Current Actions

• Update the 2009 Death with Dignity Act

  This is the final weekend that ESHB 1141, Improving Access to the Death with Dignity Law, has a chance to be passed. On behalf of terminally ill Washingtonians, please urge your Senator to help bring this bill to the floor for a vote!

• Support a Public Health Approach for Substance Use Disorders

  It is time for a new approach to the issue of substance use disorder. Treating substance use disorder as a public health issue rather than a criminal justice issue is more effective and costs less. Research shows that every dollar spent on substance use disorder treatment saves $4 in health care costs and $7 in criminal justice costs.

  SB 5476 is a step in the right direction—it decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of controlled substances for personal use and authorizes the referral of people who possess more than that to forensic navigators so that they can receive an evaluation and treatment. The bill does not go as far as we would like, especially in the area of providing resources for treatment and recovery. But, we need to pass legislation at the statewide level in order to avoid the confusion that would result from a patchwork of local laws as well as to ensure that local jurisdictions do not pass more restrictive laws.

• The Clean Fuel Standard for Washington

  Let's do our part to stop climate change. Please send this message today to your senator to pass the Clean Fuel Standard bill, HB 1091. Time is running short.

  You may personalize the subject and the message.

• Ask the Senate Environment Committee to hold Washington STRONG Act vote

  Senate Bill 5373, or Washington STRONG, will secure up to $16 billion for investments to assist in post-pandemic recovery, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, and reduce the effects of climate change and pollution in marginalized communities both urban and rural. Funding begins with tax obligation bonds that can begin achieving results quickly, rather than a fund that builds slowly over time. All investments are tied to climate resiliency and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The bonds will be repaid with a tax on carbon that starts at $25 per ton of CO2 equivalent indexing over time.

  Targeted investments include: renewable hydrogen, soil management, bioenergy, and biofuels, weatherization, geothermal, reducing vehicle miles traveled, high speed rail and rail electrification, cleaner alternative fuels for farm vehicles and equipment. A focus is assured on projects addressing climate burdens of marginalized communities and consultation with tribes.

  Last week the bill received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy and Technology, but we need a vote in that committee to move it toward a vote on the Senate floor. If your senator is on this committee (Carlyle, Lovelett, Ericksen, Brown, Das, Fortunato, Hobbs, Liias, Nguyen, Sheldon, Short, Stanford, Wellman), please use this Action Alert to request that they bring this bill to a vote at the earliest opportunity and move it toward a vote on the senate floor. Remember, you may edit and personalize the subject line and body text to emphasize what’s important to you.