Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State

With the House and Senate unable to agree to a budget over the course of the nine week regular session, the Governor called a special session that ended up lasting nearly a month, from March 13th and ending April 12th.  This made for a very long “short” supplemental budget session!  Throughout the session, LPPO had its usual 3 day a week presence in Olympia’s halls of power working to support heath and human service programs and meeting with legislators to support a comprehensive revenue package.  Working with our numerous religious and secular partners we had several significant accomplishments–helping to raise the revenues necessary to limit cuts while lending our voice to support specific programs.  Like 2009, the 2010 session was a battle to support revenue in the face of a recession that has left Washington State with historic deficits.  An issue exemplifying the difficult nature of this session was the victory to reform and increase funding for the General Assistance Unemployable Program.

GAU to Disability Lifeline

Nearly 9,000 people with very low incomes in Washington rely on General Assistance – Unemployable (GAU) because they are temporarily unable to work due to a mental illness or physical disability. To help them meet their basic needs, they receive a meager $339 a month. Most use this money to pay for shelters or to contribute to subsidized housing. Without the help, many would become homeless.  LPPO helped support legislation (ESSHB 2782) that renamed the GAU program to the Disability Lifeline program, to more accurately reflect the nature of the program, while also making the program more accessible and efficient.  We also worked to secure $20 million in new funding for this program that had not seen its benefits increase for nearly 20 years.  However, this success was not without compromise.  As part of the reform, a 24 month time limit (over a three year period) was implemented.  As a result 5,000 Disability Lifeline recipients are now being reviewed by DSHS staff and could be terminated by fall 2010.  This give and take occurred throughout the 2010 session.

Your Voice Is Critical

Ultimately, your voice and communication is critical to affect change and legislators.  When combined with other faith advocates across the state and across denominational and faith lines we have an even greater affect.  LPPO urges you and members of your congregation to meet with your legislators, hold candidates forums, and find other ways to remain engaged in the political process through out the year. We stand ready to help however you or your congregation choose to get engaged.  Give us a call or send us an email today!

Reduce Hunger and Poverty

• Protect School Lunch Co-Pay and Fresh Fruit and Veggie Program
  • A partial victory for Washington’s children as school lunch co-pay funds were protected and although fresh produce program’s funding was reduced, it was not eliminated.
• Expand Summer Meal Program ($250K)
  • The proposal to expand the summer meals program died mid-session.
• Protect General Assistance – Unemployable (GAU)/Support Security Lifeline bill (ESSHB 2782)
  • A partial victory—see above.
• Support the elimination of credit scoring in areas of auto and property insurance (HB 2513/SB 6252)
  • These bills, supported by the Insurance Commissioner, did not see a vote in either the House or the Senate.
• Support Home Foreclosure Mandatory mediation (SB 6648)
  • Lead by the Statewide Poverty Action Network, the effort to help homeowners in foreclosure, did not get out of the Senate’s Ways and Means committee.

Increasing the Availability of Affordable and Accessible Housing and Health Care

• Support the 30-60 Day No Cause Eviction Notice bill (HB 2484/SB 5549)
  • This effort to expand the notice given to tenants for no-cause eviction died in committee.
• Support Hate Crimes bill for homeless people (SHB 2497)
  • Under the leadership of Rep. Scott White, an attempt to expand the definition of hate crimes to include the homeless passed the House but did not get out of the Senate
• Support Tent City bill for churches (ESHB 1956)
  • Another major victory for LPPO and our allies at the Church Council of Greater Seattle, the Interfaith Taskforce on Homelessness, and the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless.  Congregations now have more legal freedom to host tent city encampments for the homeless on their property.
• Protect Apple Health Kids Insurance up to 300% of Federal Poverty Level
  • Funding was protected for the Apple Health program in the supplemental budget
• Protect Basic Health Plan
  • The Basic Health Plan is a state program to provide health insurance for low-income individuals and families.  Funding was preserved in the budget, however this funding is dependent on the state receiving federal funds in the next few months.  If this money is not received nearly 4,000 individuals will be cut from the program.  For perspective, there are currently 65,000 enrolled and a waitlist of over 105,000.

