating results for low-income families with children across the state. HB 1734 and SB 5643 allow common sense exemptions to the lifetime limit that target known hardships and barriers to employment, allowing families more access to the support they need for their families.
Click here to SUPPORT HB 1734 and SB 5643 to ensure parents can access the support to keep their children fed, housed, and in school. http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=513
eridani
(51,907 posts)Who: State Reps. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), Luis Moscoso (D-Mountlake Terrace), Derek Stanford (D-Bothell) and Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle)
When: Thursday, December 6, 2012, 7 - 9 pm
Where: Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133
Professional Automotive Training Center
Why: To talk with state representatives from the 1st, 32nd and 46th Legislative Districts and local residents and community organizations about how to make the state’s revenue system more adequate, fair and stable.
As the economy struggles to recover from the great recession, the state’s outdated revenue system only makes the job harder. Join your legislators to talk about the path to prosperity. The key is smart investment in educating our children, enhancing the health and well-being of our communities and building a thriving middle class.
For more info or to RSVP: Shoubee Liaw at Shoubee.Liaw@leg.wa.gov
eridani
(51,907 posts)The Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s legislative agenda takes a proactive approach to addressing health and safety, growing bicycling in our schools, supporting economic development, and providing more awareness for those bicycling on Washington’s roads. Policy priorities include:
•Local Government Control and Safe Neighborhood Streets. The Bicycle Alliance again will lead the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill to make safer streets and neighborhoods by allowing cities and towns the authority to set speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial streets.
•Making Washington’s Kids Safer. We will explore policy to grow Safe Routes to School and policies that support it. Currently staff and our lobbyist are working with legislators about specific solutions to improve our school transportation investments while growing biking and walking to schools.
•Adding Health as a State Transportation System Policy Goal. The Bicycle Alliance will again support legislation that adds human health to the policy goals of our state transportation system —alongside existing goals such as economic vitality, mobility, and the environment.
•Potential safe passing legislation. Looking toward the future, the Bicycle Alliance will be exploring legislation for this session or next that supports safe motor vehicle passing of bicycles on Washington streets.
eridani
(51,907 posts)In Washington state, all people deserve an equal opportunity to get to where we need to go.
But too many neighborhoods lack safe streets and sidewalks for us to get around safely. And despite record ridership, transit agencies are having to cut bus service.
We can't just expect state legislators to do the right thing. Hundreds of us need to make it clear: unsafe streets and more service cuts are unacceptable. We need real funding options.
That's why we need you to come to Transportation Advocacy Day in Olympia. Register for free now >>
Transportation Advocacy Day 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Olympia, WA
As Americans, there are a few basic values that we all share. Treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated. Leave a better world for our children and the next generation.
But for the first time in generations, we're failing. Because of how we've built our communities, our children are less healthy and their life expectancy is decreasing. And not only that, but housing and transportation costs are even less affordable and less equitable than a decade ago.
Across the state, these are urgent issues. King County Metro's emergency funding runs out in a year. Pierce Transit faces 35% cuts, again. Community Transit struggles to keep its existing servicing going. And we continue to fail to invest in programs like Safe Routes to School and Complete Streets.
We have an action plan for our state elected leaders.[1] But to make it happen, we need you in Olympia on February 12.
Together we can make a better future. I hope to see you there!
Brock Howell & Kate Whiting
The Field Team
Transportation for Washington
eridani
(51,907 posts)hanks for helping us get a “do pass” recommendation from the House Transportation Committee last week. Now it’s time to take action in the Senate: Contact your state senators to speak out for SB 5066 and safer neighborhood streets.
Last year, the Washington State House of Representatives unanimously voted 96-0 in favor of the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill. After passing through the Senate Transportation Committee, this legislation ran out of time on the Senate floor.
Now we have a chance to give this important safety legislation a jump-start in the State Senate. Already, we’ve gotten its sister bill in the state House of Representatives a favorable hearing (HB 1045 got a “do pass” out of committee). Knowing we have a lot of work to do in the Senate, it’s one of the first bills to be heard in the 2013 session and legislators need to hear your voice now!
The Neighborhood Safe Streets bill (SB 5066) gives cities and towns the authority to create safer neighborhood streets by lowering speed limits on non-arterial streets to 20 miles per hour without conducting an expensive traffic study. As an added benefit it removes government red tape and cuts study costs currently required by the state.
Time is critical and we're having a hearing this Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the Senate Transportation Committee. Now we need to remind our state senators that the time is now to support this important safety legislation that can save cities and towns across Washington money while they work to improve safety on neighborhood streets.
Your reminder to your elected officials is critical in making this happen. And it only requires two simple steps:
#1 – Enter your mailing address here http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ (choose Legislative, not Congressional) and follow the instructions on the site to reach a contact form for your state senator (if you haven’t already, feel free to send the note to your entire district delegation since it will be coming up for a vote in the full House).
#2 - Email your Senator a note expressing your support of this important public safety legislation, SB 5066. We've included some model text for you to use—putting it in your own words will make it even better and more personal:
I write to ask you to support the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill (SB 5066), which will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The bill passed out of the House unanimously in 2012, and passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee as well before running out of time on the Senate floor—this is the year to save cities money, cut red tape, and give local jurisdictions another tool to improve safety on neighborhood streets.
I urge you to let your colleagues on the committee know that you’re hearing from your district in support of this important safety legislation. SB 5066 provides more local control, offers an additional safety tool for local governments, removes additional study costs and red tape currently required by the state, and encourages active living by offering cities and towns the chance to create safer and more livable streets. Most importantly, when used in conjunction with engineering and enforcement, lower speeds on non-arterial streets can save lives.
As a constituent and voter in your district I would greatly appreciate your yes vote on the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill (SB 5066) to make our hometown safer for everyone from kids to grandparents.
Sincerely,
[Your Name here]
Thank you for your support and advocacy to make Washington streets safer!
Barb Chamberlain
Executive Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
eridani
(51,907 posts)It depends on you taking action right now to ask your state senator to vote yes for SB 5066, our Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill.
SB 5066, the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill, should be coming to the floor of the Senate for a vote in the next day or so. Its companion bill, HB 1045, recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support, 86-10. It’s time to ask your state senator to vote yes for safer streets, less red tape, and cost savings for taxpayers.
SB 5066 is simple: It allows cities to save our tax dollars by letting them slow speed limits on non-arterial streets to 20 mph without having to spend money on a traffic and engineering study, as long as they set up a procedure for decision-making on the change.
Safer streets: When you, your neighbor’s child, or your grandmother gets hit by a motor vehicle at 25 miles per hour (the de facto speed limit on many non-arterial streets) versus 20 miles per hour the consequences are far more serious. This is especially true for the elderly.
According to a 2011 report by AAA, a person’s chance of being severely injured sharply increases as vehicle speeds increase (odds of serious injury go from 10% at 16mph to 50% at 31mph). The risks are far greater for older people. This is why AARP strongly supports SB 5066.
An additional study shows the chances of death at 5% when you’re hit at speeds of 20 MPH, versus a 45% likelihood of death when you’re hit at 30 MPH.
Safe, walkable streets are important for safety and livability, and they improve the quality of our schools and neighborhoods—this is why so many of the partners we work with on Safe Routes to School support this bill.
Less red tape and cost savings for taxpayers: Cities already have traffic and transportation plans in place developed with the expertise of professional engineers. They already have the power to lower the speed limit to 20mph. They just can’t lower it without doing another study.
The Washington State Association of County Engineers estimate the cost of such studies at $1,000 to $5,000 for jurisdictions that can assign the studies to staff in-house, with costs higher for smaller jurisdictions that have to employ outside consultants. SB 5066 would let cities spend that money on actually making safety and traffic improvements instead of conducting yet another study. This is why the Association of Washington Cities and several individual cities support the bill.?
Contact your state senator and ask for a YES vote on the floor for SB 5066
eridani
(51,907 posts)HB 1045/SB 5066:
The Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill would allow cities to lower the speed limit on non-arterials to 20mph without having to pay for an engineering study. This bill, previously introduced by the Bicycle Alliance, passed the House unanimously in 2011 and again in 2012. Voted a “do pass” recommendation by House Transportation Committee Jan. 24, 2013, and by Senate Transportation Committee Feb. 6, 2013. HB 1045 was pulled in the House Rules Committee on Feb. 13. On Feb. 18 rules were suspended and it was placed on third reading. It passed the House 86-10. HB 1045 has been read in the Senate and was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee where it was heard on March 14. We are now awaiting an executive session of the Senate Transportation Committee on whether to recommend a “do-pass” for the bill
http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/legislation-statewide-issues/
eridani
(51,907 posts)The Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill was just pulled from the Senate Rules Committee and should be coming to the floor of the Senate for a vote in the next couple of days. Earlier this session HB 1045 passed the House with strong bipartisan support, 86-10, and was unanimously recommended in the Senate Transportation Committee last month. It’s time to ask your state senator to vote yes for safer streets, less red tape, and cost savings for taxpayers.
HB 1045 is simple: It allows cities to save our tax dollars by letting them slow speed limits on non-arterial streets to 20 mph without having to spend money on a traffic and engineering study, as long as they set up a procedure for decision-making on the change.
Safer streets: When you, your neighbor’s child, or your grandmother gets hit by a motor vehicle at 25 miles per hour (the de facto speed limit on many non-arterial streets) versus 20 miles per hour the consequences are far more serious. This is especially true for the elderly.
According to a 2011 report by AAA, a person’s chance of being severely injured sharply increases as vehicle speeds increase (odds of serious injury go from 10% at 16mph to 50% at 31mph). The risks are far greater for older people. This is why AARP strongly supports HB 1045.
An additional study shows the chances of death at 5% when you’re hit at speeds of 20 MPH, versus a 45% likelihood of death when you’re hit at 30 MPH.
Safe, walkable streets are important for safety and livability, and they improve the quality of our schools and neighborhoods—this is why so many of the partners we work with on Safe Routes to School and road safety support this bill.
Less red tape and cost savings for taxpayers: Cities already have traffic and transportation plans in place developed with the expertise of professional engineers. They already have the power to lower the speed limit to 20mph. They just can’t lower it without doing another study.
The Washington State Association of County Engineers estimate the cost of such studies at $1,000 to $5,000 for jurisdictions that can assign the studies to staff in-house, with costs higher for smaller jurisdictions that have to employ outside consultants. HB 1045 would let cities spend that money on actually making safety and traffic improvements instead of conducting yet another study. This is why the Association of Washington Cities and several individual cities support the bill.
You’re with us on this. Now what?
Contact your state senator. Enter your mailing address on the district finder form (choose Legislative, not Congressional) and follow the instructions on the site to reach a contact form.
Choose your state senator and ask for a YES vote on the floor for HB 1045.
Points you could include in your email:
•HB 1045 is about local control, increasing government efficiency by cutting red tape and expense, and making neighborhood streets safer.
•HB 1045 has bipartisan support. HB 1045 recently passed the House 86-10 and last month passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee with unanimous “do pass” support. In the previous biennium, this same legislation passed out of the House twice with unanimous votes. This is the year to get it done!
•HB 1045 can save cities and towns money by removing the requirement for an engineering study. It’s smart policy that removes unnecessary regulation over a decrease of 5 mph. This change lets cities spend that money on actually making safety and traffic improvements instead of conducting yet another study.
•The elderly are most vulnerable to collisions at speeds above 20 MPH. As we look to create safe neighborhoods for our increasingly elderly population, slower streets are more forgiving to those whose mobility is affected by the highly individual process of aging. Design practices that explicitly recognize aging will better serve a growing segment of the nation’s population.
•Safe, walkable streets are important for safety and livability, and they improve the quality of our schools and neighborhoods—so kids can walk and bike and so parents can feel safe sending their kids to school.
•This bill could be an especially helpful tool in the toolbox of cities and towns to reduce cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets off of arterials and onto non-arterial streets, which affects property values, safety, and livability in cities and towns across Washington.
eridani
(51,907 posts)I am very proud to announce that HB 1045 passed the Senate with nearly unanimous vote in the final minutes of Senate floor session before cutoff earlier today.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1045&year=2013
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1217&year=2011
It was the last House policy bill to pass. Here's the write-up from Bicycle Alliance which brought me the bill idea and which was my very first bill to pass in the Legislature in 2011:
http://bicyclealliance.org/blog-news/
eridani
(51,907 posts)Legislative hearings and advocacy days in Olympia are coming at us quickly, so we're pedaling ever faster to stay on top of our policy priorities, get more funding for bike infrastructure, and make sure you know what's going on so you can take action for active transportation.
Here's a round-up of opportunities to engage directly whether you can get all the way to the capital, or just get to your phone and a computer to contact your legislators and ask your friends to do so as well.
