It has been a wild week in Olympia. We thank those of you who called your legislators on the three criminal justice bills SB 5339, SB 5611 and HB 1359. A flurry of last minute calls almost resulted in the passage of SB 5339 related to discharge of sentence and restoration of…
Criminal justice bills originated by FCWPP and its Transition & Reentry Reform Coalition have moved to the floor of the legislature (SB 5339, SB 5611, HB 1359), and are expected to be scheduled for debate and vote between now and Wednesday. Please contact your legislators now and urge them to approve…
Rising prison populations and high recidivism (re-offense) rates affect all of us in terms of public safety and the best use of public funds. Two measures before the legislature developed by the Friends Committee and key allies will help ex-offenders become successful citizens once they are released. We and need your support to get them…
Tuesday, March 1, hearings will be held by both Houses of the WashingtonState Legislature on Joint Memorials expressing concern about the USAPatriot Act and urging Congress to place restrictions on it.The House bill, HJM 4006, will be heard at 10:00 AM in Judiciary in HousingHearing Room B. For more on…
One of the most important issues confronting our state is the estimated $2.2 Billion budget deficit we face. The legislature must eliminate this deficit by passing a balanced budget by April 24th, 2005. The Revenue Forecast is due out March 17, 2005. Governor Gregoire will release her proposed budget shortly thereafter. It is vital…
ACTION: Call your two Representatives and ask them to vote YES on ESB 6411, without amendments. Call your senator and THANK them for their vote on ESB 6411 (the bill passed the Senate 44-0). You can call the legislative hotline at (800)562-6000, or see the links below for contact information for…
ACTION:The budgets contain many items of concern to Friends. Please lookthrough this alert and choose the topics of interest to you, thencontact your legislators to share your thoughts on the matter. Youcan call the legislative hotline at (800)562-6000 to leave messagesfor all three of your legislators, or see below for…
Please print and share with your Meeting. 1. STOP MEDICAID PREMIUMS Background: Last year, in the face of a $3 billion budget crisis, the Legislature authorized DSHS to charge premiums for children on the Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance) Programs. These premiums haven't started yet, but…
One of the issues for which Friends have always had a deep concern isthe question of criminal justice. FCWPP supports rational and humaneapproach to criminal justice, best expressed in a policy statementfrom the Friends Committee on National Legislation: "We urge ourgovernment to work toward a criminal justice system that isrestorative,…
Action: Contact your senator, tell them that you are a constituent and that you think SB 6114 is too expensive, extreme and unnecessary, and urge them to oppose it. If you live in the districts of Senators Kline and Thibadeau, send them your thanks for opposing SB 6114 in the Judiciary committee.…