e-News

We thank you for your thousands of Pro/Con committee sign-ins, letters, testimony, and visits to Olympia that made positive policy change possible! Sine Die! End-of-Session Recap The 60-day 2024 legislative session concluded Thursday March 7. The last day of the legislative session is called Sine Die (pronounced sigh-knee die), Latin for “without a day,” meaning the state legislature adjourned for the last time without setting a day to come back. This past week the Capital was filled with floor action focused primarily on concurring (and sometimes not concurring) changes made to Senate and House bills. A historic number of bills [...]

FAN staff Blake Alford and UW Social Work intern Sarah Starrett participated in this week’s Balance Our Tax Code rally in Olympia, calling for progressive revenue to meet critical needs in our state. Thanks to coalition partners Statewide Poverty Action Network for the scroll of budget items we need to keep pushing for! Take Action Today March 1 is the last day to consider bills, except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, budgets and matters necessary to implement budgets, differences between the houses, and matters incident to the interim and closing of the session. Session ends on Thursday, March 7. Our [...]

FAN staff collaborated in Olympia this week with our partners to get important bills and budget items across the finish line. Elizabeth Dickinson and Kristin Ang joined the NAMI advocacy day. Trevor Sandison worked with the Sikh community who brought youth down for two days of advocacy. And Tomo Duke joined the WAISN rally to call for immigrant justice in the budget. Join FAN this week for a progressive revenue rally on Tuesday—info below. Week 7 Budget Summary and Recap This week the Washington state House and Senate lawmakers presented their supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budget proposals. Here's a [...]

We’re keeping our eyes on the Legislature this week as conversations shift to budget proposals and negotiations. See below what’s at stake and we invite you to take action. Week 6 Recap We are currently 40 days into a 60-day legislative session. The deadline for passing bills in their house of origin was this past Tuesday. We are nearing the next critical cutoff dates: February 21, for moving bills out of policy committees in the opposite house; and February 26, for House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees to report bills from the opposite house. The highlight [...]

Faith Action Network Advocates celebrate the power of advocacy together at IFAD 2024 in Olympia! Thank you for your continued advocacy this legislative session! Photos by @mjwhitephotos. Celebrating IFAD 2024 FAN’s 2024 Interfaith Advocacy Day on February 8 was an energizing, successful day under sunny skies in Olympia! Nearly 200 advocates showed up from across the state, including Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima, Vancouver, Bellingham, Aberdeen, the Puget Sound region, and many places in between. They heard plenary speakers, attended workshops, caucused with people from their districts, and met with legislators and their staff about the issues on our legislative agenda. Differently [...]

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 [...]

Take Action for next week hearings We have many hearings next week; be sure to sign in at least one hour before the hearing. Please do not put FAN in the organizational field for committee hearings for now, as it has caused confusion in these early weeks. We do encourage you to highlight your affiliation with FAN in your other letters and communications! NEXT WEEK SIGN IN PRO for FAN-SUPPORTED BILLS HB 1579 Independent Prosecutor, which would create a state office to ensure fair and transparent prosecutions of criminal conduct arising from police use of force, is scheduled for executive [...]

Opening ceremonies in Olympia included prayers in the House from Imam Omar Kaddoura from the Islamic Center of Olympia and Rabbi Seth Goldstein of Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia, along with Squaxin tribal members. Policy Engagement Director Kristin Ang represented FAN throughout the week, pictured here with Rep. Brandy Donaghy and Rep. Jamila Taylor. Kristin's Policy Updates The 2024 legislative session, a 60-day "short session," commenced January 8, 2024. As a supplemental budget year, it will focus on updating the operating, transportation, and capital budgets for the period from 2023 to 2025. The Democratic party maintains a majority in both [...]

Get ready for the Legislative Session! We hope you’ll join our Legislative Preview on Sunday 1/7 at 3:00pm to hear FAN Policy Engagement Director Kristin Ang provide an overview of the bills on our agenda and meet in breakout rooms by interest area (i.e. economic justice, housing, immigration, etc.) Later in the week, on Wednesday 1/10 at 7pm or Thursday 1/11 at noon, you can attend Advocacy 101 to learn more from FAN Staff about how to advocate or refresh your skills. All sessions are online—you will receive the link when you register. You can find FAN’s Legislative Agenda on [...]

 Interfaith Advocacy Day February 8, 2024 - Registration Open! Open your new year calendar and plan to join us in-person on February 8 for Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia! FAN’s annual gathering of advocates brings your voice and concerns to the state Capitol. If you join us for Interfaith Advocacy Day, you will be able to: Hear plenaries and workshops that will explore the issues on FAN’s 2024 Legislative Agenda. Meet with advocates from your own legislative district to prepare for your legislative visits. Meet with your legislator or their legislative assistant. If you register by January 29, FAN [...]