Tuesday, Feb. 12:
Safe Passing Bill: SB 5564 helps drivers by clarifying that they can legally cross double yellow lines to make a safe passing movement around someone who is walking or biking—a commonsense approach to passing, especially on rural roads. The bill includes language defining a safe passing distance as three feet or more. Hearing Tuesday, Feb. 12, 3:30pm, in Senate Transportation. (On the House side it's HB 1743 -- hearing not yet scheduled.)
Transportation Advocacy Day Tuesday, Feb. 12, 9am-4:30pm: Join nearly 200 people who agree with you that we need to stand up and speak out for active transportation! It's not too late to register.
Many thanks to our partners at Transportation Choices Coalition for providing the online registration and to our organizational member Zipcar for helping arrange the Zipcar-avan carpooling from Seattle.
For those of you in the Spokane region, if you absolutely can't make it to Olympia then take advantage of Advocacy Day partner Futurewise and their “virtual” TAD in Spokane via Skype: http://p0.vresp.com/RmO68J
Health and Transportation: HB 1233 to include health in the state transportation system policy goals would highlight the value of walking and biking and the importance of investing in projects to support healthy, active transportation. Hearing set for House Transportation Committee Tuesday, Feb. 12, 3:30pm.
Wednesday, Feb. 13:
Safe Routes to School Funding: SB 5506 protects the level of federal funding attained in the last budget cycle. The current transportation budget proposed by the state Department of transportation drops the level of federal dollars for Safe Routes to School from last biennium's levels. This bill offers a simple fix to keep those federal dollars the same to provide more safe walking/biking infrastructure in our neighborhoods.
Did you know that pupil transportation costs $390-$400 million each year and that every single day Washington schoolbus drivers travel to the moon and back (in terms of mileage)? Or that studies show kids who bike/walk to school can concentrate better and get better grades? Hearing Wednesday, Feb. 13, 3:30pm, in Senate Transportation.
Bike/Pedestrian Infrastructure Funding—Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition Lobby Day: Our partners at WWRC advocate for funding through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which includes a great list of trail projects like these that add more great assets to Washington's incredible portfolio of bike travel and tourism opportunities.
•Spokane River Centennial Trail Extension
If this grant is funded, State Parks will construct a two mile extension from Spokane's popular Centennial Trail, linking Avista Utilities' Nine Mile Resort on Lake Spokane with the existing 37-mile Spokane River Centennial Trail and Spokane County's Sontag Park.
•Ferry County Rail Trail
If this WWRP grant is funded, Ferry County will create a rail trail to provide a critical recreation opportunity for our local community and attract visitors to Ferry County.
•Spruce Railroad Trail/Tunnel Restoration
Clallam County seeks a WWRP grant to complete the restoration and reconstruction of six miles of the historic Spruce Railroad grade and two historic tunnels at Lake Crescent to a safe, traffic separated multi-user trail route
How to Take Action
Come to one or both of the advocacy days Feb. 12-13 if you can.
Contact your legislator. Enter your mailing address on the district finder form (choose Legislative, not Congressional) and follow the instructions on the site to reach a contact form for your state senator and state representatives.
You can check the box to send a note to all three at once. Tell them you support Safe Passing, SB 5564/1743; Safe Routes to School funding, SB 5506; health and transportation, HB 1233; and WWRP funding for trails—all to make Washington an even greater place to ride a bike!
Barb Chamberlain
Executive Director
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
barb@bicyclealliance.org
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eridani
(51,907 posts)2013 Environmental Priorities:
Clean Energy Solutions
By accelerating our clean energy transition, we can drive job growth and build healthier, more prosperous communities. And by sending less of our paychecks to oil and coal companies, we can keep those energy dollars circulating through our state’s economy. This priority would drive Washington forward by developing a climate policy that accelerates clean energy investment and helps free consumers from the economic dead weight of fossil fuel dependence.
Toxic-Free Kids and Families
Our children deserve to inherit a safe and healthy world. But today, our children’s future is threatened by a chemical industry that values its own profits over the health of people and the environment. It doesn’t have to be this way. We have the opportunity to protect these things by passing the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act. This commonsense legislation will remove unnecessary flame retardants from children's products and furniture in our homes and prevent chemicals identified by the state as a concern for kids health from being used as replacements. Passing this bill puts us one step closer to securing a healthier and safer future for the next generation.
Conservation Works
For decades, Washingtonians have supported environmental protections that ensure we have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a high quality of life that attracts talent from around the world. As we move forward in our economic recovery, the state must commit capital funding to win-win projects. This Priority promotes fiscally-responsible projects that benefit the entire state by protecting Puget Sound, reducing toxic runoff, expanding recreation opportunities, and improving habitat and forest health. These projects preserve the incredible natural resources that make our state a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
ttool.com/registrar/ShowEvents?ID=1608&VER=2&LNG=EN
2013 Bellevue Legislative Workshop 2012-01-12
2013 Spokane Legislative Workshop 2013-01-05
Environmental Lobby Day 2013 2013-02-19
eridani
(51,907 posts)Legislative Workshop - NEW location in Bellevue
When: Saturday, January 12th (1pm - 5pm)
Where: Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Cost: $10 for Adults, Free for Students
Who: You and dozens of the state's leading environmental organizations
eridani
(51,907 posts)ttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1608&EID=13700
Do you pay more attention to a phone call, an e-mail, or a person standing in front of you? For most of us, a face-to-face meeting makes the biggest impact and that’s why Environmental Lobby Day is one of the most effective ways you can stand up for the environment.
Join Washington Conservation Voters, dozens of the state's leading environmental groups, and hundreds of citizen advocates at the State Capitol on February 19th to meet face-to-face with your legislators and ask them to support the 2013 Environmental Priorities.
What: Environmental Lobby Day 2013
When: Tuesday, February 19 from 8:30 am - 4:00pm; Reception to follow
Where: United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave SE, Olympia
Register online today!
During Lobby Day, you'll attend issue briefings, learn how to lobby, and meet with your three elected legislators.
You will be advocating for:
•Clean Energy Solutions - By accelerating our clean energy transition, we can drive job growth and build healthier, more prosperous communities. And by sending less of our paychecks to oil and coal companies, we can keep those energy dollars circulating through our state’s economy.
•Toxic-Free Kids and Families - This commonsense legislation will remove unnecessary flame retardants from children's products and furniture in our homes and preventing chemicals that threaten kid’s health from being used as replacements.
•Conservation Works – Let’s put people in Washington back to work by committing funding in the capital budget to protect Puget Sound, reduce toxic runoff, expand recreation opportunities, and improve habitat and forest health.
Hope to see you in Olympia on February 19th - Register for Lobby Day today!
Thanks for all you do,
Shannon Murphy
Program Manager
eridani
(51,907 posts)overnor Jay Inslee will be there. Will you?
ttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1608&EID=13700&src=fusewa
Hundreds of friends of the environment are coming together in Olympia on February 19 for Environmental Lobby Day. We're taking over the Capitol to make sure every legislator hears about the importance of supporting clean energy and conservation and fighting global warming.
But don't worry – you don't have to be a professional lobbyist or full time activist to make a difference. All you need is a passion for our environment and a few hours to spare on Tuesday, February 19.
We'll provide issue briefings and all the materials you need to be effective, as well as schedule meetings for you with your legislators. We even provide food and all the coffee you can drink. Governor Inslee will join us in the Capitol Rotunda during lunch to meet attendees and give a short speech.
We're heading to Olympia for Environmental Lobby Day on February 19 – will you join us? Space is limited, so click below to reserve your spot:
ttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1608&EID=13700
Environmental Lobby Day Details
When: Tuesday, February 19th from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Where: United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave SE, Olympia
Bus Transportation, carpooling, and financial assistance offered.
Thanks for all that you do,
Alex and the entire team at Fuse
eridani
(51,907 posts)Save the Date: Monday, February 18, 2013 (President's Day)
http://www.prochoicewashington.org/events/rhr-lobby-day.shtml
Here in Washington, we believe in doing whatever it takes to keep families strong and to ensure every woman has the freedom and privacy to make the pregnancy decision best for herself and her family. That's one of the many reasons it's important for you to join us and advocate to protect family planning funding and pass the Reproductive Parity Act this Lobby Day.
In 2012, activists like you prevented devastating budget cuts to family planning, and kept some of Washington’s most vulnerable women and men safe. Now, we must once again join together to protect people who work hard and play by the rules from those who don't pay their fair share into the budget.
Join friends, comrades and citizen activists from across Washington State for our annual LOBBY DAY to ensure women and families have what they need to be strong. It's not only a way to get involved and speak up to your legislators, but it's a great way to meet like-minded people and have fun.
No experience necessary – we provide training, transportation, and hospitality, whether you're from Spokane, Bellingham or Seattle.
Please Save the Date for Reproductive Health and Rights Lobby Day. We'll see you on February 18th!
How can I stay updated?
We send regular updates about Lobby Day, as well as other info and events, to all registered Lobby Day attendees. Please stay tuned for your chance to register! If you have specific questions or to pre-register, please don't hesitate to contact me at tiffanyhankins@prochoicewashington.org. It is sure to be a powerful, influential and enjoyable day!
eridani
(51,907 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)The legislative session started today and we’re thrilled to support the Reproductive Parity Act, exciting legislation that will empower women to keep their families strong by ensuring that insurance plans in Washington cover abortion if they cover maternity care. Denying insurance coverage for abortion interferes with a woman's ability to make these important choices for herself and her family.
Support of the Reproductive Parity Act!
Washington is once again leading the nation on protecting and promoting access to reproductive health care.
The Reproductive Parity Act sponsored by Senator Hobbs SB5009 and Representative Cody HB1044 will ensure that a woman's decision about her pregnancy be made by herself and her family, not her insurance plan.
davisk28
(5 posts)I'm trying to understand the legislative process, and am confused. I'd like to understand if SB5009 and HB1044 are the same bills, just presented in their respective chambers, or if they are consecutive bills, as if one were picked up after the other was dropped? HB1044 seems to have a companion bill of SB5798, in addition to another bill SB5576 (and SB5009), each of which are referred to as the Reproductive Parity Act, or concerning health plan coverage for the voluntary termination of a pregnancy.
I've found this information on the WA State Legislation site:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billsbytopic/Results.aspx?year=2013&subject=ABORTION
Which of these bills is the one currently in the legislative process? Does anyone have advice for where I can find this information? The State Legislative website is very confusing, and I can't seem to determine the timeline of this debate and the current status of these bills.
Thank you!
gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)Thanks, I'm up in Bellingham. I'm still new to learning the bill process, thanks for the message!
Bellingham is beautiful! Hope you have a good time on this site!
eridani
(51,907 posts)--legislative sessions. Currently, the legislature is not in session. It will start up again January 2014. However, now is a good time to talk to your legislators about your legislative priorities.
davisk28
(5 posts)Good to know, that clears a little bit up! I actually do plan on contacting my legislator. I've done a fair amount of research into this act but got sidetracked by the legislative process, and don't want to sound like a goof when I call. Could you or anyone else tell me why there appears to be three different SB #'s for the same bill? I would greatly appreciate it, thanks!
eridani
(51,907 posts)Not sure where you are getting multiple numbers.
davisk28
(5 posts)It looks like there are three senate bills about the Reproductive Parity Act: SB5009, SB5576, and SB5789. Maybe the last two stalled in senate?
I found them at the WA state legislature site under:
abortion-health coverage for voluntary termination of pregnancy...
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billsbytopic/Results.aspx?subject=ABORTION&year=2013
eridani
(51,907 posts)Thanks, that's great! I saw that you posted this last January about phone bank opportunities in regard to this legislation. Although the bill was dropped in the special session, I assume it will be reintroduced for the next regular session in 2014? I'm interested in getting involved...do you know if there are activism opportunities earlier than next January? Especially with the Affordable Care Act implementation there has to be more going on right now to get it back on the agenda!
eridani
(51,907 posts)As you know, citizen activism is the most effective method of making social change and we need your help to recruit other pro-choice supporters like you. Join us in our office to phone banks for a few hours to recruit citizens activists for Reproductive Health and Rights Lobby Day. E-mail me at krystalstarwich@prochoicewashington.com to sign up for a shift (times listed below).
On President’s Day, Monday, February 18th hundreds of pro-choice activists from across the state will converge in Olympia for our annual Reproductive Health and Rights Lobby Day! We already know that the anti-choice lobby is working harder than ever to kill this important piece of legislation. We need you to pass the Reproductive Parity Act.
Since we can’t all make the trip to Olympia, you can help make pro-choice voices heard by simply doing a few hours of phone banking to recruit Lobby Day attendees. We will provide you with training, a simple script to invite other passionate volunteers to join us for Lobby Day, and snacks! E-mail krystalstarwich@prochoicewashington.org to sign up for a shift.
All phone banks will be held at our office in downtown Seattle. You will receive more details when you sign up for a shift.
Phone banks:
Sunday 1/27: 4-7pm
Tuesday 1/29: 5-8pm
Wednesday 1/30: 5-8pm
Sunday 2/3: 4-7pm
Tuesday 2/5: 5-8pm
Thursday 2/7: 5-8pm
Sunday 2/10: 4-7pm
By recruiting other dedicated pro-choice activists, we can ensure that our lawmakers pass the RPA and maintain adequate funding for women's reproductive health and abortion care in Washington State.
