Write for Rail – Reduce Emissions!

Write for Rail – Reduce Emissions!

by | Aug 23, 2021 | Actions

We need faster, more frequent, and reliable service with top-notch amenities and convenient connections to transit, making the service attractive to ride, moving highway traffic to efficient rail, using less energy, and dramatically reducing climate emissions. It is of critical importance that an excellent Service Development Plan be drafted by Washington State Department of Transportation for the Amtrak Cascades.
 
Please send the letter below using this link: 
to your Washington State Legislators and Governor Inslee, stating why Amtrak Cascades improvements must be an urgent priority. Thank you!
 
Here is the letter to preview:

Dear [Washington State Legislator, Governor Inslee],

The 2021 Washington State Legislature’s biennial Transportation budget includes $500,000 for a Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Amtrak Cascades service (SSB 5165, Sec. 222 (2)). The SDP is a prerequisite to Federal funding of projects. This presents a welcome opportunity to make significant upgrades to the state’s passenger rail system.

Rail transportation, with two-thirds less energy consumption and two-thirds fewer emissions than highway travel, is an effective climate emergency solution. To realize the inherent climate benefits, rail service must attract ridership and be well-utilized. Effective passenger rail service is fast, frequent, reliable, and convenient. The climate emergency demands that we initiate rapid and steady responses from our transportation sector to reduce greenhouse gases by about half in the next eight years to prevent irreparable climate damage. Fortunately, we can vastly improve our rail system while it remains operational. 

To this end, the SDP must include: 

  • Seattle – Portland travel time of 2 hours 30 minutes, retaining the current stops,
  • Seattle – Vancouver BC travel time of 2 hours 45 minutes, retaining the current stops,
  • All trains after the first arrival of the day in Seattle operate through Seattle until the last train of the service day to arrive in Portland and Vancouver BC,
  • One hour interval between trains throughout the service day,
  • Service day of first arrival in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver BC of 8:00 am,
  • Service day of last departure from Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver BC of 10:00 pm (or later as necessary to leave one hour after the previous train),
  • Ninety percent or better punctuality within five minutes of schedule time.
  • High quality customer service and amenities including locally-sourced healthy food, internet access, staffed stations, baggage check, and clear signage for local connections.

  • Integration with transit and last mile services at each station to include convenient car share or rental.

These service elements have been demonstrated to be feasible by the Long-Range Plan for Amtrak Cascades (February, 2006) which was completed at the directive of RCW 47.79.020, and the successful implementation of several of the components of the plan since 1995. 

Please ensure that the Washington State Department of Transportation integrates these fundamentals into the new Amtrak Cascades Service Development Plan. 

Please provide any information you have on development of an RFP for the Amtrak Cascades SDP, including timeline and requirements. We look forward to working with you to create a plan that will establish Cascades service as the backbone of a sustainable 21st century transportation system in Washington State. We can be reached at info@climaterailalliance.org .

 
Pass the For The People Act (S1) Now!

Pass the For The People Act (S1) Now!

by | Jul 24, 2021 | Actions

Social Networking in support of Voting Rights

Today’s Action:

The filibuster is blocking passage of the For the People Act, and large parts of the Biden Administration Agenda.

The filibuster must be eliminated or reformed so that we can Protect the 2022 Election, and pass progressive Climate Change reform, the PRO act, ect.

Patty Murray and Senator Cantwell have posted their views on legislation to Twitter but have not explained how they are going to pass this important legislation with the filibuster is place. 

So we will illustrate what will happen to their legislation if the filibuster is not dealt with by tweeting it back to them as FILIBUSTERED.

Sign onto Twitter, use an image shown below and copy one of these prewritten tweets or write your own!

