Legislative Alert for March 10, 2013

Posted on March 10, 2013 by seattlenow

Top Action of the Week: Child Care Reform

Contact your Senator regarding SB 5595. This bill would re-structure and improve the Working Connections Child Care program and is on the Senate floor and can be scheduled for a vote. Ask them to bring it up for a vote and to vote YES!

You can contact your legislators or committee chairs by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1 800-562-6000.

NOTE: Bills have to get out of Rules Committee and be passed by the house of origin before 5:00pm on Wednesday, March 13th. Bills that pass then begin the process again in the opposite house. The last day to consider bills in the opposite house is April 17th. The March revenue forecast is due on March 20th, which will have a big impact on legislation in terms of what can be funded. The following is the list of deadlines for the remainder of the legislative session this year:

· April 3rd – Bills must be out of the policy committee in the opposite house

· April 9th – Bills must be out of the fiscal committee in the opposite house

· April 17th – Last day to consider bills from the opposite house (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)

· April 28th – Last day of the regular session

Note: Committee members for House and Senate Committees are listed at the end of this alert.

Reproductive Rights

Reproductive Parity Act

HB 1044 – the Reproductive Parity Act
SUPPORT
This bill would ensure that women in WA State continue to have access to abortion coverage in the health insurance plans, as our state implements the Affordable Care Act.

Status: HB 1044 is now in the Senate Health Care Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, April 1st at 10 AM.

Action: Contact your Senator and ask that 1044 be voted out of Senate Health Care Committee and brought to the Senate floor for a vote ASAP.

Economic Supports for Low Income Individuals and Families

Child Care

SB 5157 – Relating to Child Care
OPPOSE

SSB 5157 This bill passed the Senate removing the requirement to cooperate with child support enforcement prior to receiving help with childcare. It still punishes childcare providers if they received a second overpayment that they knowingly received in violation of department rules are prohibited from receiving any future subsidy payments.

Status: SB 5157 is in the House Early Learning and Human Services Committee.

Action: Contact the chair and your member of the House Early Learning and Human Services Committee and ask them to NOT bring SB 5157 up for a hearing.

HB 1671 and SB 5595 – Relating to Child Care Reform
SUPPORT

HB 1671 and SB 5595 increase the reimbursement rates paid to providers who serve low-income children from the Working Connections Child Care Program. Currently our state pays 85% of the rate that centers charge privately paying families. It would also reduce the copays to the 2010 levels and provide quality incentives to child care providers. A work group would be established to review and provide suggestions for improving the payment system, co-pays and licensing of childcare.

Status: SB 5595 is on the Senate floor and can be scheduled for a vote.
HB 1671 has passed out of the House and is in the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.

Action: Contact your Senators and ask them to bring up SB 5595 for a vote and to vote YES on SB 5595.
Contact you member of the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee and ask that HB 1671 be brought up for a hearing.

TANF – Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

SB 5279 – Public Assistance Benefits
OPPOSE

SSB 5279 seeks to reform aspects about how the TANF cash grant can be used. Specifically it would not allow it to be used for the purchase of marijuana, it was supposed to exclude medical marijuana, but does not yet do so. It would not allow the use of the benefits card to purchase alcohol etc.

Status: SSB 5279 is currently in the Rules Committee and is eligible to be placed on the Senate Floor Calendar.

Action: Contact your senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 5279 if it comes to the Senate floor.

Family Leave

SB 5159 – Repealing the family and medical leave insurance act
OPPOSE

SB 5159 would repeal our state’s paid family leave law, which would provide a modest weekly amount to families starting in October 2014 at the birth or adoption of a child, allowing lower income working families time to bond with their new child.

Status: SB 5159 is currently in the Rules Committee where it is expected to be placed on the calendar for a vote by the full Senate on Monday, Mar 11.

Action: Contact your senator and ask them to find a funding source for paid leave, and to vote NO on SB 5159.

HB 1313– Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment
SUPPORT

HB 1313 requires employers with more than four full-time equivalent employees to provide paid leave to employees for: (1) specified medical reasons relating to the employee’s or a family member’s health; (2) reasons permitted under existing law requiring unpaid leave for purposes related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; or (3) closure of the employee’s place of business or child’s school or place of care due to specified public health emergencies.

Status: HB 1313 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action: Contact your members of the House and ask them to vote YES on HB 1313.

Child Support

HB 1027 – Implementing changes to the child support schedule
SUPPORT

Every 4 years the state is required to convene a workgroup to review the state’s child support laws. HB 1027 adopts a new child support economic table that does not differentiate amounts based on a child’s age, requires the standard calculation include consideration of “children not before the court”, amends the post secondary support statute require the court to consider grants/scholarships awarded to the child and clarifies low income limitations.

