2012 Legislative Priorities

• Raise revenue
• Protect services for low-income persons
• Economic reform
• Restore the democratic process

Washington’s time has come –

Marriage Equality Vote Wednesday in Senate!

Wednesday, February 1^st 

Floor Session from 10am - Noon

(Arrive at 9am)

State Capitol Senate Gallery, Olympia

We’ve come so far, and now is not the time to let up the pressure that has brought us to this point.  Help us make Washington become the 7^th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage by joining us in Olympia on Wednesday!

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Last Monday’s packed hearings in the House and Senate on marriage equality bills heard testimony from several religious leaders in support of the legislation, including that of the Reverend Marian Stewart, minister of Northlake UU Church in Kirkland, and the Reverend Lois Van Leer, minister of Woodinville UU Church.
 
By the end of the week SB 6239 was voted out of the Senate Government Operations Committee, and sent to Rules.  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen’s announced support for the bill gives it the needed number of votes to ensure Senate passage.  The date for The companion bill in the House, HB 2516, moved out of committee Monday.
 
Dates for the bills to be heard on the floors of the respective houses have not been announced, although it may be as early as next week.  We will keep you informed of those dates in this newsletter.
 

On Wednesday The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 6283, the Safe and Just Alternatives bill to abolish the death penalty.  If your legislators are either Senator Pflug (5^th District, East King County) or Senator Hargrove (24^th District, Olympic Peninsula), urge their support for abolition of the death penalty in Washington.

Senate Joint Memorial 8014 sends to the federal government our legislature’s urgent request for a reduction in federal military spending and ending the war in Afghanistan.  SJM 8014 asks that national priorities focus on the country’s economy, job creation, and preservation of social and environmental programs.
SJM will be heard  the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Thursday, February 2, 10:00 AM.  Contact Senator Craig Pridemore, committee chair, and Senator Margarita Prentice, co-chair, and other members of the committee to express your support.

Instead of cuts, WA UU Voices supports increasing revenue to fund needed state programs.  Four important bills can lead to more revenue with minimal impact on the majority of citizens.

HB 2563 creates a capital gains tax help offset future budget crises by raising revenue while  affecting only the wealthiest 3% of Washingtonians.

SB 6166:  an increase of state tax on cigarettes

SB 6061: non-resident sales tax exemption changed to a refund program, providing much-needed immediate revenue

SB 6088:  requires each new tax exemption to have a statement of legislative intent and an expiration date.  Transparency in the state’s tax exemption system can end excessive use of tax exemptions, which currently number more than 500 in state law.  
Contact  your legislators and ask their support  for these four revenue-producing bills.

Contact your legislators directly by phone or by e-mail.

Phone the Legislative Hotline, 1-800-562-6000, and operators will connect you to your Senator's or Representative's office.

E-mail your Representatives or your Senator by using this format:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If you are unsure of who your legislators are, the Legislative Hotline, 1-800-562-6000, will find those names for you.  You can also use the Find Your Legislator tool on the Legislative website.

 
Faith communities gather in Olympia on Valentine's Day, February 14 for "Uniting Hearts and Minds: Raising Revenue for the Common Good."   The day's activities include workshops on issues and advocacy (topics will include the state budget, environment, disability services, and housing/homelessness), legislative briefings, visits with your state legislators, and an interfaith worship.
Cost to attend is $20 if you register by 5:00 PM on January 31, $25 if you register beginning February 1. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and the cost of materials and organizing the event. Some scholarships may be available for those with limited funds--please call or e-mail with your request. We can also help you arrange carpools with others from your area.
Contact Faith Action Network,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 206-625-9790.

WA UU Voices is on Facebook!
"Like" our Facebook Page to stay informed about recent news and upcoming events between e-mail alerts.

