Chisme Politico | Week 3
January 29, 2021
Insurrection, Impeachment, Inauguration, & Investments 🗳️
¡Hola Chisme Político friends! Phew…We’ve virtually wrapped up January 2021, and it feels as if each week it’s harder to catch up with both state/local and national news (Vikings storming the Capitol….Redditors taking hold of GameStop stock ….Yet another impeachment….the list goes on). In this week’s newsletter, we want to share vital information that breaks down the most important legislative process (how a bill becomes a law) and all the latest legislative session chisme.
Introducing 👋🏼: Community Member Highlight
Micaela Razo, Latino Community Fund’s Central WA Program Manager, testified in support of HB 1168 which concerns long-term forest health and the reduction of wildfire dangers. Micaela, along with several other nonprofits in the area have implemented a pilot project in vulnerable communities where they trained folks on wildfire adaptation practices: what to expect and how best to react.
Thankfully this is a bill both sides of the aisle can agree on. Forests burning and communities losing their homes is a fight that should have the full attention of lawmakers as we decide where funding is most needed.
How a Bill Becomes a Law ⚖️
Maybe you spaced out during your classes in U.S. Government, or maybe they never taught you! But here’s a breakdown of how a bill becomes law in our state government. Share and distribute widely with people you know who could use a refresher!
Our Schedule for the Upcoming Legislative Action Week 📅
Make sure to register for our upcoming Legislative Action Week here. We’ve already got your legislators lined up for meetings! Check to see if yours is on the schedule below (schedule still in draft/ meetings to come):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tFth_1yuCfgD5Ch_NYdB4XezEQKZEBV3xFHCruJHbAg/edit?ts=600f5b04#gid=0
If you see your representative on this list, please join us in sharing your story about the bills or issues that are directly impacting members of your community. They may be sponsoring a bill you are strongly supporting or in opposition of! We plan to share our legislative agenda with them and share the stories of folks who are willing to speak up.
If you’ve got folks you know who feel like they need assistance in crafting testimony or ideas on what to actually talk to their legislators about — come to our workshops! Dates and times below:
February 3, 4–5PM
February 5, 2–3PM
Other Bills on our Radar 🔎
Bill: HB1203 Concerns community oversight boards
What it is: This would mean that police departments would have community accountability via independent oversight boards for the first time.
Legislative Champions: Rep. Jesse Johnson
Recent developments: A hearing on this bill in the Public Safety Committee highlighted the need for this bill 3 days after the incident in Tacoma where a police officer attempted to drive over a crowd during a protest. King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay gave a meaningful testimony in response to Rep. Jenny Graham’s (R-6) blame on civilians. See the clip here.
What you can do: Sign on to this letter to endorse the bill
Bill: HB1368 Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through state actions supported by federal funding.
What it is: This bill would appropriate $2.2 billion in federal funding from a combination of the federal Consolidated Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, the Coronavirus Relief Fund under the federal CARES Act, and Medicaid for K-12 public schools, public health, healthcare, assistance to individuals and families, housing assistance, and business assistance. We are especially looking at the $65 additional million dollars that would be allocated to the WA Immigrant Relief Fund.
Legislative Champions: Rep Tim Ormsby, Rep Nicole Macri
Recent developments: The bill had its hearing yesterday in the Appropriations committee and would come with an emergency clause to be enacted immediately.
What you can do: The WA Budget and Policy Center published a brief further highlighting the economic inequities our immigrants communities face — they estimate that immigrants are left out of $1 billion dollars in state and federal cash assistance (see graph below)
More Actions For You To Take 💢
Please sign in Pro (oral testimony) or submit written testimony to support SB 5226 to End Debt-based Driver License Suspension
Committee: Law & Justice
Date/Time: 2/4/2021 10:30 AM
Additionally: Please fill the sign-on letter https://signon-acluofwashington.nationbuilder.com/licensesuspensions
Thanks for reading until the end, if you got here! We will see you next week.
If you have suggestions for our newsletter, please contact margot@progresowa.org.