Reforming the Criminal Justice System

• Support Death Penalty Abolition bill (SB 5476)
  • Along with the Washington Association of Churches, the Washington Catholic Conference and the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, LPPO continues, as it has in past sessions, to work toward abolishing the death penalty in Washington Sate.  However, like past years, the Death Penalty Abolition Bill only received a hearing and did not get out of committee.

Caring for the Environment and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

• Support Increase of Hazardous Substance Tax (HB 3181/SB 6851)
  • A major bill of emphasis for the Environmental Priorities Coalition and the environmental community, this proposed tax on polluting companies was defeated by special interests in the special session
• Support Safe Baby Bottle bill (E2SSB 6248)
  • An important victory for the environment and public health, the Safe Baby Bottle bill signed into law by the Governor ensures the toxic chemical BPA is not longer in products aimed at young children.
• Protect Farm to Cafeteria program
  • Another victory as funding was protected for this important program that brings fresh local produce to schools.
• Support Non Profit exemption for Farmer’s Market sales (SHB 2402)
  • With the passage of this legislation (an important victory for LPPO and our partners this session), churches or any other non-profit can now host licensed farmer’s markets on their property without endangering their non-profit status.
• Support Food Policy Council bill (SB 6343)
  • LPPO’s number one priority for the 2010 session, this bill would have established a forum to help the variety of agencies and stakeholders in Washington’s food system work together to ensure a robust and sustainable farm to food process and secure better access to local food for all.  The bill passed the House and Senate by significant margins but the Governor refused to sign due to her public commitment to reducing the size of government by closing down many state commissions. LPPO is currently working with the Governor’s office, the Good Food Coalition, and the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network on an executive order from the governor that would establish the forum while satisfying the Governor.

Advocating for Civil and Human Rights

• Support Assault Weapons Ban (SB 6396)
  • Although it received a hearing in the Senate, the bill failed to get out of committee and opponents outnumbered supporters at the hearing (including LPPO) nearly 5 to 1.
• Protect the Rights and Services of Immigrants
  • Immigrant issues were not a major focus of the 2010 legislative session but LPPO stood with advocates from around Washington at the rallies for immigration reform and in opposition to the new anti-immigrant legislation in Arizona held in Seattle on April 10th and May 1st.
• Support Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts (ESSB 6476/SSB 6332)
  • LPPO supported several bills successfully passed by the legislature that work to address human trafficking in Washington state.

Advocating for Accessible, Quality Public Education

• Close Achievement Gap and Racial Disparities (E2SHB 1418)
  • An important victory that helps to ensure that all student have the same basic rights and chance at educational success.
• Support the Handcuff Limitations bill (SB 5624)
  • LPPO actively worked to pass this bill under great leadership of Senator Claudia Kauffman–unfortunately the bill died on the Senate floor.
• Protect K-12 Funding and Levy Equalization (SB 6488/SB 6518/SB 6875)
  • LPPO supported the successful efforts of our partner the Washington Education Association to finally achieve levy equalization in Washington State.

Reforming the Tax Structure (Long Term)

• While less an issue during the course of the legislative session, the state’s desperate need for revenue saw some legislators voice support for a progressive state income tax.  LPPO is working with a broad coalition of partners to support I-1098, an initiative implanting an income tax on high earners.  Look for more information form LPPO on this issue in the coming weeks.

Generating More Revenue to Balance the Budget (Short Term)

• Support a substantial revenue package to prevent an all-cuts budget
  • As a member of the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition, LPPO worked with dozens of like-minded organization in Olympia to help secure a $808 million revenue package, a significant victory that prevented deep cuts to health and human service programs.
• Support eliminating tax exemptions (SB 6873)
  • A disappointing issue for LPPO and our partners as the voices of lobbyists and business interests drowned out advocates’ calls for the elimination of ineffective and wasteful tax preferences.
• Eliminate the requirement of I-960, requiring supermajority of tax increases (ESSB 6130)
  • I-960, the initiative requiring 2/3rds approval by the legislature to pass tax or fee increases, was suspended by the legislature mid-session to meet the funding needs of the state.  LPPO and our partners supported this necessary measure to help protect vital services and programs.

