The state Attorney General's Office, a key supporter of the legislation, argued that young people need a chance at rehabilitation. The State House bill to limit the use of youth solitary confinement in juvenile detention facilities has passed both chambers of the Legislature, as the end of the … [Read more...]
Racial bias study for WA State Patrol could resume after 13 years
Revelations that Washington State Patrol troopers are searching people of color at rates much higher than whites have prompted the Washington House of Representatives to propose restarting bias studies that the Patrol quietly discontinued 13 years ago. The House’s proposed budget would also … [Read more...]
Washington’s Legislature has the tools — and the mandate — to tackle homelessness
Homelessness was once an issue that mattered to many Washingtonians, but fell behind other concerns such as the economy, education and taxes. Today, the public will for action on homelessness is stronger than ever. Nearly one in three Washington residents surveyed in a recent Crosscut/Elway Pollsaid … [Read more...]
From Canadian imports to price caps, WA lawmakers seek ways to cut drug prices
Several measures aim to help reduce patients’ out-pocket-costs for medications, including for lifesaving insulin. The legislation Stone-Vekich supports, Senate Bill 6087, had a public hearing last month before the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. The measure, sponsored by … [Read more...]
Work with Faith Action Network on Census 2020! Training Provided
We are only 40 days out from the launch of Census 2020 on March 12, as postcards will begin to arrive inviting households to participate. Official Census Day is April 1. In the State of Washington, $16.7B in tax dollars for our communities are at stake, along with our democratic representation in … [Read more...]
95 Environmental Rules Being Rolled Back Under Trump
President Trump has made eliminating federal regulations a priority. His administration, with help from Republicans in Congress, has often targeted environmental rules it sees as burdensome to the fossil fuel industry and other big businesses. A New York Times analysis, based on research from … [Read more...]
Lawmakers want tougher carbon-reduction goals, even as WA falls short of current targets
Crosscut, by Shauna Sowersby / January 17, 2020 Twelve years after the Washington Legislature first codified limits on greenhouse gas emissions, lawmakers are considering a new bill that would establish even stricter state targets. The original legislation, passed in 2008, sought to reduce … [Read more...]
Inslee wants action to curb homelessness and vehicle pollution in 2020. Here’s what voters think
Crosscut, by Shauna Sowersby / January 15, 2020 Inslee highlighted three main areas where he hopes to see the most success: training for midcareer workers, tackling homelessness and establishing a clean fuel standard. He also touched on a few other “tasks” he believes the Legislature needs to … [Read more...]
HB 2311, Emissions Limit Bill, Signed by Governor
For Background: In 2008, Washington enacted legislation (RCW 70.235) that set a series of limits on the emission of greenhouse gases within the state: quote: By 2020, reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases in the state to 1990 levels; By 2035, reduce overall emissions of greenhouse … [Read more...]
New Organization, Change Roots, Explores What Is Bipartisanship
A new organization, Change Roots, wants to be the app empowering you to end toxic partisanship. Simply put, bipartisanship is working with the other party to get something done. Its opposite, partisanship, is working only to get done what your party wants, at the expense of the other party. … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Make A Difference: Changing The World With Political Awareness
Change Roots is a new organization founded to combat toxic partisanship. It’s easy to feel powerless given our politics today. It feels like the media, big money and the elite are manipulating the system to their benefit at the expense of everybody else. You’re not wrong. But we can’t let that … [Read more...]
Panel Discussion: Bringing Social Values to Life in Our Cities, Our Communities and Our Conscience, January 5th, 2020, Seattle WA
The Mount Holyoke College Club of the Puget Sound invites you to a panel discussion. Speakers: Dr. Serin Houston, Professor of Geography and International Relations at Mount Holyoke College, and author of Imagining Seattle: Social Values in Urban Governance. Dr. Anu Taranath, Principal Lecturer, … [Read more...]
Can You Help with Advocacy for Affordable Housing Event?
I just got off the phone with Troy Theil, founder of Community for Affordable Housing (CFAH), who spoke at the FIABCI Affordable Housing Summit that I attended last week. Troy is a strong supporter of Attain Housing here on the Eastside, but he sees that we need to go beyond treating the symptoms … [Read more...]
Stop Deportation of Military and Veteran Family Members. Support Bill S2797.
Last June, the Department of Homeland Security repealed “Parole in Place,” a policy that prevented deportation of family members of active duty military members, veterans, and reservists. Previously, federal immigration officials allowed servicemembers and veterans the time to pursue paths to legal … [Read more...]
OPPOSE HR5038 Farm Workforce Modernization Act-A Trojan Horse for Beleaguered Farm Workers
Community to Community Development, following the leadership of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, Washington State's independent farmworker union, OPPOSES HR 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. On November 12, after months of closed-door negotiations involving corporate agricultural … [Read more...]
Now is an Excellent Time to Contact Your Legislators About Your Concerns
It is quiet right now in the Legislature, which makes it the perfect time to reach out to our Representatives and Senators and let them know what is important to us.See leg.wa.gov site for their contact information. I am suggesting three issues that may resonate with JUUstice Washington … [Read more...]
Counties talk about legislative priorities
The Washington State Association of Counties holds this meeting annually to give legislators in the area a preview of the priorities of local governments and to hear requests for the upcoming legislative session, said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. This year, the focus was on … [Read more...]
FAN-Sponsored Candidate Forums, multiple times and locations
FAN-Sponsored Events: Snohomish County Sheriff Candidate Forum: A Conversation on Police Accountability October 18, 6:30 PM Snohomish County Administration (East)/Robert J. Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett Kitsap Co/Olympic Peninsula Cluster Gathering October 19, 12-2 PM Olympic … [Read more...]
Vote to Approve Initiative 1000
November ballots are arriving soon! Initiative 1000 was passed in the 2019 state legislative session as a way to return affirmative action measures to Washington State, bringing equity to employment, contracting, and education for women, veterans, small businesses, and people of color. Now the vote … [Read more...]
Solutionary Rail “Bite” to Share with Policymakers
Rail Bite #5 - SR will cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Our Solutionary Rail Team has compiled Rail Bite 5 on "Solutionary Rail as a solution to Greenhouse Gas Emissions." Rail Bites are easy to digest morsels of info for busy policymakers, educating them on different aspects of electrified freight … [Read more...]