For more information about Reproductive Health and Rights Lobby Day visit our Lobby Day FAQ page or call us at (206) 624-1990.
We hope to see you fabulous recruiters soon!
-Krystal Starwich
Volunteer and Youth Programs Coordinator, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
eridani
(51,907 posts)The Washington State Legislature is considering Senate Bill 5152) SB5152. This bill would require
"A person must not perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman [under 18 years] unless that person has given at least forty-eight hours actual notice to one parent or the legal guardian of the pregnant woman of his or her intention to perform the abortion."
Progressives generally oppose the bill. Read this argument against the bill. http://www.prochoicewashington.org/in-our-state/parentalnotification.shtml
Then read this argument for an even stronger bill. http://lotp.wordpress.com/tag/sb-5156/You can find the list of sponsors of the bill here. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5156
And then state your opinion about the bill directly to the legislature here. https://washingtonleg.granicusideas.com/widget/agenda_items/SB%205156 (Requires an account--well worth having IMO) Also write your legislator and letters to the editor.
eridani
(51,907 posts)On Monday, February 18th, YDWA will be invading Olympia for their annual Lobby Day. Lobby Day is an important tradition that gets YDWA members in front of elected officials and allows us the chance to push for legislation important to us and teach people about the legislative process. Join us in celebrating democracy by signing up below.
We will be meeting in the Senate Rules Room at 9:00a, discuss our plans for the day and move from there. This event is free for everyone and if you have any questions, they can be directed to YDWA's Vice President of Political and Legislative Affairs Isaac Prevost at [206] 2[eight.zero].5226 or Isaac[dot]Prevost[at]ydwa. org
Sign up here!
http://ydwa.org/ydwa-2013-lobby-day-sign-up/
eridani
(51,907 posts)When the legislative session begins next week, our state lawmakers will consider a bill to repeal the death penalty in Washington. We need your voice in Olympia to tell our elected leaders that it is time for our state to adopt safe and just alternatives to the death penalty. Please sign up to join the Safe and Just Alternatives Lobby Day on January 28.
Event registration is through the Safe and Just Alternatives campaign website.
On January 28, Washingtonians from across the state will travel to Olympia to meet with their legislators. We will provide free transportation from Seattle and Tacoma, arrange carpools from Spokane and other parts of the state, and schedule meetings for you with your state legislators. We will also provide training sessions across the state to help you prepare.
Please join the Safe and Just Alternatives campaign at the State Capitol on January 28. With your help, we will raise a strong and clear voice for ending the death penalty in Washington..
ACLU of Washington
901 Fifth Avenue, Suite 630 · Seattle, WA 98164
field@aclu-wa.org · (206) 624-2184
Safe and Just Alternatives Lobby Day 1/28
https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50572/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=69415&etname=2013-01-08+SJA+lobby+day+alert&etjid=647715
Lobby Day Registration
SJA Lobby Day in Olympia is coming up! The event is an important opportunity to meet with your legislators and urge them to support legislation to repeal Washington’s death penalty. Please sign the form below to sign up.
eridani
(51,907 posts)During the state legislative session underway right now, our lawmakers are considering whether to put a stop to Washington state’s death penalty. Let them know you think it’s time for our state to end this costly and unfair punishment that neither deters crime nor provides certain justice to victims' families. Please urge your legislators to support replacing the death penalty with life in prison without parole.
Email Your Legislators
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50572/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9358
Momentum is growing for ending in the death penalty in states across the country. In the past five years, five states have eliminated capital punishment, and others will likely repeal their death penalty laws this year. Urge your legislator to make Washington state the next to join this growing movement for safe and just alternatives to the death penalty.
Mishi Faruqee
Campaign Manager
Safe and Just Alternatives
206.624.2184 ext. 267
email: mishi@sjawa.org
Please note that Lobby Day has been rescheduled from January 28th to February 12th. On Lobby Day, you will have an opportunity to tell your elected representatives why they should support Safe and Just Alternatives to the death penalty. We will provide free transportation to Olympia from Seattle and Tacoma and will help arrange carpools from other parts of the state. Sign up here.
https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50572/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=69415
eridani
(51,907 posts)Regarding our Citizens United lobbying action in Olympia next week on Thursday the 17th.....
I've been in touch with Bryn, one of Sen. Kline's staffers, and it looks like we'll have a short press conference with whomever from the local media show up. Their communication person will send out the media alerts. We are scheduled to meet at 1:30. I have contacted folks from the Backbone Campaign to see if they are available to bring some of their props or banners to set up outside. Aside from Catherine, do we know how many others will be joining us?
Thanks so much for all your time and effort in getting us this far. In case you haven't seen it yet, here's a link to the petition:
http://signon.org/sign/overturn-citizens-united-18.fb23?source=c.fb&r_by=378418
Please be sure to sign and share it if you haven't already done so. As of today we have over 9,000 signatures and looks like we'll be able to deliver at least 10,000....
Peace to all,
Jonathan
Get Money Out of Politics working group, Occupy Seattle
eridani
(51,907 posts)Thursday, January 17th is a citizen lobbying day at the State Capitol in Olympia for a memorial to Congress requesting that a constitutional amendment be passed to the states for ratification overturning Citizens United and other decisions that allow for unlimited campaign contributions. The anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC is January 19th and events to inform Americans of the disastrous effect of the decision to protect money as free speech and corporations as people are happening all over the United States.
Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) is a member of WAMEND, the Washington State coalition working for an amendment to the constitution. The momentum is growing and so are the coalition members, which include Free Speech for People, Fuse, Get Money Out of Politics (GMOP), Island County Citizens Ignited Against Citizens United, Metropolitan Democratic Club, Move On Seattle Council, Move to Amend, Public Citizen, Seattle Legislative Resolution Planning Committee (SLRPC), Spokane Move to Amend the Constitution (SMAC), University Unitarian Church GMOP Group, Washington Public Campaigns and WashPIRG.
A resolution will be introduced in this session of the Washington State Legislature. WPC invites you to join with other advocates to lobby your legislators for the resolution (memorial to Congress).
There will be a table in front of the State Capitol where citizen lobbyists can “check in” between 9:00 a.m.- to receive information including:
•Instructions for lobbying
•A short message and ask
•Suggested written message to leave at your legislator's office
•A reference to the 10,000 petition signatures collected in Washington demanding an amendment be passed. They will be delivered to Senator Adam Kline at a noon press conference.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Single Payer for Washington's Health Care
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 - 15:59
Susan Eidenschink
GET INVOLVED
While a single payer approach to health care did not make it in the national Affordable Care Act, there is movement to achieve a single payer system on a state by state basis. There is a single payer bill being brought forward in Washington State, the Washington Health Security Trust.
Representative Eileen Cody, Health Care and Wellness Committee Chair, has indicated that she will have a hearing for this bill early in the upcoming 2013 legislative session. Representative Sherry Appleton is eager to drop this bill on the first day of the session, January 14th. Rep. Appleton welcomes any legislators who support single payer health care to be a co-sponsor of this bill. Ask your representative if being a co-sponsor is the way they would like to show their support. A copy of this bill can be found at http://www.healthcareforallwa.org/whst-state-wide-health-plan/.
When the hearing is scheduled, an action alert will be published in the Pierce Progressive. Filling the hearing room is a way of demonstrating support for this continued fight for a single payer system.
There are a number of sources for getting informed about single payer. The Health Care Movie informs the public about the differences between the U.S. health care system and the Canadian health care system. See more information and watch a trailer at http://www.healthcaremovie.net/. Another film on health care issues is Escape Fire. See more information and a trailer at http://www.escapefiremovie.com/. This film is being shown now in theaters, and a DVD will be available later. Matthew Heineman produced this movie. Matthew was interview by Brian Lamb on Public TV. You can view this interview at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Heine. Viewing this interview will give you a lot of information on this film.
To find out more about how to get involved visit Health Care for All - Washington.
eridani
(51,907 posts)United for National Healthcare is organizing a car pool to Olympia so that we can attend the the State House hearing on the Washington State Health Security Trust bill and advocate for Washington State single payer health care. Additionally we will talk to our State Representatives and urge them to support the bill.
Please contact me if you would like to car pool to Olympia for the hearing:
Aileen Satushek, aileensatushek@prodigy.net 360-398-2295
Here's the tricky part: the hearing will be on a Friday, but we won't know the date until the Tuesday before. I will stay in close touch with you if you let me know that you would like to participate in the car pool
eridani
(51,907 posts)Poverty Action has made protecting consumers from predatory debt practices, like zombie debt and debt settlement, one of its top priorities in the 2013 legislative session. After building on our successes passing landmark consumer protection bills, we are mobilizing our network to support HB 1069, which will help regulate an alarming new predatory industry that deals with “Zombie Debt.” The Zombie Debt industry is largely unregulated and profits off deceptive practices that intimidate people into paying on old debt or “debt” that they might not even owe.
Like a zombie coming back from the dead, old debt comes back to haunt consumers.
Zombie debt (also known as time-barred debt) occurs when companies sell their old debts for pennies on the dollar to third-party debt buyers. Debt buyers then try to collect on old debts or debts that have already been paid (and sometimes never even owed in the first place). Once a consumer makes a partial payment, the clock restarts on the statute of limitations. The burden of proof lands on consumers, many of whom do not have documentation to prove that the debt is not owed anymore or that they never owed it.
Debt buyers are flooding our court systems.
Debt buyers are increasingly taking advantage of overwhelmed state courts and loopholes in the law by filing lawsuits to collect on the debt they purchase. Debt buyer cases typically result in default judgments, meaning that consumers are not appearing in court to defend against the suits. This is often because consumers aren’t getting notice of the suits, they might not know why they are being sued, or they lack representation. Many consumers first learn that there is a judgment against them when wages are garnished, property is seized, or bank accounts are seized.
Low- and moderate-income consumers are disproportionately affected.
One study found that 91% of people sued and 95% of people with default judgments entered against them lived in low and moderate-income communities. At a time when struggling families need every penny to survive, zombie debt is threatening Washingtonians’ well-being and economic security.
HB 1069 is being considered by the legislature right now. This legislation would prevent debt buyers from:
•Suing debtors for time-barred debt (outside the statute of limitations);
•Suing debtors without sufficient proof that the debt buyer actually owns the debt;
•Not having proof of assignments of the debt to indicate a chain of title for the debt.
eridani
(51,907 posts)I lobbied on Monday.
That may not seem like much, seeing as hundreds of people did the same thing on the exact same day. But seeing as I’m a student at a university, for some, it might be a big thing indeed. I was there with 59 other Western Washington University students who met with more than 60% percent of the legislature to talk about higher education affordability and access, including supporting new revenue, lowering tuition, and the Washington DREAM Act.
It was a very positive experience for these students, and will hopefully grow into greater engagement. Whatever happens, though, it is a contradiction to the mantra that students are apathetic, that they don’t care about the world beyond them.
From one of the many, many organizing sessions I’ve been to, there’s a saying: people aren’t apathetic, they’ve just become alienated and disempowered by our legislative process. They feel like even if they do become involved, the political situation doesn’t change, and students still get shafted. But we’re trying to change that.
It first happened this year with the largest youth-focused voter registration drive in the state, with more than 15% of Western’s student body alone being registered to vote, many for the first time; we had even more ballots than people we registered returned at our on-campus ballot box. We’re continuing with what has started off as a strong legislative engagement program; it will grow and continue to evolve organically as more students get involved and take ownership of this struggle. Students are being shown that a difference can be made, that we can erase this sense of alienation and take control of our future sooner, rather than later, when the mistakes made by attacking our shared society may be too great to fix.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Can you imagine having a child and returning to work a week or two later?
Every parent knows the birth of a child is one of the most important and challenging experiences in life. Being able to spend even a few weeks at home to care for a newborn pays short and long–term dividends for both parents and children.
So why are Rodney Tom and his Republican Majority trying to overturn our state's paid family leave law?
Washington's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act helps babies start off healthy and happy.1 It allows parents to take up to five weeks of paid time off work after the birth of a child. Paid leave is good for babies, good for parents, and good for our economy.2
Since the family leave law was passed in 2007, conservatives in Olympia have successfully blocked funding for it. Now that Republicans control our Senate, Rodney Tom and ten conservatives are trying to end paid family leave altogether.
Our senators should work to strengthen families, not undercut their support just when they need it most. A Senate committee is considering the paid family leave repeal today, and they need to hear from us.
New parents should be able to stay home with a newborn. It sounds simple, but more than half of new mothers have no paid time off work, and many cannot afford to take unpaid time off.3 Our state passed the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act to bridge that gap and ensure that all families get a strong start.
