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One of the bills we are highlighting for action this week is SB 5373 the WA Strong Act. This bill will both curb carbon pollution in our state and help with economic recovery - a two-for-one deal! Thank you to Carbon WA for the graphic above-left. This week FAN advocate Beth Prevo (right) testified for HB 1090, the Private Prison ban which would end contracts with the NW Detention Center and prevent future private prisons. Thank you Beth and Immanuel Presbyterian Church for standing for immigrant rights! Take Action! Bills are now moving through the opposite chamber - let's keep [...]

We love seeing FAN advocates in action! Lora Rathbone from Shalom UCC in the Tri-Cities (right) testified on a faith panel with Co-Director Paul Benz and Jessica Zimmerle from Earth Ministry in support of SB 5373 WA Strong which will curb carbon pollution and strengthen the economy through green recovery bonds. Rep. Lekanoff (left) also testified in favor. Take Action! Tuesday, March 9 is the house of origin cutoff, so this week is critical! Please add your own language to the email prompts: Community and Technical Colleges (SB 5194 Sen. Liias) - This bill expands services and access to community and technical colleges. Email your Senator to [...]

FAN's Central WA Advocacy Day took place last Saturday, February 20, with 55 attendees sharing information and specific ACTIONS to further bills we support and social justice across our state. A panel and workshop on immigrant rights, as well as workshops on poverty, healthcare, climate justice, and redistricting provided regional content on the legislative update Paul Benz shared. Central WA regional organizer Zahra Roach (top left) facilitated a great morning! Take Action! Bills are moving quickly towards a March 9 house of origin cutoff, so we have several opportunities for you to advocate! This week is critical - please add your own [...]

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 [...]

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!  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 why these bills are important to you. HB 1342 (Rep. Berg) Eliminating Copays for Reduced-Price Lunches for K-12 Students: If your Representative is on the Appropriations Committee, let them [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]