1. If your senator or representatives support equality, Thank them for standing for justice!  An email or phone call to their office lets them know they have constituents who appreciate their position.  You can find their contact information at www.leg.wa.gov.   Especially thank Senators Jim Kastama (D-25) – Puyallup and Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10) – Camano Island, who came out this week in support of SB 6239!  And while you’re at it, Thank the Governor with a phone call to her office (360-902-4111), or a letter:  Governor Christine Gregoire, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia WA 98504.

2. Several senators remain undecided on the marriage equality bill.  Let them know the majority of Washingtonians –including Washingtonians of faith – support this legislation!  Our voices will make a difference!          If the senators named below are your legislators, please email them to let them know you support marriage equality, and would like them to add their affirming       votes when the bill comes to the floor of the Senate.  You can find their       contact information at www.leg.wa.gov, or call the Legislative Hot Line (1-800-        562-6000) to leave a message for them.

           Undecided Senators:
           Andy Hill (R-45) - Redmond
           Brian Hatfield (D-19) – Raymond
           Paull Shin (D-21) – Mukilteo
           Joe Fain (R-47) – Auburn

3.  Join the March for Equality, February 9-15, walking from Vancouver to the steps of the Capitol! 

“The Love for All March for Marriage Equality” is an opportunity for teams of walkers to rally public opinion in favor of a marriage equality bill being introduced, at Governor Gregoire’s request, in the Legislature.
 
The march itself will stretch over a hundred miles from Vancouver to Olympia, but don’t let that distance deter you from participating!   We will conquer this distance by covering it with teams of walkers of all abilities.
 
It will work this way:Each team will commit to walking at least one of the seven days required to make this march. While the team as a whole will seek to cover all of the miles designated for their day of walking, individual participants can walk as much or as little as they want.  What matters is not how far any single person walks, but rather the statement we make as people united behind a cause. We value everyone’s participation in making this statement.
 
Daily Plan:  Over the course of seven days, teams of walkers will walk from Vancouver to Olympia during the daylight hours of 8 am to 4 pm. The walkers will walk between 13 and 18 miles a day depending upon the day they are walking. Each day of the march will follow a pre‐determined route that will have a definite beginning point and end point. Here is a rough approximation of the march:
 
Thursday, February 9th:                From Vancouver to La Center—16 miles
Friday, February 10th:                   From La Center to Kalama—17 miles
Saturday, February 11th:               From Kalama to Longview—13 miles
Sunday, February 12th:                 From Longview to Vader—17 miles
Monday, February 13th:                From Vader to Napavine—18 miles
Tuesday, February 14th:               From Napavine to Tenino—18miles
Wednesday, February 15th:           From Tenino to Olympia—17 miles
 
Events:  At the end of each day, march organizers will seek to organize an event in the community in which marchers have arrived. Potential events include town halls and community service projects. Information about these events will be made available at a later date.
 
Sponsors: A Coalition of Faith Communities in Southwest Washington along with Equal Rights Washington, the Community of Welcoming Congregations, and the Religious Coalition for Equality.
 

THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL

Lobby Day against the Death Penalty

Wednesday, January 25^th  The bill to repeal the death penalty SB 6283, will be heard in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.  The bill is sponsored by Senators Regala, Kline, Murray, Chase, Kohl-Welles, Fraser, Keiser, Harper, and Nelson.   Its companion bill is HB 2468. 
 

Environmental Advocacy Day

Wednesday, January 25^th  Workshops, talks by elected officials and environmental advocates, advocacy training, and appointments with legislators are part of this day-long event.
 

