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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 13 January 2010 21:26 |
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CALL FOR A JUST AND COMPASSIONATE 2010 STATE BUDGET
Washington UU Voices for Justice urges you to join us and thousands of people around the state in signing a budget petition calling for increased revenue instead of devastating cuts.
To add your signature to the petition, go to: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6091/t/7579/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=627
The petition reads:
To Governor Gregoire and the Washington State Legislature,
For the people of Washington State to live up to our shared values and succeed economically over the long term, we must make investments in core priorities. After billions in cuts last year, the additional cuts now under consideration for 2010 would result in higher class sizes and fewer resources for schools, hundreds of thousands of our fellow residents without access to healthcare (including 16,000 children), sharp reductions to the services that protect kids, the disabled, the elderly, and most vulnerable, and in more polluted air, and dirtier water.
These cuts will undermine our state's ability to compete, and will result in the loss of thousands of additional jobs at a time when our economy is hurting and too many are already out of work. There is a better way. We urge you to:
• Protect our economic future by preventing further erosion of the things that residents value so much about our state: quality schools, affordable health care, a safety net for the most vulnerable, affordable housing, public safety, and a clean environment.
• Adopt a balanced approach to closing the current budget shortfall that includes closing unfair tax loopholes and identifying new revenue sources to stabilize the funding for these programs in the short and long term.
As our elected representatives, we look to you for responsible leadership. Another state budget that slashes funding for core services is the wrong approach. We urge you to seriously consider the devastating impacts these proposed cuts would have as you consider how best to balance the budget in this legislative session.
Please add your name to the petition; go to:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6091/t/7579/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=627
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET
In her January 12th State of the State Address, Governor Chris Gregoire spoke of what will be needed to reach a balanced budget in the 2010 session, in the face of both significant drops in revenue and growing demands for state services. She said, in part, “Budgets are a reflection of our values and priorities as a State. As required by law, I put out a budget in December that relied only on current revenues. That budget included many painful cuts to important services that I cannot live with. A budget that cuts funding for our schools and kicks people off of health care is not reflective of Washington values.”
Yesterday she announced a new budget proposal that she believes “reflects our values as Washingtonians [and] focuses on rebuilding our economic future.” Read more about Governor Gregoire’s State of the State Address and her latest budget proposal at http://www.governor.wa.gov/
PEOPLE’S SUMMIT AND MARCH ON THE CAPITOL
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY, January 18, 2010
Begins at 9 am – Capitol Theatre, 206 5th Ave SE, Olympia
WA UU Voices for Justice will join others January 18th at the Summit and March to support greater access to opportunities and investment in our communities. During the economic downturn, lawmakers must create policies that offer people with low incomes better opportunities to prosper.
The People’s Summit includes skill-building workshops, a chance to network with people from across the state, and meetings with lawmakers to demonstrate unity behind five issues priorities in Washington:
· Racial and economic justice
· Health care
· Affordable housing and foreclosure protections
· Progressive revenue policies
· Opportunities for low-income families
To register, contact Statewide Poverty Action Network at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
COMING UP:
ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY DAY
Date: Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Time: 8:30 am- 6:00 pm (don't forget the party afterwards)
Location: United Churches, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia
Come to Environmental Lobby Day to advocate for the environmental coalition’s 2010 priorities: clean water, safe baby bottles, and sustaining the budget for environmental protections. You will be given a green scarf to highlight the environment.
Register online at http://www.pugetsound.org/connect/events/012610LD/ |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 14 January 2010 17:06 |
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UUA Presidentail Candidates on State Advocacy Networks |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 08 June 2009 17:49 |
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UUA Presidential candidates respond to UU Advocacy Networks The UU State Advocacy Networks asked each of the UUA presidential candidates to tell us about how they see the Networks working with them to advance the goals of UU social justice. |
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Preparing for the 2010 Legislative Session |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 03 January 2010 22:19 |
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WA UU Voices for Justice 2010 Legislative Priorities
Death Penalty Abolition Advocacy in Washington State Workshop
Lobby Days in Olympia
Call for a Moral Budget
WA UU Voices for Justice 2010 Legislative Priorities
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
- Support Death Penalty Abolition
- Support 3 Strikes Reform
- Prohibit Sentencing of Juveniles to Life without Parole
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
- Support Invest in Clean Water bill
- Support Safe Baby Bottle bill
- Support sustainable agriculture bills
TAX EQUITY
- Support eliminating tax exemptions
- Support development of a revenue package to prevent an all-cuts budget
- Support tax structure reform, including a state income tax
DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION IN WASHINGTON STATE WORKSHOP
Saturday, January 9th, 9:30am-noon
Seattle University Law School, Room 110 (Sullivan Hall)
This past year was groundbreaking for those who believe that the end of the death penalty will mark the beginning of renewed justice in the United States. In 2009, New Mexico ended capital punishment completely; Maryland gutted its death penalty, making it the narrowest in the nation; Connecticut passed repeal legislation through both chambers of its legislature with bi-partisan support; Montana passed repeal legislation through its Republican-controlled Senate; New Hampshire and Colorado passed abolition through their Houses; and Alaska beat back efforts to bring back the death penalty. Even Texas enacted several reforms, including an innocence commission and improved indigent defense.
So where is Washington State in all of this?
The Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (WCADP) wants 2010 to be marked as the year to build momentum and mobilize against the death penalty here. Join fellow concerned citizens to discuss ways we can all get involved, share ideas, and learn about the upcoming legislative session in Olympia as well as opportunities around the state.