Forcing new parents to go back to work prematurely means reduced bonding time, limited breast–feeding, and more challenges to scheduling immunizations and other doctor's visits. Paid time at home has also been shown to reduce the chances that a new family slips into poverty.4
Our senators should be focused on closing unfair tax loopholes and raising revenue to support working families, not gutting services that our communities rely on. Tell your senator to support and fund Washington's paid family leave law!
Thanks for all that you do,
Sandra and the entire team at Fuse
1.http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5159.pdf
2.http://waworkandfamily.org/2013/01/24/wa-senate-conservatives-introduce-bill-to-repeal-protections-for-parents-newborns/
3.http://waworkandfamily.org/2013/01/24/wa-senate-conservatives-introduce-bill-to-repeal-protections-for-parents-newborns/
4.http://waworkandfamily.org/2013/01/24/wa-senate-conservatives-introduce-bill-to-repeal-protections-for-parents-newborns/
eridani
(51,907 posts)Last week all pretense of bipartisanship in State Senator Rodney Tom’s new coalition was abandoned with its introduction of five anti-labor bills purposely intended to weaken worker’s compensation. The new caucus formed by Senators Tom and Sheldon and the Republicans is trying to rush these bills through to passage. A floor vote is expected in the near future.
We at NPI urge you to call and write your state legislators (especially your state senator) and let them know that you oppose these bills.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Voting Yea: Senators Bailey, Baumgartner, Becker, Benton, Braun, Brown, Dammeier, Ericksen, Fain, Hargrove, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hill, Hobbs, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford, King, Litzow, Padden, Parlette, Pearson, Rivers, Roach, Schoesler, Sheldon, Smith, and Tom
Voting Nay: Senators Billig, Chase, Cleveland, Conway, Darneille, Eide, Fraser, Frockt, Harper, Hasegawa, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Mullet, Murray, Nelson, Ranker, Rolfes, Schlicher, and Shin
Absent:
Excused: Senator Carrell
Mark testified in favor of Family and Medical Leave this year, speaking about how it would have helped his family when his daughter was born with serious health complications
It's been a bad week for working families in the Washington State Legislature, as Monday the WA State Senate voted to potentially repeal our Paid Family and Medical Leave system.
Please contact your legislators in the WA State House (1-800-562-6000) and tell them one more time:
Don't accept the Senate plan to repeal Family and Medical Leave Insurance! Washington's working families and small businesses need expansion of paid leave protections, not rollbacks.
On Monday, the Senate passed SB 5903 by a vote of 27 to 21 (see how your Senator voted here). It would repeal the Family and Medical Leave Insurance if the legislature does not approve funding by 2015. The bill would create a taskforce of eight legislators with the assignment of recommending a funding mechanism.
What's wrong with a taskforce? Some taskforces do good work, but this one is merely a smoke screen that will allow legislators to repeal family leave insurance without looking like they are taking an anti-family vote. Besides, we don't need another task force! We already had one in 2007. Another will be a costly waste time, and result in repeal of paid family leave.
The Senate repeal bill now goes to the House. Please take 5 minutes today to urge your Representatives to to do the right thing.
Action for today: Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000. Tell your legislators in the House of Representatives:
•Please support Washington working families and vote NO on SB 5903.
•Do not support any measure that will repeal Washington's Family and Medical Leave Insurance program.
•Washington's working families and small businesses need expansion of paid leave protections, not rollbacks.
Thank you for taking action today!
eridani
(51,907 posts)Debt Settlement Hearing: THURSDAY 1/31
There is no better time than now to make your voice heard on debt settlement. This Thursday we will be at the hearing for HB 1491 in Olympia. This is an important step to passing increased consumer protections and creating new rules and regulations on debt settlement in our state.
This bill would make it illegal for for-profit debt settlement companies to do business in Washington. Debt settlement companies (or debt adjusters) charge people high fees to negotiate down debt on the consumers’ behalf. The debt settlement model requires that households stop paying their creditors. Because consumers are not paying their debts, they end up suffering reduced credit scores, escalation of collection actions by creditors, collection lawsuits, and even bankruptcy. This leaves the consumer in worse financial situations because, on top of still owing the original debt, they now owe additional fees and penalties.
TAKE ACTION: Click here to let your lawmakers know you support HB 1491
Sign in at the hearing to register your support then testify to the legislature about your experience with debt settlement. Contact Danielle@povertyaction.org for help writing your testimony.
We hope to see you there!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Settlement hearing THURSDAY: 01/31/13 10:00 am
Business & Financial Services Committee
House Hearing Rm B- John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA
SUPPORT HB1491: Protect Washington Consumers
There is no better time than now to make your voice heard on debt settlement. This Thursday we will be at the hearing for HB 1491 in Olympia. This is an important step to passing increased consumer protections and creating new rules and regulations on debt settlement in our state.
But we can't do it alone, we need your help in spreading the word about debt settlement to gather support for HB 1491.
This bill would make it illegal for for-profit debt settlement companies to do business in Washington. Debt settlement companies (or debt adjusters) charge people high fees to negotiate down debt on the consumers’ behalf. The debt settlement model requires that households stop paying their creditors. Because consumers are not paying their debts, they end up suffering reduced credit scores, escalation of collection actions by creditors, collection lawsuits, and even bankruptcy. This leaves the consumer in worse financial situations because, on top of still owing the original debt, they now owe additional fees and penalties.
TAKE ACTION: Click below and enter your Zip Code to send your lawmakers a message to support HB 1491.
http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=484
eridani
(51,907 posts)Outrageous.
The payday lending industry has no shame in its quest to circumvent the law of our state and make outrageous profits off of our communities. It is sadly predictable that the payday lenders are resorting to deceptive tricks to avoid playing by the rules. Right now in Olympia, payday lenders are again attempting to skirt Washington’s consumer protections, this time by creating a new, unregulated financial product.
We will not let the shameful payday lenders trick us turning our backs on our communities!
After Poverty Action led the way in passing landmark legislation to regulate the payday lending industry, payday lenders have now decided to change the rules of the game by creating a “new” loan product that is outside the scope of current regulation. SB 5312 would allow lenders to offer installment loans that carry triple digit interest rates and outrageous fees. Allowing this “new” (in name only) product,would create a payday lending industry on steroids that could ensnare thousands in a devastating cycle of long-term debt.
Payday lenders have no shame. With SB 5312, they have made it clear that they believe they can just write new rules if the old ones are not sufficiently slanted in their favor.
We’re not going to let that happen. We won’t let them win. We need your help
Take Action: Act now to stop SB5312 by entering your zip code and sending your lawmakers an email to oppose SB5312!
http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=479
eridani
(51,907 posts)There is a public hearing on this bill in Olympia on Wednesday, March 27! We need to pack the room! A strong showing of public opposition can make a huge difference. Please attend and let legislators and the payday loan industry know that we do not want or need any more unregulated, high interest loans in our state. Contact Danielle@povertyaction.org to sign up or to coordinate carpools.
Hearing Details
Wednesday, March 27th at 1:30 pm
Business & Financial Services Committee
House Hearing Rm B
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA
Payday lenders have no shame. SB 5312 is a thinly veiled attempt to operate outside the laws that protect consumers and families looking to access short term loans. This bill opens up our communities to remarkable risk.
http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=541
The payday lending industry has no shame in its quest to circumvent the law of our state and make outrageous profits off of our communities. Right now in Olympia, payday lenders are again attempting to skirt Washington’s consumer protections, by creating a new, unregulated financial product with an interest rate of around 218% APR!
After Poverty Action led the way in passing landmark legislation to regulate the payday lending industry, payday lenders have now decided to change the rules of the game by creating a “new” loan product that is outside the scope of current regulation. SB 5312 would allow lenders to offer installment loans that carry triple digit interest rates and outrageous fees. Allowing this “new” (in name only) product,would create a payday lending industry on steroids that could ensnare thousands in a devastating cycle of long-term debt.
Payday lenders have no shame. With SB 5312, they have made it clear that they believe they can just write new rules if the old ones are not sufficiently slanted in their favor.
Take Action: Act now to stop SB 5312 by entering your zip code and sending your lawmakers an email to oppose predatory lending!
eridani
(51,907 posts)SB 5312 Bill Info: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5312&year=2013
Hearing Video: http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2013031151
We are considering the Kirby amendment tomorrow at 9 a.m. in Business & Financial Services. Terms are better IF in response to higher amount ($1,500) and longer terms (6 months – 12 months) consumers don’t change their behavior. The APR is still high: estimated at 200% (compared to nearly 400% for traditional Pay Day loans). I will be voting "No", but it has the votes to pass out of committee to Rules.
--Cindy Ryu, 32nd LD
Here’s one story; you might know someone with a similar story.
http://povertyaction.org/real-stories-sandra-miller/
Real Stories – Sandra Miller
Sandra Miller , Clarkston, WA
“I took out my first payday loan in June 2005 amidst mounting medical bills. I had been though surgery three times on my back. After the last operation, I developed a staph infection and was forced to take additional time off of work to recover. Because I live paycheck-to-paycheck, I couldn’t actually afford to take extra time away from work, but I had no choice. Without my regular paycheck, I struggled to pay my rent and provide for my two children. One of my co-workers suggested that I take out a payday loan to help pay my rent and avoid eviction.
My first loan was for $300 and the lender gave me two weeks to repay it. At first this seemed manageable, but when my paycheck arrived, I realized that I couldn’t pay back the $300 plus interest and still pay my bills. I was told that I could just pay the interest and roll over the debt for another two weeks, so this is what I did. Unfortunately I was never able to make enough money to repay the entire debt so I continued to pay the interest and roll over the debts. Still trying to keep up with my other bills while paying the interest on the payday loans, I began going to other payday lenders. In the end, I owed $3,700 to seven payday lenders in both Washington and Idaho. I am behind on my rent, my car is falling apart, and I am struggling to provide for my children, ages 11 and 13. With help, I have been able to slowly pay off all but one of my loans and I am slowly working on paying off my final loan.
When I took out my first loan, I had no idea what kind of trap I would get myself into. I did not understand that, unlike bank loans, I would not be able to make payments toward the principle balance on my payday loan. There were no payment plans available to me; my only choices were to pay back the loan in full or pay the interest and roll over the debt. As someone who lives paycheck-to paycheck, I understand that people with low-incomes cannot afford unexpected expenses and as a result may need to use a payday lender. But, people using payday loans deserve the same protections as those using bank loans. Putting a limit on the amount of interest a lender can charge and offering repayment plans would give loan consumers a fair chance at paying off their debt rather than getting trapped in a cycle of debt.
I chose to tell my story to Poverty Action in hopes that others would understand how badly the payday lending industry needs reform. I want others to learn from my experience and to join in the fight to prevent others from getting trapped in a cycle of debt.”
These installment loans are expected to be marketed by Pay Day Lenders who have storefront presence in Washington State if ESSB 5312 becomes law.
ESSB5312
Rebuttal Information
United Way of Snohomish County does not support the creation of a new installment loan product in the payday lending industry.
1. Very little evidence that would-be borrowers are using on-line services.
a. Borrowers are not driven to seek payday loans online or from other sources. Based on research from the Pew Charitable Trust, we know that just five out of every 100 would-be borrowers choose to borrow payday loans online or from alternative sources such as employers or banks, while 95 choose not to use them. This is data from states without any payday storefronts, we anticipate that states with payday storefront, like Washington, the numbers are likely even lower. For additional information, or to view the entire report http://www.pewstates.org/research/reports/who-borrows-where-they-borrow-and-why-85899405043
b. Just because on-line providers are advertising in Washington does not mean there are many would-be borrowers using this service. I think we can all think of companies that advertise in Washington, but have very little presence in our state, like Joe’s Crap Shack or Sonic drive-in.
2. Better alternatives currently exist. Let’s create more!
a. Express Credit Union, located in King and Snohomish Counties, offers a much more affordable option.
Payday Alternative Loan: If you need emergency cash right away and require a little longer to repay it than just until your next payday – see us for a great lower-cost alternative! Members can receive a loan of up to $750 and pay a 15% flat fee on the amount borrowed. You have up to 90 days to pay off the loan in equal payments due 30, 60 and 90 days after receiving the loan. AND – when you make all payments on time, 1/3 of the fee will be deposited into your savings account to help you start saving for the future.
b. Bank On Washington and Bank On North Sound was created by government, community and financial organizations coming together to provide free or low-cost banking services. Please see the attached brochure for more information.
Katrina Ondracek, MA
Vice President, Public Policy and Community Initiatives
United Way of Snohomish County
More info:
http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/178_60/small-banks-developing-ways-to-compete-against-payday-lenders-1057863-1.html
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/opinion/2013/02/25/whats-the-hurry-to-end-run-payday-loan-reforms/
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130224/OPINION02/702249969
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/03/21/2930522/payday-loan-bill-hurts-the-vulnerable.html
eridani
(51,907 posts)Outrageous. Simply. Outrageous.
We already knew that predatory Lenders like MoneyTree were trying to buy our lawmakers with their incredible campaign contributions. Last year alone, MoneyTree and its leadership spent nearly $200,000 on campaign contributions.
