e-News

Attend Online IFAD on Thursday 2/10You can still register for Interfaith Advocacy Day before next Thursday, and if we already have legislative appointments reserved for your legislative district, you are welcome to join them. If not, while the deadline is passed for reserving appointments, you can still take part in the 9am-noon morning sessions that will include updates about what is moving forward during this fast session, workshops on the issues on FAN’s legislative agenda, and a chance to meet with other members of your legislative district to plan IFAD visits with legislators, or future strategies for meeting with them.Week 4 [...]

There is still time to register for the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on January 22 from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM and Interfaith Advocacy Day on February 10! Please register as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly and ensure you have meetings with your elected officials at IFAD. First Week of Session This 60-day legislative session began Monday remotely. The main foci of the session for lawmakers are the supplemental two-year state budget plan, the economy, and police reform. Hearings and floor votes will continue to be broadcast or live streamed by TVW, the state’s government affairs channel. On Tuesday, [...]

Members of the WA Coalition for Police Accountability (WCPA) celebrated historic victories in police reform in the 2021 legislative session! FAN Co-Director Paul Benz participated in the coalition, and FAN included the WCPA's priorities in our legislative agenda. Far too many families have been impacted by police violence in WA State - our work is not over. (Thank you to Elaine Simons for these images.) Legislative Session Review What an amazing and unique legislative session this was! Amazing in the significant social change bills passed, such as Capital Gains (SB 5096) which will now fund the new Fare Start childcare program enacted this session, [...]

FAN staff Lauren Schubring (left) and Tara Miller (right) are excited for their COVID-19 vaccinations! Thank you to our partners at SEIU 6 for giving three FAN staff their first vaccinations last weekend! We invite you to share with us your vaccine pictures and stories so we can feature them in the E-News - how is getting the vaccine connected to your faith and values? Email us at fan@fanwa.org to be part of the campaign to reach everyone with vaccines! Take Action! Governor Inslee is signing bills this week - let's keep up the momentum and pass these bills into [...]

In honor of Earth Day next week, FAN partnered with The Lands Council to host a Tree Planting event in Spokane on April 15. Eastern WA Regional Organizer Lauren Schubring pictured left, Sarah Marr right. See the Events & Opportunities section below for more Earth Day activities. Take Action! We are in the final weeks to pass bills that are NTIB (necessary to implement the budget). Let's keep up the momentum and push them all the way to the Governor's desk! Please add your own language to the email prompts: SB 5096 Capital Gains - Passed in the House Finance Committee on [...]

Join us for one of our 2021 Spring Summits! You can choose between Sundays, May 23 or June 6 from 2-4 PM. We’ll gather from across the state to celebrate FAN wins in the legislative session and plan for the year ahead. There will be breakout groups by region and issue topic. See you at the Summit! Take Action! Bills are now headed to the floor for passage - take action before Sunday 4/11 at 5 PM. Let's keep up the momentum and push them all the way to the Governor's desk! Please add your own language to the email prompts: SB [...]

Good wishes this Spring season with promises of hope as vaccines continue to become more available, and many faiths celebrate - Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi Day, Holi, and Ramadan. We wish you and your community good health and joyful celebrations! Take Action! Bills are now headed to the floor for passage - let's keep up the momentum and push them all the way to the Governor's desk! Please add your own language to the email prompts: HB 1236 Just Cause Evictions - In the Senate Rules Committee - Email your Senator and ask if they will vote for this bill. HB 1054 Prohibiting certain police tactics - In [...]

Save the Date for one of our 2021 Spring Summits! You can choose between Sundays, May 23 or June 6 from 2-4 PM. We'll gather from across the state to celebrate FAN wins in the legislative session and plan for the year ahead. There will be breakout groups by region and issue topic. See you at the Summit! Take Action! Bills are now moving through the opposite chamber - let's keep up the momentum and push them all the way to the Governor's desk! Please add your own language to the email prompts and see the issue fact sheets linked for more [...]

Take Action Bills are now moving through the opposite chamber - let's keep up the momentum and push them all the way to the Governor's desk! Please add your own language to the email prompts and see the issue fact sheets linked for more information: Expanding Emergency Food and Cash Assistance (HB 1151) - Email your Senator and ask if they support this bill, especially if they serve on the Ways & Means Committee. Earned Time for Good Behavior (HB 1282) - Email your Representatives and ask if they support this bill, especially if they serve on the Appropriations Committee. Driving While License Suspended (SB 5226) - FAN supports [...]