Status: HB 1027 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Law & Justice Committee

Action: Contact your member of the Senate Law & Justice Committee and them to support HB 1027.

HB 1922 – Concerning highway construction workforce development
SUPPORT

HB 1922 would require the Washington State Department of Transportation of spend up 1.9 million dollars of Federal Highway funds on the recruitment and apprenticeship training of women and people of color.

Status: HB 1922 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Action: Contact your member of the Senate Transportation Committee and ask them to support HB 1922.

Violence Against Women

HB 1108 – Marital Rape
SUPPORT
HB 1108 would add marital rape in the third degree to our current marital rape statutes. Currently, this crime cannot be charged and victims may have no other criminal recourse.

Status: HB 1108 is expected to be voted on by the full House on Monday, March 11th

Action: Contact your Representatives and ask them to support HB 1108, because all victims of rape deserve access to the criminal justice system.

SB 5175 and HB 1307– Clarifying sexual assault protection orders

SB 5175 and HB 1307 modify procedures governing sexual assault protection orders including permissible methods of service, the issuance and renewal of ex parte orders, and the modification or termination of orders.

Status: SB 5175 is the Senate Rules Committee where it is eligible to be placed on the calendar for a vote by the full Senate.

HB 1307 is in the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 14th at 10.00 AM.

Action: contact your Senator and ask that they vote YES on SB 5175.
Contact your member of the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee and ask them to support HB 1307.

HB 1383 – Stalking Protection Orders
SUPPORT
HB 1383 creates a stalking protection order as a remedy for victims who do not qualify for a domestic violence order of protection.

Status: HB 1383 is now in House Rules where it is scheduled for a vote on Monday, March 11th by the full House.

Action: Contact your Representatives and ask them to support and vote YES on HB 1383.

Civil Rights

Voting Rights

HB 1413 –The Voting Rights Act
SUPPORT

HB 1413 would allow a judicial remedy in local elections (city, county and school boards for example) where a pattern of racially polarized voting can be proven. There are several possible remedies the court could order, the most common of which is district based, rather than district wide, voting.

Status: HB 1413 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Governmental Operations Committee

Action: Contact your member of the Senate Government Operations Committee and ask them to make sure that HB 1413 is scheduled for a hearing.

Gender Equality

SB 5077 – Gender based terms
SUPPORT

Gender-specific terms and references are made gender-neutral in several RCW Titles. For example, references to his are changed to his or her and clergyman is changed to member of the clergy. Titles relating to public service are included and made gender-neutral throughout. Other code sections are included, such as sections that contain public health and safety regulations, to modify specific references to man or men.

Status: SB 5077 is in the House Judiciary Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, March 13th at 8:00 AM.

Action: Contact your member of the House Judiciary Committee and ask that they support SB 5077.

HOUSE COMMITEES
Appropriations Committee:
Ross Hunter (Chair), Timm Ormsby (Vice-Chair), Gary Alexander, Bruce Chandler, J.T. Wilcox, Vincent Buys, Reuven Carlyle, Eileen Cody, Cathy Dahlquist, Hans Dunshee, Susan Fagan, Tami Green, Kathy Haigh, Larry Haler, Paul Harris, Zach Hudgins, Sam Hunt, Laurie Jinkins, Ruth Kagi, Marcie Maxwell, Dawn Morrell, Kevin Parker, Jamie Pedersen, Eric Pettigrew, Liz Pike, Charles Ross, Joe Schmick, Larry Seaquist, Larry Springer, Pat Sullivan, and David Taylor

Early Learning and Human Services Committee:
Ruth Kagi (Chair), Roger Freeman (Vice Chair), Maureen Walsh, Elizabeth Scott, Jessyn Farrell, Roger Goodman, Drew MacEwen, Jason Overstreet, Mary Helen Roberts, David Sawyer, and Hans Zeiger

Government Operations and Elections Committee:
Sam Hunt (Chair), Sharon Wylie (Vice-Chair), Vincent Buys, David Taylor, Gary Alexander, Reuven Carlyle, Joe Fitzgibbon, Dan Christiansen, Matt Manweller, Tina Orwall, and Kevin Van De Wege

Finance Committee:
Reuven Carlyle (Chair), Steve Tharinger (Vice Chair), Terry Nealey, Ed Orcutt, Cary Condotta, Joe Fitzgibbon, Drew Hansen, Kristine Lytton, Gerry Pollet, Chris Reykdal, Larry Springer, Brandon Vick, and J.T. Wilcox

