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Week of February 22, 2010 |
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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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Week of February 14, 2010 |
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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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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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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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