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Two Statewide Initiatives Appear to Pass
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There were two statewide initiatives on the General Election ballot in Washington State.
I-1366 will decrease the sales tax rate unless the legislature sends voters a constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes, and legislative approval for fee increases. The WSCC did not support the initiative because it will have a profound negative impact on people in poverty due to the loss of state funding and the potential for significant cuts in social services. Based on nearly complete results, I-1366 appears to be passing by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. Official results are expected by the end of November. To view statewide vote tallies, visit the Secretary of State's website. A legal challenge to the constitutionality of I-1366 is anticipated.
I-1401 deals with the trafficking of animal species threatened with extinction. This measure will make selling, purchasing, trading, or distributing certain animal species threatened with extinction, and products containing such species, a gross misdemeanor or class-C felony, with exemptions for certain types of transfers. The WSCC did not take a position on I-1401. Based on nearly complete vote tallies, I-1401 appears to be passing by a 70 percent to 30 percent. |
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Legislators Prepare for 2016 Session
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Next week, Washington State legislators begin preparing in earnest for the 2016 session when they return to Olympia for Committee Days. November 19 and 20 will be filled with meetings and committee hearings. In December, legislators will be able to pre-file bills that will be considered during the 2016 session. The first day of the session is Monday, January 11. |
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USCCB Urges Support for Green Climate Fund
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In his Encyclical, Laudato Sí, On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis calls on Catholics and people of goodwill to acknowledge "the intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet" and the need to address climate change. In response to this call, several leaders of national Catholic organizations have asked Congress to fund U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund. The leaders are Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Bishop of Las Cruces Oscar Cantú, Chair of USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, Sr. Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, and Dr. Carolyn Woo, President of Catholic Relief Services. The leaders also called on the U.S. to exercise strong leadership in reaching an agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the upcoming United Nations negotiations on climate change in Paris.
In particular, they called on Congress to:
- Fund U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund, an independent, global fund established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to help poor countries better respond to the challenges of climate change. With this funding, and the collective contributions made by other advanced economies, poor countries will have resources to help them mitigate and adapt to the realities of climate change.
- Support U.S. leadership in securing a global commitment to curb global greenhouse gas emissions in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Climate change is a result of global emissions and it is only through a global accord that humanity can hope to turn the tide against the worst projected impacts of climate change.
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Register for Catholic Advocacy Day, February 8, 2016
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Registration is now open for Catholic Advocacy Day 2016. It will be Monday, February 8, 2016, in Olympia. The day will begin at 9:00 am at St. Michael's parish with legislative briefings and Mass, followed by important meetings with legislators at the Capitol. To register, visit ipjc.org. |
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Recent WSCC Action Alerts
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Here are the most recent action alerts issued by WSCC. If you haven't acted on them yet, do so now by clicking on these important issues:
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WSCC Catholic Advocacy Bulletin - 2015, No. 23
Upcoming Dates
January 11 Legislative Session Begins
January 16 Mass for Life, Spokane
January 20 Mass for Life, Lacey
February 8 Catholic Advocacy Day
Click here to view previous WSCC Advocacy Bulletins.
Click here to view this bulletin on the WSCC website.
The Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State.
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