Health and Wellness Committee:
Eileen Cody (Chair), Laurie Jinkins (Vice Chair), Joe Schmick, Mike Hope, Jan Angel, Judy Clibborn, Tami Green, Paul Harris, Matt Manweller, Jim Moeller, Dawn Morrell, Marcus Riccelli, Jay Rodne, Charles Ross, Shelly Short, Steve Tharanger, and Kevin Van De Wege

Judiciary Committee
Jamie Pedersen (Chair), Drew Hansen (Vice-Chair), Jay Rodne, Steve O’ban, Roger Goodman, Mike Hope, Laurie Jinkins, Steve Kirby, Brad Klippert, Terry Nealey, Tina Orwall, Mary Helen Roberts, and Matt Shea

Labor and Workforce Committee:
Mike Sells (Chair), Chris Reykdal (Vice-Chair), Matt Manweller, Cary Condatta, Tami Green, Jeff Holy, Jim Moeller, Timm Ormsby, & Shelly Short

Public Safety Committee:
Roger Goodman (Chair), Mary Helen Roberts (Vice Chair), Brad Klippert, Dave Hayes, Sherry Appleton, Jeff Holy, Mike Hope, Luis Moscoso, Eric Pettigrew, Charles Ross, and Dean Takko

SENATE COMMITTEES

Commerce & Labor Committee:
Janéa Holmquist Newbry (Chair), John Braun (Vice-Chair), Steve Conway, Bob Hasegawa, Mike Hewitt, Karen Keiser, and Curtis King

Governmental Operations Committee:
Pam Roach (Chair), Don Benton (Vice Chair), Bob Hasegawa, John Braun, Steve Conway, Karen Fraser, and Ann Rivers

Health Care Committee:
Randi Becker (Chair), Bruce Dammeier (Vice Chair), Karen Keiser, Barbara Bailey, Annette Cleveland, Doug Ericksen, David Frockt, and Linda Evans Parlette

Human Services and Corrections Committee:
Mike Carrell (Chair), Kirk Pearson (Vice Chair), Jeanne Darneille, Michael Baumgartner, James Hargrove, Nick Harper, and Mike Padden

Law & Justice Committee:
Mike Padden (Chair), Mike Carrell (Vice Chair), Adam Kline, Jeannie Darneille, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Kirk Pearson, and Pam Roach

Hint: You can view bills by going to the following website and plug in the bill number for which you want to view the history and status: http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/. Also, there is a pilot bill comment project: “Pilot Project for Commenting on Bills Online”. E-Comments is a feature the Legislature is testing during the 2013 Session. Once you search for a bill number you can click the button at the top of the bill history page, which allows you to send comments on that bill to the legislators who represent your district. The first time you comment you will be asked to set up an account with your e-mail address and a password of your choice.

Filed under: Ending Discrimination, Health Care, Legislative, Reproductive Rights, Violence Against Women, Women | Comments Off

WA State NOW Legislative Alert for March 3, 2013

Posted on March 4, 2013 by seattlenow

 

Top Action of the Week:

This month will see the start of the budget discussion, contact your Senator and Representatives now and tell them to protect funding for the Take Charge family planning program. Without it, low-income women will face more unwanted pregnancies and the state will see an increase in Medicaid births, which could dramatically undercut our savings from health reform.

 

You can contact your legislators or committee chairs by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1 800-562-6000.

NOTE:  Friday, March 1st was the deadline for passing bills out of the fiscal (or policy) committee. Next, bills go to Rules committees. Bills have to get out of Rules Committee and be passed by the house of origin before 5:00pm on Wednesday, March 13th. Bills that pass then begin the process again in the opposite house. The last day to consider bills in the opposite house is April 17th. The March revenue forecast is due on March 20th, which will have a big impact on legislation in terms of what can be funded.

Note:  Committee members for House and Senate Committees are listed at the end of this alert.

Reproductive Rights

Reproductive Parity Act

HB 1044 - the Reproductive Parity Act
SUPPORT
This bill would ensure that women in WA State continue to have access to abortion coverage in the health insurance plans, as our state implements the Affordable Care Act.

Status: HB 1044 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Health Care Committee.

Action: Contact your Senator and tell them to keep the pressure on for a hearing and Senate passage of HB 1044, the Reproductive Parity Act.

Economic Supports for Low Income Individuals and Families

Child Care

SB 5157 – Relating to Child Care
OPPOSE

SSB 5157 This bill reinstates the requirement to cooperate with child support enforcement prior to receiving help with child care, a requirement the legislature removed just last session due to the havoc it played with childcare enrollment. It now imposes draconian rules that would remove a provider’s license if they received a second overpayment “they should have knowingly known they should not”.

Status: SB 5157 is currently on the Senate floor calendar.

Action: Contact your Senator and ask them to oppose SB 5157.

