We stand in heartfelt solidarity through these sacred days of Ramadan, Passover, Holy Week and Easter, Buddha’s birthday, Vaisakhi Day, and more. We commemorate the anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s death this week, calling to mind his powerful quote: "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." We give thanks for your solidarity and all the ways we pray, celebrate, and take action together for justice.

Please save the dates for our online Spring Summits on two Sunday afternoons: May 7 and June 4 (times and registration still to come). To make these post-session conversations accessible to as many people as possible, we have opted for virtual meetings. We plan to follow up with smaller, in-person cluster meetings and regional gatherings this summer and fall.

Join us for Spring Summits to hear the legislative session recap and strategize in small groups on the issues you care about. We will publish more information in the coming weeks.

The 2023 legislative session is now coming down the final stretch. The House and Senate have been on the floor this week full-time, voting on bills the opposite chamber has already passed. After Wednesday, April 12, the Floor Cutoff deadline for the opposite chamber, the legislature has 10 days before “Sine Die,” the last day of the session on April 23, to resolve any differences in versions of bills that passed both chambers.

SENATE AND HOUSE RULES COMMITTEES
Now is the time to advocate for the rules committees in both chambers to put forward for a vote all the bills on our legislative agenda that are still alive. Here are lists of the members of the Senate Rules Committee and House Rules Committee.

Ask the Senate committee to put forward:

• HB 1143 Firearm Permit Requirements
• HB 1177 MMIWP Cold Case Unit
• HB 1181 Planning for a Climate Friendly Future
• HB 1238 Free School Meals for More Kids
• HB 1240 Ban on the Sale of Assault Weapons
• HB 1260 Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) Fix
• HB 1329 Extreme Heat Utility Shutoff Moratorium
• HB 1447 TANF Improvements
• HB 1469 Shield Law
• HB 1477 Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) Fixes
• HB 1559 Hunger Free Campus

Ask the House committee to put forward:

• SB 5078 Firearm Industry Responsibility & Gun Violence Victims' Access to Justice Act
• SB 5082 Repeal Statewide Advisory Votes
• SB 5087 Repealing the Death Penalty and other Unconstitutional State Statutes
  

BUDGET ADVOCACY FOR THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET
Legislators in both chambers are currently working on the 2023-2025 operating budget. Please contact members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Appropriations, and tell them to maintain the House’s proposed funding for cash assistance programs, which is greater than the Senate’s proposed funding. The programs in question include Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF); Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance; Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC); and a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot program in Tacoma.

Reasons why the legislature should approve robust funding for cash assistance programs include:

• Cash assistance programs help promote economic security for Washingtonians who are struggling financially.
• Without sufficient cash assistance, people may be unable to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and health care.
• Maintaining funding for cash assistance programs is a critical step toward reducing poverty and increasing economic mobility in Washington.

In addition to advocating for cash assistance programs, please also advocate for the House budget’s funding to support the Health Equity for Immigrants Campaign (HEIC). More than 100,000 of Washington’s immigrants are uninsured, which leads to worse health outcomes and mounting medical debt.

Reasons why the legislature should fund HEIC include:

• Immigrants who lack health coverage often face difficult choices between needed medical care and other basic necessities.
• Studies have shown that expanding Medicaid-like subsidized health coverage saves lives, improves health outcomes, and reduces uncompensated care costs.
• Funding for health coverage for immigrants is a crucial step towards promoting health equity and reducing disparities in health outcomes.

Overall, funding cash assistance programs and supporting health equity for immigrants is crucial for promoting economic security and health equity in Washington. By urging lawmakers to prioritize these important issues in the final budget negotiations, we help ensure that all Washingtonians can thrive, regardless of their immigration or economic status.

This week, the House and Senate fiscal committees were busy voting on bills in executive sessions and negotiating with each other on the details of the operating, capital, and transportation budgets. The rules committees in both chambers were occupied with deciding which bills go to their chamber’s floor for a full floor vote. Both the House and Senate also debated and voted on bills on the floor. The Fiscal Committee Cutoff for the opposite chamber was April 4. Any bills that did not move out of fiscal committees by that day will not move forward.

