FCWPP Legislative Priorities for the 2009 Session

Approved by Steering/Legislative Committee 1/10/09

Criminal Justice

1. Post-secondary Education. Sen. Hargrove plans to re-introduce a bill for a pilot program in higher education for prisoners, an effort we strongly support. Carol Estes and the Pt. Townsend group met with the Senator on this issue in October.

2. Sentencing Reform. FCWPP signed on to support the Three Strikes Reform consortium that has recently been formed, led by Noemie Maxwell (associated with Justice Works!). We will continue to coordinate with this consortium. Senator Adam Kline is introducing a bill to remove Robbery 2 from the 3-Strikes list; this would be most effective if made retroactive. Sen. Kline and Rep. Roger Goodman are working on felony-theft levels (what constitutes a felony rather than a misdemeanor), an issue that is important for civil rights of offenders, court efficiency, and expense for incarceration.

3. Voting Rights for Ex-felons. We can work with the ACLU, which is taking the lead on this issue, proposing immediate restoration of voting rights upon release from incarceration. The Secretary of State’s office prefers a “clear bright line” for voting rights for ex-felons, whatever it may be; the current criteria are murky at best. Another, although partial, approach is through reduction of the 12% interest rate for Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs), because complete payment of LFOs is currently required to restore voting rights. Interest reduction has failed to be enacted for several years. Possibly Rep. Jeannie Darneille might reintroduce a bill along these lines or a bill for a moratorium on interest during incarceration.

Other criminal justice issues to monitor, research, or consider for the long term

4. Out-of-state Transfers. As soon as Coyote Ridge prison is operating, out-of-state transfers should stop. We will continue to monitor. A Prisoners in Families Committee has been set up by DOC, with first meeting scheduled.

5. Prison Impact Statements. A prison impact statement would require that bills proposing increases in sentencing or that create new crimes would include a statement of the impact – financial and otherwise – of enactment of the bill. Such a statement -- specific enough to avoid the current dodge of listing impacts as “unknown” -- would bring to the fore the high costs of increased prison incarceration and could appeal to legislators concerned with fiscal responsibility. Rep. Roger Goodman, or his office, might be helpful in drafting an appropriate bill; such a bill could be modeled on the Rhode Island law on this issue. As an alternative to the legislative approach, however, it may be more effective to make use of existing law, such as an accountability act passed about ten years ago. Sympathetic legislators could be encouraged to use this measure to induce proposers of longer sentences, etc., to include the specific financial impact in the proposed legislation and not just say "unknown." The current budget deficit may work in our favor in this regard.

6. Recidivism Records. There is an effort to introduce a bill would require that Washington State maintain records on recidivism using generally accepted criteria, as many other states and the federal government do. Standard record keeping would facilitate realistic comparison of recidivism rates in Washington State with those in other areas. DOC may be supportive.

7. Re-entry. Implementation of the Re-entry bill 6157 that was passed in 2007 should continue to be monitored.

8. Input from prisoners. Carol Estes will see if some of the legislators can arrange a hearing in a prison to get input from prisoners on re-entry concerns. It might be framed as “wisely managing funds used for ex-prisoners.” Tom Ewell would like to pursue this.

9. Emergency housing for reentering offenders. DOC may reinstate a voucher system for three-month aid. The Faith/Labor group is advocating the “One-Church – One House” program to encourage each church to provide transitional housing or provide financial aid to one that does. Faith/Labor would also like groups to sign on to their “People First” campaign not to cut social programs.

10. Gangs. A bill (HB 2712) was passed in the 2008 session that created new crimes (such as associating with known gang members) and authorized setting up a database of gang members. The original intention of including social service work with potential gang members was dropped from the bill – but efforts along these lines could be reintroduced. Carol Estes will work with the NAACP and others in the African American community on this.

11. Ombudsman. Sen. Jim Kastama may re-initiate effort on the ombudsman bill. Rep. John McCoy, who has been supportive but ill last year, might be an ally. In the meantime, DOC has established a committee concerned with offenders in families.

Economic Justice

12. Tax Fairness. Issues include regressive taxes and a living wage. We can work with the Tax Fairness Coalition, but we sorely need someone in FCWPP to attend their meetings and/or monitor issues in this area and share background and insights with Carol Estes.

Peace and Conflict Resolution

13. Military Recruiting. A champion with fresh ideas and energy on this would be very helpful.

14. Depleted Uranium Testing. We could follow up on the budget allocation (in the 2006 session) to the Military Department to prepare reports about training for and the health effects of exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic substances.

Local Response to Global Changes Working Group (LRGC)

Support the four priorities of the Environmental Priorities Coalition:

15. Transit-Oriented Communities—revise the state’s transportation and land-use planning framework to assist local jurisdictions to plan for growth in a sustainable and climate- friendly way. This bill will provide incentives for cities and developers to create affordable, livable, transit-oriented development, increasing transportation choices.

16. Efficiency First— promoting energy efficient homes, businesses and public institutions to save money and enhance energy security--the cheapest and most immediate way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and create thousands of family-wage jobs in Washington. This bill will put “efficiency first” by promoting super-efficient, low- energy-use buildings, providing incentives to maximize energy efficiency, requiring energy use information on buildings offered for sale or lease; and making our public buildings models of energy efficiency. This policy will also help to ensure that low- income consumers can cope with rising energy costs.

17. Cap and Invest— implementing real limits on global warming pollution, which will create new jobs and stimulate the growth of a clean energy economy in Washington State. This bill will implement the cap on climate pollution the Legislature adopted last year. Emitters should pay for pollution permits, and the new revenue should be invested to reduce fossil fuel dependence, create green jobs and spur new clean-tech innovation, while providing assistance to moderate- and low-income households struggling with high energy costs.

18. Clean Water— provides targeted polluter-pays fees to protect the taxpaying public and ensure that polluters take responsibility for the impacts of their actions. This effort will raise new revenue to fund critical projects to save Puget Sound and restore Washington’s rivers and lakes. By investing in stormwater infrastructure, toxics prevention and other programs, we will create new jobs, relieve financial pressure on local government, and promote new economic stimulus.