Lunell Haught, President

Joan Lawson, Advocacy Portfolio Director

Jan. 17, 2021 Vol. 53, Issue 02

How To Testify For A Bill

By Martin Gibbins, Climate Change and Energy Issue Chair

If you find a bill of interest to you or one recommended by an Issue Chair, you may provide written and oral testimony yourself at a committee hearing. Your communication will be most effective if you speak for yourself and explain your personal interest in the bill. The LWVWA Issue Chair will provide testimony for the League in accordance with League positions and after coordinating with other Issue Chairs. Only Issue Chairs and the LWVWA Board are authorized to speak for the League on matters affecting the state of Washington. So unless you obtain permission, you should not emphasize the League in testimony.

Because the legislature is meeting remotely this year, it’s easier than ever to have your voice heard! In addition to contacting your legislators via Action Alerts, bill comments, email and phone calls, you can easily register to testify remotely, submit written testimony, or have your position noted for the legislative record.
Just follow these simple steps:

Visit the "Participating in Committee Hearings" section of the Washington State Legislature's website.
Press the "Register to Testify Remotely" button, even if you just want to submit written testimony or have your position noted for the record.
Select House or Senate. (The page should look like this.)
Use the dropdown menus at the top to select the committee and the hearing date and time.
Select the bill you’re interested in; then select the type of testimony — oral, written or noting your position for the record — and follow the directions provided.
You will need to fill out your identifying information, then hit "Submit" at the bottom.

ACTION ALERTS

Click on the links below to learn more about a bill that is currently being reviewed in the state legislature. You can "take action" on these most pressing bills by sending a suggested, and editable, email template to legislators, encouraging them to vote to promote the League Issue in question.

Restore the Right to Vote to People Who Are Out of Prison

Washington currently prohibits people living in the community from voting because they have a past conviction. HB 1078 will strengthen our democracy, increase public safety and promote racial justice by automatically restoring the right to vote for everyone living in the community. Please send an email to your representatives now. And spread the word about voting rights restoration using this toolkit!

Pass the Capital Gains Tax

The state of Washington has the most regressive tax system in the country. If a capital gains tax were to pass, it would shift the balance toward greater equality. The tax does not apply to retirement incomes, sale of homes or other transactions that would affect most people. It is not an income tax; it is a tax on a sale of certain assets. Ask the Senate Ways and Means Committee to pass SB 5096.

Tell the Legislature to Pass the Clean Fuels Bill

The Clean Fuels bill is scheduled for a committee vote on Jan. 21. You can help keep this bill moving. If your representative serves on the House Committee on Environment and Energy (Fitzgibbon, Duerr, Dye, Klicker, Abbarno, Berry, Boehnke, Fey, Goehner, Harris-Talley, Ramel, Shewmake, Slatter) you have an opportunity to influence Washington’s energy future. Ask the committee to pass HB 1091.

LWVWA ISSUES

The LWVWA supports the following League Issues in the current Washington state legislative session. Click on an Issue to learn more, including current and upcoming bills affecting the Issue.

DEMOCRACY

Elections | Citizens’ Initiative Review bill introduced, repealing advisory votes hearing this week.

Election Security | Ensure secure, accurate and transparent elections.

Money in Politics | Reduce influence of special interest money in politics, provide public financing for campaigns for some offices, ensure transparency, restore citizen confidence, and prevent conflicts of interest.

Redistricting and Census | Speak Up for districts you believe in, and learn how Speak Up Schools is making the 2021 Washington Redistricting Commission accountable.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS

Climate Change | We must pass the Clean Fuels bill HB 1091 this session.

Energy | Advocate for clean and renewable sources.

Natural Resources | Protect natural resources that are impacted by climate change and provide resilience.

Transportation | A new transportation budget will be adopted this year and emphasis will be on reducing the net impact of transportation systems on climate change.

ENSURING SOCIAL JUSTICE

Criminal Justice | Take action to support police accountability and voting rights for formerly-incarcerated people.

Social Justice | Expand economic, political and social opportunities and protections for historically marginalized groups.

Gun Safety | Current threats to public safety in Olympia demand attention to open carry.

Housing and Homelessness | Emphasis will be on obtaining increased investment in affordable housing and retention of, at minimum, current levels of rental assistance and other homelessness prevention programs.

Health Care, Behavioral Health and Reproductive Rights | Take Action to Protect Patients Rights.

IMPROVE EDUCATION

Public Education | Fully fund K-12 education and increase funding for student support services, including broadband access.

ESTABLISHING FAIR REVENUE

Adequate and Fair Revenue and Budget | Help Needed on Capital Gains Tax.

CALENDAR

Monday, Jan. 18, LWVWA presents "Redistricting 101."
Monday, Feb. 18, LWV of Snohomish County presents "Redistricting 101" in the morning and evening.
Week of Feb. 22, LWVWA and Fix Democracy First presents "Democracy Lobby Week."

OTHER WAYS TO FOLLOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE

Washington State Legislature website, leg.wa.gov.
Washington state's public affairs TV network, TVW.org.