Dear supporters, friends and allies, At the beginning of legislative session we saw an unprecedented number of legislators of color taking office in the Washington State Legislature. Meanwhile our Statewide Environmental Justice Summit created a groundswell of interest and energy from communities … [Read more...]
Post Photos of Abortion Ban Rally Protests to UUA FB Today
The UUA is going to put up a Facebook post about the rallies today and ask people who are at them or went to them to post a photo in the comments section from their rallies saying where they are. So please watch for that post and then post your photo and ask others in your network to do so. More … [Read more...]
2019 Preliminary Summary of Legislation Passed by the Washington State Legislature
Pretty impressive document. Issued by the Office of Program Research Washington House of Representatives and published on April 29, 2019. Read more here . . . … [Read more...]
Accomplishments of the 2019 Legislative Session
The 2019 Legislative Session is officially over. First, we’d like to recognize the hard work of all of you—our advocacy community. This legislative session was an important one, and because of your action, a number of critical policies (plus an entire 2 year operating budget!) are now a reality. … [Read more...]
Hone Your Justice Skills at GA, June 19-22, Spokane WA
You can register here. THURSDAY, JUNE 20 10 am-12 pm - Effective and Relational Justice Work in UU Spaces Offered by UUs for Social Justice in the Middle East Social justice work is central to Unitarian Universalist identity and is often controversial. UU activists must be effective in … [Read more...]
REET: The Real Estate Excise Tax made less regressive
Amendments to the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) were passed by the legislature on April 28. The bill, SB 5998, was focused on amendments to the REET, which is levied on sale of a home. It raises $243.5 million over two years, while creating a small tax cut for some home sellers. The bill changes the … [Read more...]
Help Protect the Lives of Working People- On Workers’ memorial Day (April 28)Tell OSHA to Hire More Inspectors
Join Interfaith Worker Justice to tell OSHA to hire more inspectors. Add your name to help us protect the lives of working people. For almost fifty years now, we have come together on April 28th for Workers' Memorial Day to demand real action to prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths in the … [Read more...]
Urge Lawmakers to Fund Working Families Tax Credit
We are working alongside community members and partner organizations to ensure that lawmakers fund and modernize the Working Families Tax Credit. We’re holding a phone bank on Thursday, April 18, to urge passage and we need volunteers! The phone bank will be at Poverty Action’s office in … [Read more...]
Here’s What Your Advocacy Has Accomplished
A collection of progressive bills, most of which will primarily impact low-income communities and communities of color in Washington state, were voted on and passed by state legislators. These bills—some of which Poverty Action has been working alongside community members and partner … [Read more...]
These Budgets Are No Joke-Summary of Senate Budget Proposal
Washington state’s Senate released its two year operating budget proposal last Friday, March 29, just a few days after the House’s operating budget proposal. Senate budget writers have taken critical steps in the right direction with their investments and budget priorities. The 2019-2021 Senate … [Read more...]
Senate Budget Addresses Poverty and Tax Issues
Washington state’s Senate released its two year operating budget proposal last Friday, March 29, just a few days after the House’s operating budget proposal.S enate budget writers have taken critical steps in the right direction with their investments and budget priorities.The 2019-2021 Senate … [Read more...]
WA State House Tackles Fixing Economic Inequality: A Strong Start That Needs Deeper Investments
Washington state’s House of Representatives released its two year operating budget proposal on Monday, March 25. We applaud the House for taking critical steps to ensure our tax code is balanced and the wealthiest people and corporations pay their fare share. The House also made a number of critical … [Read more...]
Rally to fund and modernize the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), March 21, Olympia WA
That’s right! For years now, Washington state has ranked as having the number one worst tax code in the entire country! It’s beyond time that our absurd state tax structure was turned right side up. We need a tax structure that works for low- and moderate-income people, not just wealthy … [Read more...]
Your Help Needed for Bills Supporting DACA and Sick Days for Workers
A Message from Interfaith Worker Justice As Congress clocks out for the weekend many members of Congress can be proud of the shifts they put in this week. Two very important but very different pieces of legislation were introduced that, if passed, will improve the lives of millions of people living … [Read more...]
Oppose Rule Change Cutting Off Food Aid to 80,000 Low Income People in WA
Recently, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a rule change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, able-bodied adults without dependents are subject to the harsh time limit of only three months of assistance every three years if they do not work enough … [Read more...]
Support Families in Need Instead of Punishing Them
WorkFirst, Washington state’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, is a critical resource that helps low-income families with kids stay housed, pay bills, and purchase food and essential items for growing children. It should be there when families need … [Read more...]
Help Faith-Based Communities Build Low Income Housing
Religious Zoning Bill (HB 1377/SB 5358): Urge your Representatives to pass this bill out of committee, particularly if they are in the House or Senate Rules Committee. Click here to email your legislators. This bill would assist faith communities in developing low-income housing on their properties. … [Read more...]
Hearing of House Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee on homelessness bills 1219, 1377, 1406 and 1207
The state legislature’s Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee has passed four homelessness bills (described below). These bills would enable local communities and religious organizations to develop affordable housing using existing tax bases. You can take action on these bills by … [Read more...]
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passes three bills for Indian Country
Bills approved concern Native languages, Native veterans, and tribal economic development Indian Country Today (Press Pool) News Release: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (Feb 2019) Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced that the … [Read more...]
Futurewise overview and recommendations on upcoming housing legislation
We're a month into the legislative session and it's heating up, with a host of bills related to minimum density, accessory dwelling units and urban growth expansions being considered. Let's dive in with a few key bills: SB 5440, SB5353, SB5424, SB5384, HB1213 … [Read more...]