Washington state legislators have introduced important legislation that creates a special purpose credit program to reduce racial disparities in homeownership in the state by providing down payment and closing cost assistance to qualified applicants. HB 1474 and its companion SB 5496 address systemic racism in the real estate, banking, and credit industries in Washington state. … Read more

Here is the testimony Celestine West submitted on HB 1348, “Establishing behavioral health support specialists,” which has a companion bill in the Senate (SB 5189): I am Celestine West, a retired psychiatric nurse now living in Seattle. I am submitting this testimony in favor of HB 1348 on behalf of Quaker Voice on Washington Public … Read more

Sent to the members of the Senate Human Services Committee (in support of SB 5125) and the House Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning Committee (in support of HB 1094), January 25, 2023 Quaker Voice on Washington Public Policy, a network of legislative advocates from Quaker communities across the state, strongly supports HB 1094.  In … Read more

Quaker Voice testimony in favor of HB 1268 Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this important measure. 1268 is bill about racial equity. For too long, people of color have disproportionately received sentences of great length. During public testimony in the House in 2021, Department of Corrections staff testified that 29% of the … Read more

Here is the testimony Chris Ferguson submitted to the Housing Committee of the Washington State House, on one of our closely watched housing bills, as well as on SB 5190, its Senate companion: Quaker Voice on Washington Public Policy urges advancement of HB 1110.  This vital legislation will foster more vibrant communities where all people can afford to … Read more

January 23, 2023 Members of the Senate Human Services Committee, My name is Tom Ewell and I live in Clinton, WA. I am submitting this written testimony in support of SB 5135 regarding solitary confinement on behalf of Quaker Voice on Washington Public Policy, an organization that reflects the values of the Religious Society of … Read more

December 2022 Dear Friends, While some Washingtonians are decking their halls with boughs of holly, the state legislature is decking its with new committees, new committee chairs, new members, and new bills. For this past year’s accomplishments see our 2022 Legislative Report. Please join us in ringing in the 2023 legislative year with your time, attention, … Read more

Registration is now open for the Quaker Voice Annual Meeting, Saturday, December 3, from 10 am to 2:30 pm. You can choose to participate remotely or in person at Eastside Meeting in Bellevue. You will receive full details when you register. The meeting will cover several important matters. – Our lobbyist will alert us to what is coming … Read more

Applications are now open for this year’s Young Quaker Voices program. Please share the opportunity anywhere you think it might reach a candidate. The full program description and link to the application process are available at Young Quaker Voices Program — Quaker Voice (quakervoicewa.org). Applications are due October 30. This program encourages the active engagement of … Read more

As part of the Finding Our Quaker Voices process, you are invited to join a discernment session during Pacific Northwest Quarterly Meeting, Friday, September 23, 7 pm, either in person at Lazy F or on Zoom. You can find the Zoom link at PNQM Online Interest Groups. The Meeting ID is 878 0818 2743 and … Read more