Lunell Haught, President

Joan Lawson, Advocacy Portfolio Director

Hayley Day, Editor

March 28, 2021 Vol. 53, Issue 12

Action Alert

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.

Assure unintimidated speech and public safety

With polarized and conflicting views at the Capitol and in local communities, people need to be able to express their views without intimidation by persons open carrying weapons including firearms meant for war. Nothing suppresses and intimidates like an assault weapon. Ask your representatives to bring ESSB 5038 to the house floor and vote yes.

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

Legislature moves to budget reviews

By Stoney Bird, Public Bank Issue Chair

The Legislative session is at a turning point. With a few exceptions, our legislators will only be considering budget questions from now until the end of the session. To some of these exceptions, we draw your attention below. What is clear is that the actions of League members like you have been key in achieving the results that we have obtained so far. The Advocacy Team would like to thank you for contributing to this great effort.

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 | Voting rights restoration passes the Senate.

Election Security | Ensure secure, accurate, and transparent elections.

Money in Politics | Speak up for SR 1 in Congress.

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 | Many hearings this week; you can sign in pro.

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

Natural Resources | Natural resource bills all moved forward.

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 | Visit the Criminal Justice Issue Web Page for more Action Alerts.

Social Justice | Visit our Issue Web Page for additional social justice bills that need action.

Gun Safety | Ask your representatives to vote yes on ESSB 5038.

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 | New health care bills this week.

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 fair and adequate revenue.

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

Wednesday, March 31—Legislative District 37 Town Hall.
Friday, April 2—Last day to pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor from House fiscal committees, Senate Ways and Means and Senate transportation committees.

Other ways to follow the state legislature

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