On left, Tomo Duke met with UW Lutherans this week to write postcards to their legislators. At right, Kristin Ang testified for FAN in support of the Working Families Tax Credit.

Kristin’s Policy Updates

The third week of the 2024 Legislative Session in Washington was marked by significant progress on several bills championed by Faith Action Network. These bills align with FAN’s commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and public welfare. The 60-day legislative session has now progressed through its first 19 days. Policy Committee Cutoff is next Wednesday, January 31 — all bills need to pass out of their respective policy committees in their house of origin or they are considered “dead,” except House and Senate fiscal and transportation committees.

FAN collaborates with the WA Coalition for Police Accountability, who had their advocacy day in Olympia on Monday which started with the House Appropriations committee passing HB 1579 Independent Prosecutor. This bill would create a state office to ensure fair and transparent prosecutions of criminal conduct arising from police use of force. The next step is to advance HB 1579 from the Rules Committee and arrange for its presentation to the entire House for a vote.

On Tuesday, SB 6005: ReWrap Act was heard in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. FAN strongly supports this bill, highlighting its potential to revolutionize waste management and recycling in Washington state. The bill proposes statewide recycling expansion, streamlining systems, and holding companies accountable for the lifecycle of their packaging materials. FAN’s testimony underscored the moral imperative of stewarding the Earth, addressing the escalating plastic crisis, and honoring faith teachings through environmental action.

The Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee discussed SB 6251: Coordinating Regional Behavioral Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention Services. This bill aims to enhance mental health support across the state, addressing the critical need for coordinated behavioral crisis response and suicide prevention services.

On Wednesday, SB 6216: Statewide Network for Student Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services was heard. This bill focuses on establishing a comprehensive network for student mental and behavioral health services. FAN heard from our network this year that the mental health of students is a major concern for them.

Also in the House Appropriations Committee, the FAN network strongly advocated for HB 2114: Improving Housing Stability through signing in Pro. The bill aims to provide rent stability and protection, addressing the housing crisis and economic pressures in the housing market. Kristin’s testimony emphasized the moral obligation to support struggling families, communities of color, and fixed-income individuals through reasonable rent caps and agreement termination provisions in cases of excessive rate hikes.

On Thursday, several FAN-supported bills were heard. SB 6007: Grocery Worker Standards in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee aims to improve standards for grocery workers, resonating with FAN’s advocacy for workers’ rights and solidarity with UFCW3000. HB 2239: Supporting Student Wellbeing Through Social-Emotional Skills Instruction was discussed in the House Committee on Education. Social-emotional learning enhances academic performance, emotional intelligence, and social skills in children, reduces behavioral problems, and contributes to long-term mental health and success in adulthood.

The Senate Ways & Means committee heard SB 6191: Affordable Homes Act REET 2.0, which would increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing, homelessness services, and supportive housing for people with disabilities by increasing the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) for properties sold for over $3 million, and exempt property sales of $1 million and below.

In the House Appropriations Committee, FAN highlighted the importance of HB 1075: Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) Expansion, which aims to extend the credit to young adults and seniors, two groups facing significant economic challenges. We view WFTC as crucial financial aid for essentials like food, rent, and bills. The bill is a critical step in ensuring that no low-income working individual in Washington is left behind due to age. Over 55% of Washingtonians aged 18-24 cannot meet their basic needs and have the highest poverty rates among any age group. Self-supporting young adults, often persons of color or from the foster care system, strive for education and careers amidst financial hardship. Similarly, our seniors, nearly 10% of whom live in poverty, grapple with insufficient social security benefits and may work beyond retirement age to afford essentials. By passing HB 1075, we can extend this crucial support to over 114,000 additional households.

Resources for You and Your Communities

During these quickly moving weeks of session, we want to gather these resources for your easy reference as you advocate:

Register by Monday for IFAD

Registration is filling up for Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia on Thursday February 8! We have a space limit of 200 this year, so please don’t delay—registration closes, Monday January 29.