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After weeks of intense negotiations, the state House and the Senate leadership have agreed to a compromise budget proposal that will prevent devastating cuts to education, health care, and other essential services.  Industry lobbyists are doing everything they can to undermine this compromise during the final days of the legislative session.

If passed the revised two year budget would include more than $4 billion in cuts, but also raises $800 million in desperately-needed funding for services our communities rely on.  Unlike earlier proposals, the compromise does not include a general sales tax increase.

We have just a few days to pass this proposal. In the face of intense opposition, legislators need to hear from you that it’s time to move Washington forward.

Click on the link below to urge your legislators to support this critical compromise.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/budgetspecial

This funding package is the minimum amount required to prevent ballooning class sizes, allow low-income students to afford college, and protect healthcare coverage for thousands of people in our communities.

This proposal would  close tax loopholes and raises some targeted taxes on non-essential goods like cigarettes and temporary increases on soda and beer. We think it makes more sense to pay a few cents more for a can of beer than deny thousands of people access to affordable health care.

Tell your legislators to stand up to last-minute pressure from corporate lobbyists and support this compromise legislation.  Click on the link to send a message.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/speakout/budgetspecial

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The special session of the legislature continues as the House and Senate work towards a budget agreement.  Negotiations between the two chambers remain held up over the Senate’s desire to raise revenue through a temporary increase in the state sales tax while the House relies on other revenue options.  The legislature did not meet on Tuesday or today as House and Senate leadership negotiate a final agreement.

If you support raising the revenue needed to maintain vital social services, the message is the same as in past weeks, “I am a person of faith who supports closing the tax loopholes and raising the revenues necessary to protect the vital services that serve the most vulnerable of our state.”

As the sessions nears its conclusion, legislators also need to hear a word of thanks for their work.  In this time of economic difficulty, they have been forced to make tough choices regarding revenue and services.  Sending an email (legislator look-up) or a leaving a message through the hotline (1-800-562-6000) thanking legislators for their work, lets them know you care about their service and helps to build a relationship for future advocacy.

Finally, keep the legislature and the Governor in your prayers.  May they continue to do God’s work to ensure the common good.

If you live in the Seattle area, join LPPO and our community partners THIS SUNDAY in celebrating the passage of health care reform.  Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray will be in attendance.  Bring a friend and come help us mark this historic occasion!

3:00PM – Sunday, March 28th
Machinists Seattle Union Hall
9125 15th Pl S
Seattle, WA 98108

An excerpt form the ELCA alert on the passage of health care reform:

“The ELCA is a church committed to equitable access to basic health care for all people. While questions about the best combination of public and private means for achieving this goal leave room for legitimate disagreement in this church and in society, there is reason to applaud the ways in which the recently passed health care reform legislation will help many Americans, especially those left out and left behind of our current health care system.

The health reform bill is not perfect, but it will expand coverage to millions of people and put into place important consumer protections and benefit guarantees that will help many people, including those currently without coverage, small business owners and employees, and those living with HIV and AIDS.”

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Although the 2010 Washington State legislative session ended on Thursday, March 11th, the House and Senate could not agree on a final budget forcing Gov. Gregorie to call a seven day special session that began on Monday, March 15th.  The two chambers are currently working to reach an agreement about the combination of budget cuts and revenue increases.  Like past weeks, our main message to the legislature and the governor is that as people of faith, we support revenue to help alleviate cuts affecting critical health, human service, and environmental programs.  We hope for a substantial revenue packate that approaches $1 billion and are open to any combination of tax exemptions repeals or tax increases to reach this level.

In addition to this basic message there are three specific programs that need your immediate advocacy to protect them from cuts.  Please call tomorrow, March 18th!