HB 1671 and SB 5595 – Relating to Child Care Reform
SUPPORT

HB 1671 and SB 5595 increase the reimbursement rates paid to providers who serve low-income children from the Working Connections Child Care Program.  Currently our state pays 85% of the rate that centers charge privately paying families.  It would also reduce the copays to the 2010 levels and provide quality incentives to child care providers.   A work group would be established to review and provide suggestions for improving the payment system, co-pays and licensing of childcare.

Status:  Both bills passed out of their fiscal committees, with most of their funding pieces removed (as is typical) and are now in House and Senate Rules Committees.

Action:  Contact your Senator and House members and ask them to vote YES on HB 1671 (House) and SB 5595 (Senate).

TANF – Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

SB 5279 – Public Assistance Benefits
OPPOSE              

SSB 5279 seeks to reform aspects about how the TANF cash grant can be used. Specifically it would not allow it to be used for the purchase of marijuana, it was supposed to exclude medical marijuana, but does not yet do so.  It would not allow the use of the benefits card to purchase alcohol etc.

Status:  SSB 5279 is currently in the Rules Committee and is eligible to be placed on the Senate Floor Calendar.

Action:  Contact your senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 5279 if it comes to the Senate floor.

HB 1342 – Work First “Work Activity”
SUPPORT

HB 1342 would allow TANF recipients to attend a second year of college or Vocational/Technical School, thus making it much likely they can earn degrees that lead to employment. Currently, they are only allowed to participate for one year and have it count as an allowable activity and receive childcare assistance, thus few ever are able to earn their degrees.

Status:  HB 1342 was not heard in the House Appropriations Committee. So it is DEAD.

HB 1734 – TANF 5 year limit exemptions.
SUPPORT
HB 1734 would add exemptions to the five year life time TANF limits for residents of counties with an unemployment rate of over 10% or more, a parent who has a temporary mental or physical incapacity, a parent who is working 20 hours or more per week in unsubsidized employment, or parent who is functionally illiterate.

Status:  HB 1734 was not heard in the House Appropriations Committee. So it is DEAD.

Family Leave

SB 5159 – Repealing the family and medical leave insurance act
OPPOSE

SB 5159 would repeal our state’s paid family leave law, which would provide a modest weekly amount to families starting in October 2014 at the birth or adoption of a child, allowing lower income working families time to bond with their new child.

Status:   SB 5159 is currently in the Rules Committee where it is eligible to be placed on calendar for a floor vote by the Senate

Action:  Contact your senator and ask them to find a funding source for paid leave, and to vote NO on SB 5159.

HB 1457 – Implementing family and medical leave insurance
SUPPORT

SB 5292 and HB 1457 would create a paid family leave system that covers all the aspects of our state and federal UNPAID family leave law and would fund the system by a modest monthly payment, split between the employer and employee.

Status: HB 1457 failed to pass out of the House Finance Committee.  So it is DEAD.

HB 1313– Establishing minimum standards for sick and safe leave from employment
SUPPORT

HB 1313 requires employers with more than four full-time equivalent employees to provide paid leave to employees for: (1) specified medical reasons relating to the employee’s or a family member’s health; (2) reasons permitted under existing law requiring unpaid leave for purposes related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; or (3) closure of the employee’s place of business or child’s school or place of care due to specified public health emergencies.

Status:  HB 1313 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action: Contact your members of the House and ask them to vote YES on HB 1313.

Child Support

HB 1027 – Implementing changes to the child support schedule
SUPPORT

Every 4 years the state is required to convene a workgroup to review the state’s child support laws.  HB 1027 adopts a new child support economic table that does not differentiate amounts based on a child’s age, requires the standard calculation include consideration of “children not before the court”, amends the post secondary support statute require the court to consider grants/scholarships awarded to the child and clarifies low income limitations.

Status:  HB 1027 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action:  Contact your members of the House and ask them to vote YES on HB 1027.

HB 1922 – Concerning highway construction workforce development
SUPPORT

HB 1922 would require the Washington State Department of Transportation of spend up 1.9 million dollars of Federal Highway funds on the recruitment and apprenticeship training of women and people of color.

Status:  HB 1922 is in the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action:  Contact your members of the House and ask them to vote YES on HB 1922.

Violence Against Women

HB 1108 – Marital Rape
SUPPORT
HB 1108 would add marital rape in the third degree to our current marital rape statutes. Currently, this crime cannot be charged and victims may have no other criminal recourse.

Status:  HB 1108 Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action:  Contact your Representatives and ask them to support HB 1108, because all victims of rape deserve access to the criminal justice system.