You’ll have a chance to hear plenary and workshop presentations, caucus with people from your district, and meet with your legislators or their aides. Put together a carpool and plan to join us! Overnight accommodations are available February 7 at Gwinwood Retreat Center in Lacey for those coming from further away; the cost is $35 per person. Please contact FAN Events Manager Alex at robinson@fanwa.org if you are interested.

Eastern WA Legislative Conference January 27 tomorrow!

FAN is pleased to co-sponsor the 2024 Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on Saturday, January 27, at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 8:30am to 3pm. It will be in-person/hybrid with a link for those who wish to participate on Zoom.

For information, call 509-535-4112.

Save the Date for Yakima Advocacy Day

Our friends in Yakima are planning an advocacy day for Saturday, February 24, 9am-3pm. Sponsored by Between the Ridges: Alliance for the Common Good, a new organizing project in the Yakima Valley, and co-sponsored by FAN, Yakima Association of Faith Communities, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, and other community groups. Goals include developing local advocacy, civic engagement, engage with statewide advocacy, and mobilize voters. Lunch will be provided, and donations accepted. More information and registration to come.

Lobby Days with our Coalition Partners

Tuesday, January 30, 9:00am-4:00pm, in-person. WLIHA Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day

Wednesday, January 31, 9:00am-4:30pm, in-person. OneAmerica Lobby Day

Thursday, February 1, Time TBA, in-person. Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition Hunger Advocacy Day. Join the Hunger Action Day Training online, Wednesday, January 10 from 9:00-10:00am. Please e-mail Tomo Duke@fanwa.org for the link.

Wednesday, February 7, 9:00am-4:00pm, online. Multi-faith Restorative Justice Coalition Advocacy Day

Wednesday, February 7, (9:00am-6:00pm) in-person. WAISN Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day

Thursday, February 8, 9:00am-3:00pm, in-person. FAN Interfath Advocacy Day 2024

Thursday, February 15, 8:00am-3:30pm, in-person and online. Children’s Alliance, Have a Heart for Kids Advocacy Day

Thursday, February 15, 8:30am-3:30pm, in-person. Jewish Community Relations Council Lobby Day. Contact alizam@jewishinseattle.org for information.

Monday, February 19, 9:00am-3:00pm, in-person. APRI Seattle, Charles Rolland African American Lobby Day.

Saturday, February 24, 9:00am-3:00pm, in-person. Yakima Advocacy Day

Opportunities

Look for opportunities to meet with your state legislators during their Town Halls–either by phone, online or in-person–as an excellent way to raise your priorities during session without traveling to Olympia. Find your legislator and look on their website for town hall opportunities.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 27, 8:30am-Noon, Catholic Social Teaching Retreat Series: Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers, in-person, Kirkland.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4, Embodying Curiosity and Openness to Change, in-person, Newport Presbyterian, Bellevue. Learn at the 2024 Meekhof Lecture from Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, a leader in innovation and diversity in the Presbyterian Church about the Ecology of Community.

Saturday-Sunday, February 3-4, Refugee Shabbat, in-person, Congregation Beth Shalom, Seattle. Join in supporting the global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. As borders turn away asylum seekers and climate change worsens existing challenges, it’s crucial to reaffirm our commitment to refugees.

Sunday, February 4, 1:00-2:30pm, Rosa Parks’ 111th Birthday Celebration, in-person, Veradale United Church of Christ, Spokane Valley.

Saturday, March 2, 9:00am-4:00pm, Decolonization for Transformation, in-person, Sunnyslope Church, Wenatchee. Save the Date for a Cultivating Justice featuring Sarah Augustine, Executive Director, Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. Email Jess Ingman  for more details.

Saturday, March 2, Noon, WA Poor People’s Campaign March to Stay Alive, in-person, WA State Capitol, Olympia. Join in the Mass Poor People’s Assembly in Olympia.