• The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is not currently funded by the Senate Budget, and is in the House Budget. Basic message to all, especially your Senator, “Please fund the Housing Trust Fund at $50 million.”
• General Assistance-Unemployable (GA-U), now called “The Disability Lifeline.” All legislators need to hear that this is critical assistance that historically has provided $339/month, which allows those receiving it to be housed. Current compromises are reducing this benefit and/or substituting housing vouchers (which could be unusable depending on landlords). Message to all legislators, “Please keep the Disability Lifeline as intact and as funded as possible.”
• After undergoing significant cuts last session, the Basic Health Plan (BHP) is funded at its current level in both the House and Senate budgets.  We need to make sure it stays this way!  Message to all legislators, “Please maintain funding for the Basic Health Plan at the current level.”

At this stage, a phone message left via the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000, or a direct call to your legislators and the Governor, is the most effective way to make your voice heard.  The hotline is a great resource if you don’t know who your legislators are.  The operators are very helpful and will make sure your message gets to the right place. The hotline hours for the extended session are 9-12 and 1-4 daily (weekend excluded).

Week Nine in Review

The final week of the regular session saw House and Senate leadership working to craft a final budget.  Although they were unsuccessful in meeting the deadline for the end of session, there were a few bright spots, including the Senate’s elimination of the $37 million cut to the Housing Trust Fund.  The Clean Water Act (HB 3181) also remained alive, albeit in a much more limited form.  Classified as necessary to implement the budget, the bill remains alive and hopefully will be passed during the special session.

SB 6343, the Food Policy Forum Bill and one of LPPO’s legislative priorities, passed the House and the Senate, it is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.  While Governor has indicated that she may veto the bill, LPPO and our organizational partners are working with legislators to make the case for the Governor to sign the bill.  The forum created by the bill will coordinate action among the many stakeholders that can expand production, consumption and access to Washington-grown foods. The forum will facilitate job creation in local agriculture, keep food dollars and tax revenue in-state, and improve health based upon improved access to healthy food. SB 6343 was a focal point for LPPO’s advocacy work in Olympia this session with LPPO serving as its lead lobby organization.

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Greetings,

Today begins the 9th and final week of the 2010 session of the Washington State legislature.  Barring extraordinary circumstances, Thursday will the 60th and final day of session.  The House and Senate passed their versions of the budget late last week and each version will be heard before the opposite chamber before the differences are reconciled and a final budget agreed to, hopefully by Thursday.  The Capitol and Transportation Budgets are also reaching their final stages and any bills deemed NTIB (necessary to implement the budget) were able to avoid the final bill cut off last Friday and may be heard on the floors of the House and Senate before Thursday deadline.

As the final budget is prepared during this last week of session, your legislators need to hear from you about two important programs.

• The House budget funds the Housing Trust Fund at a full $100 million while the Senate Budget proposes a $39.5 million cut.  Cutting the Housing Trust Fund would have a devastating impact on affordable housing.  The Senate’s cuts would come from developments that are already underway, including first-time homebuyer units and apartments for the elderly, disabled and homeless families with children.  The housing trust fund leverages 4 dollars for every 1 dollar invested by the state from federal and other sources.  The message:  “Washington State needs a fully funded Housing Trust Fund now more than ever.  Support funding for the Housing Trust Fund at the level proposed in the House budget.”
• Nearly 9,000 people with very low incomes in Washington rely on General Assistance – Unemployable (GAU) because they are temporarily unable to work due to a mental illness or physical disability. To help them meet their basic needs, they receive a meager $339 a month. Most use this money to pay for shelters or to contribute to subsidized housing. Without the help, many would become homeless.  GAU is facing massive cuts in the latest budgets, cuts that eliminate the last line of financial protection for our state’s most vulnerable.  The message: GAU is truly a lifeline for those who are unable to work due to physical or mental disability.  Protect GAU at the current level of funding.”

Call your legislators using the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 or send an email using the link below and urge them to protect funding for the Housing Trust Fund and GAU!

Budget Vigil

If you live the Olympia area please join LPPO and our partners from the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition for a glow stick vigil to remind legislators that in these dark economic times they can “light the way for a brighter future.”  Held tomorrow, March 9th, from 6-8pm at Legislative Building at the state capitol, the vigil will be a final public witness in support of raising sufficient revenue to protect important services.  Free pizza will be provided.  If you plan on attending, please let us know at lppooffice@lcsnw.org.