SB 5175 and HB 1307– Clarifying sexual assault protection orders

SB 5175 and HB 1307 modify procedures governing sexual assault protection orders including permissible methods of service, the issuance and renewal of ex parte orders, and the modification or termination of orders.

Status:  SB 5175 is the Senate Rules Committee where it is eligible to be placed on the calendar for a vote by the full Senate.

HB 1307 has passed out of the House and has been referred to the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.

Action: contact your Senator and ask that they vote YES on SB 5175.

HB 1383 – Stalking Protection Orders
SUPPORT
HB 1383 creates a stalking protection order as a remedy for victims who do not qualify for a domestic violence order of protection.

Status:  HB 1383 is now in House Rules where it can be scheduled for a vote by the entire House.

Action:  Contact your Representatives and ask them to support and vote YES on HB 1383.

Civil Rights

Voting Rights

HB 1413 –The Voting Rights Act
SUPPORT

HB 1413 would allow a judicial remedy in local elections (city, county and school boards for example) where a pattern of racially polarized voting can be proven. There are several possible remedies the court could order, the most common of which is district based, rather than district wide, voting.

Status:  HB 1413 is currently in the Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.

Action:  Contact your Representatives and ask them to support HB 1413 with a YES vote this week.

Gender Equality

SB 5077 – Gender based terms
SUPPORT

Gender-specific terms and references are made gender-neutral in several RCW Titles. For example, references to his are changed to his or her and clergyman is changed to member of the clergy. Titles relating to public service are included and made gender-neutral throughout. Other code sections are included, such as sections that contain public health and safety regulations, to modify specific references to man or men.

Status:  SB 5077 has passed the Senate on Friday February 8 and is in the House Judiciary Committee where it can be scheduled for a public hearing. 

HOUSE COMMITEES
Appropriations Committee:
Ross Hunter (Chair), Timm Ormsby (Vice-Chair), Gary Alexander, Bruce Chandler, J.T. Wilcox, Vincent Buys, Reuven Carlyle, Eileen Cody, Cathy Dahlquist, Hans Dunshee, Susan Fagan, Tami Green, Kathy Haigh, Larry Haler, Paul Harris, Zach Hudgins, Sam Hunt, Laurie Jinkins, Ruth Kagi, Marcie Maxwell, Dawn Morrell, Kevin Parker, Jamie Pedersen, Eric Pettigrew, Liz Pike, Charles Ross, Joe Schmick, Larry Seaquist, Larry Springer, Pat Sullivan, and David Taylor

Early Learning and Human Services Committee:
Ruth Kagi (Chair), Roger Freeman (Vice Chair), Maureen Walsh, Elizabeth Scott, Jessyn Farrell, Roger Goodman, Drew MacEwen, Jason Overstreet, Mary Helen Roberts, David Sawyer, and Hans Zeiger

Government Operations and Elections Committee:
Sam Hunt (Chair), Sharon Wylie (Vice-Chair), Vincent Buys, David Taylor, Gary Alexander, Reuven Carlyle, Joe Fitzgibbon, Dan Christiansen, Matt Manweller, Tina Orwall, and Kevin Van De Wege

Finance Committee:
Reuven Carlyle (Chair), Steve Tharinger (Vice Chair), Terry Nealey, Ed Orcutt, Cary Condotta, Joe Fitzgibbon, Drew Hansen, Kristine Lytton, Gerry Pollet, Chris Reykdal, Larry Springer, Brandon Vick, and J.T. Wilcox

Health and Wellness Committee:
Eileen Cody (Chair), Laurie Jinkins (Vice Chair), Joe Schmick, Mike Hope, Jan Angel, Judy Clibborn, Tami Green, Paul Harris, Matt Manweller, Jim Moeller, Dawn Morrell, Marcus Riccelli, Jay Rodne, Charles Ross, Shelly Short, Steve Tharanger, and Kevin Van De Wege

Judiciary Committee
Jamie Pedersen (Chair), Drew Hansen (Vice-Chair), Jay Rodne, Steve O’ban, Roger Goodman, Mike Hope, Laurie Jinkins, Steve Kirby, Brad Klippert, Terry Nealey, Tina Orwall, Mary Helen Roberts, and Matt Shea

Labor and Workforce Committee:
Mike Sells (Chair), Chris Reykdal (Vice-Chair), Matt Manweller, Cary Condatta, Tami Green, Jeff Holy, Jim Moeller, Timm Ormsby, & Shelly Short

Public Safety Committee:
Roger Goodman (Chair), Mary Helen Roberts (Vice Chair), Brad Klippert, Dave Hayes, Sherry Appleton, Jeff Holy, Mike Hope, Luis Moscoso, Eric Pettigrew, Charles Ross, and Dean Takko

SENATE COMMITTEES

Commerce & Labor Committee:
Janéa Holmquist Newbry (Chair), John Braun (Vice-Chair), Steve Conway, Bob Hasegawa, Mike Hewitt, Karen Keiser, and Curtis King

Health Care Committee:
Randi Becker (Chair), Bruce Dammeier (Vice Chair), Karen Keiser, Barbara Bailey, Annette Cleveland, Doug Ericksen, David Frockt, and Linda Evans Parlette

Human Services and Corrections Committee:
Mike Carrell (Chair), Kirk Pearson (Vice Chair), Jeanne Darneille, Michael Baumgartner, James Hargrove, Nick Harper, and Mike Padden

Law & Justice Committee:
Mike Padden (Chair), Mike Carrell (Vice Chair), Adam Kline, Jeannie Darneille, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Kirk Pearson, and Pam Roach

Hint:  You can view bills by going to the following website and plug in the bill number for which you want to view the history and status: http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/. Also, there is a pilot bill comment project: “Pilot Project for Commenting on Bills Online”. E-Comments is a feature the Legislature is testing during the 2013 Session.  Once you search for a bill number you can click the button at the top of the bill history page, which allows you to send comments on that bill to the legislators who represent your district. The first time you comment you will be asked to set up an account with your e-mail address and a password of your choice.

 

Filed under: Economic Justice, Ending Discrimination, Health Care, Legislative, Reproductive Rights, Violence Against Women, Women | Comments Off

NOWPAC endorsements for WA State

Posted on July 9, 2012 by seattlenow

National Organization for Women PAC (Federal Races)

WA State NOW PAC Endorsed Candidates

Filed under: Candidate Endorsements, Legislative, Political Action, Women | Comments Off

LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Keena Bean, Legislative Coordinator

Posted on May 11, 2012 by seattlenow

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

by  Keena Bean, Legislative Coordinator

short link: http://wp.me/pjR3X-gG

Hey, Seattle NOW Activists and Supporters, my name is Keena Bean and I am your new Legislative Coordinator for Seattle NOW. I am currently a junior at the University of Washington, and I recently took on this position as part of my internship requirement for the Law, Societies, and Justice major. It is my pleasure to bring you a summary of what went on in Olympia this session.

One of the most pronounced achievements of the legislature this session was passing Senate Bill 6239, which legalized same-sex marriages. Unfortunately, as soon as it was passed the opponents of marriage equality began gathering signatures on a referendum to make Equal Marriage illegal in Washington State. If you are asked to sign this petition – DECLINE TO SIGN REFERENDUM 74 – and inform the signature gatherer why you won’t sign. If this referendum gets enough signatures (and there is every reason to suspect that it will), it will be on the ballot in November 2012, along with the presidential election. Keep yourselves and your community informed about this issue because if it does end up on the November ballot, the wording of the initiative is complicated and requires that one vote to APPROVE the initiative in order to preserve legal equal marriage in our state.

Another very important bill that went to the legislature was House Bill 2330, otherwise known as the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA). This bill would make sure that current access to abortion services would continue once federal health reform (ObamaCare) is instituted. The RPA would require insurance carriers that provide maternity coverage to also cover abortion. As it stands now, all insurance carriers in Washington do so, and we want to protect that. This bill would also ensure that low income women still have access to abortion funds provided by the State, as directed by Initiative 120, which was voter approved in 1991. NOW fully supports the passage of this bill, but it was unfortunately never brought to a vote in the Senate. What you can do to show your support is contact your legislators and make sure they know that passing the Reproductive Parity Act in 2013 is a top priority to protect women’s current access to abortion services in Washington State. Without the passage of the Reproductive Parity Act, the women and girls of WA will not be assured the same availability of reproductive health care coverage that we have had since 1991.

The past session was a triumph for the family, with the passage and signatures of four beneficial bills.

House Bill 2262, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), was passed and signed by Governor Gregoire this year with the endorsement of NOW. This bill puts control of the TANF and Working Connections Childcare budget (WCCC) back into the general fund. Our state was the only one in the nation to allow the Governor to control spending within these programs without legislative approval. The bill protected these programs from the budget cuts that have devastated so many of the health and human service programs funded by the state.

Senate Bill 6226, Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), was also passed and signed by Governor Gregoire. This bill allows parents who are enrolled in WCCC to be authorized for 12 months as opposed to the 6 months that are currently allowed. WCCC is a program that helps low income families pay for child care so that parents are able to find and maintain employment, and it has been shown to provide stable care for children.

