This is to thank all of you who filled out our survey on priorities for Indivisible and the 2020 election. Here’s the full report. Thank you Nina Rook, for pulling together the survey results.
Tacoma Indivisibles who completed the survey ranged widely in preferred candidates and policies, but were united in their opposition to the Trump agenda. What we heard was:
Indivisible Tacoma should not endorse a specific candidate ahead of the primaries – “I don’t think Indivisible should endorse a candidate before the primaries. There are too many good candidates”, “I think endorsing a candidate ahead of the primary is suicide for the group.”
We think that candidates need to articulate specific, systemic and ambitious solutions to urgent problems. Multiracial inclusion and engagement with activism were also important.
Nine current candidates got at least 1 “First choice” from our members; Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders each got 10 first choices, while Elizabeth Warren scored highest on points
Our most important issues were Environment/ climate change, Democracy (secure elections, stopping suppression, campaign, etc.), Health care (including single-payer universal) and Civil rights (racial justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equity, criminal justice) (tied)
Members were passionate about many additional issues — “College affordability, reduce military budgets, universal healthcare!”, “Democracy/elections”, “Extinction of Species, plastic pollution of the ocean”, “Stop government corruption, extinction of species”, “Sorry, there are just too many high importance issues! Trump and his enablers have wrecked America.”
We received surveys from 44 Tacoma Indivisibles, from super-volunteers logging over 20 hours a week, to people who spent an hour or less. Priorities were the same, regardless of time available. I think one respondent spoke for many: “Yeah, I know I should spend more time.”
Greetings, Indivisibles! We’re super excited about our upcoming general meeting on May 1 and new voting laws in Washington State. Among other things, these new laws make it easier to register and vote and moves our primary date up from May to March. Julie Anderson, auditor for Pierce County, will explain these laws and how they impact us.
Also, we need to call our reps and ask them to begin impeachment proceedings for the GOP’s president, Donald Trump, and make some calls to our state reps and Jay Inslee.
Voter Registration 2.0: New Tech, New Rules & General Meeting
Please join us and learn how WA state new voting laws will effect you in 2020. Featuring Julie Anderson from the Pierce County Auditor’s Office Sponsored by Indivisible Tacoma and Indivisible Puyallup.
Featuring Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, Washington 98408
It’s Mueller Time! Support Rashida Tlaib’s Impeachment Resolution
Attorney General William Barr’s release of the Mueller report is heavily redacted. But it still reveals plenty of damning new evidence. It also confirms what most of us already know: That Donald Trump has abused his office, flouted the law, and has repeatedly tried to Indivisible US has released their statement on the Mueller Report, as shown below. Feel free to share! Text Red Line to 977-79 to get the latest updates. Or click here to sign up for the latest updates on Mueller Time.
ACTION: Demand Your Member of Congress Support Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Impeachment Resolution
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am from [CITY/STATE]. I’m calling Rep. [NAME] to urge them to support impeachment hearings immediately and demand that they cosponsor Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s resolution (H.Res. 257) that would instruct the Judiciary Committee to begin investigating whether Trump should be impeached.
Or just show up…
It’s still recess until April 26th, so you can just show up at an event or at your rep’s office. Our MoCs are in your home turf. That means that you can still show up to their scheduled events and ask them to support Rep. Tlaib’s resolution.
With activists across the nation, we’ve pushed back against the Trump agenda and taken back the House. Now, we want to keep up the good work and also push for positive change at the state legislature here in Washington. We’ve set our goal to raise $500 this month for upcoming actions… AND Indivisible National has offered to match this goal, dollar for dollar — but only for donations we receive THIS MONTH.
Help us reach our goal and meet this matching challenge by chipping in $20.19 — your gift will go twice as far if you give today!
Indivisible Tacoma is completely volunteer-run and we operate on a shoestring budget. Your contributions will help us pay for signs, printed materials, our website, email list, rent for our meeting venue at the Tahoma Unitarian Universal Congregation, voter registration booths, gas, snacks for volunteers, and other expenses.