Week Eight in Review

The deadline for non-budget related policy bills to pass the opposite house was Friday at 5:00 pm.  SB 6343, the Food Policy Forum Bill and one of LPPO’s legislative priorities, passed the House just an hour before the cutoff.  The forum created by the bill will coordinate action among the many stakeholders that can expand production, consumption and access to Washington-grown foods. The forum will facilitate job creation in local agriculture, keep food dollars and tax revenue in-state, and improve health based upon improved access to healthy food. SB 6343 was a focal point for LPPO’s advocacy work in Olympia this session with LPPO serving as its lead lobby organization.  The bill passed during the first session it was introduced, not an easy task!  It now awaits the Governor’s signature

Last week also saw the House and Senate pass their versions of the state budget, the House on Friday and the Senate on Sunday.  Last week both chambers passed budgets that included $758 (House) and $890 million (Senate) in new revenues, mostly from a temporary sales tax increase (Senate only) and the repeal of various tax exemptions (House and Senate) among other sources. On Monday, March 1st, LPPO organized a letter to lawmakers urging them to view their budgets as moral documents during final deliberations.  Signed by over two dozen faith leaders from around the state, the letter urged legislators not to shy aware from necessary revenue increases while recognizing the difficulty and magnitude of the budgetary situation.  The letter can be found here.

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With a little over a week left in Washington state’s legislative session, it is crunch time in Olympia. Both the House and Senate are working on the revenue packages required to preserve services in the face of a $2.6 billion shortfall.  Last week both chambers released budget proposals that included $758 (House) and $918 million (Senate) in new revenues, mostly from a temporary sales tax increase (Senate only) and the repeal of various tax exemptions (House and Senate) among other sources.  Detailed comparison of the revenue proposals from Washington Budget and Policy Center.

While this new revenue will protect vital education and human services programs, it is not enough to prevent significant cuts to health care, education, and services for kids, seniors, and those hit hardest by the recession. Taken in context with last session’s cuts only approach, the House revenue proposal of $758 million, amounts to only $1 in revenue for $4 in cuts for Washington’s current two year budget cycle.

However, even these relatively limited revenue proposals are under relentless attack from anti-tax advocates.  Your legislators need to hear from their constituents, including people of faith, that the current revenue proposals are a good start but more revenue is needed. We need to reassure our representatives that protecting essential services for our neighbors in need is important enough to the citizens of Washington to justify raising revenue.

Urge your legislators to support a stong revenue package to protect vital services!

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Nearly 9,000 people with very low incomes in Washington rely on General Assistance – Unemployable (GAU) because they are temporarily unable to work due to a mental illness or physical disability. To help them meet their basic needs, they receive a meager $339 a month. Most use this money to pay for shelters or to contribute to subsidized housing. Without the help, many would become homeless.

HB 2782 takes the important step of renaming GAU to The Disability Lifeline Program, a more accurate name for a program that is the last recourse for persons who are unable to work to support themselves

HB 2782 also reforms and strengthens GAU by providing expert assistance  to GAU recipients who apply for Social Security  (SSI) benefits, limiting the time individuals will have to stay on GAU and ensuring they receive benefits for which they are eligible.  The legislation also creates an online application portal to make access to the program easier, expands the food stamp employment and training program in community colleges around the state, and transfers the initial medical evaluation required by the program to a managed care provider facilitating faster treatment.

GAU is a vital program providing aid to the most disadvantaged. As faithful advocates we are called to care for the neighbor, particularly those who are mentally and physically disabled.  Through supporting public policies such as the Security Lifeline program we help to “ensure adequate social security.” (Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All).

Status and Action

HB 2782 has passed the House and is now before the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.  It had a public hearing on 2/23 and will go before an executive session of the committee today  (2/25) for a vote.  Urge your Senator to support the Disability Lifeline Act using the Take Action link below.  If your Senator serves on Human Services and Corrections give them a call too!

Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee

James Hargrove, D-24, Upper Olympic Peninsula, (360) 786-7646
Debbie Regala, D-27, Downtown Tacoma, (360) 786-7652
Val Stevens, R-39, East Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties, (360) 786-7676
Dale Brandland, R-42 Bellingham and West Whatcom County, (360) 786-7682
Mike Carrell, R-28, University Place and Fort Lewis, (360) 786-7654
Claudia Kaufman, D-47, Auburn and Covington, (360) 786-7692
Rosemary McAuliffe, D-1, Bothell and South Snohomish County, (360) 786-7600

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The legislative session continues to fly by with budget and revenue bills being introduced in both the Senate and House this week.

The simple message for your legislators this week:

“I am a person of faith and I support a substantial revenue package to protect services for our vulnerable kids, working families, the elderly, and our environment.”

Communicating this message to your legislators is especially important if they serve on the House or Senate Ways & Means Committee.  Use the links below to see the committee rosters and use the legislature’s toll-free number, 1-800-562-6000, to leave a message.

Week Six in Review

Last week was a highpoint of the legislative session for LPPO and its religious partners as InterFaith Advocacy Day, held on February 16th, drew over 200 faithful advocates to the state capitol.  Our message of “Supporting Revenue to Protect Services” built upon the successfully lobby day held the day before and sponsored by the 150 organizations of the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition.  Over 3,000 people from around the state gathered to support a substantial revenue package to protect health and human services programs from a second straight year of deep cuts.  Learn more about the rally at the coalition website.

Over the weekend legislators traveled back to their districts and held town hall meetings across the state.  LPPO and our partners encouraged advocates to attend and speak against an all cuts approach to solving Washington’s budget problems.  Jim Wiederaenders, an advocate from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue attended his district’s town hall and was quoted in an article by the Seattle Times:

This is the message that legislators need to hear.  Thanks Jim!

Week Seven

This is the last week for policy bills to be passed out of committee in the opposite chamber.  The cut-off for the House was Tuesday and the Senate’s is on Friday at 5pm.

However, the big event this week was the release of the Senate and House versions of the budget on Tuesday.  With a little over two weeks left in the legislative session the budget debate will move fast and furious as the revenue and budget bills need to be passed by their house of origin, passed by the opposite chamber, and then reconciled by legislative leadership before being presented to the governor for signature.  The Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition, to which LPPO belongs, released the following statement yesterday:

Bill Update

Food Policy Council Bill (HB 6343) LPPO along with other members of the Good Food Coalition are supporting this bill to help strengthen our state’s ag economy with better coordination.  Our food system in Washington State is not working well and we need to do better. Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are being established at local & state levels throughout the country to address the food system challenges. Working across the different sectors of our food system, FPCs coordinate action among the many stakeholders that can expand production, consumption and access to Washington-grown foods. Multiple benefits can ensue, including job creation, keeping food dollars and tax revenue in-state, and improved health based upon improved access to healthy food. A Food Policy Council would also position Washington State to take advantage of new federal dollars that support improved nutrition and food system integration. For more information visit The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network’s issue page.

Status and Action: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee passed the bill out of committee yesterday. It now is before the House Rules Committee and is one step closer to getting a vote before the House.  Let your House representatives know you support this legislation!

Called to Care Conference

For Advocates in Eastern Washington

You are invited to the Called to Care Conference.  Sponsored by The Faith & Environment Network and organized around the theme of “Organizing for the Work of Environmental Stewardship”, the event features presentations by:

• Wim Mauldin and Jessica Anundson, Spokane Alliance & Sustainable Works
• Jessie Dye and Leanne Beres from Earth Ministry, Seattle
• Juliet Sinisterra, Local Sustainability Planner
• Jon Snyder, Spokane City Councilman

Event Details:

• March 20, 2010
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Holy Trinity Episcopal Church – 1832 W Dean Avenue (West Central Spokane)

Registration, which includes lunch, is $20 for individuals or $15 for individuals from groups with 3 or more attendees.  For more information or to register, contact Lynda Maraby at (206) 579-1884 or faithandenvironment@gmail.com.