MONDAY
Anti-hunger advocates received great news when HB 1784 Concerning Hunger Relief was signed by the Senate President and headed to the Governor’s desk for signing. This bill will provide $28 million to food banks, support senior meals, and invest in the fruit and vegetables incentive, to help replace federal pandemic food benefits that have ended. For more information about the impact of this bill, read Relief is on the way for Washington food banks struggling to keep up with demand.

HB 1181 Planning for a Climate Friendly Future passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. This bill would improve the state's climate response by updating the Growth Management Act to ensure that counties, cities, and towns plan for resiliency and reduce green-house gas emissions. The bill is now on second reading by the Rules Committee.

HB 1177 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Persons Cold Case Unit was passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means with bipartisan support and was placed on second reading by the Rules Committee.

HB 1469 Shield Law was passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. This bill would protect patients and health care providers of reproductive and gender affirming care from out-of-state legal action. This is an increasingly necessary protection for Washington providers and patients, given that Idaho recently passed a law restricting travel for reproductive care and more states are planning similar laws.

TUESDAY
This was a momentous day for economic justice and social safety net legislation. The Senate Committee on Ways & Means passed HB 1477 Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) Fixes out of committee. This bill would extend the time people can claim their credit from one to three years, extend eligibility to married-filing-separately tax filers to help survivors of domestic violence, and create a legislative reporting requirement for the Department of Revenue to regularly update the legislature regarding the program.

The Senate Committee on Ways & Means also passed three safety net bills out of executive session: HB 1238 Free School Meals for More Kids, HB 1260 Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) Fix, and HB 1559 Hunger Free Campus.  HB 1238 would expand eligibility for free school meals to about 90,000 more children. HB 1260 would end the requirement that extremely low-income disabled people pay back ABD cash assistance when they qualify for federal assistance (for which they are required to apply). HB 1559 would create a state-wide task force and a state-wide benefits navigator program to address post-secondary students’ basic needs, and create a free and reduced-price student meals pilot program.

THURSDAY
Our union partner UFCW 3000 had a big win when SB 5326 Safe Health Care Staffing was passed by the House with 92 “yeas” and 6 “nays.” The bill is now headed to the governor for his signature. This bill will establish minimum staffing standards to improve both worker safety and patient care.

Faith Action Network is accepting applications for our Eastern Washington Regional Organizer, a part-time position. This organizer will work closely with the FAN team and coalition partners to help build relationships, train, and organize with FAN’s network of faith communities and individuals in eastern Washington. Learn more and apply here.

Saturday, April 8, 1:00pm, in person, Northwest Detention Center, 1623 E J Street, Tacoma. Valley and Mountain Annual Table Turning, joining La Resistencia for their solidarity days to protest outside the detention center. Register here.

Tuesday, April 11, 11:00am-2:00pm, in person, North Steps, Capitol Building, Olympia. Day of Action at the Capitol, sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers and Communities for Our Colleges. Coworkers, students, and community members from across the state are converging on Olympia to call on the state legislature to prioritize student success by fully funding our community and technical colleges. Register here.

Wednesday, April 12, noon-1pm, in person, Seattle City Hall @ 4th Avenue & James Street. Red Tape Women in Black Vigil and Call to Action, sponsored by WHEEL/Homeless Women's Community. Stand with others for the 32 homeless people who died outside/in public or by violence in March alone, including two homeless homicide victims, and to call for action to increase support for homeless services, as existing shelters are experiencing unprecedented overflow. Learn more here.

Saturday, April 15, 10:00am-2:00pm, in person, Khalsa Gurmat Center, 2835 S 344th Street, Federal Way. Vaisakhi Festival. Celebrations will include a traditional form of religious procession known as Nagar Kirtan, which can involve hymn singing, martial arts display, and distribution of food representing the concept of langar. Guests may stop by at any time during the celebrations. Learn more here.

Saturday, April 15, 1:00-5:00pm, in person, University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Avenue NE, Seattle. Seattle Convergence: PRAXIS. A workshop for religious and spiritual leaders led by Ayoka Turner and Chris Crass to generate lessons, culture, and power for collective liberation. Register here.