Chip in $20.19 today so Indivisible Tacoma can keep organize, build power, and continue to fight back in 2019.
This is to thank all of you who filled out our survey on priorities for Indivisible and the 2020 election. Here’s the full report. Thank you Nina Rook, for analyzing the data and putting together this incredible document.
Tacoma Indivisibles who completed the survey ranged widely in preferred candidates and policies, but were united in their opposition to the Trump agenda. What we heard was:
Indivisible Tacoma should not endorse a specific candidate ahead of the primaries – “I don’t think Indivisible should endorse a candidate before the primaries. There are too many good candidates”, “I think endorsing a candidate ahead of the primary is suicide for the group.”
We think that candidates need to articulate specific, systemic and ambitious solutions to urgent problems. Multiracial inclusion and engagement with activism were also important.
Nine current candidates got at least 1 “First choice” from our members; Pete Buttegieg and Bernie Sanders each got 10 first choices, while Elizabeth Warren scored highest on points
Our most important issues were Environment/ climate change, Democracy (secure elections, stopping suppression, campaign etc), Health care (including single-payer universal) and Civil rights (racial justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equity, criminal justice) (tied)
Members were passionate about many additional issues — “College affordability, reduce military budgets, universal healthcare!”, “Democracy/elections”, “Extinction of Species, plastic pollution of the ocean”, “Stop government corruption, extinction of species”, “Sorry, there are just too many high importance issues! Trump and his enablers have wrecked America.”
We received surveys from 44 Tacoma Indivisibles, from super-volunteers logging over 20 hours a week, to people who spent an hour or less. Priorities were the same, regardless of time available. I think one respondent spoke for many: Yeah, I know I should spend more time.
EHB 2009 Establishing a Healthy Environment for All by Addressing Environmental Health Disparities.
ACTION: Comment on the bill or call/email your Senator and ask her/him to get HB 2009, the HEAL Act for environmental justice, passed.
Budget to Fully Fund Salmon Recovery
ACTION: Call Gov. Jay Inslee at (360) 902-4111 or send an e-message to ask that the budget fully fund salmon recovery.
Tim Sheldon Lied to Sam Hunt to Stop HB1195
On Monday during a floor vote on an amendment to House Bill 1195, for the posting of financial affairs statement online, Tim Sheldon told an untruth story about an elected official’s wife being kidnapped while in Mexico. While there was an unfortunate kidnapping it did not unfold as Sheldon professed to his fellow Senators. The untruthful testimony influenced Sam Hunt to urge the other senators to keep the financial statements offline. The amendment was for the posting of financial statements which are designed to disclose potential conflicts of interest from being posted online.
How a WA lawmaker used a fake kidnapping to sway a vote
Sen. Tim Sheldon cited a Mexican kidnapping as an argument for keeping certain info about state and local politicians offline. One problem: it never happened.
ACTION: Tim Sheldon should be reprimanded or censored for telling a lie in his testimony about House Bill 1195, the posting of financial statements online. The amendment is for posting of the truth in financial statements. The senators in their testimony should also uphold that standard during debates in our house. Contact the Washington State ethics board or attend the meeting on May 9.
Next Meeting:
May 9 at 12:00 PM
Senate Rules Room
Contact: Jennifer Strus, Board Counsel
101 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40482, Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Phone: 360-786-7343 | Email: Jennifer.Strus@leg.wa.gov
Below are events with our progressive allies. If you’d like to be listed, please email IndivisibleTacomaChapter @ gmail.com.
Environmental Justice for All
Join the Tacoma Urban League Young Professionals at EJ for ALL! The environment impacts us all. Our health, our housing, even how we learn, or what jobs may be available. However, the detrimental effects of climate change greatly impact communities of color at a disproportionate rate.
Join us as we speak with Black Environmental Professionals about climate resilience and current strides being made in the Environmental Justice movement.
