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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 23 March 2010 22:07 |
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YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED NOW!
Washington UU Voices has supported health care reform at the state and federal level for more than five years, and cheered as Congress adopted the most sweeping health insurance reform legislation in decades that will extend health insurance to 32 million Americans.
But here in Washington State, Attorney General Rob McKenna yesterday announced that he will join a lawsuit, on behalf of Washington taxpayers, challenging the legality of health care reform, pledging to take the suit to the Supreme Court if necessary.
WA UU Voices urges its members and friends to let Rob McKenna know that he does not represent thousands of Washingtonians who fought for health care reform!
Urge McKenna to withdraw Washington from the suit, and not to sacrifice the well-being of
Washingtonians for divisive partisan politics.
Your personal message as a member or friend of WA UU Voices for Justice in support of
health care reform is urgent; this health reform bill will benefit nearly every family in our state.
Call the AG's office: (360) 753-6200
Or leave a message on his site at: https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ContactForm.aspx
HEALTH CARE REFORM IS CRITICAL!
It will:
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Protect 4,186,000 residents with health insurance from arbitrary premium hikes and insurance cancellations if they get sick.
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Provide tax credits and other assistance to up to 1,455,000 families and 163,000 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
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Improve Medicare for 910,000 people.
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Extend insurance coverage to 442,500 uninsured residents.
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Guarantee that 105,200 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
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Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 229 community health centers to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay.
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Reduce the national debt by over $1 trillion over the next 20 years.
JOIN OTHERS WHO ARE SPEAKING OUT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL MCKENNA
Other health care reform supporters and nonprofit organizations that speak for the most vulnerable people in our state are circulating petitions, and invite WA UU Voices supporters to join their signature campaigns as well. One organization is Fuse Washington; the text of their petition reads:
Attorney General McKenna,
We are disappointed to hear that you have joined a partisan group of Attorneys General planning to sue the United States of America to block health care reform. At a time when hundreds of thousands of people in Washington cannot afford health care or face discrimination because of pre-existing medical conditions, it is inappropriate that you would use the resources of your office to pursue a political agenda that traps all of us in a broken health care system.
We urge you not to sacrifice Washington’s health for partisan politics. Do not join this lawsuit.
Go to http://www.fusewashington.org/page/s/mckenna to add your name to their petition, and share it with others.
In faith and gratitude for your support of health care reform,
Carol McKinley, Coordinator
WA UU Voices for Justice
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Last Updated on Friday, 18 June 2010 15:48 |
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Week of February 14, 2010 |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 15 February 2010 22:19 |
2010 Legislative Session
Week of February 14
Contents
IMPORTANT EVENTS THIS WEEK IN OLYMPIA AND BEYOND
INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAY
Tuesday, February 16
8:30 AM-3 PM United Churches and the State Capitol
PACIFIC NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
February 19 - 21
Bellevue, Washington
Join Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice at District Assembly next weekend. We will be in the Exhibit Hall at Table #12, where you can learn more about how our progressive voices are being heard in the Legislature as we speak out for social, economic, and environmental justice.
BUDGET AND REVENUE ACTION
Suspension of Initiative 960. Packed hearing rooms for House Finance Committee hearings on February 13 heard testimony on ESSB 6130, which suspends the requirements of I-960. The bill suspends the two-thirds majority voting requirement for legislative actions raising taxes, and the requirement for a tax advisory vote for any tax increase not submitted to the voters. The suspension is in effect through July 1, 2011.
Those testifying in support of ESSB 6130 emphasized that temporary suspension of I-960 is a tool to help the state make smart decisions in difficult times as it works to provide core governmental services to children, families, and the most vulnerable citizens of our state.
The committee voted to approve the bill. Please thank Representatives Hunter, Hasegawa, Conway, Ericks, Santos, and Spring for their support for ESSB 6130. You can find contact information for all legislators at www.leg.wa.gov.
The House Finance Committee also heard testimony on House Bill 3176, which seeks to increase state revenues to preserve funding for education, public safety, health care, and safety net services for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people by preventing abusive tax avoidance transactions, narrowing or eliminating certain tax preferences, and providing equitable tax treatment.