Saturday, April 15, 7:30pm, in person, Interfaith Community Sanctuary, 1763 NW 62nd Street, Seattle (Ballard). Mimouna Celebration: Spring Blessing for Life Renewed. Join with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg and those of many faith and spiritual traditions to celebrate this beloved occasion at the end of Passover and the end of Ramadan. There will be food and drinks served, and children's activities available. RSVP by e-mail at info@interfaithcommunitysanctuary.org, and learn more about the event here.

Sunday, April 16, 4:30-7:00pm, in person, University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Avenue NE, Seattle. Seattle Convergence: Anti-Racist Parenting for Collective Liberation. This participatory workshop for parents, grandparents, and caregivers will focus on sharing stories and insights with an understanding that there are many ways that we can do this in our families. Register here.

Thursday, April 20, 7:00pm, in person, Temple Beth Shalom, 1322 E 30th Avenue, Spokane. The Dangers of Indifference: the U.S. and the Holocaust. Join the annual Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust, which will feature a keynote address by Associate Professor Raymond Sun, artwork display, musical performances, and a candle-lighting ceremony. Contact Dr. Hershel Zellman at neveragain-spokane@comcast.net for more information.

Saturday, April 22, 1:00-4:00pm, in person, University Congregational UCC, 4515 16th Avenue NE, Seattle. Seattle Convergence: Heart and Soul Nourishment for Anti-Racism and Collective Liberation. This gathering, featuring Rev. Osagyefo Sekou and Chris Crass, is open to all and is designed to encourage and uplift us. It will include music, sharing, learning, and connecting. Register here.

Sunday, April 23, 6:30-8:00pm, in person and online, Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Avenue S, Kirkland. What Should be the Relationship between Religion and State? – Interfaith Dialogue. This event, hosted by Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE), will be moderated by Michael Reid Trice, Ph.D.. It will explore the historical tensions shared by those in different faith communities in their relationship to the state. Register here.

Tuesday-Thursday, April 25-27, online. Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023. Join FAN staff in attending this online conference and meet with our members of Congress. Learn more and register here.

Thursday, April 27, 6:00-8:00pm, online. Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement Spring Workshop Series – Leading by Centering the Margins, The Narrative of the Lie: White Christian Nationalism and Rage. Join this conversation with Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr and Rev. Dr. Richard W. Rouse, moderated by FAN Board Member Rev. Dr. Edward Donalson III. Register here.

Saturday, May 6, 10:00am-noon, in person, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 911 Stewart Street, Seattle. Farm Worker Ministry Northwest Community Forum, co-sponsored by Faith Action Network. This event features organizers for United Farm Workers, which is supporting the Ostrom Mushroom Farms workers as they continue their struggle for justice. Learn how you can support them. Contact Farm Worker Ministry at fwm-nw@nfwm.org to pre-register and for further questions.

Friday, April 21, 7:00pm, in person, Prospect Congregational United Church of Christ, 1919 E Prospect Street, Seattle. Earth Week Film Screening: Current Revolution. These 3 short films show the possibility of a just transition to a clean energy economy where the well-being of workers and frontline community members is valued. Learn more and register here.

Saturday, April 22, 9:00am-4:00pm, in person, Student Center, Seattle University. 2023 Catholic Earth Day Summit. Hosted by the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, the day will include a mass, keynote speakers, and discernment groups to build reciprocity with the earth and take action together for climate justice. Register here.

Saturday, April 22, 1:00-4:00pm, in person, location TBD. Seed Exchange and Cultural Foods Celebration, hosted by Global Social Business Partners. Bring seeds to exchange, enjoy various dishes, and learn to address food insecurity. E-mail iseedneighbors@gmail.com or visit their website to learn more.

Saturday, April 22, 8:30am-5:30pm, in person, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E 12th Avenue, Spokane. Hope for Creation Conference: Care for Water. More information and schedule of events here. Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience of Eastern Washington and North Idaho will conclude with a vigil for the healing of earth's waters from 4:30-5:30pm. Find out more information here.

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