    1. We can’t let the filibuster create another graveyard of legislation in the Senate. The people are ready for results! It’s time to #EndtheFilibuster. .@PattyMurray .@SenatorCantwell

    2. 2022–an election year–is almost here. The time for passing bold legislation that helps American families is now. Don’t let the Jim Crow filibuster get in the way of that #FilibusterFriday .@PattyMurray .@SenatorCantwell

    3. For decades, a handful of Senators have exploited a loophole to grab power and block legislation Americans favor, from civil rights in the ‘60s to cutting polling locations today. #FilibusterFriday .@PattyMurray .@SenatorCantwell

    4. .@SenatorCantwell .@PattyMurray. Don’t let the filibuster stand in the way of strengthening our democracy #EndtheFilibuster

Be sure to include the hashtags:  #EndtheFilibuster and tag our Senators:  @PattyMurray  and/or @SenatorCantwell

 

Some important articles to check out:

WA State Indivisible Senate Call-A-Palooza

WA State Indivisible Senate Call-A-Palooza

by | Jun 16, 2021 | Actions

Sign up at: http://bit.ly/Palooza-1

Brought to you by Washington Indivisible Network (WIN)

Contact your elected officials:

Sen. Patty Murray | (202) 224-2621 | Contact Form

Sen. Maria Cantwell | (202) 224-3441 | Contact Form

 

Do you care about voting rights? The economy? Infrastructure? Jobs? Fair redistricting? Foreign election interference?

If so, join the week-long Indivisible Call-A-Palooza to call on Senators Murray and Cantwell to ACT NOW and get S1 the For the People Act passed into law.

    • You are signing up to make 2 phone calls: 1 to Senator Murray’s DC office, and 1 to Senator Cantwell’s DC office. The calls only take a total of 5 minutes.

    • Sign up for 1 to 5 days.

    • Triple your effect by getting at least two more friends to sign up to call.

    • We will send out call scripts daily — it couldn’t be easier!

PRIZES:

     • For the organization or group that has the most people sign up
     • Daily drawing from people who confirm they made their calls

Support Secular Healthcare in Pierce County

Support Secular Healthcare in Pierce County

by | Jun 8, 2021 | Actions

Write a letter!

Email savesecularhealthcarewa@gmail.com  by Wednesday, June 9 to get instructions.

We want hospice providers to show their written policies on Washington’s Death With Dignity Act before offering new services.

Catholic providers already control just under 70% of hospice service in Pierce County, and many do not comply.

Here’s the full Call to Action:

https://www.takeaction.network/xactions/15342?tanref=FB&fbclid=IwAR3QQWjAiByErzmIU_6_Pz2xEBZLD9o0rrfHzRyzXj9mkaott14f62FcH0g

Police Accountability Advances in Olympia

Police Accountability Advances in Olympia

by | Apr 17, 2021 | Actions

When police encounter a Black man, they often “see” a criminal. Black people know this. They experience it and the brutality that often follows.

How do we step up to our moral responsibility?

Here in Washington, we finally see beginnings of legislative change. According to the 4/14/21 TNT, 11 of 16 police accountability bills have passed the 2021 House and Senate in some form.

We celebrate these advances, seeing the hard work ahead as we mourn this week’s cruel losses.

According to the 4/14/21 TNT, 11 of 16 police accountability bills have passed the 2021 House and Senate in some form.

Let’s contact lawmakers to thank them.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/

Thank the organizations and individuals, including Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, Black Lives Matter Alliance, Indivisible, and community leaders, who acted on an urgent need.

Here’s the Black Lives Matter Alliance list of priority bills.  Tell the Governor you want his signature on these bills.

  • HB 1054: No, the police can not choke us until we are dead. This bill was passed in the House, then amended before passage in the Senate. It has to go to a conference committee to work out a compromise

  • SB 5259: Yes. There will be a statewide database recording police use of force incidents. Passed both chambers. Senate agreed with House amendments.

  • SB 5135: No, the police can not be summoned to intimidate or discriminate against us. Passed both chambers. Sent to the Governor.

  • HB 1310: Yes. Deadly force must be the absolute last resort and only used when there is an imminent threat to bodily harm. Senate amended and House did not concur. Going to conference committee.

  • HB 1267: And when deadly force is used, it will be independently investigated. Statewide. Passed both chambers. House agreed with Senate amendments.

  • HB 1089: And yes. The State Auditor is authorized to review a deadly force investigation to determine whether the involved actors complied with the independent investigation requirements. Passed both chambers. Amendments approved. To the Governor.

  • SB 5051: Yes. Police officers should be decertified for using excessive force. Passed both chambers

  • HB 1088: And yes. There must and will be real transparency on police misconduct and complaints. Passed both chambers. To the Governor.

  • SB 5066: When an officer sees another officer use excessive force, they must intervene. Passed both chambers.