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Lunell Haught, President Joan Lawson, Advocacy Portfolio Director Hayley Day, Editor |
Feb. 28, 2021 Vol. 53, Issue 08 |
By Cynthia Stewart, Housing and Homelessness, Transportation and Revenue Issue Chair
Today is the beginning of week eight of the legislative session. This coming week will be the second of two weeks dedicated to floor action, where legislators are debating and voting on bills that have proceeded through the committee processes and made it this far. The cut-off for passing bills in the house of origin is March 9. Only bills necessary to implement the budget can survive this deadline. After March 9, committees will commence consideration of bills that were passed by the other chamber. The House will be considering Senate bills and vice versa.
Many bills will not make it out of the rules committee to the floor. There are more bills than there is time for the legislature to handle. Hence there are several more Action Alerts than usual which we urge you to use.
Take a look at the list below and if you do nothing else this week, please take these actions to get critical bills passed.
It is time to strengthen safeguards for the public against use of force by law enforcement officers. House Bill 1310 would achieve that goal by requiring that officers use force only as a last resort: When it is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death. This is the legal standard that should govern officers’ interactions with the public, one which makes human life paramount in public safety. Ask your representatives to vote yes on HB 1310!
The proposed capital gains tax, Senate Bill 5096, is needed to both generate additional revenue and help reverse the upside-down tax code in Washington state. This measure has been contemplated for several years. This year, with the clear highlighting of wealth and racial inequities by the COVID pandemic, it is time to act. This tax would only apply to the people at the top 1% of income, who have the means to pay. It would help fund education and address other financial needs of the state. Ask your senator to vote yes on SB 5096.
Help pass the public bankConsideration of a public bank for Washington state has gone on for 10 years or more. A public bank would allow public funding to be pooled for infrastructure loans and bonding at much lower rates than are currently possible in the private sector bank system. This could increase the state and local governments’ capacity for financing infrastructure. Senate Bill 5188 has a chance of passing this year. Please support this bill.
The environmental justice bill, Senate Bill 5141, is on the Senate floor. Ask your senator to press for a vote because all voices must be heard so all lives can flourish. Ask your senator to vote yes on SB 5141.
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.
Elections | Major successes with voting rights restoration and protection of election officials.
Natural Resources | Forest bills made it out of fiscal committees!
IMPROVE EDUCATION
ESTABLISHING FAIR REVENUE
HOW TO TESTIFY FOR A BILL ONLINE
CALENDAR
OTHER WAYS TO FOLLOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE