The Church & Society/Social Justice Committee invites you to join us in advocating for equitable housing, renter protections, and a Capital Gains Tax in Washington State, and gun control nationwide.
Washington State bills worthy of our support
Washington State HB 1220
Supports emergency shelters and equitable housing options through local planning and development regulations.
This update to the 30-year-old Growth Management Act would require cities to plan for housing for people at all income levels. The bill also would require cities to have a plan and timeline to address racial disparities and exclusionary policies in their housing plans, identify places of high displacement risk, and implement anti-displacement policies.
The bill is scheduled for public hearing on March 18 at 8:00 a.m. in the Washington State Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government, but you can let your representatives know any time that you want them to support this bill to bring about housing equity in our state.
- Go to HB 1220.
- Select “comment on this bill.”
- Enter your address to “verify” your legislative district number and state legislators, then select which legislators you would like to receive your comment.
- Select “Support” or “Oppose” or “Neutral.”
- In the “Comments” box, add a comment which can be as brief as “Please support this bill.” It is not necessary for you to explain the substance of a bill, but you may explain why you support the bill, and, if you have a personal experience to share, please do that.
- Select “Submit comment.”
Just Cause Evictions (HB 1236)
Another proposed Washington State bill, would strengthen renter protections by preventing unlawful lease provisions and limiting reasons for eviction. Email your Senator through this FAN online form to support this bill when it comes before them.
Capital Gains Tax 2021 (SB 5096). This Washington State bill would enact a tax on extraordinary profits from capital gains. This tax would be paid by less than 1% of the wealthiest Washingtonians and is a good first step toward balancing our tax code. Use this easy FAN online form to let your State Representatives know you support this bill.
On March 15, the bill was heard in the State Senate and now is in the House Finance Committee. This is the farthest this bill has ever moved! Let’s keep up the momentum. Forces are marshalling against a Capital Gains Tax, and massive support is needed for this bill.
You also can call the Washington State Legislative Hotline to advocate for these bills at 1-800-562-6000.
U.S. Gun Control Bills
Two gun control bills passed in the U.S. House and will proceed to the U.S. Senate! Let our Washington State Senators know you support these bills — and share this information with friends and family in other states.
U.S. Senator Patty Murry: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile/contactme
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email
HB 8 would establish new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals), and prohibit a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses.
H.R. 1446 would close the “Charleston loophole,” a gap in federal law that allows gun sales to proceed after three business days without a completed background check. The bill would increase the amount of time to a minimum of 10 business days that a licensed firearms dealer must wait to receive a completed background check before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, the prospective buyer may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapses without a final determination, the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective buyer.