Twin bills, SB 6386 and HB 2828, revoke the requirement put into place in 2011 that parents enrolling in WCCC must cooperate with child support enforcement. This past requirement has led to a sharp drop in WCCC enrollment. WCCC has been shown to be effective in helping parents keep their jobs and in providing stable care for children, so we want to ensure that all needy families are able to take part. Both of these bills were passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Gregoire.

In anticipation of the coming federal health reform, the legislature passed House Bill 2319, which establishes our state’s health insurance exchange program. This is the mechanism that most consumers and businesses will use to purchase health insurance once the federal plan is fully implemented. HB 2319 lays out specific requirements for plans operating in the exchange and establishes certain consumer protections.

In an attempt to reduce gang violence in Washington State, legislators tried to pass House Bill 2432, which would set up a statewide system of pro-active gang intervention and prevention programs. While the bill did not pass, there is a certain provision in the Supplemental Budget that lays the foundation for the creation of such a system in the future. NOW supports this endeavor.

House Bill 2612 and Senate Bill 6381 (Voting Rights Act) would ensure that all voters and protected classes in Washington State have an equal opportunity to elect officials of their choice. This bill would make sure that members of a protected class are not diluted in number when it comes to the drawing and maintenance of district lines. NOW supports the bill, as it would protect the free speech of all Washingtonians in the ballot box, and especially those in protected classes. The Voting Rights Act was not passed in the legislature in the previous session.

Over the last decade cases of skin cancer in young women have risen dramatically, due in large part to unsafe tanning practices. House Bill 2550 and Senate Bill 6249 would prohibit the use of tanning facilities by individuals under the age of 18 and set up health and safety regulations for the tanning industry in Washington. NOW supports this bill, but it unfortunately did not pass. NOW encourages our legislators to approve legislation that protects young women in Washington State.

NOW supports Senate Bill 6570, which would establish a system of Paid Family Leave for various circumstances including childbirth, the adoption of a child, a serious health condition of a family member, or a serious health condition of the worker him/herself. The bill saw no action in the Senate, so our current unfunded state program for minimal paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child stands.

Similarly, House Bill 2508 and Senate Bill 6229 did not pass this session, but are supported by NOW. These bills would provide minimum requirements for sick leave from employment. Currently, Washington State NOW is working with local groups to pass sick leave requirements at the city level. The city of Seattle passed their ordinance in 2011.

That wraps up some of the important issues discussed in the most recent Washington State legislative sessions. Remember to contact your legislators and make your voice heard – Washington is not a state where women are forgotten about.

Filed under: Legislative, Political Action, Women | Comments Off

Social Security Works

Posted on October 30, 2010 by seattlenow

Defending Social Security

Thalia Syracopoulos

Many of us, young and old, have been alarmed by the damage inflicted on our individual and national well-being by the floundering economy and the ongoing Gulf oil spill.  Meanwhile, another insidious threat to all of us who live and work in this country has been largely ignored.

What has been given great attention is the opinion of those who call themselves “fiscal conservatives”.  They insist that our federal budget deficit is our nation’s biggest threat and that our “unsustainable” Social Security system is responsible for the deficit and must be cut back.

In response to these so-called fiscal conservatives, President Obama has created the Bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.  The Committee’s job is to recommend ways to decrease our federal deficit, which has indeed reached astronomical levels.  However, rather than concentrating on the devastating degree to which such things as the Iraq and Afghan wars, billions in tax cuts for the wealthy and the ongoing economic collapse triggered by the greed of Wall Street have increased our deficit, the Commission appears intent on attacking the most important and successful part of our National personal safety net – Social Security.

Under serious consideration are proposals to weaken the formula that determines initial benefits; to undercut cost-of-living protection; and to raise the age of full retirement from 67 to as much as 70.  As the “fiscal conservatives” speak, they reassure the old folks who are already on Social Security that none of these changes would affect those at or near retirement age.  They do not speak of the reality of what Social Security is and what it means to every one of us regardless of our age.  They never mention that Social Security has nothing to do with the federal deficit.  They never recognize how Social Security has done, particularly for women and children, during its 75 years of existence.

They frighten us all about the impact of the retirement of the “Boomer” generation while never telling us that it is not true.  The Boomer’s retirements were anticipated and Congress made minor changes to the payroll tax cap and retirement age in 1983 to compensate for them.

As a result, the managers of the Social Security Trust Fund declare the program will pay benefits in full until 2037.  The conservative Congressional Budget Office estimates that the fund will pay full benefits until 2043, when nearly all the Boomers will be dead.

What these “fiscal conservatives” do not speak of is that Social Security is an insurance policy.  Every working person pays into it.  As a result, every working person has the right to receive the benefits for which they paid.  Over the years, the working people of this country have grown the Social Security Trust Fund to its present value of $2.6 TRILLION.

