There is a lot going on in the state legislature, so today’s action is a time-sensitive 3-in-1. We want to make sure that crucial bills make it out of committee and into law!
Action 1: BEFORE 8AM TODAY Sign in as Pro-Progressive Taxes in WA
The Capital Gains Tax proposal, HB 1496, will be heard TODAY by the House Finance Committee. This bill would create a more progressive tax system in WA by collecting from its wealthiest citizens a 9% tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other assets above $25,000 for individuals and $50,000 for joint filers.
Sign in as Pro to the committee hearing (this means that your position is noted in the legislative record, you are not signing up to attend the hearing): https://app.leg.wa.gov/CSIRemote/Testimony/Form?chamber=House&meetingFamilyId=28587&agendaItemFamilyId=140170&remoteLocationId=52&testify=False.
More information: https://ofm.wa.gov/budget/state-budgets/gov-inslees-proposed-2019-21-budgets/proposed-2019-21-budget-and-policy-highlights/revenue-changes/capital-gains-tax-qa
Action 2: BEFORE 10AM TOMORROW Sign in as Pro-Decriminalization of Drug Use
The Pathways to Recovery Act, HB 1499, decriminalizes public use of drugs and refers people to treatment rather than jail. It will be heard this Friday in the House Public Safety Committee. This is a crucial bill that will begin to undo the harm done by the war on drugs.
Sign in as Pro to the committee hearing: https://app.leg.wa.gov/CSIRemote/Testimony/Form?chamber=House&meetingFamilyId=28539&agendaItemFamilyId=140174&remoteLocationId=52&testify=False
Background: https://www.treatmentfirstwa.org
Action 3: Sign in as Pro-Support for Undocumented Workers
SB 5438 would provide temporary unemployment/wage replacement for undocumented workers. This bill will be heard in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee on Feb. 15. In this case Feb. 15 is the last day the bill can be passed out of committee, so we are also asking that you contact committee chair Sen. Karen Keiser to ask her to pass the bill in the Executive Session on the same day as the committee hearing.
Sign in as Pro: https://app.leg.wa.gov/CSIRemote/Testimony/Form?chamber=Senate&meetingFamilyId=28667&agendaItemFamilyId=140430&remoteLocationId=50&testify=False
Contact State Senator Karen Keiser at [email protected] :
Sample script: “Hi, My name is [NAME] and I live in Washington. I’m writing about SB 5438, the bill that would provide unemployment/wage replacement for undocumented workers. The bill is being heard by the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee on Feb. 15, which is also the last day it can be passed out of committee. I am writing to urge you to pass this bill in the Executive Session on Feb. 15 to ensure that undocumented workers get the support they need. Thank you.”