But what is truly outrageous is that they are on the cusp of cashing in on those contributions by re-writing the legislative process when they didn't get their way.
Just a few short weeks ago, largely credited to your overwhelming opposition, the House refused to pass MoneyTree’s predatory lending/installment bill, SB 5312, out of committee. It was considered dead, and we were encouraged by the overwhelming community opposition to MoneyTree’s attempt to skirt the payday lending law.
So what does MoneyTree do? They just introduce a new bill, HB 2040, after the cut-off date to force the legislature’s hand on a vote. HB 2040 is just a “shell” of a bill. It has no language in the bill – it contains no information and we don’t know what they will put in the bill. We are deeply opposed to them introducing new legislation with just a few days before the end of session, after all of the committee and cut-off dates, with no information and without a public hearing.
Before their previous bill (SB5312) died in committee, 85 organizations representing over 1,000,000 Washingtonians spoke out against this predatory industry's attempts to operate outside existing consumer protection law.
Only two groups supported it, and you’ll probably only need two guesses to figure it out:
•MoneyTree, Inc.
•Community Financial Services Association of America (Payday Lending Industry)
This is how payday lenders work; they change the rules and rig the system to try to get their way. MoneyTree will stop at nothing to preserve the cycle of debt that keeps their doors open. Their profit is dependent on people’s economic hardship, and they’re using that profit to make sure Olympia is in their back pocket.
There are champions in Olympia right now working to stop MoneyTree’s attempt to circumvent the democratic process. Those legislators have put out an urgent call for help. We need to help them fight back payday lenders’ play to run our state legislature.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Washington State Senator Steve Litzow (R-41st District; Mercer Island) has introduced a bill that would assign a letter grade to public schools and school districts in the name of “accountability.” High-performing middle, junior high, and high schools would receive financial rewards from the state.
Litzow’s proposal turns on its head the policy of providing additional funding to low-performing schools with high-needs students. Schools failing to make adequate progress would be assigned an “F,” reminiscent of the much-reviled “No Child Left Behind Act” from the early years of the Bush error.
The stated goal is to infuse performance-based private-sector methods into the public sector as a reward for productivity. The result would be to increase the funding gap between the have and the have-not schools.
K-3 schools would be graded as feeder schools, based on the grades of their middle schools. Charter schools, very small schools, and alternative schools would be exempt from the proposed grading structure.
Letter grades would be based on their “accountability index” — a measure of the increase in student achievement on statewide standardized tests — as well as the school’s reduction in student achievement gaps and, possibly, other outcome measurements. For high schools, at least 50% of the school’s grade would be based on the “accountability index” and the remainder on graduation rates, advanced coursework such as AP and baccalaureate courses, post-secondary readiness such as ACT or SAT scores and the high-school graduation rates of at-risk students
eridani
(51,907 posts)Friends,
Tuesday, February 5 is Work and Family Day in Olympia! The House Labor and Workforce Development Committee is devoting most of its schedule to our two bills:
HB 1313 Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment, Sponsored by Rep. Laurie Jinkins
HB 1457 Implementing family and medical leave insurance, Sponsored by Rep. Tami Green.
When: Tuesday, February 5, 10:00 am to noon
Where: John L O’Brien building, Olympia (we expect the hearing room to be reassigned to accommodate a large turnout)
What you can do:
1. Sign in pro on both bills
2. Spread the word and encourage your members to attend.
3. Help us identify good stories and good spokes people.
Thanks, and see you in Olympia.
Marilyn P. Watkins, Ph. D.
Policy Director
Economic Opportunity Institute
phone (206) 529-6370
cell (206) 877-3674
marilyn@eoionline.org
www.eoionline.org
http://waworkandfamily.org
eridani
(51,907 posts)I’m pleased to be serving on the Education Committee and excited about two of my bills that are related to K-12 Education. My focus is to improve access to programs to prepare all kids for college and to promote health and safety for all students in Washington.
HB 1336, beginning in 2014-15, requires each school district to adopt a plan for recognition of emotionally distressed youth, initial screening of their warning signs, and appropriate responses to crisis. This bill is designed to equip school personnel with tools necessary to recognize and respond to early indicators of troubled youth in order to ensure the safety of our children. The bill also requires school nurses, social workers, and counselors to complete a training program of at least 3 hours to identify youth in need, screen for suicide, and refer to community providers as a condition of their certification.
HB 1526 would expand access to the Running Start program. It creates a six-year pilot project involving a partnership between middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions to increase enrollment and retention of underrepresented students in the Running Start program. Participating schools must provide outreach to high school students to raise awareness of the Running Start program and provide necessary social/academic support in college settings to ensure that historically underrepresented groups have access to this program. This bill provides an opportunity for participating schools to be pioneers in closing the opportunity gap in higher education.
eridani
(51,907 posts)The Underground Economy in Washington is fueled by the misclassification of workers and the routine practice of wage theft among unscrupulous employers who undercut legitimate businesses and local economies. Wage theft and employee misclassification are hurting law-abiding employers, stealing from workers and costing our state government millions of dollars each year. The underground economy costs Washington state billions of dollars in uncollected revenue, harms law-abiding employers that must struggle to compete with the underground economy, and keeps the hard working at the poverty level in this economy. The House Labor Committee is considering a bill that would curb wage theft, employee misclassification and support law-abiding businesses. HB 1440 is good for local economies, law-abiding employers and workers.
?Wage theft and employee misclassification has reached epidemic levels causing billions in loss revenue nationally. Wage theft results in $3-4 billion per year in lost income for the Federal Government. Unscrupulous employers are stealing from workers and costing our state government millions of dollars each year. When employers deny minimum pay, withhold wages for work, deny benefits, and avoid paying taxes on employee wages, they hurt workers, our communities and the business climate in our state.
Thousands of misclassified workers and small businesses from sectors across the state will have their rights discussed in Olympia tomorrow. These affected workers include - truck drivers, restaurant workers, and construction. Will you join them and speak up against the underground economy, wage theft and employee misclassification?
The public hearing on HB 1440: Ensuring fairness to employers by protecting employees is this Thursday, January 31st at 1:30 pm in the House Committee on Labor & Workforce Development.
Send a letter to your Representative HERE in support of HB1440: Ensuring fairness to employers by protecting employees! http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5377/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12702
Puget Sound Sage - "Growing communities where all families thrive."
1032 S. Jackson St., Ste. 203 ‚ Seattle, WA 98104 ‚ ph: 206. 568.5000 ‚ fx: 206. 568.3798
To subscribe, visit http://pugetsoundsage.org and choose Get Email Alerts.
eridani
(51,907 posts)HB 1440 would:
•Create a clear and more consistent definition of employee as compared with an independent contractor;
•Still allow legitimate independent contractors to maintain their independence;
•Ensure that employees can collect after they win cases for unpaid wages against their employers;
•Ensure victims of retaliation are protected under the law and have recourse; and
•Bring in the revenue owed to the state by catching employers who are cheating the system and their workers.
Wage theft and employee misclassification demand a solution based solely on the exploitation of workers denied their pay and basic protections like overtime pay, and workers' compensation and unemployment insurance coverage. But given its benefits in revenue recovery and supporting honest employers, HB 1440 should be considered a win-win proposal for labor, business and all levels of government.
Video on the underground economy and wage theft
eridani
(51,907 posts)Social media teams for defending SocSec and Medicare
SJM 8002
https://washingtonleg.granicusideas.com/widget/agenda_items/SJM%208002
HJM 4001
https://washingtonleg.granicusideas.com/widget/agenda_items/HJM%204001
You must create an account to comment on bills
https://washingtonleg.granicusideas.com/users/sign_in
You received an email recently asking you to call or email your legislators requesting their support for the Joint Memorial calling on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to the states to overturn the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court's disastrous decision - Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Joint memorials have now been introduced in both the State Senate and House. It's now up to us to rally support for SJM 8002 (Senate) and HJM 4001 (House).
A hearing has been scheduled by the Senate Government Operations Committee on SJM 8002 for Tuesday, February 5, 10:00 a.m. in Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 1. You can express support for SJM 8002 on the Senate comment page HERE, Comment on HJM 4001 HERE. SEND YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVES a personal letter, Email, or call the free hotline number 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message "I support (SJM 8002) (HJM 4001) and ask that you support it too."
Even better do all of the above and join us at the hearing on Tuesday, if at all possible.
It is especially important for the following committee members to hear from their constituents.
If you live in a committee member's district please contact him/her. If you know anyone who lives in the districts identified with the committee members below, please forward this email message and have them call, write or comment on the joint memorials.
SJM 8002 has been referred to the Government Operations Committee. Members are Roach, Chr. (LD 31), Benton (LD 17), Braun ( LD 20), Rivers (LD 18), Hasegawa (LD 11), Conway (LD 29), Fraser (LD 22).
HJM 4001 has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. Members are Pedersen, Chr. (LD 43), Hansen (LD 23), Rodne (LD 5), O'Ban (LD 28), Goodman (LD 45), Hope (LD 44), Jinkins (LD 27), Kirby (LD 29), Klippert (LD 8), Nealy (LD 16), Orwall (LD 33), Roberts (LD 21), Shea (LD 4)
Thank you for Taking Action,
Alice Woldt,
Executive Director, Washington Public Campaigns
Lobbying Work Group Co-ordinator, WAMEND
eridani
(51,907 posts)According to the majority of folks wanting to participate in this conference call to discuss Tuesday's Senate hearing on SJM 8002, it was determined that Monday, Feb 4th @ 4PM would work best.
The dial-in number and access code are:
Dial-in Number: (805) 399-1000
Access Code: Call Steve Hamm for this
Playback Number: (805) 399-1099 (This conference call will be recorded.)
It's also being sent to the WAmend & amendlist listservs. If your name isn't listed above, and you want to participate, please email me so I can facilitate accordingly.
Feel free to invite others to participate in this call, if they want to attend the hearing on Tuesday in Olympia but, if at all possible, have them email me.
You can also let people know they don't have to speak but their presence is encouraged because, when they sign-in, they can indicate whether or not they support the particular bill in question. A strong turnout gets attention.
BE ADVISED, we're listed as the last item (#7) on the hearing agenda. However, it is important to show up at the beginning of the hearing, even though we'll be hanging around until SJM 8002 is called. That could easily be two hours. Even so, watching the process and hearing others present is a worthwhile experience (unless you're an old pro at this!)
While, there are some specific items to briefly cover, essentially this call is to discuss how we are going to present our areas of concern so that we avoid overlap. This call shouldn't take longer than an hour at most.
Because brevity is critical, we should each have short, two to three minute presentations. The Senators do not like long presentations from the general public and are likely to cut off anyone who goes on too long.
Therefore, it's best to bring written materials covering all of your concerns, freeing you to focus on your most salient points during your presentation.
IMPORTANT: For a complete overview of the hearing process, please read ALL the information on the following web page, preferably before the conference call, as it describes the protocols for presenting efficiently and effectively:
Testifying in Committee
http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Testify.aspx
Especially read the sections titled "Before the Meeting" and "At the Meeting". For anyone planning on speaking, they'll have to sign-in electronically and that process is explained in "At the Meeting".
Last, it is not at all unusual for Committee members to come and go during the hearing so you may want to be prepared that the committee may be small by the time they get to us.
If you have additional questions, we should be able to answer them on the conference call.
Feel free to call me if you have specific concerns - 360.385.7410
Steve
eridani
(51,907 posts)Get ready to roll again:
Government Operations & Elections
Wednesday 2/13/13 1:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA
Public Hearing:
HB 1474 - Giving general election voters the power to choose between the top two candidates for nonpartisan offices.
HB 1509 - Concerning one candidate primaries.
HB 1510 - Modifying write-in voting provisions.
HB 1537 - Addressing a veteran's preference for the purpose of public employment.
HJM 4001 - Requesting an amendment to the United States Constitution to return the authority to regulate election campaign contributions to congress and state legislatures.
eridani
(51,907 posts)House Joint Memorial 4001 which passed the House and was heard last week in the Senate Governmental Operations Committee would put our state legislature on record as the 12th state to call on Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution in light of the Citizens United and other Supreme Court decisions. If it isn't passed out of the Senate Committee by end of day April 3, the legislation will die for this session.
Call the Committee Chair, Senator Pam Roach, 360 786-7660. Ask her to bring HJM 4001 up for a committee v
eridani
(51,907 posts)No one should suffer because of lack of dental care.
But every day kids, parents, and grandparents from all over Washington don't have access to the dental care they need. And many communities of color and low-income families face barriers in accessing affordable dental care.
That's why we're excited to support the Dental Access Bill (House Bill 1516/Senate Bill 5433). This bill will modernize our outdated laws by freeing up dentists to build a dental team with a mid-level dental health care provider. It's a solution that is proven to improve access and affordability of dental care.