Immigrants Day at the Capitol

This week in Olympia
Monday, January 16:  REMINDER – MLK, Jr. Day at the Capitol
11 AM – 5 PM:        The MLK Jr. Advocacy Day begins in the Columbia Room in the     
                               Legislative Building, with an orientation to the day’s events and    
                               briefings on 2012 session issues.  Lunch is provided, so please let     
                               us know you are coming!  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " style="color: #336699;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Tuesday, January 17:  Toxic-Free Kids Act–Hearings on SB 6120 and HB 2266
10 AM- Noon:                 Senate Environment Committee hears SB 6120
                                       Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 4
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM         House Environment Committee hears HB 2266
                                       John L. O’Brian Building, Hearing Room C
 
These companion bills will ban the use of two cancer-causing Tris flame retardants (TDCPP and TCEP) in children’s products beginning July 1, 2014. TDCPP was used in children’s pajamas in the 1970s and quickly removed when it was found to cause adverse health effects. But now it’s back in children’s products along with TCEP, another cancer-causing flame retardant.  The proposed legislation also will require makers of children’s products that contain bisphenol A (BPA), formaldehyde, antimony, or Tris flame retardants to identify safer chemicals or materials for their products.
 
Although these bills have broad support in the Senate and House, we need to show our support for passage because we believe the health of our children and the environment are justice issues that concern all Washingtonians.
 
Friday, January 20:  Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day
 
8 AM – 4 PM:          United Churches of Olympia, 110 - Eleventh Avenue SE,                         
                               Olympia, WA 98501-2259                    
                               Register today!  Contact Moque Krape, Mobilization Coordinator for more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " style="color: #336699;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This legislative session, budget cuts continue to threaten critical services designed to help families struggling to find work, stay housed, and care for their sick family members. Now more than ever, it will take the work of all of us to remind legislators that all Washington residents should have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes in thriving communities.
Working to protect services for low-income persons is a WA UU Voices for Justice legislative priority.  Join us January 20^th to discuss our communities’ needs and how all of us can work for affordable housingand an end to homelessness..

Upcoming Events
February 9 – 15:  The March for Equality.  Form a team in your congregation!
 

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY 

AT THE CAPITOL

 

Monday, January 16, 11 AM – 5 PM

• Help Make Ending Poverty A Priority 
• Advocate For Justice
• Meet Your Lawmakers
• Learn How Your Government Works

The MLK Jr. Advocacy Day begins at 11 AM, Columbia Room in the Legislative Building, with an orientation to the day’s events and briefings on 2012 session issues, including:

• Opportunities for low-income families
• Affordable housing and mortgage foreclosure protections
• Protection of critical services
• Equitable revenue options

Following lunch (which is provided) we will join other groups at noon for a rally on the capitol steps.  Meetings with legislators follow the rally.  For information, contact UU Voices’ Coordinator, Carol McKinley, at 360 786-8074, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For parking information and a map for finding your way around the Capital Campus, go to:  http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/pages/parking.aspx

STATE BUDGET ACTION WORKSHOP
WITH NANCY AMIDEI

Sunday, January 15th, 2 PM-4 PM
Quimper UU Fellowship, Port Townsend

Well-known justice advocate Nancy Amidei will discuss state budget cuts expected to affect the most vulnerable in Washington State, setting the stage for developing citizen action plans to address the budget-cutting process and to develop sustainable state funding options.
 
Areas of concern will include healthcare, education, public safety, housing, children/youth, and seniors. Small group discussions will focus on creating multiple, non-competing action strategies, and offer opportunities to consider Governor Gregoire’s one-half cent sales tax kike proposal, as well as long-term efforts for tax law reform.
 
Amidei served in the early 70s on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, and later in the Carter Administration as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Health, Education and Welfare Department. She recently retired from the UW Social Work faculty where she started the Civic Engagement Project. She has directed a national anti-hunger organization, served on a number of national and local non-profit boards, and provided commentaries on NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.
 
The public is invited to participate in the workshop, which is sponsored by a consortium of local faith communities.
 
Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is located at 2333 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend.
 
For information, contact Carla Main at 360/344-4163 or Bob Schultz at 360/379-3397. 

EVENTS AT THE CAPITOL 

See our Upcoming Events for the calendar of legislative session advocacy days and events related to WA UU Voices for Justice’s 2012 legislative priorities:

• Raise revenue
• Protect services for low-income persons
• Economic reform
• Restore the democratic process