Hosted by the Black Women’s Caucus for Washington State
Apr 23 at 6:00 p.m. – Apr 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
4851 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Washington 98409
Meaningful Movie screens People vs The Politicians: A Film Screening
Citizen rebellions exploding all around the country. People Power taking back our democracy. People fed up with partisan warfare and gridlock in Washington. The states are now the battleground…{for more information, click here)
Friday, April 26, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Center for Spiritual Living Tacoma
206 N J St, Tacoma, Washington 98403
Black Earth
Saturday, April 27, 11 AM – 3 PM
Hosted by Hilltop Gardens
Peace Community Center
2106 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98405
Black Earth is a community celebration of Black People, our connection to the Earth, each other, and the food that nourishes our body, mind and soul. Black Earth showcases all the ways that Black people in Tacoma are honoring our Blackness and our connection to nature. This event will promote the health and well being of Black people locally, globally, nationally, and internationally.
There will be fun activities for all ages such as interactive music performances, juice bar, arts and crafts, and connecting with local Black Folks doing work within holistic health care. Gather with us around fun, music, and fun!
Come together with your friends, family, and neighbors to join our historic campaign to defeat Trump and transform America. Join us on April 27th to hear from Senator Sanders about our vision and what it’s going to take to complete the political revolution. If you’re onboard, it’s going to take all of us, so let’s get to work!
Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 2 PM – 4 PM
IBEW Local 76
3049 S 36th St, Tacoma, Washington 98409
Tell Us What You Think: What Should Indivisible’s Priorities Be for the 2020 Primaries?
This is the LAST DAY for this survey and we need your responses by 5:00 p.m. TODAY!
As the primary season rolls out, we at Indivisible Tacoma want to reflect your priorities in our visions, priorities, and plans, and in our feedback to Indivisible National. Please take a minute to let us know, and fill out our form below. Or, to go to the form page, click here.
With activists across the nation, we’ve pushed back against the Trump agenda and taken back the House. Now, we want to keep up the good work and also push for positive change at the state legislature here in Washington. We’ve set our goal to raise $500 this month for upcoming actions… AND Indivisible National has offered to match this goal, dollar for dollar — but only for donations we receive THIS MONTH.
Help us reach our goal and meet this matching challenge by chipping in $20.19 — your gift will go twice as far if you give today!
Indivisible Tacoma is completely volunteer-run and we operate on a shoestring budget. Your contributions will help us pay for signs, printed materials, our website, email list, rent for our meeting venue at the Tahoma Unitarian Universal Congregation, voter registration booths, gas, snacks for volunteers, and other expenses.
Chip in $20.19 today so Indivisible Tacoma can keep organize, build power, and continue to fight back in 2019.
You may have noticed we’re pushing out more action alerts lately. This is because we’re now doing state actions as well as national actions. Why are we taking this on when we still haven’t gotten Donald Trump out of the White House? Because, now that the Democratic Party has majorities in our state legislature, we can actually get things done. By calling, emailing, and meeting with our state reps and senators, we can help get bills out of committee, onto the floor, and passed. And these bills can dramatically transform our lives for the better.
If you don’t know what legislative district you’re in, here’s a guide.
National Action Alerts
Enough is Enough. Stephen Miller Must Go.
Stephen Miller has been controlling this administration’s immigration policy despite the fact that he has not been approved by Congress. Beginning with the Muslim ban, he has continually goaded the president into taking questionable and illegal action. This latest attempt to dump detained immigrants into sanctuary cities as political
retribution is the last straw. It is time for Congress to challenge and investigate this misuse of power that is both cruel and illegal.
ACTION: Call our MOC’s with this message:
“I am calling as a member of Indivisible Tacoma to ask that (Senator/Congressman) publicly call for an investigation into Stephen Miller’s role in asking ICE to dump immigration detainees into sanctuary cities. The House Oversight Committee should immediately call as witnesses Department of Homeland Security employees to get to the bottom of this misuse of power. If accurate, there should be a bipartisan demand for his firing. Our country is better than this.
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515
Congressman Denny Heck: phone: 360-459-8514
Senator Patty Murray: Phone: (253) 572-3636
Senator Maria Cantwell: Phone: (253) 572-2281
Today Is Tax Day – We Want Trump’s Tax Returns
House Ways and Means committee have requested six years of trump’s tax returns from the IRS. One of Congress’s duties is oversight as a co-equal branch of government. Chairman R. Neal requested in a letter to the IRS Commissioner Rettig to release the personal and business tax returns 2013-2018. A 1924 federal law states that
the IRS and release tax returns for committee oversight. Treasury Secretary S Mnuchin stated that the date of April 10 would be missed. The new date set is April 23. Ways and Means next step in the oversight is to ready a subpoena for Trump’s tax returns.
Ask our members of Congress to support the Ways and Means Committee oversight request for the request for Trump’s tax return for the past 6 years. If the request has not been satisfied by Mnuchin or Rettig the committee needs to be ready with a subpoena or lawsuit – no more delays. We The People want Congress to fulfill their sworn constitutional mandate of oversight by receiving the tax returns by April 23 and to use all their constitutional POWER to reach that
end.
If you’re in the 10th District, thank Denny Heck for Co-sponsoring.
On March 13, Governor Inslee signed a proclamation making April 2019 Second Chance Month in the state of Washington. Second Chance Month is a nationwide effort, spearheaded by the non-profit Prisoner Fellowship, to raise awareness about the barriers faced by and unlock brighter futures for the 1 in 3 Americans with a criminal record (including over 37,000 of our fellow Washingtonians), which limits their access to education, jobs, housing, and other things they need to reach a brighter future. Governor Inslee is one of 20 governors across the nation to have signed such a proclamation.
ACTION: Thank Governor Inslee for making this proclamation! Call his office at (360) 902-4111.
Or send an e-message.
Call our Lawmakers to Support the Following Bills That are Heading for a Full Vote:
SHB 1739 Dealing with ghost guns and undetectable firearms.
Urge Lawmakers on the Rules Committee to Get These Bills Through the House Rules Committee!
If you’re in LDs 25 and 28, today’s your day to shine, because your reps serve on the House Rules Committee! The bill numbers, names, and scripts are in the bulleted list below. Phone calls are the best way to make an impact. But you can also copy and paste this list into an email. We provide the contact info below.
SB 5135 – Toxic Pollution: Please vote yes on SB 5135 in your House Rules committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill which authorizes the Department of Ecology to take actions to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products before the pollution contaminates homes, people, waterways, salmon, and orcas, and before it creates the need for expensive cleanup and treatment.
SB 5602 – Reproductive Healthcare Access for All: Please vote yes on SB 5602 to provide necessary reproductive healthcare to all low-income adults regardless of status and gender identity or expression.
SB 5577 Orca/Vessel Separation: Please vote yes for SB 5577 in your House Rules committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill, which enhances Orca recovery by reducing their foraging interference by marine vessels.
SB 5489 – HEAL – Healthy Environment for All: Please vote YES on the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, SB 5489, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. The HEAL Act would define environmental justice and improve environmental health conditions for all Washington residents by prioritizing state agencies to work to improve conditions in areas where communities are suffering most from pollution. Environmental health disparities caused by industrial waste and diesel exhaust need to be addressed. Thanks for supporting our communities with your YES vote on SB 5489.
SB 5812 – Accessory Dwelling Units: Please vote YES on SB 5812 in your House Rules Committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill, which makes affordable housing easier to build, provides important housing justice and plays an important role in combating climate change by allowing us to build more energy efficient cities.
