COVID-19, poverty and racial injustice weighs heavily on all our minds and is reprioritizing issues of significance to the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest. The pandemic has widened and called out systemic fissures in our society that make it difficult to promote healthy families. A consensus appears to be emerging among state and national advocacy groups that while short term relief is essential, it is time, in fact long overdue, for enduring structural solutions. UWPNW maintains engagement on these issues and their statewide coalitions on behalf of United Ways. Here is a run down of our advocacy positions on our key legislative priorities. Read more

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic justify a follow up regarding legislation and other activities.  Read more

Despite being in the midst of our COVID-19 challenges, the 2020 Legislative Session is over but the work done by legislators, staff and advocates will extend beyond last week’s “sine die.”  Read on as to how this session furthered the legislative priorities of the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest. Read more

Thursday is the last day of the 2020 regular Legislative Session. Some bills of interest have passed and all eyes are on the deepening impact of the coronavirus on the preparation of the supplemental budget. Read more

This is the last full week of the 2020 Legislative Session. After Friday, the House and Senate will only consider non-budget related bills and bills that have passed both bodies but are in dispute in terms of final form. The recent stock market correction and the potential impact on our economy resulting from the corona virus may make for a more cautious budget approach this year. Thus, your support on these two priorities, is important. Read more

This is a critical week for timely advocacy as the Senate and House process the state's supplemental operating and capital spending plans. While the final numbers still need to be negotiated, we should expect an increased state investment in early learning and housing this year. Regarding the funding for the Washington 211 upgrade however, only the House budget at this time includes funding. Please consider taking the actions requested below.  Read more

With about three and half weeks left in the 2020 Legislative Session, most of the Washington United Way issues rely on the outcome of this year’s supplemental operating and capital budget. Helping move discussion along is tomorrow’s adoption of the latest revenue forecast. Read more

There's only about a month left in the 2020 session and this week is a key committee deadline. And even though there is always a way around deadlines, many bills will be considered dead or at least dormant after Tuesday. Now is a good time to engage on our issues. Read more

A short session means legislative deadlines arrive sooner. This week is the last week for policy committees to consider bills in their house of origin. We will track our priority bills on our tracking list. Read more

We are in our third week of the 2020 Legislative Session. Committees are actively taking up bills that address our agenda. Read on for more detailed news or you can quick glance via our Bill Tracking Page. Read more