Questions: (206) 622-8952 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2010 LOBBY DAYS AND EVENTS
WA State UU Voices for Justice will be an active presence in the following advocacy days in Olympia, joining with our advocacy allies to call for legislation that responds with justice and compassion to the needs of the poor and vulnerable, and protects the environment. Plan to join us to bring a significant Unitarian Universalist presence to the Capitol! For more information on any of these events, contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Saturday, January 9
The Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty invites all concerned citizens to a workshop to mobilize against the death penalty by discussing ways to be involved, share ideas, and learn about upcoming legislation at Seattle University Law School, 9:30 am to noon. To register, contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 206 622-8952.
Monday, January 11, 2010 Washington Legislative Session opens, noon
Monday, January 18 Poverty Action Day
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day People’s Summit and March on the Capitol includes morning presentations and skill-building workshops to address poverty in Washington through racial and economic justice, healthcare access, affordable housing, and progressive revenue.
Begins at 9 am – Capitol Theatre, 206 5th Ave SE, Olympia
February 12 Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day
Protection of financial resources, including funding for the Housing Trust Fund and GAU, and rebuilding the safety net for the poor by bringing increased revenue to a balanced budget are the emphases of this advocacy day. To register contact Michael Kelly, Committee to End Homelessness,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tuesday, January 26 Environmental Advocacy Day
Workshops, talks by elected officials and environmental advocates, advocacy training, and appointments with legislators are part of this day-long event.
Begins at 8 am – United Churches, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia
Tuesday, February 16 Faith Advocacy Day
Representatives from many religious traditions bring their faiths’ calls for social, economic, and environmental justice.
Begins at 8:30 am – United Churches, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia
CALL FOR A MORAL BUDGET
WA UU Voices urges all UUs to speak out on the critical needs in this state by asking legislators to adopt a budget – a moral budget – that is just, compassionate, and equitable. WA UU Voices for Justice’s three legislative priorities for the 2010 session – restorative justice, environmental protection, and tax equity – reflect those values of justice and compassion.
The Governor's December all-cuts budget will not stand, but even her "book 2" January budget will restore only $700,000 of the $2.6 billion in cuts. We support a budget built around 2/3 revenue and 1/3 cuts, to protect critical safety net services for the poor. With other economic justice advocates, WA UU Voices asks that 50% of the previous $100 million for the State Housing Trust Fund be restored in the 2010 supplemental budget.
The time to take action is now, before the legislative session starts. Contact your state senator and representatives at www.leg.wa.gov, or call the Legislative Hot Line at 1800-562-6000. Contact Governor Gregoire’s office at www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp. For more information on these priorities, go to www.uuvoiceswa.org, where you can sign up to receive regular updates during the legislative session. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 January 2010 22:51 |
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Written by Carol McKinley
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Saturday, 18 October 2008 15:30 |
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UU VOICES PREPARES FOR THE 2009 SESSION An enthusiastic gathering of nearly 70 UUs from around the state met November 22, at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation to select Washington State UU Voices for Justice's legislative priorities, and to improve how we bring our UU faith’s values of justice, equality, and freedom into the legislative arena. Legislative Priorities Selected for the 2009 Session Following presentations by speakers and small-group discussions of issues that will face the 2009 Washington State Legislature when it opens Monday, January 12, conference attendees selected these issues as the focus for Washington State UU Voices for Justice advocacy efforts this year: Global Warming Health Care Reform Criminal Justice Reform Housing and Homelessness
Washington State UU Voices for Justice encourages all UUs in Washington State to learn more about each of these issues; background material, links to websites, and regular updates on the issues will be posted on the UU Voices' website, under the Issues tab. Each of you has the opportunity to share information by contributing to the discussion at that site. Emails and newsletters will keep you posted about lobby days and legislative hearings. In addition, check this website, www.uuvoiceswa.org, for up-to-date information and calls to action. Effective Communication with Legislators UU Voices' Legislative Conference speaker, Nita Rinehart, a former Seattle area legislator and now a faculty member in The Evergreen State College’s Masters in Public Administration program, emphasized the importance of developing personal relationships with district legislators, not only during the legislative session but during the legislative interim. When a legislator gets to know a constituent – and the issues important to that constituent – an email, phone call, or letter from that person becomes significant. She stressed that clarity of message is important when meeting with a legislator. Faced with an average personal contact time of 14 seconds, an advocate must be clear and concise. · State your name and your relationship to the legislator. For example: “Good afternoon, Senator Jones. I am Sarah Smith, and I live in your 36th District.” Or, “I live in the 36th District, and I would like to express my concerns about health care coverage cost cuts to you as chair [or member] of the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee.” · Say what you would like the legislator to do, and why. For example: “I am a member of Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, and our statewide organization has selected health care reform as a legislative priority. I would like to request your support for House Bill/Senate Bill 0000, which establishes a single-payer system for all people in Washington State. By providing quality, basic services for all people, we will actually reduce the cost of health care for citizens, and the state. “ [Here you can provide some statistics from recent studies on health care costs’ savings] · Emphasize why this is a justice and moral issue, not only a political issue. For example: “Health care access is a right, not a privilege. Our organization, WA State UU Voices for Justice, believes that all people in this state have the right to accessible, affordable health care, and that the state will benefit from this. We will reduce administrative costs, including the increased use of emergency rooms as primary care providers, and build a community that recognizes that we are interdependent and responsible for each other’s care.” · Thank your legislator and her/his aide for their time and consideration of your request. Extend your thanks not only for a particular issue, but for their service as elected representatives. This is difficult work! If you are so moved, volunteer to work on the campaign committee for your legislator, and help bring your Unitarian Universalist values to the public square. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 04 January 2009 17:13 |
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