And thanks to the wave of Washingtonians speaking up about access to dental care, we're having an impact. On Tuesday, the Dental Access Bill will have a hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
Help make the hearing a success by sending a message asking your legislators to Vote YES for the Dental Access Bill.
Representatives will hear testimony in the hearing from Washington CAN! member Jaydra Cope, whose brother passed away from a treatable dental issue. They will hear from dentists like Dr. Dailey D.D.S., of the Swinomish/Upper Skagit Dental Clinic, who knows that a mid-level provider will help him care for more people in need. They will hear from Washingtonians like Pauline in Lakewood, who is living every day in pain because she can’t afford care.
And, they need to hear from you. A message from you will boost the power of the people who are testifying at the hearing, and help convince your legislator to support this smart step forward.
Click here and urge your legislators to say YES to House Bill 1516/Senate Bill 5433.
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2723/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7229
Washington's out-of-date laws are keeping dental care beyond the reach of too many Washingtonians. Too many kids and adults are suffering. It doesn't have to be this way.
It's time to bring new licensed dental practitioners to the dental health care team. It is a community-driven, proven, smart solution that will get more Washingtonians the care they need.
Sincerely,
Rachael & the rest of the Washington CAN! team
eridani
(51,907 posts)Call your legislators and the governor at1-877-810-9757 to oppose SB 5156, or the teen endangerment bill. Most teens already turn to their parents, but some of our neighbors' daughters can't or won't because of abuse or other problems at home. Let's keep all teens safe and stop this bill.
Please join me in taking action and make your voice heard!
eridani
(51,907 posts)News Release - WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
PILOT PROGRAM FOR ELECTRONIC PUBLIC COMMENT ON BILLS
The Washington State Legislature is announcing the start of a pilot program called e-comments. The e-comments pilot program is part of the Legislature’s commitment to open government and will allow the citizens of Washington to submit electronic comments and suggestions directly to their legislators about any of the bills under consideration by the Legislature.
The e-comments pilot program is accessed through the Legislature’s Web site (www.leg.wa.gov) and allows the public to select a bill, indicate whether they are for or against it, and type comments and suggestions. This information is then made available to the legislators to be used in their consideration of the merits of a bill.
The public will be asked to create an account the first time they use the system and to provide residential address information to determine which legislative district they live in. This will allow the bill comments to be made available directly to the legislators who represent the person making the comments.
This information will be used only by the Legislature and will not be sold or otherwise made available to any third parties for commercial purposes.
The e-comments pilot program is a collaboration between the Washington State Legislature and Granicus, Inc., of San Francisco, which will provide the software support and integration with the Legislature’s Web site. For more information, please contact:
Gerry Sheehan
Legislative Information Center
360-786-7573 gerry.sheehan@leg.wa.gov
eridani
(51,907 posts)Feb 7 Public hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM. (Committee Materials)
Feb 12 Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM. (Subject to change)
What happens if a person is wrongly convicted and spends years behind bars before his or her innocence is proven? Not much. In fact, nothing. That’s right, under current law, that person is out of luck because there is absolutely no compensation.
My bill (HB 1341) would allow persons wrongly convicted and incarcerated to bring a civil suit against the state for compensation. This measure attempts to bring justice by providing Washington’s wrongly convicted with the financial support, education, and health care services they deserve and need to start over. It can include $50,000 per year of actual confinement and monetary compensation for child support, court fees, attorney fees, and other costs. Some may qualify for a tuition and fees waiver for state higher education institutions.
We heard compelling testimony on the bill in yesterday’s House Judiciary Committee meeting, including the stories of three exonerees. You can watch the hearing on TVW here. http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2013021066
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said while testifying in support of the bill, "We think when the government makes a mistake, we should say we're sorry." I agree, we should.
To learn more about HB 1341 and the Innocence Project, click on the image below to watch this KOMO news story: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Exonerated-convicts-ask-Washington-to-pay-up-for-lost-time-190303061.html?tab=video&c=y
eridani
(51,907 posts)Just two weeks into the 2013 legislative session, the action is fast and furious in Olympia. Lots of proposed legislation affecting Washington’s working families has been introduced, including several anti-labor workers’ compensation bills in the Republican (Plus Two) controlled Senate.
The Washington State Labor Council anticipates more Senate GOP+2 attacks on workers and their unions over the next few months, in addition to many pro-working family bills that will come before the Legislature. That’s why it’s critically important to attend the 2013 WSLC Legislative Reception and Legislative Conference on March 6-7 in Olympia.
All leaders, staffers and rank-and-file members of WSLC-affiliated unions are invited to attend.
The Legislative Reception is Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Olympia Red Lion Hotel. This is a great opportunity to talk informally with legislators, state officials and other trade unionists.
At the Legislative Conference, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, you’ll hear from union lobbyists about the status of labor’s agenda and bills affecting working families, plus you’ll hear from legislative leaders about the prospects for passing bills and budgets that invest in Washington state, create good jobs and protect our families.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Sorry if you have already received this email. Below is very exciting news about family and medical leave and about paid sick days. Please read. Also, please keep your eyes open for upcoming information on a hearing on Feb. 20th.
Friends,
Congratulations and THANK YOU!
Great progress this week! On February 13, the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee passed both HB1457 Implementing Family and Medical Leave Insurance and HB 1313 Establishing Standards for Paid Sick and Safe Leave.
Let’s keep up the good work and keep these bills moving toward final passage!
Coming up:
Wednesday, February 20, 1:30-3:30 the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee will hear:
· Senate companions to our family and medical leave insurance (SB 5292) and Paid Sick Days (SB 5594). Please sign in Pro.
· Bills that would completely nullify (SB 5728) or severely limit (SB 5726) Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Leave ordinance and the ability of other cities and counties to adopt similar standards. Please sign in Con.
Friday at noon we will have our weekly Coalition meeting in Olympia, Cherberg Building ABC rooms.
Check out the great op-ed in The Columbian by small business owner Don Orange:
http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/feb/10/family-and-medical-leave-plan-good-for-small-busin/
And the latest blog posts here: http://waworkandfamily.org/
Marilyn P. Watkins, Ph. D.
Policy Director
Economic Opportunity Institute
phone (206) 529-6370
cell (206) 877-3674
marilyn@eoionline.org
www.eoionline.org
http://waworkandfamily.org
eridani
(51,907 posts)This Friday, Feb. 22 is the deadline for bills that are not budget related to advance from their policy committees. Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message urging that the following bills be advanced from their policy committees by Friday.
-- HB 1026 (Rep. Jim Moeller) -- Promoting the hiring of Washington resident workers on taxpayer-funded or subsidized public works projects. At least 75% of work hours on such projects would be state residents, although contractors could get a waiver if enough qualified local workers are not available. Hearing this Saturday (after cutoff) in House Labor and Workforce Development. Companion SB 5394 (Sen. Bob Hasegawa) has not received a hearing in the Senate.
-- HB 1085 (Rep. Sherry Appleton) -- Would establish a single-payer health system called the Washington Health Security Trust. In 2011, Vermont established Green Mountain Care, a single-payer system to be available to all of that state's residents. As in Vermont, HB 1085 would allow Washington to seek an "innovation waiver" under the Affordable Care Act to provide universal coverage for specific health services for all of our state's residents. Heard in House Health Care and Wellness. Companion SB 5224 (Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles) has not received a hearing in the Senate.
-- HB 1095 (Rep. Tami Green) -- Protects patient safety by establishing standards for safe nurse staffing levels at hospitals. This statewide safety standard would make sure that the heart of patient care -- having enough nurses to care for patients -- comes first and require CEOs to listen to their own staffing committee when more staff is required. Heard in House Health Care and Wellness.
-- SB 5360 (Sen. Steve Conway) -- Giving the Department of Labor & Industries some tools to provide for the collection of unpaid wages when those wages are illegally withheld by employers. Heard in Senate Commerce and Labor. Companion bill, HB 1467 (Rep. Tami Green), passed House Labor on Feb. 14.
-- SB 5029 (Sen. Bob Hasegawa) -- Establishing the Washington Investment Trust, which can advance construction loans to local government entities for public infrastructure projects. Modeled after a successful state-run institution in North Dakota, SB 5029 would enable the state’s money to be at its own disposal, instead of parked at Bank of America or some other commercial bank. Heard in Senate Financial Institutions.
-- SB 5395 (Sen. Steve Conway) -- Applying prevailing wage standards to publicly subsidized projects. This ensures that taxpayer-subsidized work doesn't reward contractors that undercut community wage standards. Heard in Senate Commerce and Labor. Companion bill, HB 1025 (Rep. Jim Moeller), passed House Labor on Feb. 13.
-- SB 5429 (Sen. Maralyn Chase) -- Creating some accountability for businesses that receive tax breaks for new or replacement machinery. This bill would require the subsidized business to demonstrate a net benefit to the state in terms of jobs created or maintained and the economic activity created. Heard in Senate Trade and Economic Development.
-- SB 5482 (Sen. Karen Keiser) -- Ensuring low-income workers have access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. It requires the state to monitor enrollment reports, by income and enrollment status, from the state's new Health Benefits Exchange. If more than 10% of workers at or near the poverty threshold are uninsured, the state would implement the Federal Basic Health Option. Heard Monday in Senate Health Care.
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eridani
(51,907 posts)Following are status reports on some key labor bills that we've previously reported upon in this newsletter. Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your legislators, urging that the following bills receive floor votes in their respective houses.
-- HB 1313 (Rep. Laurie Jinkins) -- Establishing minimum standards for paid sick and safe leave, similar to what was recently enacted in the City of Seattle, but for all workers in Washington. Passed House Labor on Feb. 13 and is now in Appropriations. Companion SB 5594 (Sen. Nick Harper) is scheduled for a hearing in Senate Labor on Feb. 20.
-- HB 1413 (Rep. Luis Moscoso) -- The Washington Voting Rights Act empowering local governments to voluntarily change their voting systems to district-based elections in order to avoid the exclusion of certain communities. Passed House Government Operations on Feb. 12. Now before House Rules.
-- HB 1457 (Rep. Tami Green) -- Implementing Washington’s currently inactive Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. Passed House Labor on Feb. 13, now in Finance. Companion SB 5292 (Sen. Karen Keiser) is scheduled for a hearing in Senate Labor on Feb. 20.
-- HB 1536 (Rep. Larry Seaquist) -- Guaranteeing a labor representative serves on community college boards, as is already required at state technical colleges. This will create consistent, well-rounded representation on all of the colleges' boards. Passed House Higher Education on Feb. 14, now in Rules. Companion SB 5567 has not received a hearing in the Senate.
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eridani
(51,907 posts)Since last Thursday, something's come up. State Senator Doug Ericksen -- who represents north Bellingham and Whatcom County -- is blocking legislation that will expand access to solar energy. What can you do?
•If you live in the 42nd legislative district, call Ericksen's office right now at 360-786-7682 and urge him to allow Senate Bill 5707 to come to a vote.
•Join us tomorrow for Environmental Lobby Day in Olympia to help apply more pressure. Call 206-631-2625 to register.
Senate Bill 5707 is the kind of legislation we badly need to bring us closer to having every rooftop in Washington equipped with a solar panel, which reduces the demand for coal. It's a part of the clean energy solutions legislative priority.
What does he need to hear?
•As his constituent, you support clean energy legislation.
•This approach increases access to solar energy with no new taxes, subsidies, or even incentives. All it does is get government out of the way so new small businesses have the opportunity to invest in energy independence.
•The bill cuts the regulatory red tape keeping homeowners and businesses from making full use of their property by investing in a local energy source.
•SB 5707 will create good, family-wage jobs in clean energy almost immediately, without destroying our local environment.
Our friends in the legislature are telling us that we can get it out of committee if he hears from his constituents.
This is a good chance for us to demonstrate that we're not just against coal -- we're also for clean energy. Ericksen has heard from corporate lobbyists, but he hasn't yet heard from you. Call his office now at 360-786-7682 to let him know what you think.
Please pass this call to action on to any of your friends or e-mail lists, especially in the 42nd legislative district.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Last week, Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Is.), chair of the House Transportation Committee, unveiled the opening salvo in the debate over how to begin upgrading Washington's crumbling transportation infrastructure. The $10 billion package is funded by a 10-cent gas tax increase phased in over 5 years, plus vehicle tab renewal and other fees.
"This represents a very good first step in addressing the $50 billion in identified needs to restore Washington's crumbling transportation infrastructure," said WSLC President Jeff Johnson. He refers to the 2011 Washington Connects Task Force, which cited a 10-year funding need of $50 billion to rebuild this "backbone of Washington's economy.
At Clibborn's news conference announcing the package, she was surrounded by leaders representing labor, business, environmental groups and local government. This diverse group of interests has reached the common conclusion that current transportation revenues do not provide for the maintenance and operation of our existing highways, roads, ferry, or transit systems. And while the details of what will pass remain to be debated, all agree that now is the time to address this crisis.
