Each year, FAN will provide a report of legislative successes. The 2011 report is a joint report of FAN’s predecessor organizations: The Lutheran Public Policy Office and the Washington Association of Churches.

2011 WAC/LPPO Washington Legislative Successes

Home Foreclosure Prevention Act

There were over 40,000 home foreclosures in our state in 2010. With this new law, at-risk homeowners may call a toll-free number and be linked to a trained counselor who will work with them and the lending institution. Lenders are required to be a part of the mediation process.

Stopped the Interest Rate on Those Exiting Prison

Every person sentenced with a felony in this state is required to pay a Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) to the victim. This LFO accrues interest daily from the time of incarceration until it is paid off. This bill stops the accrual of interest until the offender’s sentence is completed.

Funding Sustained for the WIC/FMNP (Women, Infants, & Children/Farmers Market Nutrition Program)

Funding for this small but important program was to be “zeroed out” in the second year of the 2011-13 biennium. LPPO and WAC, with their many sustainable agriculture and anti-poverty allies, were successful in restoring full funding for the second year of this biennium.

Stopped the Gang Bill

The Attorney General and several legislators have been trying to pass a gang bill focused on punishment rather than prevention, which could easily lead to more incarceration of people of color and the poor. LPPO, WAC, and their many allies, especially the Racial Equity Team, were very active in this legislature and at forums around the state advocating to stop this bill.

Stopped the Drivers’ License Bill

LPPO, WAC, and their allies in communities of color around the state testified at committee hearings expressing the opposition of the religious community to this bill that would deteriorate the already good relations local communities have with law enforcement and the Department of Licensing.

Human Trafficking Prevention Bill

LPPO’s lobbyist worked with the two lead human trafficking advocates in Olympia to secure passage of three bills. LPPO and WAC worked most on a bill giving local law enforcement more legal tools to move quickly in apprehending and prosecuting the individuals responsible for the trafficking, rather than the young women and men who become the victims.

Elder Abuse Prevention Bill

LPPO and WAC were part of the Long Term Care Coalition in Olympia that helped pass a Senate bill to reduce abuse in adult family homes. The bill creates tighter regulations and increases fees, enabling DSHS to do more effective monitoring and investigation when abuse is reported.