Faith Action Network continues to stand for economic justice by picketing with grocery store workers yesterday with UFCW3000. Blake Alford, FAN Faith and Labor Roundtable Co-Lead stands with longtime advocate Joan Weiss and King County Councilmember, Teresa Mosqueda. Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, April 19th (1-3pm) for our next Faith and Labor event, a Progressive Revenue Messaging training, Tax the Rich for Goodness’ Sake, in Seattle. Sign-Up on Facebook or let our FAN office know you will be attending by emailing fan@fanwa.org

Celebrate and Take Action!

This week, SB 5016, celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, passed the Washington State House and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature. This is a meaningful step toward honoring the rich religious and cultural diversity of our state. Officially recognizing Muslim holidays alongside other major faith observances uplifts our Muslim neighbors and affirms their place in the fabric of our shared civic life. FAN celebrates this milestone and the ongoing work to ensure all communities feel seen, respected, and valued.

As we recognize this victory for inclusion, let’s continue pushing for justice in all areas of public policy. Your voice is still needed to move more values-based legislation forward.

Please take a moment to Sign in PRO before Saturday’s hearings to show your support for environmental justice, ethical governance, and clean energy solutions.

SB 5284 Recycling Reform Act

Saturday, April 5 at 1:30 PM House Appropriations Committee

This bill promotes equity and sustainability by creating a producer responsibility system for packaging and paper products, reducing waste and pollution, and supporting communities burdened by environmental harm.

HB 1409 Clean Fuels Program Technical Fix

Saturday, April 5 at 12:00 PM in Senate Ways & Means Committee

Makes technical updates to ensure smooth implementation of Washington’s Clean Fuels Program, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advancing our climate goals.

HB 1232 Private Detention Facilities Accountability and Transparency

Saturday, April 5 at 12:00 PM in Senate Ways & Means Committee

Modifies regulations to improve conditions, and authorizes the Department of Health to inspect private detention facilities, including the NW Detention Center, at any time for compliance and enforcement.

Many of our legislators have boldly proposed new progressive revenue sources to avert devastating cuts to vital state services and programs. These proposals also require wealthy individuals, banks and corporations that have benefited from Washington’s strong infrastructure, labor force and prosperity to contribute their share. Our legislators and Governor need our bold support to do the right thing and pass these bills. Please sign our new Progressive Revenue Letter this weekend!

Sign our Updated Progressive Revenue Letter

Join FAN at a Hands Off! Event Near YOU!

FAN is joining the nationwide HANDS OFF mobilization this Saturday, April 5 – we hope to see you there! Watch this video by FAN Board Chair, Rev. Carol Jensen to hear more about why it is so critical we take a public stand in this moment.

So many of the values we hold dear are being threatened by actions taken by the federal administration. Our fundamental rights, our social services and protections, our health care and educational opportunities, our public lands and environment, and our economic infrastructure have been under assault. This administration is “othering” and attacking beloved and integral members of our communities: immigrants, refugees, transgender people, educators, activists, and those without wealth.

We as people of faith and conscience reject this embrace of billionaires and the powerful at the expense of the rest of us. We call on Congress and all public institutions to stand up for our democracy and all who are being stripped of their constitutional rights – no matter their religion, politics, or identity. We must show up in public ways to show we are part of the resistance to this unfolding nightmare.

There are at least 41 locations in Washington where rallies are being held. Learn more and find one near you here.

Create a sign that represents your values and join others in your community and across the nation to uphold our rights and values now.

Standing With Our Labor Partners

If you’re in the SeaTac area, we invite you to join APRI and MLK Labor, this Saturday April 5th, at noon to protest ICE, advocate for public schools, Support Immigrant and Trans Students and defend public workers and services.

Rally at Angle Park, 19408 International Blvd, SeaTac

March to Federal Detention Center 2425 S. 200 Street, SeaTac

Email contact@apriseattle.com for further event details. Contact Blake Alford FAN’s Faith and Labor Roundtable rep to connect with a FAN staff member at the event.

Week 12 Legislative Recap

Budgets are moral documents.

Week 12 of Washington’s 2025 Legislative Session brought heightened urgency to Olympia as lawmakers and advocates faced down looming fiscal deadlines and a massive budget challenge. On April 2, the Legislature hit its policy committee cutoff for opposite chamber bills, meaning any policy bills not approved in committee by that date are now considered dead, unless labeled Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB). The next major deadline is April 8, the fiscal committee cutoff, when all remaining budget-related bills must pass out of fiscal committees to stay alive. With Sine Die—the official end of session—scheduled for April 27, the coming days are critical to move bills forward, finalize budget negotiations, and ensure that high-impact legislation crosses the finish line.

These cutoffs come amidst growing tension over how to address a projected $15 billion budget shortfall. Budget writers are facing intense pressure to close the gap without deep cuts to essential services. That’s why progressive revenue proposals—which would generate billions by taxing extreme wealth and high-end corporate payrolls—have become a focal point in the debate. This week, Faith Action Network showed up in full support of these justice-based solutions, while also opposing harmful delay bills that would withhold promised support from our most vulnerable neighbors.