As the Legislature continues to debate this important issue, unions from across Washington state have come together to develop a set of five transportation investment principles:
1. Maintain what we have now: We need to maintain the value of our transportation assets through a permanent funding source for maintenance and operation. This should include funding for highways, bridges, roads, transit, and ferries at the state and local levels. The funding sources for maintenance and operations should be indexed to inflation where possible.
2. Invest in strategic-economic corridors: We need to complete funding for existing critical corridors (SR 509, Columbia River Crossing (CRC), SR 520, I-405, I-90, SR 395, SR 167 and SR 519). We should also include in the package, funding for the next set of critical economic corridors and increased investments in our ferry system.
3. Increase State and Local Investment in Roads, Rail, and Transit: Local roads and bridges are quickly deteriorating to unacceptable and unsafe levels. Local governments require the funding and tools to preserve these assets and address growth needs. Demand for public transit, funded largely by volatile local sales tax revenues, is expected to dramatically increase at the same time public transit has been forced to dramatically reduce services. We need a permanent reliable funding source for public transit, state owned freight rail, increased local funding options, and an increase to the State’s share of transit funding.
4. Invest in Livable Communities: Transportation is responsible for more than 50% of our state’s greenhouse gas emissions. We need to increase our investment in clean water infrastructure improvements and healthy, safe, and sustainable community transportation projects.
5. Build it in Washington: Our scarce transportation dollars should maximize the creation of jobs in Washington State. An improved transportation system allows businesses to prosper and employment to grow. Our investment in our transportation infrastructure can be a source of good local jobs. This includes but is not limited to preliminary engineering design work at WSDOT, pre-manufactured products, materials needed for road improvements, building new ferries, manufacturing rolling stock, and the use of community workforce agreements and apprenticeship utilization.
In addition to the WSLC, the following unions have signed onto this set of principles: Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council; Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council; Aerospace Machinists 751; United Transportation Union; Maritime Trades Council; ILWU Local 19; ILWU Puget Sound District Council; Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17; International Union of Operating Engineers 302; Masters, Mates and Pilots; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Amalgamated Transit Union 587; Marine Engineers Beneficial Association; and Laborers District Council.
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eridani
(51,907 posts)Over the past month many of you have contacted your legislators in Olympia expressing concerns about bills that would weaken Initiative 937, our Clean Energy Initiative. You helped stop more than a dozen bad I-937 bills. However, there are still several bills that would seriously reduce our state’s development of new clean and renewable energy. They are moving toward Senate floor votes very soon and we need your help again!
Call your Senator today at 1-800-562-6000 with this message:
"Do not weaken Initiative 937. We cannot reduce our commitment to developing new sources of clean energy. Vote NO on SB 5648,SB 5298, and oppose amendments to other bills that would weaken our state’s commitment to clean energy.”
You passed I-937 to ensure that a rising percentage of the electricity we get from our largest utilities comes from new sources of clean energy. But the proposed Senate bill 5298 would change I-937 to allow utilities to reduce their renewable energy targets by buying coal power. The Senate also is poised to consider SB 5648, which could allow utilities to skirt I-937’s renewables standard. The net effect would be reduced investment in developing new wind, solar and other renewable energy projects and the jobs they bring to our state.
It is critical that legislators preserve voters' intent through I-937 to increase development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Call your Senator today at 1-800-562-6000 with this message:
“Do not weaken Initiative 937. We cannot reduce our commitment to developing new sources of clean energy. Vote NO on SB 5648 and SB 5298 and oppose amendments to other bills that would weaken our state’s commitment to clean energy.”
By contacting your legislators you can make the difference. With your support, we can continue to realize the vision of our Clean Energy Initiative.
Thank you.
Cy Berryman
Outreach Director
NW Energy Coalition
811 1st Ave, #305
Seattle, WA 98104 US
eridani
(51,907 posts)Policy moves fast and we need to keep up. Stop coal trains and climate change today. Make coal exports easier, say what?
This week legislators are also considering bill S.B 5805 that would fast track the construction of coal export terminals. We cannot allow that. We are so close to killing this bill, but we need a few more votes to make sure that we bury the coal terminals and this bill.
Governor Inslee has made good on his promise to help stop climate change and he needs our help.
Governor Inslee has proposed climate action legislation (SB 5802 and HB 1915) that requires mapping a plan for Washington to meet its climate pollution limits. This is the first and most necessary step to take serious action against climate change. The Governor has set the bill up, but we have to help him move it forward.
Contact your legislators today and ask them to support the Governor's-request Climate Action bill.
For Coal Export bill S.B. 5805 Call the legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Message: To make progress on climate change, we need to stop coal exports that make the problem worse. Please vote NO on SB 5805 that would fast-track coal development by sidestepping local input.
For Climate bills S.B 5802 and H.B. 1915 Call the Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Stand with the Governor to help solve Climate change
Reach out to your local representative to start addressing climate change: 1-800-562-6000
Climate change is the most pressing environmental problem of our time and we need to start taking real action. The Governor's Climate bill will get Washington moving in the right direction. Please Vote Yes on S.B 5802 and H.B 1915 so Washington can make a plan to meet address the climate crisis.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Major bills to weaken I-937 do not pass
Recently, we asked you to raise your voice to support I-937 and oppose two Senate bills that would have undercut our Clean Energy Initiative.
Your commitment to a clean and affordable energy future helped win the day. Neither Senate Bill 5298, which would have allowed utilities to reduce their clean energy responsibilities by buying coal, nor SB 5648, by which utilities could annul their renewables requirements, came to the Senate floor.
Calls and emails from supporters like you and steadfast support from leading legislators made all the difference.
Please take a moment to call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and thank Senators Ranker, Billig, Nelson, Litzow, Hill, Tom and Fain for their continued support protecting I-937!
But the legislative session is far from over and several bills to amend I-937 did advance from the House and Senate. Some of these proposed changes to amend I-937 are reasonable. But we must continue to work to prevent any amendments that would weaken I-937’s clean energy standards. It is important that legislators continue to hear from you that they need to protect the Clean Energy Initiative and the economic, environmental and climate benefits it brings to our state.
Thank you for your support!
Cy Berryman
NW Energy Coalition
811 1st Ave, #305
Seattle, WA 98104 US
eridani
(51,907 posts)The following labor-supported bills (listed in numeric order) are among those for which the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO urges floor votes as soon as possible:
HB 1023 (Rep. Jim Moeller) -- Creates family-wage training opportunities by extending apprenticeship utilization standards to publicly subsidized projects that cost $5 million or more. Passed House Labor, now in Rules. Companion bill SB 5393 (Keiser) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Labor.
HB 1095 (Rep. Tami Green) -- Protects patient safety by establishing safe nurse staffing levels at hospitals. Passed both Health Care and Appropriations, now in Rules.
HB 1152 (Rep. Dawn Morrell) -- Addressing meal and rest breaks for hospital employees. Passed both labor and Appropriations, now in Rules.
HB 1153 (Rep. Chris Reykdal) -- Regulating mandatory overtime for hospital employees. Passed House Labor, now in Rules.
HB 1267 (Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon) -- Extending the time period for voter registration. Passed Government Operations, now in Rules. Companion SB 5268 (Billig) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Government Operations.
HB 1313 (Rep. Laurie Jinkins) -- Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave. Passed both Labor and Appropriations, now in Rules. Companion SB 5594 (Harper) died without a vote in Senate Labor.
HB 1348 (Rep. Chris Reykdal) -- The "Step Up for Faculty" bill creating a framework to fund step increases for community and technical college faculty. Passed both Labor and Appropriations, now in Rules. Companion bill SB 5350 (Kohl-Welles) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Labor.
HB 1413 (Rep. Luis Moscoso) -- The Washington Voting Rights Act empowering local governments to voluntarily change their voting systems to district-based elections. Passed Government Operations, now in Rules.
HB 1440 (Rep. John McCoy) -- Underground economy legislation addressing wage theft and employee misclassification by cracking down on businesses that cheat workers—and state and local governments—out of the money they are owed. Passed Labor and Finance, now in Rules. Companion SB 5526 (Conway) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Labor.
HB 1536 (Rep. Larry Seaquist) -- Guaranteeing one labor member on community college boards. Passed Higher Education, now in Rules. Companion SB 5567 (Chase) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Higher Education.
HB 1608 (Rep. Sherry Appleton) -- Maintains Marine Employees Commission within the Public Employment Relations Committee Passed Labor, now in Rules. Companion SB 5536 (Conway) died without a hearing or vote in Senate Transportation.
HB 1719 (Rep. Roger Freeman) -- Clarifying the employment status of drayage truck operators at the Port of Seattle to protect those employees' rights. Passed Labor, now in Rules.
HB 1922 (Rep. Luis Moscoso) -- Expanding apprenticeship opportunities for highway construction workers, particularly for women and people of color. Passed Transportation, now in Rules.
HB 1953/SB 5773 (Rep. Marko Liias & Sen. Nick Harper) -- Allows local voters to choose whether to raise vehicle excise revenue to fund local road and transportation projects. Passed Transportation, now in Rules in both houses.
HB 1959 (Rep. Jessyn Farrell) -- Allows local transportation governing bodies to raise vehicle fees no higher than $40 annually and allows county voters to choose whether to raise vehicle excise revenue. Passed Transportation, now in Rules. SB 5861 (Murray) died without a vote in Senate Transportation.
Floor mopping needed in the Senate
Following are some of the bills opposed by the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (listed in numeric order) :
SB 5107 (Sen. Mike Padden) -- Applying lower prevailing wage rates to certain projects by expanding what is considered "residential construction." Passed Labor, now in Rules.
SB 5158 (Sen. John Braun) -- Creating a "good-faith" defense for employers that fail to pay minimum or overtime wages. Passed Labor, now in Rules. Companion HB 1462 (Manweller) died after being heard in House Labor.
SB 5159 (Sen. John Braun) -- Repealing the Family and Medical leave Act. Passed Labor, now in Rules. Companion HB 1462 (Manweller) died after being heard in House Labor.
SB 5275 (Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry) -- Creating a sub-minimum wage for new employees. Although dubbed a "training wage," the sub-minimum wage could apply to any new employee, experienced or not. Passed Labor, now in Rules. Companion HB 1150 (Condotta) died in House Labor.
SB 5508 (Sen. Brian Hatfield) -- Exempting rural school district projects from prevailing wage standards. Passed Labor, now in Rules.
SB 5619 (Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry) -- Exempting fire-repair projects from prevailing wage standards. Passed Labor, now in Rules. Companion HB 1249 (Warnick) died.
SB 5685 & 5686 (Sen. Curtis King) -- Adding to L&I's administrative burden for posting prevailing wage rates and conducting surveys. Both passed Labor, are now in Rules.
SB 5717 (Sen. Michael Baumgartner) -- Blocking state employees from competing to keep their jobs by exempting the state Dept. of Enterprise Services from the state's competitive contracting rules. Passed Goivernment Operations & Ways and Means, now in Rules.
SB 5726 & 5728 (Sen. John Braun) -- Killing Seattle's paid sick days ordinance and blocking any other city from adopting one. Passed Labor, now in Rules.
SB 5727 (Sen. John Braun) -- Exempting projects in "distressed" counties from prevailing wage standards (because that's just what distressed areas need: lower wages). Passed Labor, now in Rules.
SB 5811 (Sen. Rodney Tom) -- Restricting state employee collective bargaining over health care issues so the state can impose employee "wellness" programs. Passed Ways & Means, now in Rules.
SB 5851 (Sen. Barbara Bailey) -- Sen. Rodney Tom's surprise pension-killing bill (SB 5856) failed to pass Ways & Means Committee before the deadline, but SB 5851 would create a 401(k)-type savings plan to replace the defined-benefit pensions for new state employees. This change would not only harm the interests of new employees, it would also undermine the stability of the existing pension system for current employees and retirees. Passed Ways & Means, now in Rules.
SJR 8205 (Sen. Pam Roach) -- Amending the state constitution to require two-thirds majority vote of legislators to raise revenue or to repeal special-interest tax breaks. Passed Ways & Means, now in Rules.
eridani
(51,907 posts)PSARA members are invited to take our voices to Olympia, for the Caring Across Generations 1st Annual Lobby Day on March 28th!
We will be able to connect with people from across the state, share stories, and talk with our lawmakers about Caring Across Generations and how we can address the care crisis in Washington State!
What: Caring Across Generations 1st annual lobby day
When: Thursday, March 28th from 10am-3:30pm
Where: Columbia Room, Washington State Capitol, Olympia, WA
Transportation, lunch, childcare and interpretation will be provided by the Caring Across Generations coalition.
RSVP to Robby at president@psara.org or call the PSARA office, (206) 448-9646. You must RSVP by March 21 to get a seat on the bus.
There is more information about the Lobby Day and the legislative agenda of the Caring Across Generations coalition in your March issue of the Retiree Advocate.
eridani
(51,907 posts)The Senate majority coalition is looking for opportunities to help the middle class. Here’s a slam-dunk: Help middle-class Washingtonians save money on their utilities by passing SHB 1017.