It is true that the Federal Government has borrowed from the SS Trust Fund.  However, unless our country experiences a complete social, political and economic collapse the SS Trust fund is not endangered.  And, indeed, if our country did suffer such a collapse, the SS Trust Fund would be the least of our worries.

Presently 51 million people in this country receive monthly Social Security checks.  Of these, only 33 million are retired workers.  The others are:

  • 3   million spouses or children of retired workers
  • 4.2 million surviving spouses of deceased workers
  • 1.9 million children of deceased workers
  • 7.4 million disabled workers
  • 1.8 million children or spouses of a disabled worker

There are 3.1 million children under age 18 who receive Social Security and 900,000 adults who have been disabled since childhood who get benefits as dependents of a retired, disabled or deceased parent.

People who work paid for these benefits.  They have the right to collect them just as any of us has the right to collect on any life/disability policy for which we paid.  We did our part to prevent ourselves from suffering sudden, devastating poverty as a result of serious injury or death.  It is wrong for Congress to cut the deficit by cutting our benefits or by raising the age at which we are eligible to collect them.

But there is good news.  More than 60 organizations across the nation have formed a coalition called “Social Security Works”.  Its purpose is to prevent any cuts to Social Security benefits or any increase in the retirement age.

More than 18 local organizations, including Seattle NOW are already members of “Social Security Works/Washington”.  We have already gotten support from both of our Senators and several of our Congressional Representatives who have taken a public stand against any negative changes to Social Security.  We continue to work on this and have every reason to hope that our efforts will be successful in Washington and across the country.

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Election 2010: WSLC Endorsements

Posted on October 4, 2010 by seattlenow

Following are the 2010 election endorsements of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Direct link to WSLC pdf file

OPPOSE Initiative 1053: Tim Eyman’s effort to impose 2/3 supermajority votes on revenue issues

OPPOSE Initiative 1082: Privatizing Washington’s public nonprofit workers’ compensation system

SUPPORT Initiative 1098: Tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses, and creating a highearners income tax in Washington.

OPPOSE Initiatives 1100 & 1105: to privatize state liquor stores

OPPOSE Initiative 1107: to repeal any part of the 2010 state revenue package

SUPPORT Referendum 52: “Schools and Jobs” measure to finance energy-efficiency retrofits at schools

U.S. SENATE

Patty Murray

U.S. HOUSE

1st – Jay Inslee

2nd – Rick Larsen

3rd – Denny Heck

4th – Jay Clough

6th – Norm Dicks

7th – Jim McDermott

8th – Suzan delBene

9th – Adam Smith

STATE LEGISLATURE

1st LD: House 1 – Derek Stanford

House 2 – Luis Moscoso

2nd LD: House 1 –Marilyn Rasmussen

House 2 – Tom Campbell

3rd LD: House 1 – Andrew Billig

House 2 – Timm Ormsby

5th LD: House 1 – Gregory Hoover

6th LD: Senate – Chris Marr

House 2 – John Driscoll

8th LD: House 1 – Carol Moser

10th LD: House 2 – Tom Riggs

11th LD: House 1 – Zack Hudgins

House 2 – Bob Hasegawa

17th LD: House 1 – Tim Probst

House 2 – Monica Stonier

18th LD: House 1 – Dennis Kampe

19th LD: House 1 – Dean Takko

House 2 – Brian Blake

20th LD: House 1 – Corinne Tobeck

21st LD: House 1 – Mary Helen Roberts

House 2 – Marko Liias

22nd LD: House 1 – Chris Reykdal

House 2 – Sam Hunt

36th LD: Senate – Jeanne Kohl-Welles

House 2 – Mary Lou Dickerson

37th LD: Senate – Adam Kline

38th LD: Senate – Nick Harper

House 1 – John McCoy

House 2 – Mike Sells

41st LD: Senate – Randy Gordon

42nd LD: Senate – Patrick Jerns

House 1 – Al Jensen

43rd LD: Senate – Ed Murray

House 1 – Frank Chopp

44th LD: House 1 – Hans Dunshee

45th LD: Senate – Eric Oemig

House 1 – Roger Goodman

46th LD: Senate – Scott White

House 1 – David Frockt

House 2 – Phyllis Kenney

47th LD: Senate – Claudia Kauffman

House 1 – Geoff Simpson

House 2 – Pat Sullivan

49th LD: House 1 – Jim Jacks

House 2 – Jim Moeller

STATE SUPREME COURT

Charlie Wiggins

Barbara Madsen

OPPOSE Jim Johnson

COURT OF APPEALS

Div. 1 Dist. 1 Pos. 2: Michael Spearman

Div. 2 Dist. 3 Pos. 2: Jill Johanson

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