Restoration of Voting Rights: Legislative progress on criminal justice often requires persistence and patience. Full restoration of voting rights upon release from prison was finally approved in 2021, ten years after partial rights were restored. Finally, a clearly stated act HB 1078 will restore this most sacred citizen right of…
In the Washington State legislative session just concluded, a session that many have judged to be historic in its progressive accomplishments, several enactments combine to enable major strides in housing justice. Chief among housing-related accomplishments is likely avoidance of a feared tsunami of evictions at the end of the statewide…
You are invited to “Young Quaker Voices Speak,” short final reports from the four participants in the first year of our new program. Their reports will be part of the Quaker Voice session at the Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting virtual spring gathering, Friday, April 23, 7-8 pm. These under-30 Friends…
Join nineteen other Quakers for the first-ever Quaker Voice April 2, 2021 ~ 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Pacific Time) RSVP early (form below) as participation limited. ~ Free with Donation Opportunity ~ Just bring paper, a pen, a book and your own good cheer (or let us help you find it) Sign…
Now the other myth that gets around is the idea that legislation cannot really solve the problem and that it has no great role to play in this period of social change because you've got to change the heart and you can't change the heart through legislation. You can't legislate…
Learn about the legislative processWork on issues important to Quakers:Criminal Justice / Environmental Stewardship / Economic JusticeEarn a small stipend The Young Quaker Voices program will bring young adults into contact with issues in the state legislature and encourage their active engagement in the legislative process in ways that reflect…
Quaker Voice Friends and Supporters, We urge you, as you are led, to send the Quaker Voice Statement on Racial Inequity (PDF format) to your state legislators, with a cover letter from you requesting action in the coming sessions. This statement was approved by the Quaker Voice Board for release on June 19, 2020, Juneteenth. It…
Highlights: Washington State will enact new greenhouse gas emission benchmarks for state agencies and the state as a whole.Washington State banned private prisons for state facilities.This year saw a large increase in investment in the Housing and Essential Needs (HENS) fund, which targets the most vulnerable people in Washington state…
In the 2020 session, the Economic Justice group emphasized housing, food, and income in its priorities, with top priorities in housing. The legislature passed a remarkable wave of bills in this area, providing $174 million in resources for the state’s affordable housing and homelessness needs. Showing the importance of the…
Two bills we supported this year are becoming law: (1) A bill to prohibit contracts by the WA Dept. of Corrections for privately-operated prisons (2) A “bail-jumping” bill, that will reduce penalties for not appearing in court, which tend to affect low-income people most. We are greatly pleased with the…