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Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State

Rev. Paul Benz, Director

766 John St. Suite B; Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 464-4133 
(206) 626-0987 (fax)
pbenz@lcsnw.org

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Go Right to 2008 LPPO Legislative Priorities

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ADVOCATING JUSTICE FOR ALL OF GOD'S CREATION

 

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 An Advocate is:
  • One who pleads on another’s behalf
  • One who argues for a cause
  • One summoned to give evidence

Advocacy is:

  • Using what God has given us to help our neighbors in need. It includes direct actions of charity and justice as well as intentional activity which helps build a more just society.

 
  • Call, write to, and meet with your
    Legislators.
  • Join LEAN, the Lutheran Email Alert Network, and get just-in-time action alerts on
    legislative issues via email. 
  • Organize an offering of letters within
    your congregation.
  • Make a financial contribution to the
    Advocacy Ministry of the ELCA in
    Washington State.
  • Pray for your elected leaders and
    for the work of those who advocate on
    behalf of the poor and vulnerable.
  • Volunteer with LPPO. Call for
    details.

To get INVOLVED, contact:

Rev. Paul B. Benz, Director
766 John St. Suite B; Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 464-4133 
(206) 626-0987 (fax)
pbenz@lcsnw.org

Download and Print this Legislative Priorities Brochure
(PDF File, 35 KB)

INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Criteria for Selecting Priorities

The Lutheran Public Policy Office employs three interrelated criteria to discern legislative priorities:

1) ELCA Social Policy, as articulated in Social Statements, Churchwide Assembly Resolutions, ELCA Church Council actions and Messages, and the Conference of Bishops

2) Current events and issues affecting “the least of these in our midst” are of particular concern to the church

3) Director and Advisory Council. Multiple representatives from each of the Washington synods and Lutheran Community Services Northwest meet quarterly to review and establish areas of focus for advocacy 


This church shall advocate dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their need.(ELCA Constitution-ch.4.02c)

2008 LPPO Legislative Priorities

2008 LPPO Washington State Legislative Priorities

I. Hunger, Poverty & Economic Justice

  • Full Elimination of School Lunch Co-Pay ($4.3M)
  • Support the Anti-Poverty Package
  • Reduce Barriers to Auto Insurance for Low Income Drivers
  • Establish a Living Wage Standard Pilot
  • Mortgage Lending Reform 

II. Housing and Healthcare

  • Increase Housing Trust Fund ($100M)
  • Increase Transitional Housing, Operating, and Rent (THOR) ($10M)
  • Reauthorize Washington Families Fund ($8M)
  • Pass Health Care Connector Bill for Low-Income Workers
  • Support Medicaid Funding Request for Nursing Home Workers ($15M) 

III. Criminal Justice

  • Legal Financial Obligation Reform
  • Establish a Dept. of Corrections Ombudsman
  • Continue Transition, Re-Entry, and Prison Programs
  • Support 3 Strikes Reform 

IV. Environment and Sustainable Agriculture

  • Support Local Farms/Healthy Kids package ($5M) including  increasing the WIC/Sr. Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program ($1M)
  • Establish Global Warming/Cap and Trade CO2 Emissions Standards
  • Eliminate Mixed Radioactive Waste Disposal 

V. Civil & Human Rights

  • Establish Worker Privacy Act
  • Firearm possession restrictions for the mentally ill

VI. Tax Reform

  • Support for working Families Credit Bill (State EITC)
  • Monitoring of Tax Exemptions 

VII. Immigration Reform

  • Support the New Americans Initiative ($2M) 

VIII. Education Access & Quality

  • Take the Lead Campaign
  • Support quality benefits for early childhood center directors and workers

 

For more information about any specifics regarding these priorities contact LPPO at  (206) 464-4133 or email Paul Benz  pbenz@lcsnw.org or David Coombs davidrcoombs@gmail.com.

 

Criteria for Selecting Priorities

The Lutheran Public Policy Office employs three interrelated criteria to discern legislative priorities:

  • ELCA Social Policy, as articulated in Social Statements, Churchwide Assembly Resolutions, ELCA Church Council actions and Messages, and the Conference of Bishops
  • Current events and issues affecting “the least of these in our midst” are of particular concern to the church
  • Director and Advisory Council. Multiple representatives from each of the Washington synods and Lutheran Community Services Northwest meet quarterly to review and establish areas of focus for advocacy

 

This church shall advocate dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among nations, and standing with the poor and powerless and committing itself to their need. (ELCA Constitution-ch.4.02c)

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