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Legislature Continues at Intense Pace
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On the Roe v Wade anniversary, Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg testified on January 22 at two legislative committee hearings and offered the closing prayer at the Washington March for Life on the steps of the Capitol. He testified in support of the repeal of the death penalty (see below for details) and against SB 6102 and SB 6105, bills that threaten religious liberty in our state.
Thanks to all of you who have responded to recent action alerts. Your efforts are vital as we move toward the first legislative hurdle of the 2018 session. By this Friday, February 2, all bills not passed by their assigned policy committee are unlikely to be considered further during this session.
On the federal level, you will find a call to action below urging Congress to work together to find a solution for the Dreamers, those undocumented young people who were brought to the U.S. as children. |
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Life & Religious Liberty
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Abortion Insurance Mandate (SB 6219) - This bill mandates abortion coverage in insurance plans in the state of Washington. The Catholic Bishops of Washington strongly oppose it because it expands existing contraception coverage requirements and promotes abortions while violating constitutionally-protected conscience rights. On January 22, the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee passed the bill out of committee on a 6-3 vote. The Senate Ways & Means Committee heard SB 6219 on January 24 and voted it out of committee by a 13-9 margin the following day. The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee as the final step before a vote by the full Senate. Over 400 Catholics have contacted their senator to urge that conscience protections be added to the bill. If you have not yet done so, it is not too late. Please contact your senator today.
Repealing the Death Penalty (SB 6052) -The U.S. Bishops have long supported abolishing the death penalty and, last year, Pope Francis condemned the death penalty as "an inhumane measure that, regardless of how it is carried out, abases human dignity." Bishop Mueggenborg testified in support of the death penalty repeal bill, SB 6052, at the Senate Law & Justice Committee hearing on January 22. To read Bishop Mueggenborg's testimony, click here. On January 25, the committee passed SB 6052 on a 4-3 vote and it will be considered next by the Senate Rules Committee.
Restrictions on Catholic Health Care (SB 6247 / HB 2482) - These bills infringe on religious liberty by potentially forcing a health care entity to offer referrals and other information contrary to its religious or moral beliefs. SB 6247 will be heard in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee today. HB 2482 will be heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on February 2. The WSCC is joining with Catholic health care organizations in strongly opposing these bills.
Uniform Parentage Act (SB 6037) - A section of this multi-faceted bill legalizes paid or contract surrogacy. The Catholic Church opposes surrogacy because it treats human beings as commodities. The Senate Law & Justice Committee passed the measure by a 4-3 margin on January 25 and the bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. |
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Education
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School Safety (SB 6410) - This new bill requires first responders to notify all schools (public or private) in the vicinity whenever an evacuation or lockdown is ordered at a nearby school. The bill also requires the mapping of all school buildings occupied by students to provide better information to first responders. Joe Sprague, executive director of the WSCC, will testify in support of the bill at the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee today at 1:30 pm (Senate Hearing Rm 1, Cherberg Building).
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Poverty, Family & Restorative Justice
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Legal Financial Obligations (LFO) (HB 1783) - The bill helps people convicted of crimes get back on their feet after being incarcerated by eliminating the interest on most of the court-imposed debt and limiting the sanctions for those with an inability to pay. Having passed the full House earlier this month, LFO reform is now before the Senate Law & Justice Committee.
Homeless Housing and Assistance (HB 1570) - This legislation makes the temporary Homeless Housing and Assistance surcharge permanent while increasing the surcharge from $40 to $90. Without extending the surcharge, thousands would likely become homeless. The House Appropriations Committee passed the bill on January 22 and it is scheduled for a House floor vote today.
Source of Income Discrimination (SB 5407) - SB 5407 prohibits a landlord from discriminating against applicants or tenants based on their source of income. The Senate Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee passed the bill by a 4-3 margin on January 25.
Rental Housing Options (HB 2578) - This legislation amends the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act to prohibit discrimination based on a tenant's source of income and creates a civil cause of action for violations. The House Judiciary Committee heard the bill on January 23 and has scheduled a vote for February 1.
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) Exemption (HB 2444) - This measure provides a real estate excise tax exemption for the transfer of a qualified low-income housing development or controlling interest in a low-income housing development meeting specific criteria. The legislation is important for Catholic Housing projects which can use the funds for other program needs. The House Finance Committee heard HB 2444 on January 16 but has not scheduled a vote yet.
Healthy Food Packaging (HB 2658) - Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) are used in food packaging such as microwave popcorn bags, sandwich wrap, and muffin papers. PFAS have been found to migrate into food. The Department of Ecology has identified PFAS as a toxic substance. The bill conditionally restricts the inclusion of PFAS in food packaging beginning in 2021. The House Environment Committee heard the bill on January 23 and plans to vote on HB 2658 on February 1. The companion bill, SB 6396, will be heard by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee on January 29 at 1:30 pm (Senate Hearing Room 3, Cherberg Building). |
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Action Alert: Urge Solution for Dreamers
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Catholics throughout the state are encouraged to stand in solidarity with Dreamers by urging your federal lawmakers to work towards a bipartisan solution for these young people. The Dreamers are those undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States by their parents. They grew up and went to school here. Many do not speak the language of their country of birth. As Catholics, we believe in the life and dignity of every human person and are, therefore, called to respect youth who had no choice about being brought to the U.S.
Click here to send a message to your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators and urge them to work together for an immediate solution for the Dreamers. |
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Pope's Message at Davos
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The annual World Economic Forum was held last week in Davos, Switzerland, and Pope Francis sent a message to the world leaders gathered there. Pope Francis wrote, "We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of millions of people whose dignity is wounded, nor can we continue to move forward as if the spread of poverty and injustice had no cause." To read all of the Pope's message, go to the Vatican website.
Did a relative or friend forward this WSCC Catholic Advocacy Bulletin to you? Sign up for your own free subscription here.
Click here to view WSCC bulletins on our website. |
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