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The Clean Water Act of 2010 (HB 3181/SB 6851) is a balanced solution for Washington’s families, local communities, and our environment in these tough economic times. It will create jobs, provide support to the state’s basic services, and immediately address the biggest water pollution problem in the state.

Washington voters approved a tax on hazardous substances to clean up toxic pollution over 20 years ago (I-97 in 1987). It is levied upon substances that are the most significant stormwater pollutants: petroleum, pesticides, and toxic chemicals. HB 3191 increases this tax from .7% to 2%, raising $225 million/year to cover stormwater pollution cleanup and the state’s basic services–a responsible solution that reflects our shared values.

By allocating the bulk of the dollars ($600 million over 5 years) to the general fund in the near term and transitioning back to clean water purposes over time, we accomplish the triple bottom line: avoiding immediate cuts to core services, funding local governments’ obligations, and providing a clean water legacy we will be proud of for generations. The Clean Water Act is supported by the entire coalition of education, health care, and social services groups unified behind solutions to maintain core public services.

The ELCA social statement on the environment, Caring for Creation, speaks directly for the need to advocate for clean water, “This church will support proposals and actions to protect and restore, in the United States and Caribbean, the quality of…water, especially drinking water, groundwater, polluted runoff, and industrial and municipal waste.”

Unfortunately, the major polluters targeted by this legislation, including the major oil refineries in Bellingham and Tacoma, are pulling out all the stops to kill HB 3181/SB 6851.

The HB 3181 faced its first test yesterday in a tough vote in the House Capitol Budget Committee yesterday but passed 8-7.  SB 6851 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee this Monday, 2/22, at 3:30pm.

Both bills still have a long way to go before final passage and your voice is needed! Call your Representatives and Senator via the toll-free hotline, 1-800-562-6000, and leave them a message letting them know you support the Clean Water Act (HB 3181/SB 6851) or use the link below to send them an email today!

http://ga6.org/campaign/cleanwater

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On February 16th, over 200 advocates from around Washington gathered at the State Capitol in Olympia for Interfaith Advocacy Day 2010. The day was a great success as people of faith worshiped together, heard from experts about policy and budget issues, were addressed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, and met with their elected representatives.

“Supporting Revenue to Protect Services” was the day’s slogan as attendees advocated for the new revenue necessary to prevent an all cuts budget.  Gov. Gregoire urged the gathering help legislators put a human face on services at risk, such as the Basic Health Plan and Apple Health. A big “Thank You!” to the religious partners, organizations, and advocates who made Interfaith Advocacy Day 2010 possible.

If you attended advocacy day and were energized by the experience or could not attend and want to get involved, this Saturday, February 20th, is a great opportunity for action.

Legislators from across the state are taking time off from the session to hold town hall meetings in their home districts.  This is a rare chance to influence your legislators mid-session while they are still working out the details of critical legislation, including the budget.

We need every member of the legislature to hear loud and clear that our communities can’t afford deeper cuts to education, health care, and the environment.  Will you join friends and neighbors at a local town hall on Saturday?

Yes, show me where my local town hall is!

Over the next four weeks, our elected officials in Olympia will face tough decisions about how to close the state’s budget deficit.  After billions in cuts last year, another all cuts budget would devastate our communities and hamper our recovery from this historic recession.  We need our legislators to return to Olympia with one clear message in mind: we can’t cut our way out of this deficit.

Rep. Ross Hunter and others have already introduced bills that would save the state hundreds of millions of dollars by closing unfair tax loopholes and exemptions.  During these challenging times, we believe it makes more sense to end a $33 million sales tax exemption for out of state shoppers than cut $33 million from education.  However, we need your help to get the word out to members of the legislature when they are home on February 20.

Will you join friends and neighbors at a local town hall on Saturday?

Please click on the link below to find your local town hall

http://fusewashington.org/page/event/search_simple

At the height of the legislative session, your elected leaders are looking for ideas and stories from constituents to take back to Olympia.  Help us tell them that we can’t afford anymore cuts!

Town Hall Resources:

Town Hall Talking Points from the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition (pdf)

A Faithful Approach to Budget and Revenue (pdf)

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