A handful of America In Solidarity volunteers descending upon the capitol campus in Olympia to discuss what matters to working families. Below is the issues we talked about. Take a few moments to contact your legislators and send them an email, or call them, and talk about these issues:
• Support the Worker Privacy Act (HB 1528/SB 5446). The Worker Privacy Act would allow workers in Washington state to choose whether or not to participate in employer communication on issues of individual conscience, including politics, religion, charitable giving, and unionization.
• Support the Supreme Court Fair Elections Bill (HB 1738/SB 5912). This would establish publicly financed campaigns for the State Supreme Court and could possibly prevent the 2006 debacle when the BIAW attempted to purchase seats on the court.
• Protect health care for kids. The State of Washington spends in excess of $25 billion to educate our kids, their future and ours depends on education. Their future also depends on being healthy. The Governor’s proposed cuts to Apple Health for Kids are unacceptable and Washington State still needs to make strides to give every child affordable health care. Any steps backward must be avoided and this should receive our highest priority.
• Do not gut the Basic Health Plan. As unemployment rises and companies cut benefits, more people will need to be enrolled in the Basic Health Plan. When people are enrolled it will allow for preventive medicine and less emergency room visits, both of which reduce overall costs. The proposed 42% cut in the Basic Health Plan, if anything, should be a raise of 42%.
• Support the Washington Health Security Trust. This is the best proposal set forth that would insure all Washingtonians with affordable, quality health care. We understand that there is not the funding in this biennium to pursue such legislation, however, America In Solidarity is asking each of their pledge signers to commit to covering everyone by 2012.
• Protect the safety net. Thousands of workers will be laid off in 2009 on top of the thousands that have already been laid off. We support all measures that help working families recover from these difficult times. Understandably the budget crunch is forcing the legislature to cut millions from needed programs and the choices you face will be difficult. However, please find a way to keep as many Washington families afloat as possible.
• Support union workers in the construction trade (HB1555/SB5614). This bill would address the underground economy as recommended by the legislative task force on this issue.
