Each week, members of our Church & Society/Social Justice Committee have been sharing updates on current bills focused on environmental and social justice in the WA state legislative session, as well as the federal legislature. Learn how you can get involved in support of these important initiatives.
New Vision for the Snake River
A proposal by Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) to bring together people for the biggest salmon and river restoration project in history has reignited the debate about the endangered salmon and removing the four dams on the Lower Snake River. It is drawing both praise and criticism.
Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light supports this proposal saying that “restoration of a free-flowing Lower Snake River offers an opportunity to develop win-win solutions and invest in infrastructure upgrades that will benefit everyone. Working together, we can meet our moral obligations to restore endangered species, honor tribal treaty rights, and invest in our farming and fishing communities.”
Earth Ministry suggests sending a message to your members of Congress asking them to work with Rep. Simpson and others in the Northwest to help lead us into an abundant and prosperous future. If you live in the Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID, MT), this message will also be sent to your Governor. Use Earth Ministry’s form to contact your members of Congress.
Washington State Legislature week of 3.29.21
The Fiscal cutoff for bills to move from committee hearings (in the House, the Transportation, Finance, and Appropriations committees; in the Senate, the Transportation and Ways & Means committees) to the legislature floor is April 2. You can show your support for the following bills by clicking on the bill number, then selecting “comment on the bill”, and “support”. You also can fill in your name, address and email.
Important bills that are up for a hearings:
- HB 1016 – Passing this bill would make Washington the 5th state to make Juneteenth a paid legal holiday. June 19 is already celebrated as the end of slavery in the United States.
- HB 1297 – Working Families Tax Credit. This bill expands the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit for individuals and families with low to moderate income.
- HB 1267 – This bill would create an Office for Independent Investigations for police officers who use deadly force.
- HB 1054 – This law would ban the use of chokeholds, tear gas, neck restraints, and obtain no-knock warrants. It would also restrict shooting at moving vehicles, restrict hot pursuits, and require all officers to have visible identification.
- HB 1310 – This bill would require police officers to de-escalate a scene before using weapons. Deadly force would be used only as a last result when there is a threat of imminent bodily harm.
- SB 5038 – Prohibiting the open carry of certain weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol. It is in the House Rules Committee.
- HB 1091 – Clean Fuel Standard – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.