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FAN Staff Paul and Jaspreet provided virtual testimony last week for SB 1267 Establishing the Office for Independent Investigations, and SB 5194 Community and Technical Colleges, respectively. Have you taken advantage of this virtual opportunity to support the bills you care about? Send us a screenshot so we can highlight your advocacy! Take Action! We have two opportunities to Take Action this week as we are nearing the fiscal cutoff for bills next Monday. Both of these bills are scheduled for executive session on Monday 2/22 in the Ways & Means Committee. Click here to see if your Senator is on that committee, [...]

Thank you to all who joined us for Interfaith Advocacy Day 2021! We had a great morning of legislative overview, words from interfaith leaders and legislators, workshops on the issues, and legislative appointments Thursday and Friday. See our recap below! Featuring Rep. Tarra Simmons (top center) and Sen. Marko Liias (bottom right). Take Action! Four House bills FAN has been working on with the WA Coalition for Police Accountability could use your outreach to your House member—Click here to let them know you support them and ask for their support as they are moving in the process. Please add your own [...]

We are looking forward to our first virtual Interfaith Advocacy Day next Thursday, February 11 from 9 AM - 1 PM! We hope you will join us and register by Monday morning 2/8 to ensure we can schedule you an appointment with your legislators on Thursday afternoon or during the day Friday. Take Action! This week we are offering three opportunities to take action on issues on FAN’s legislative agenda. It has never been easier to advocate with three quick clicks and no more than five minutes of your time! Click each link to email your legislators - an email prompt is provided, but please add your own words on [...]

The Recovery Rebate HB 1297 (Rep. Thai) is a policy FAN supports that provides direct, flexible cash to the households that most need it. The Recovery Rebate updates the Working Families Tax Credit by making it more equitable and inclusive. Contact your legislators through the link below, and tune in to TVW on Tuesday when this bill gets its first hearing. See below how to sign in Pro and submit written comments before/after the hearing. Take Action! This week we are offering three opportunities to take action on issues on FAN’s legislative agenda. It's never been easier to advocate with three quick clicks and no more [...]

Testifying remotely is new this session, but it is easy to do from the comfort of your home! Co-Director Paul testified this week for Native American curriculum in schools (SB 5161). See our How to Advocate in a Virtual Session section below for tips on submitting your testimony and keeping up with the session. Week Two During a week of so much change on the national level, the WA State legislature continued full-speed. Many bills FAN supports were heard this week, with testimony from FAN staff. Here's a snapshot: Paul testified on SB 5161, mandating a deadline of 9/01/23 for school districts [...]

The 2021 FAN Advocacy Days RSVP links are live! Join us in Eastern WA on January 30, Olympia on February 11, or Central WA on February 20, all held virtually, as we talk about the 2021 legislative session, hear from speakers and discuss in breakout groups the issues on FAN's agenda, and meet with legislators as part of the Olympia-focused event. We hope to see you there! Week One The 2021 Legislative Session began in-person as it has every year, but legislators kept social distance, wore face masks, and are planning to work virtually for much of the session in light [...]

We hope you will join us for our 2021 Advocacy Days, all held virtually this year! Registration links are coming soon - learn more and RSVP at fanwa.org/interfaith-advocacy-day/. Announcing the Retirement of Co-Director Rev. Paul Benz As FAN prepares to celebrate our tenth anniversary this coming year, we are moving into a time of leadership transition. Our beloved Co-Director Paul Benz, leading our policy work since 2011 (and the Lutheran Public Policy Office before that), is retiring at the end of 2021. In his letter to the Board, Paul writes: It’s been a great ride these past 20 years of advocating [...]

TWO DAYS LEFT TO APPLY! The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund was created when advocates urged the Governor to protect our immigrant neighbors during the global pandemic. Please share widely about this important resource - you must apply by December 6 to receive benefits at immigrantreliefwa.org! Announcing FAN's 2021 State Legislative Agenda Please find our 2021 Legislative Agenda (fanwa.org) where you can also download and share a copy. Each year the FAN Governing Board and staff, in collaboration with our coalition partners and input from our Spring Summit attendees and the FAN Program Committee, approves FAN’s Legislative Agenda that guides our [...]

FAN has been part of statewide Mourning Into Unity vigils to honor those who have died from COVID-19 and stand together to protect our democracy. On the right, Zahra Roach, Central WA Regional Organizer, led an event in Richland last week - see the NBC video coverage here. First AME Church in Seattle also hosted an event and will continue these vigils through the election under the title Pray the Ballot, Mondays 10/26 and 11/2. Protecting the Integrity of the Election Concern is widespread that either civil unrest will occur following the presidential election next Tuesday, November 3, and the Trump [...]