SHB 1017, the Equipment Efficiency Standards Bill, is a bill that will save energy, water and money – by making new battery chargers, showerheads, faucets, and outdoor lights more efficient. Sadly, the bill is currently not on the Senate majority caucus’ agenda for a hearing.
The bill consists of a few common sense measures that will save a lot of energy and water and will reduce utility bills for homes and businesses in our state. The savings from SHB 1017 really add up. By 2018, the standards will save enough electricity to power 38,000 Washington homes a year. The water standards will conserve 1.9 billion gallons of water a year – equal to a full year's water use in 32,000 Washington homes. The water and energy savings also mean big savings on utility bills across the state: by 2018, $60 million per year.
All these benefits come with almost no costs to the state treasury, consumers, manufacturers or retailers. Ask Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom and your Senator to call for the passage of SHB 1017.
It’s low-cost, high-benefit legislation that’s good for consumers, the environment and the economy – It is something we all SHOULD agree on.
This bill, part of the environmental community’s Clean Energy Solutions Environmental Priority, passed out of the House with bipartisan support. Now, it’s the Senate’s turn. Please contact Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom to ask him to hear SHB 1017.
Wouldn’t you love a lower utility bill?
Edie Gilliss
WCV Political Director
eridani
(51,907 posts)Statewide Safety Net Call-in Day!
TAKE ACTION on APRIL 10!
http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/30/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=545
Take the pledge to contact your legislators to protect Washington's Safety Net on April 10th! Right now in Olympia, our legislators are making important decisions about what programs get funded and which ones do not. Together we can let legislators know that programs like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy families) and Disability Lifeline are vital programs and need to be funded in this year's legislative budget!
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Washington’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program strives to improve the well-being of struggling families with children by helping them reach economic security through employment. Families with children who have incomes below 31% of the Federal Poverty Level and less than $1000 in assets are eligible for the program. TANF families receive a monthly cash grant to help cover the basics, such as rent, utilities, transportation, and personal health and hygiene products. The current grant amount for a family of three is $478 per month.
Disability Lifeline
The Disability Lifeline programs ensure that we will have access to support and the opportunity for a decent quality of life if we become disabled and are unable to work. The medical coverage and housing assistance provided by Disability Lifeline are often the difference between housing and homelessness, between a meal and going hungry, or between a visit to the doctor and remaining sick.
eridani
(51,907 posts)The State Senate unveiled its $33.2 billion two-year operating budget today, sweeping $180 million out of the Disability Lifeline cash grant and moving it to Housing and Essential Needs (HEN). There was also the expected shift of $1 billion in new money into basic education, higher ed and early learning.
The Senate plan assumes $1.2 billion in savings from various cuts in human services, and makes ends meet without raising any taxes or shrinking any tax breaks.
This budget added $9.4 million raising the State Food Assistance level to $34. 4 million. The Farm to School program (fostering relationships between schools and agricultural producers in Washington to support farmers while educating about the connections between farming, health, and the environment) was raised by $250,000 (the ask was $500,000). The Emergency Food Assistance Program was maintained.
The devastating cuts to Disability Lifeline will hit hard. Thousands of disabled Washingtonians are on the Disability Lifeline program which provides cash and medical assistance to people unable to work and who don't qualify for federal Social Security Insurance programs. They suffer from severe injuries, chronic medical and mental illness, and substance abuse; many are also homeless.
Disability Lifeline is truly a lifeline. The small cash grant can often mean the difference between housing and homelessness for the poorest among us.
The Housing Trust Fund is in the Capitol Budget which has not been released yet.
Faith Action Network’s statewide interfaith communities implore lawmakers to raise new revenue now and draw a circle of protection around Washington’s families in need.
“We call for a review of Washington’s tax code,” says Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, “to consider increasing equality for low and moderate income families who are paying a disproportionately high percentage of their incomes on taxes, yet are slated to lose critical state supports for their basic needs.”
“While the McCleary decision for education funding is the right thing to do,” said Bishop Wm. Chris Boerger of the NW Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church, “we cannot have it prevent us from fulfilling our duty to provide services that help hungry kids in crisis. Washington is a state that can fund both—and should.”
“As a widely diverse voice of people of faith, together we implore our lawmakers to find new sources of revenue,” said Jasmit Singh, of the Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington. “Let’s curtail our dependence on the regressive retail sales tax with its long periods of diminishing returns and find new sources that don’t leave more people behind.”
As the Senate budget is debated over the next weeks, Faith Action Network calls on our elected legislators to draw a circle of protection around the vital public programs that face devastating cuts or elimination. Closing tax-loopholes is not enough. These programs are the foundation of our state’s safety net and we cannot absorb this round of reductions. During the current recession, people in need have taken a disproportionate share of trouble and their needs are at an all-time high.
“Without comprehensive change to our revenue system, we’re pitting one part of the safety net against critical public services,” says Rev. Paul Benz, co-director of Faith Action Network. “Stop the insanity and reasonably and compassionately do what must be done. Raise revenue.”
According to the Washington Department of Revenue, 575 state tax breaks have no expiration date. Over the past 25 years, these loopholes have mushroomed from 333 to 640. They total in dollar amount to a third of the State’s biennial budget ($10.8 billion). While some tax breaks have merit, others simply drain our state coffers with no end date in sight. It’s time to close the loopholes and raise revenue to protect our brothers and sisters in need.
REMEMBER: FAN supports the following reforms to create sufficient revenue for a balanced budget:
1.Extend beer tax (50 cents per gallon) - This would raise $101 million over the next two years.
2.Extend 0.3 percent B&O tax (business and occupation) to financial services - this will raise $534 million over the next two years
3.Enact Capital Gains Tax SB 5738 (Sen. Murray-Prime Sponsor) at a 5 percent rate to raise $505 million dollars per year, bill has not received a hearing.
Repeal tax loopholes (We applaud and support Governor Inslee’s proposal of repealing eleven tax exemptions totaling $565 million.)
eridani
(51,907 posts)Looks like the developers are at it again. This time they're trying to shut down the Department of Ecology. The recent budget being proposed in the Senate will cut the funding for the Department of Ecology's Water Resources budget by 50%. This would end all work (enforcement, etc.) to protect the rivers and salmon and lead to significant reductions to water quality, air quality, and other critical programs. We cannot let this stand. We need activist to come in Wednesday night for and hour or two to help get the word out to Sierra Club members. This year we've won some pretty major victories against bad water policy, but if big agriculture and developers shut down the Department of Ecology it won't matter.
I want to make this very clear: we can stop them. This is not a hopeless fight, but we have to be persistent and loud. It will only take an hour or two out of your day and the Sierra Club will provide refreshments. We need to make sure the the Senators know they can't just sellout our future like this. If you're interested in helping call me at (206) 378-0114 or send me a reply email. We need your help.
Sincerely
--
Cody Young
Chapter Program Coordinator
Washington State Chapter Sierra Club
180 Nickerson Street, Ste. 202
Seattle, WA, 98109
T: 206. 378-0114 x 300
C: 317.370.7468
cody.young@sierraclub.org
eridani
(51,907 posts)Don't rewrite MTCA - Oppose SB 5296
http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5168/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13693
More than two decades ago, voters wisely approved the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) to make polluters pay for cleaning up some of our worst toxic sites and to reduce the threat of toxic pollution in communities across the state.
But now there is a bill moving fast through the legislature that would rewrite MTCA – threatening Puget Sound and undermining toxic waste prevention in our communities.
This bill is a huge mistake. Email your legislators today and tell them to say no to SB 5296 and stand up for our clean water and public health.
http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5168/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13693
eridani
(51,907 posts)State Senate Bill 5905, introduced on April 10 by Sens. Andy Hill (R-Redmond) and Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam), would essentially eliminate state health coverage for part-time state employees and force them into the Washington Health Benefits Exchange being developed under the federal Affordable Care Act. SB 5905, which is strongly opposed by organized labor, passed the Republican-controlled Senate on Monday by a 25-23 vote.
Yeas: 25 Nays: 23 Absent: 0 Excused: 1
Voting Yea: Senators Bailey, Baumgartner, Becker, Benton, Braun, Brown, Dammeier, Ericksen, Fain, Hargrove, Hewitt, Hill, Hobbs, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford, King, Litzow, Padden, Parlette, Pearson, Rivers, Schoesler, Sheldon, Smith, and Tom
Voting Nay: Senators Billig, Chase, Cleveland, Conway, Darneille, Eide, Fraser, Frockt, Harper, Hasegawa, Hatfield, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Mullet, Murray, Nelson, Ranker, Roach, Rolfes, Schlicher, and Shin
Absent:
Excused: Senator Carrell
Among the many dubious assumptions in the Senate budget proposal is a presumed $90 million in savings from dropping health coverage for part-timers. If SB 5905 passes and such savings occur, that would be $90 million taken out of the pockets of state employees.
The Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28, noted that Sens. Pam Roach (R-Auburn) and Brian Hatfield (D-Raymond) led the principled bipartisan opposition to SB 5905. But the bill squeaked through Monday after conservative Democratic Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) joined sponsor Hargrove in voting “yes” alongside the GOP+2 Caucus.
TAKE A STAND! AFT Washington represents faculty at community and technical colleges, some 70% of whom are part-timers. The union is urging everyone to click here to contact your legislators and tell them that the Senate proposal is unfair and immoral to part-time faculty and state employees.
“Instead of moving us toward the goal of actual universal coverage, the Senate has proposed legislation that does exactly the opposite,” said AFT Seattle 1789 President Karen Strickland. “The effect on part-time faculty should SB 5905 pass would be devastating.”
AFT Washington explains that SB 5905 would:
■Eliminate dental and vision coverage since the federal program doesn’t require coverage for these benefits.
■Raise premiums for many, if not all, employees. Depending upon income, monthly premiums for coverage could triple.
■Charge employees more out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.
■Make coverage based on hours worked, not percent of load.
Currently, the state’s Health Care Authority gives full health coverage to college faculty working at least 50% (0.5 FTE) of a full-time load. That load is defined by union contracts and compares apples to apples. The ACA requires coverage only for those working more than 30 hours per week. A debate is under way in Washington, D.C., about whether that 30 hours includes prep time for college faculty.
If the AFT doesn’t win that fight in D.C., then almost all part-time faculty in Washington state could completely lose their health coverage under SB 5905.
House Action pr 24 First reading, referred to Appropriations (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). Needs to be blocked here.
eridani
(51,907 posts)http://washingtonpolicywatch.org/2013/05/22/wa-senate-keeps-creating-more-tax-loopholes/
But the Senate, rather than closing tax loopholes, has created even more! Rather than write an honest budget with real money, the Senate is uses accounting gimmicks. And rather than close a loophole created by the courts that benefits only a handful of already very wealthy sons and daughters, the Senate ignored it. For Senate Leader Rodney Tom, a Democrat/Republican from Bellevue (he can’t seem to decide which he is), and his Republican allies, it was much more worthy to protect the privilege of the inheritors of wealth rather than actually pave the way for middle class kids to get a chance at higher education.
Everyone seems to be hoping the Revenue Forecast Council will pull a rabbit out of its hat in mid-June, and make writing a budget a weekend holiday. That won’t happen. We have lost too much is the past five years. We have to take conscious small steps forward. It will take time — years and decades. That is how long the state has whittled away at government funding, diminishing K-12 , higher education, basic health care. What’s important is that we choose to go forward, not endorse the current and continuing diminishment of public services, which can only undermine our quality of life and opportunity in our state. In the special session, that’s a pathway for progress. It is not earth-shaking, but it is progress. Let’s hope the Senate will join in negotiating this pathway with the House.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Sample letter--
Fixing the estate tax is a critical step toward fully funding our education system. With a billion-dollar budget deficit and another billion dollars required by the McCleary decision, we simply cannot afford a $130 million giveaway to millionaires and billionaires.
Washington already has the most regressive tax code in the country. Due to unjust tax loopholes, the wealthiest few are able to rig the system to avoid paying their fair share. It's long past time to reform our tax system and make it more progressive.
The Senate should pass a bill reconciled with the House bill. After the recent bridge collapes, you'd think people would stop their childish whining about paying for public goods.
I urge you to fix our estate tax, close tax loopholes, and extend the B&O surcharge to fund education and essential services for all Washington residents.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
Find your legislator
eridani
(51,907 posts)With the 2013 Washington Legislature’s regular and special sessions complete, Bicycle Alliance of Washington reviews our victories, disappointments, and outlines next steps. Part 1 catalogues our victories and thanks you and our legislative champions for the hard work and support that gave us the policy and investment victories to continue growing bicycling statewide.
Lasting almost six months, 2013 marked one of the longest legislative sessions in Washington state’s history. It was a marathon, for sure, and we can’t thank you enough for your support and outreach to our elected officials. Your emails, calls, and letters show the 2013 Washington Legislature the import of improving safety, connectivity, and mobility for Washingtonians.
Because of your help and hard work in contacting state legislators to let them know your priorities, we can count the following victories to grow bicycling statewide.
