March 2023 Legislative Update
In this post: The WA Legislative session is (still!) in full swing and WPSR is working tirelessly to advance legislation that will make our state a safer, more just, and healthier place for all. We are bringing the health voice to bear on important bills that make our upside-down tax system more fair, address our housing and climate crises, and mitigate the threat of nuclear disaster. Read on about what we are up to, and please: join us in our work to address the gravest threats to health!
Economic Inequity & Health
We are working hard to create a more equitable tax code and a state where everyone has a safe, affordable home:
The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) went into effect this year! Over 100,000 people have claimed the credit and over $25m has been sent to working families throughout WA. Now, we are pushing to make the credit more accessible.
The Wealth Tax has a second hearing today! Sign in PRO here by 3pm to support the wealth tax and help make our tax code more equitable. Polling shows broad support among Washington voters for a state wealth tax.
Unfortunately a bill to create a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot has stalled, but made it further in the legislative process than it did last year, which is promising!
WPSR is also supporting the Estate Tax and the Affordable Homes Act, which is a real estate excise tax (REET) that would fund housing efforts.
We have been advocating for tenants' rights by supporting Rent Stabilization and a 6-Month Notice of Excessive Rent Increases. Unfortunately, neither bill passed the House, but we will continue to advocate for rent fairness and support these bills next year.
The Covenant Homeownership Account - supporting first time homebuyers affected by Washington's history of discriminatory housing practices - has passed the House and is currently in the Senate awaiting a hearing.
Climate & Health
We have made historic strides in climate action in the past year, but our work continues! With funds coming in from the newly implemented Climate Commitment Act, our legislators must invest in climate through funding healthy homes and clean transportation. Specifically, our legislators must:
Invest in and expand the Weatherization Plus Health program, which is instrumental in creating energy efficiency in our buildings and for improving our health through necessary home upgrades;
Create a High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling Program to help low and middle-income families in Washington make necessary upgrades to their homes such as funding of heat pump installations;
Fund the electrification of our medium and heavy duty vehicles, including trucks, vans and school buses
Now is crunch time for budget negotiations, and our legislators need to hear from you! Send a letter to your legislators, telling them to invest wisely in climate in this year's budget.
Nuclear Weapons Abolition
Many of our nuclear abolition priorities have now been introduced into Congress, but a majority of Washington's Congressional Delegation remain silent. We need your help reaching out to your representatives and senators in Congress to sponsor these important pieces of legislation:
H.R. 77 Embracing the Goals and Provisions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
H.R. 669 Restricting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons
H.R. 1134 People Over Pentagon Act
With New START - the last remaining Nuclear Arms Control Treaty in jeopardy, we must urge a return to diplomacy focused on securing and reducing nuclear arsenals. And, with the ongoing specter of a nuclear accident or exchange in Europe, and the increasing toll on human life in Ukraine, we must also push on Congress to negotiate an end to the conflict. You can help by signing our petition for an Immediate Transition Away From Nuclear Weapons.
Needless to say, we are taking on many critical issues that impact the wellbeing of Washingtonians and people everywhere. And given the magnitude of the challenges, we simply can't do it alone. Please, join us as an advocate, and as a supporting member and be a part of our work to make the world a safer, just, and healthier place for all.