✅ SUPPORT FOR PROGRESSIVE REVENUE

On Monday, FAN testified in strong support of two major bills in Senate Ways & Means that offer real solutions for Washington’s regressive tax code and underfunded services:

  • SB 5796 – High Earners Payroll Tax on Employers
    Imposes a 5% tax on payroll over $176,100/year for large employers with payrolls over $7 million. Raises $2.3 billion per year for education, childcare, healthcare, and basic needs.
  • SB 5797 – Financial Intangible Assets Tax
    Levies a $10 per $1,000 tax on financial intangible assets (stocks, bonds, ETFs) for individuals with over $50 million in holdings. Affects about 4,300 people with extraordinary wealth, raising $4 billion annually for K-12 education, including special education.

FAN testified that these policies are not only fair, but they are also necessary. For decades, trickle-down economics have failed working families while wealth has concentrated in the hands of a few and corporate profits have soared. It is time to ask those who have gained the most from Washington’s infrastructure, labor force, and resources to contribute their fair share for the common good.

FAN continued our advocacy for progressive tax reform by testifying in House Finance Committee hearings in support of:

  • HB 2045 – Investing in Washington families by restructuring B&O Tax
    Modestly increases the B&O tax on high-profit sectors to fund food access, housing, and healthcare. Promotes fairness by ensuring large corporations contribute more to public needs.
  • HB 2046 – Financial Intangible Assets Tax
    Similar to SB 5797, this bill taxes individuals with over $50 million in financial intangible assets. Funds would support public education and help meet Washington’s constitutional obligation to students.

❌ OPPOSITION TO HARMFUL DELAYS IN SUPPORT

In the House Appropriations hearing, FAN coalition partners and impacted community members testified in opposition to two bills that would delay critical assistance for low-income communities:

  • HB 2040 – Delay of ABD/SSI Passthrough Until 2028
    Would postpone implementation of a policy that protects retroactive SSI payments from being reclaimed by the state. These funds are essential for dignity and survival.
  • HB 2039 – Delay of Child Support Passthrough for TANF Families Until 2029
    Would continue the practice of seizing child support payments meant for children in families receiving TANF—diverting money from the most vulnerable kids to the state budget.

FAN strongly opposes these delay bills. Justice delayed is justice denied—and we must not balance the budget on the backs of those with the least.

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE

Governor Bob Ferguson held a press conference on Tuesday rejecting the use of a wealth tax to balance the current budget. While expressing long-term support for progressive revenue, he stopped short of endorsing it as part of the immediate budget solution—frustrating advocates who fear the burden will again fall on working families. FAN maintains that this is precisely the time for bold action and moral clarity. We cannot solve this crisis by preserving the wealth of a few at the expense of essential care for our communities.

WHY PROGRESSIVE REVENUE MATTERS

Washington has the second most regressive tax system in the country—with the lowest-income residents paying a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the wealthiest. FAN’s advocacy for SB 5796, SB 5797, HB 2045, and HB 2046 reflects our faith-rooted belief in shared responsibility, equity, and justice.

Meanwhile, delay bills like HB 2040 and HB 2039 reveal what’s at stake if we fail to raise revenue: we’ll continue to deny promised aid to those who need it most. Let’s choose a different path—one grounded in compassion, fairness, and our deepest shared values.

Together, we can build a more just and resilient Washington.

Today in Fiscal Committees: 5 Key Bills Up for Hearing

Friday, April 4 is a big day in the Washington State Legislature, with several important bills scheduled for public hearings in fiscal committees (Senate Ways & Means and House Appropriations):

  • HB 1217 Rent Stabilization. Would cap annual rent increases at 7% to protect tenants from rent gouging and prevent displacement.
  • SB 5041 Unemployment for Striking Workers. Allows workers impacted by strikes or lockouts to receive unemployment benefits.
  • SB 5123 Student Protections. Expands protections for K-12 students based on gender identity, housing status, ethnicity, and more.
  • HB 1163 Permit to Purchase Firearms. Creates a permit system for gun purchases to promote public safety and reduce gun violence.
  • HB 1432 Mental Health Parity Enforcement. Strengthens access to mental health and substance use treatment by enforcing insurance parity.

Join the Seattle Social Justice Film Festival This Month

The Seattle Social Justice Film Festival will take place in Seattle next week, April 9-13, with most films available virtually April 14-20. Featuring 61 impactful films both local and global, the festival will lift up issues from climate to free speech, homelessness to innovative activism. Some highlights FAN folks may especially appreciate include:

  • A collection of documentary films on How We Look at Prisons will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by filmmaker and professor Gilda Sheppard (April 9, 6 pm at the Northwest Film Forum).
  • The King County Reparations Project is a documentary that explores the history and current life of the Central District and South End, followed by a panel discussion (April 11, 7:00 pm, University Heights Center).
  • The film Rites of Passage witnesses a group of African-American high school students from Seattle on a 2024 trip to Dakar, Senegal. A panel discussion with students will follow. (April 12, 7:00 pm, University Heights Center).

For information and a schedule of all film screenings, visit the SJFF website.

More Events in Your Communities!

Saturday, April 5, 10am-12pm, Eco-Anxiety Café, in-person. Manito United Methodist Church (3320 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane, WA 99203). Are you worried about climate change? Join with other Spokane community members to share your feelings and thoughts, find or share resources, and connect with others who share your concerns.  Free to Attend!

Tuesday, April 22, 6-7pm, Vigil for the Healing of the Earth: Moving from Lament to Community Resilience, in-person. Tribal Gathering Place (next to City Hall), 353-367 N. Post St., Spokane, WA 99201. Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience (FLLC) invite you to the annual Vigil for the Healing of the Earth. Come share in music, stories, and ways to be resilient and hear from Tracy Simmons the editor of Faith and Values Spokane.