Lunell Haught, President

Joan Lawson, Advocacy Portfolio Director

Hayley Day, Editor

Feb. 21, 2021 Vol. 53, Issue 07

ACTION ALERTS

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

Pass the capital gains tax

The State of Washington needs additional revenue to cover its unmet needs. The primary tax sources used now — sales and property tax — create an upside-down system, where the 20% at the bottom income level pay six times as much as the top 1%. To generate additional revenue in a fair way, Senate Bill 5096, the capital gains tax, would apply only to the top 1%, who have the means to pay and help our ability to fund education and address other financial needs. Ask your senator to support SB 5096.

Assure free speech and public safety in communities, at state Capitol

Senate Bill 5038 will prohibit weapons — not just firearms — at public demonstrations on public property and on the Capitol grounds. Ask your senator to have this bill moved to the floor promptly so action can be taken in the House.

It’s time to reduce greenhouse gases in our refrigeration systems

The League believes that global climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our state, nation and planet today. House Bill 1050 will reduce the usage and leakage of a class of potent greenhouse gasses, and is ready for a vote in the Washington House of Representatives. Ask your representatives to support HB 1050.

Growth Management Act vesting bill needs your help

Washington has the most lax vesting law in the country. It is a loophole that allows expansion of Urban Growth Areas into farmland and natural habitat. This can lead to sprawl, and in those cases the decision might be appealed to the Growth Management Hearings Board. Ask your senator to support Senate Bill 5042.

Visit the Current Actions page to learn how to support all actions.

SECOND CUT-OFF IS MONDAY

By Cynthia Stewart, Housing and Homelessness, Transportation and Revenue Issue Chair

This is the beginning of week seven of the Legislature, with eight weeks to follow. On Monday, Feb. 22, the second cut-off occurs. By 5 p.m., any bill that has been assigned to a fiscal committee but has not moved on to the rules committee is officially dead for 2021.

After Monday, legislators will spend the next two weeks on the floor debating bills. There will be no committee meetings. The House and Senate will each meet in session to vote on bills that have come out of the policy committee, fiscal committee and rules committee for a vote. Advocacy will focus on getting bills passed in the house of origin.

This week's League Legislative Issues identify bills the League supports that still need your attention Monday to get out of fiscal committees, as well as bills you can urge your legislators to vote on during the rest of the week.

Thank you for supporting our League priorities!

LWVWA ISSUES

The LWVWA supports the following League Legislative Issues in the current Washington state legislative session. Click on an issue to learn more, including current and upcoming bills affecting the issue. In this virtual legislative session, you can also testify for a bill online.

DEMOCRACY

Elections | Critical actions needed to protect election workers and support Ranked-Choice Voting.

Election Security | Ensure secure, accurate and transparent elections.

Money in Politics | Let's finally close the lobbying revolving door!

Redistricting and Census | Speak Up Schools have started. Don't miss out on the fun. Your voting power starts here.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS

Climate Change | Two climate bills are ready for floor votes in the legislature.

Energy | Energy bills this session mostly focused on reducing climate change.

Natural Resources | Forest bills made it out of fiscal committees!

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 | Address the impact of systemic racism and advocate for a criminal justice system that is equitable, transparent, and evidence-based

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

Gun Safety | Assure public safety and free speech.

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 | Establish 12 months of post-partum care for mothers.

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 pass the capital gains tax.

HOW TO TESTIFY FOR A BILL ONLINE

In addition to contacting your legislators via Action Alerts, bill comments, emails and phone calls, you can register to testify remotely, submit written testimony or have your position noted for the legislative record. Speak for yourself and explain your personal interest in the bill. Unless you obtain permission, you should not emphasize the League in testimony.

Just follow these 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.
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.
Fill out your identifying information, then hit "Submit" at the bottom.

CALENDAR

Monday, Feb. 22-Friday, Feb. 26—LWVWA and Fix Democracy First presents "Democracy Lobby Week."

Monday, Feb. 22—Last day to pass bills out of committee in the state legislature and read them into the record on the floor for the House fiscal committees; Senate Ways and Means Committee; and
transportation committees in the house of origin.
Thursday, Feb. 25—LWV of Thurston County presents "Immigration 2021: What Happens Now?".
Saturday, Feb. 27—LWV of Kitsap County presents "Redistricting 101."
Sunday, Feb. 28—LWV of Yakima and Kittitas counties and others present "Redistricting Train the Trainer" workshop.
Tuesday, March 9—Last day to pass bills in the state legislature in their house of origin by 5 p.m.

OTHER WAYS TO FOLLOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE

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