Rep. Kelly Chambers (R-25) Asst. Minority Whip 360-786-7948 kelly.Chambers@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Chris Gildon (R-25) 360-786-7968 chris.Gildon@leg.wa.gov
Public Hearing for HI 1000 – Concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion THIS Thursday
This hearing includes lawmakers from the 27th, 28th, 29th, and 25th LDs so PLEASE go, call, or email and make your voice heard!
Washington is one of eight states that have banned affirmative action for our universities and local and state governments. Affirmative action is a government program that has helped reverse the effects of centuries of discrimination against people of color, women, and the disabled. It also seeks to provide equal opportunity in education, hiring, and contracting (entrepreneurship) for the following groups. This bill will reinstate affirmative action, and expand it to include all Honorably discharged Veterans. This law also protects Washington’s colleges & universities from federal penalties for using race as a factor in their student admissions programs. This bill would also add the term, “sexual orientation” to all state anti-discrimination laws. Finally, this bill would create America’s first Governor’s Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Public hearing April 18th at 8:00 a.m.
If you can go, it’s at: House Hearing Rm A John L. O’Brien Building, Olympia If you can’t go, call or email your reps on the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and your senator on the State Government, Tribal Relations, & Election Committee
If you don’t know your LD, you can look it up here on this handy, dandy map. We especially encourage you to do that if you’reBut here are some general guidelines:
If you live in North, West, and Central Tacoma, you’re in the 27th LD.
If you live in University Place, Fircrest, most of Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Hillhurst, and Elk Plain, you’re in the 28th LD.
If you live in South Tacoma, Spanaway, parts of East Lakewood, parts of west Parkland, or parts of West Frederickson, you’re in the 29th LD.
If you live in Puyallup, Fife, Summit, South Hill, Waller, Midland, parts of east Parkland, or parts of Fern Hill, you’re in the 25th LD.
Newsy Bits
State House Passes the 100% Clean Electricity Bill (SB5116) 57-4 – Please Thank Our Reps
Our State House passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill (SB5116) 57-42, with encouragement from Indivisibles across our state who called our reps. This means our state’s power grid will be carbon neutral by 2030 and 100 percent clean by 2045. As Gizmodo explains:
The bill previously passed the state senate 28-19. After passing the house 56-42 on Thursday, the legislation goes back to the senate for a final vote. Once signed into law, Washington will join, Hawaii, California, and New Mexico as the fourth state committed to 100 percent clean energy.
Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey from the 27th District were sponsors. Christine Kilduff and Mari Leavitt from the 28th also voted for it. Please call them and thank them!
Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-28) 360-786-7890 mari.Leavitt@leg.wa.gov.
Indivisible U.S. Has a New Book!
Indivisible U.S. has a new book coming out, We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump. Learn more, or pre-order your copy, at Book.Indivisible.Org.
Thank Denny Heck for Co-sponsoring H.R. 763
On April 10th, Representative Denny Heck became a cosponsor of H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019. The bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The fees will be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund. We appreciate Representative Heck’s support for this bill.
If you’re in CD-10, please call Denny Heck and thank him!
Representative Denny Heck (360) 459-8514
Other Upcoming Events
Ancestral Waters
Hosted by Native Daily Network
Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Evergreen Tacoma, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
Ancestral Waters is a story of the Puyallup Tribes fight for their treaty, their water and their way of life.
We have stood at the side of tribal members fighting a Liquefied Natural Gas plant that violates their treaty. Ancestral Waters is their story
Discuss It With Denny: The Social Security 2100 Act
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 7:00-8:30 PM
Eastside Community Center, Social Hall
1721 E 56th St. Tacoma, WA 98404
Social Security is the backbone of the American middle class and the most successful anti-poverty program in our country’s history. As more Baby Boomers approach their retirement age, Congress needs to strengthen and protect Social Security for all generations.
Please join Congressman Denny Heck for a public presentation about the Social Security 2100 Act. Co-sponsored by over 200 U.S. House members, this major legislation will cut middle-class taxes, strengthen benefits, and ensure the solvency of Social Security through this century.
