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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
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to learn how you can share your time, talent and treasure. You can make a difference today! |
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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
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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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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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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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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