FCWPP Action Alerts & Legislative Updates

Tuesday
Apr162013

Support a State Budget that preserves social services and raises needed revenue

Please send an email or make a phone call today to ask your representatives in the state legislature to support a state budget that maintains crucial social services and protection of our most vulnerable citizens while making sure the state has the revenue needed to fund these services.

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Wednesday
Apr102013

Support full funding of programs established to support Washingtonians who are disabled, blind, or aged. 

Contact the two people who represent you in the House of Representatives and the one person in the Senate to request they support full funding of programs established to support Washingtonians who are disabled, blind, or aged.

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Wednesday
Apr102013

Support full funding of programs established to support Washingtonians who are disabled, blind, or aged. 

Contact the two people who represent you in the House of Representatives and the one person in the Senate to request they support full funding of programs established to support Washingtonians who are disabled, blind, or aged.

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Saturday
Apr062013

Three criminal justice bills require action

If you live in a legislative district whose state Senator is on the Ways & Means Committee, your senator's action is crucial to advancing the following bills. Please call or email them today (see list of Committee members below). Action in the Committee must be completed by this Tuesday, April 9.

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Wednesday
Apr032013

FCWPP opposes 2SSB 5540 

Your voice is desperately needed to retain the comprehensive mental health care coverage insurers are currently required to provide in our state! 2SSB 5540—which FCWPP opposes—will be heard tomorrow, April 4th , in the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. 2SSB 5540 supports in-state sales of out-of-state insurance products. This has not been allowed in the past, in part, because out-of-state insurers frequently are not required to cover all conditions, and types of care, as comprehensively as is required by Washington law.

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Wednesday
Mar272013

Bill Tracker

The attached Workplan/Bill Status Report provides information on how to follow-up on the issues discussed in the Legislative Update sent two days ago and, hopefully, informs readers where FCWPP is in our efforts to implement the Workplan the FCWPP Legislative Committee approved prior to the start of session. Thank you for your efforts and support to help implement this workplan. Comments or questions are always welcome at Aldrich.FCWPP@gmail.com.  Click here to get document

Tuesday
Mar262013

Legislative Update

Two weeks past the cut-off deadline for getting a bill out of the house of origin in the state legislature seems a good time to pause to take stock of what we’ve done, what has been accomplished, what is left to do, and what might change because of our efforts. Many bills have been cut off from further consideration this session; however, additional action can be taken on these bills next session. Much work remains to be done to assure passage of bills that are still alive.

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Saturday
Mar162013

Some updates from our lobbyist

It's been an exceptionally busy week-and-a-half. I hope to have a more detailed report this weekend, but thought I would send this status chart out...

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Saturday
Mar092013

Key bills still under consideration by the state legislature

Key bills still under consideration by the state legislature. Please contact your legislators concerning these bills. Legislative action must be taken by 5:00 p.m. this coming Wednesday, March 13th to move a bill out of its house of origin; otherwise the bill will not be considered further this session.

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Wednesday
Mar062013

Support HB 1588 - Requiring universal background checks for firearms transfers

Please ask your state legislators in the House of Representatives to support HB 1588 to close one loophole that allows felons and others to purchase guns through gun shows and private sales, even though it is illegal for them to possess firearms.

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Friday
Mar012013

FCWPP Alert: OPPOSE SB 5805, which could fast-track coal export terminals

Please contact your state Senator to oppose SB 5805, which could pave the way for massive coal export terminals and the Pit to Pier gravel mine on Hood Canal by allowing their permit applications to be fast-tracked for approval. The full Washington State Senate will vote on SB 5805, possibly very soon and the vote is expected to be close.

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Thursday
Feb282013

Abolish the Death Penalty hearing - Wed. March 6th

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing on HB 1504, legislation that would repeal WA's death penalty, on Wednesday, March 6th from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Our goal is to pack the room for the hearing, and we need your help!

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Wednesday
Feb202013

FCWPP Alert: Support HB 1338

Consistent with our goals for supporting opportunities for individuals convicted of a crime to redeem themselves and rejoin communities they were taken from after committing a crime, we are asking you to contact your state Representatives and encourage them to support House Bill 1338 to provide a reevaluation for Juvenile Prisoners sentenced to long incarceration.

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Monday
Feb112013

Support HB 1588 - Requiring Background Checks for ALL Gun Purchases

FCWPP Alert: Please ask your state legislators to support HB 1588, which strengthens our state’s background check system by requiring a background check for all gun purchases in Washington State.

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Friday
Feb082013

Support the Ombuds bill SB 5177

FCWPP Alert: Please contact your state senator to support the Ombuds bill SB 5177 Dear Friends, SB 5177 would set up a Corrections Ombuds, to be appointed by and reporting to the Governor and to serve as a bridge between prisoners and the Department of Corrections.

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Sunday
Jan202013

FCWPP Public Policy Work Plan: 2013

Approved January 18, 2013 Detailed outline of FCWPP Public Policy Work Plan

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Sunday
Jan202013

FCWPP Public Policy Summary Agenda for 2013

Approved January 18, 2013

Criminal Justice

  • Restorative Justice: Support educational programs for and increased use of restorative justice programs as options for diversion of juvenile offenders
  • Repeal the Death Penalty
  • Gun Violence: Study the causes of and possible ways to reduce gun violence

     

Equality and Economic Justice, including Health Care

  • Increase access to health care by supporting Medicaid expansion, Medical Care Services, and Navigators to help people use the Health Benefits Exchange
  • Women’s and Children’s Health and Family Planning: Increase state support
  • Tax Reform: Make the state tax structure more equitable and create revenue needed to restore and retain basic services such as education and health care

Local Responses to Global Challenges

  • Preserve or enhance state environmental laws
  • Advocate energy generation methods with the least impact on the environment and oppose ports and the use of rails for the transmission of coal
  • Support efforts to increase state resources by creating a state financial institution

Proposed legislation will be monitored and supported or opposed as it is found in keeping with our values and public policy priorities. See the FCWPP website for the more detailed FCWPP Public Policy Work Plan for 2013.

Friday
Oct262012

UPDATE RE: the Death Penalty

The Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy has approved support for the Safe and Just Alternative coalition that advocates for abolishing the death penalty in Washington state. Although we continue to have reservations about the provision for the alternative of life without parole, we believe the death penalty itself has long been opposed by Friends. It is morally unacceptable and we need to be politically active in its abolishment. Therefore, this effort warrants our support through our collaboration with the Safe and Just Alternative coalition.

Sunday
Jul082012

Notes from the Roundtable: a summary of Criminal Justice issues

Clerk of the Criminal Justice Working Group, Tom Ewell prepared the following summary of current criminal work under consideration by FCWPP. This summary will continue to be amended as the work evolves, but it serves as a good quick reference on the scope of opportunities out there. We welcome comments, corrections, or suggestions. Thank you again for all your support.

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Saturday
Mar312012

Celebrate! Restorative Justice Bill is now Law

HB 1775/ Restorative Justice -

Signed by the Governor, Friday March 30!

Standing left to right: Sen. Jim Hargrove, Lonnie Johns-Brown (Crime Victim Advocates), Rep. Roger Goodman, Sam Merrill, Paul McCold, Jana McKinley, Beth Rodman, and Steven Aldrich.

 

On Friday, March 30 Governor Gregoire signed the Restorative Justice bill, HB 1775.  FCWPP was represented at the signing by Paul McCold, Beth Rodman, Steven Aldrich, and Sam Merrill.  Also attending - Jana McKinley (Community Youth Services), Lonnie Johns-Brown (Crime Victims Advocates), and Rep. Roger Goodman and Sen. James Hargrove. 

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