Action needed: WA UU Voices supports both ESSB 6130 and HB 3176, and urges you to let your district legislators know that both increased revenue to support essential services and tax reform are needed now as the state faces devastating budget shortfalls. These bills are steps toward increasing revenue and closing tax loopholes to create a more equitable tax system in Washington state.
VALENTINE’S DAY ACTION IN OLYMPIA FOR A JUST AND EQUITABLE BUDGET
On February 14, members of WA UU Voices for Justice and Olympia UU Congregation delivered nearly 400 Valentines to state legislators calling for them to “Re-imagine Valentine’s Day.” The signed message on the card read:
February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine’s Day!
In the spirit of love and compassion, please support a just budget that reflects the values of our state by preserving critical services for the most vulnerable in Washington – children, the elderly, those with disabilities. We urge your support for:
- Housing Trust Fund
- Basic Health Plan
- Equitable new revenue sources, including a state income tax
Thank you for your work on behalf of all people in Washington State.
In appreciation,
Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
WA UU Voices supports HB 3181 (and its companion bill, SB 6851), which will make polluters pay for the damage they do to our storm water. Runoff is the biggest water pollution problem in Washington; the Clean Water bill levies a fee on toxics chemicals coming into our state to pay for the costs of cleaning up storm-water.
Action needed. Learn more about HB 3181 and SB 6851 at www.leg.wa.gov You can let your legislators know you support clean water by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 .
Make a difference by supporting WA UU Voices for Justice!
- Become a member at www.uuvoiceswa.org
- Make a cash donation. Gifts can be made via check to: WA UU Voices, 2300 East End Street NW., Olympia WA 98502
- You can also pay by credit card. Your online membership payment or donation is secure and efficient through Paypal at www.uuvoicewa.org
- Give often! Join UU Voices special group of monthly donors who support progressive change year-round.
- Spread the word about UU Voices’ mission by hosting a house party.
Get involved! Contact WA UU Voices at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to learn how you can share your time, talent and treasure. You can make a difference today! |
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Week of February 22, 2010 |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 21 February 2010 22:12 |
2010 Legislative Session
Week of February 22
Contents
Work for Clean Water
HB 3181 and SB 6851 are companion bills would triple the "hazardous substances" tax created in l987 by voter initiative. As much as $250 million a year could be generated to clean up storm water, the number one water pollution problem in the state.
The "Hazardous Substance Tax," also known as the “state superfund law,” was approved over 20 years ago by Washington voters. The tax levied upon substances that are the most significant pollutants: petroleum, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals. Extending the tax on those who bring these products into Washington makes sense, and provides funds to deal with our biggest water pollution problem.
This bill also addresses other budget needs in the short term. Most of the revenue will be allocated to the general fund in the near term and will transition back to clean water purposes over time. During the next five years more than $600 million would be available for vital public services, including education, health care, and social services.
Action needed. SB 6851 will be heard in Senate Ways and Means Committee Monday, February 22, at 3:30 pm, Room 4, John A Cherberg Building. Contact your legislators to let them know you support clean water and an increase in the hazardous substances tax as proposed in SB 6851 and its companion bill, HB 3181. Call the Legislative Hotline, 1 800 562-6000. You can find your legislators’ email and phone numbers at www.leg.wa.gov
Budget and Revenue
WA UU Voices joined hundreds of other justice advocates at the Rally to Protect our Future on President’s Day, Monday, February 15th, on the Capitol Steps in Olympia. Organized by the Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition, the rally brought a message to legislators that large numbers of Washingtonians support a positive, balanced approach to our state budget that includes new revenue, not just cuts.
The Senate Budget, SB 6444, will be released Monday, February 22, and there will be a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, John A Cherberg Building, Room 4.
The House Budget, HB 2824, will be released Tuesday, February 23. It will be heard that evening at 6:00 p.m. in the House Ways and Means Committee, John L. O’Brien Building, Room A. The hearing will continue the next day, February 24, at 3:30 p.m., in the same committee.
