This week, state legislative activity is almost exclusively in (virtual) assembly as the full bodies of the House and the Senate debate bills that have passed at least one committee. It’s a good opportunity to review the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest legislative priorities in terms of this session. Read more

From now until March 9, legislative action moves to the floor of the House and Senate as these bodies take up bills that have cleared their committees. This year because of the virtual nature of deliberations, it is possible to talk with legislators since they won't physically be tied up in chambers.  Read more

Monday, February 15, was the first committee deadline for voting out bills. In this all-virtual session, the pace of legislation creation has slowed with roughly half the number of bills introduced this year of previous sessions. From here on, only bills that have passed a committee can continue to be considered, unless the bill is budget related. Read more

This year, the Legislature’s primary job is to deliver an operating budget that will govern state spending for the next two years starting July 1. As a result, the Senate this week is collecting and reviewing funding requests to guide the Senate Ways and Means Committee in formulating a response to Governor Inslee’s proposed budget (SB 5092). Read about the WA 211 request and other legislative activity below. Read more

The virtual nature of the 2021 Washington State Legislative Session is having an impact both in the pace and public engagement. While fewer bills have been considered, public participation is breaking records. For instance, 3,600 people signed in to comment during a public hearing on gun legislation recently. You can file written comments on legislation through the state’s Legislative website. Where appropriate, we’ve provided a comment link in this newsletter.  Read more

The first all-virtual Legislative session is in full swing with public hearings being held online. Already there have been hearings that touch on all of the UWPNW Washington State priorities. Read on to get an idea of the action for our top objectives. Read more

In the face of continued uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Jay Inslee has proposed the new two-year budget that will start July 1, 2021. While the budget process will carry on through the 2021 virtual legislative session, it's not too early to be acquainted with the issues at play. Governor Inslee's proposed budget is a starting point. Below is a sampling of some of his budget initiatives that reinforce our goals in the United Ways of Washington legislative framework. Read more

Our challenging year continues to test us in our unique roles to improve the common good in our communities and state. Read on to learn about how the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest (UWPNW) engagement in statewide coalitions seeks to align our policy priorities with the urgent need to tackle both COVID effects and racial equity concerns.  Read more

Washington United Way executives held meetings in June with U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene from the First Congressional District and with staff from the offices of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. This was part of United Way Worldwide’s virtual lobby initiative. The meetings covered the roles and actions United Ways are taking for COVID-19 response and recovery in their communities along with the critical policy and financial actions Congress and our Federal government need to take. Each meeting covered priority issues aligned with Worldwide’s national agenda for the next COVID funding package, including charitable donations deductions, enhanced EITC and emergency investments in child care, food security, medical assistance to states and 211. Our US Senators and Rep DelBene indicated their support of these requests and the meetings established stronger communications with United Way and their offices. With the Senate finally taking up this next funding package now, please take action now using Worldwide’s Fight for America's Recovery Asks Read more

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