Dear Advocates,
Welcome to the first WSCC legislative bulletin for the 2015 legislative session. This year the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) will send you emails to keep you informed of major public policy issues in Olympia. These bulletins will provide updates and action alerts on a regular basis while the legislature is in session. The regular session started on January 12th and is scheduled for 105 days. It is quite possible that an additional 30-day session will be necessary to pass the budget.
The funding of basic public education is at the forefront of debate. Lawmakers are required by a Supreme Court decision to increase basic educational funding by billions of dollars. Consensus will be difficult to achieve with the Democrats narrowly in control of the House and the Republicans in control of the Senate with a 25-24 majority.
Based on Catholic teaching, the WSCC is actively engaged in many issues. WSCC's 2015 legislative priorities are listed in the following categories: Life, Budget, Catholic Schools, Children & Families, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Environment, Health Care, Housing and Long-Term Care.
Among the priorities are:
- Expanding "safety net" programs for vulnerable persons
- Establishing new revenue sources, if the state is not able to address the needs of poor people through existing resources
- Requiring parental notification for abortions performed on minors
- Increased funding for mental health services and the for the Housing Trust Fund
- Abolishing the death penalty
- Reforming the system of Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) for people released from prison
- Eliminating harmful chemicals in children's products
You can make a difference by contacting your two State Representatives and your State Senator on issues impacting poor and vulnerable persons, including the unborn, children, the homeless, and those with mental illness. Timing is very important, so WSCC will provide resources for you to effectively contact your legislators as they are considering an issue.
When a bill is being voted upon, you will receive an action alert to send to your legislators. With one click, you will be able to send a message to the legislators who represent your legislative district. The legislative process requires that both the House of Representatives and the Senate pass a bill before it is sent to the Governor for his signature or veto.
In between the alerts, you will receive updates informing you of the actions legislators have taken.
You are encouraged to forward these bulletins to your family, friends, and other parishioners.
Please mark your calendar for Catholic Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 26. Click here for more information and to register online.
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Washington. On the WSCC website, you can learn about Catholic teaching and how it is applied to public policy. You can also find information about specific bills or committees by visiting the Washington State Legislature.
Blessings in the New Year,
~ Sr. Sharon
Sr. Sharon Park, OP
Executive Director
Washington State Catholic Conference
710 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
www.thewscc.org - wscc@thewscc.org
(ph) 206-301-0556 ~ (fax) 206-301-0558
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