Action needed: Attend and testify at the budget hearings. Let our voices be heard in support of fair and equitable responses to the budget crisis that do not worsen Washington’s severely regressive tax structure that inordinately impacts low-income people. This is an opportunity to continue our support for a graduated state income tax to address the need for critical services, including the Basic Health plan.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 21 February 2010 22:21 |
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 20:38 |
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2010 Legislative Session
Week of February 1
Contents
HOUSING AND JOBS
Housing Trust Fund, HB 2906
Background: The State Housing Trust Fund was cut from $100 million a year to zero for 2010, leaving projects representing 2,000 units of low-income housing in the pipeline, ready to go but stalled for lack of funding. The need for low-income housing is urgent.
These projects typically are matched 4:1 with public and private funds, including the Seattle Housing Levy, so this represents $500 million in construction funding, with Housing Trust Fund as the crucial seed money.
HB 2906 provides moneys for low-income housing by closing a loophole in the property transfer tax that now excludes secondary sales of mortgages by banks. This closed loophole will provide $62 per transaction. Although it would have no impact on consumers, the bill is being fought by banks,
This is the best jobs bill they could pass, because construction is the hardest-hit segment of our economy and comprises more than one-third of our lost jobs. With passage of HB 2906, contractors will be put to work immediately. These projects are vetted and prioritized and are literally shovel-ready.
Action Needed: Contact your legislators now to let them know you support restoration of funding for the Housing Trust Fund with the passage of HB 2906.
Senator Joe McDermott is said to be ready to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. Please watch for this bill, and then contact your Senator to express your support.
(Submitted by Sarajane Siegfriedt, WA UU Voices for Justice Secretary)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Environmental Advocacy Day, Tuesday, January 26, drew more than 450 people to Olympia to support the Environmental Priorities Coalition’s 2010 priorities. In his keynote address, Ted Sturdevant, Director of the Department of Ecology and a member of WA UU Voices’ Advisory Committee, stressed that we must act with intention to protect the environment, particularly during an economic downturn that promises even more cuts in the state budget. Advocates must emphasize that caring for the environment is not a luxury, but a necessity – a necessity for the future not only of this state, but of the country and the world.
Only the day before Environmental Advocacy Day, the Safe Baby Bottle Act, HB 1180, passed out of the House on a vote of 95 ayes and one nay, and has moved to the Senate’s Health and Long Term Care Committee. The legislation, one of the Coalition’s three priorities, is needed to protect children’s health and the environment by phasing out the harmful chemical biphenyl A (BPA) from baby bottles, food and beverage cans, and other consumer products.
Action Needed: WA UU Voices urges your support to help sustain environmental protections in the budget. As the Coalition said, “Environmental protection programs are a small part of the state budget, but they are critical in terms of ensuring public health, economic opportunity, and quality of life.” At risk are programs that deal with toxic contamination, air and water quality, water resources, and habitat protection. In addition, funding for transit programs that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions is being slashed.
The goal is to maintain allocated environmental protection funding, and create other revenue through appropriate user fees to make programs sustainable.
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS
Toll Free Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000: Leave your message for your legislators or the governor with the helpful Hotline Operators.
Via Email or Mail: Go to the Washington State Legislature Home Page at: www.leg.wa.gov, where you can find home pages for your Senator and Representatives, which include their contact information.
Bill and Committee Hearings Information is found at www.leg.wa.gov as well. This excellent site has staff bill reports, fiscal impacts, and a topical index of all introduced legislation.
RE-IMAGINE VALENTINE’S DAY – SEND YOUR LEGISLATORS A VALENTINE!
WA UU VOICES INVITES YOU to join them by Standing on the Side of Love for all people in Washington State, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
Make copies of this Valentine’s Day message, make them available to friends and people in your congregation, and send the signed messages to your legislators by February 14.
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RE-IMAGINING VALENTINE’S DAY
February 14, 2010
Dear
Happy Valentine’s Day!
In the spirit of love and compassion, please support a just budget that reflects the values of our state by preserving critical services for the most vulnerable in Washington – children, the elderly, those with disabilities. We urge your support for:
- Housing Trust Fund
- Basic Health Plan
- Equitable new revenue sources, including a state income tax
Thank you for your work on behalf of all people in Washington State.
In appreciation,
Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice
______________________ Legislative District _____
______________________
______________________
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 20:45 |
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