About the venue: the beautiful, brand new Eastside Community Center opened last fall. Operated by Metro Parks Tacoma and located in the 10th Congressional District, this facility is a new gem of the South Sound. When coming from Thurston County on I-5 North, please take Exit 130 for S 56th St. E
350 Tacoma General Meeting
Thursday, April 18, 6:00 AM-8:00 PM
New to 350? Come at 5:30
Urban Grace, 902 Market Street, Tacoma, Wash. 98402
350 Tacoma is one of the newest groups within the 350 network which extends to 188 countries. Each group uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. There is much work to be done here in our own community. Join us.
Puyallup Tribe Earth Day
Monday, April 22, 2019 at at 9 AM – 12 PM
3009 E Portland Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98404
Come care for our Mother Earth this Earth Day, Monday, April 22 from 9-12pm at our Eastside Community Clean up. Then join us for dinner at 6pm followed by a screening of “Ancestral Waters” by Native Daily Network. Volunteers needed! Contact Chester Earl or Andrea Bob for info.
Black Earth
Saturday, April 27, 11 AM – 3 PM
Hosted by Hilltop Gardens
Peace Community Center
2106 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98405
Black Earth is a community celebration of Black People, our connection to the Earth, each other, and the food that nourishes our body, mind and soul. Black Earth showcases all the ways that Black people in Tacoma are honoring our Blackness and our connection to nature. This event will promote the health and well being of Black people locally, globally, nationally, and internationally.
There will be fun activities for all ages such as interactive music performances, juice bar, arts and crafts, and connecting with local Black Folks doing work within holistic health care. Gather with us around fun, music, and fun!
I just called the offices of Speaker Frank Chopp and Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib (also Chairs of the House and Senate Rules Committees respectively) on the following bills! You can make a big difference RIGHT NOW by calling, identifying yourself as a member of Indivisible Tacoma and identifying the bills you want supported (and one opposed). Also, we should support $15 million in the budget for the WA State Census to reach hard to count communities (it’s not a bill)! It would be very helpful, Elisabeth if you could email this out to our list!
FINAL CALLS on KEY BILLS in WA STATE!!!
NOW is the time to Influence Final Votes on Key Bills in the WA State Legislature: Contact the RULES CHAIRS & YOUR REPS. AND SENATOR on these bills!!! It’s best to CALL but you can also email any legislator with this formula: firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov
Just read the following list of bills!
Contact HOUSE Speaker & Chair, Rules Committee, Frank Chopp 360-786-7920. Or email: frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov
Tell him you support:
5323: Ban Plastic Bags
5577: Reduce vessel noise to protect marine mammals
5322: Clean water – prohibiting certain discharges into state waters
5947: Sustainable Farms/Fields grant program\
5207: Felony Rights Restoration
5961: The Extraordinary Profits Tax (to address our upside-down tax code that forces the poorest to pay the largest share of their income on sales taxes)
5998: Making Real Estate Excise Tax slightly progressive
Plus: $15 million in the BUDGET for the WA State Census to reach hard to count communities.
Tell him you oppose:
Reduced teacher pay and restrictions on teacher collective bargaining in Senate budget bill
Contact Lt. Governor & Chair Senate Rules, Cyrus Habib 360-786-7700. Or email: cyrus.habib@leg.wa.gov
Tell him you support:
1112: Reducing greenhouse emissions from hydrofluorocarbons
1114: Reducing food waste
1444: Increasing Appliance Energy Efficiency
1578: Oil Spill Prevention
1016: Hospital notification of availability of sexual assault evidence kit collection.
1706: Ban subminimum wages for people with disabilities.
Plus: $15 million in the BUDGET for the WA State Census to reach hard to count communities.
Tell him you oppose:
Reduced teacher pay and restrictions on teacher collective bargaining in Senate budget bill
Contact your Reps & Senators to vote YES for these bills on the floor! You can view what is happening with each bill at: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ Just type in the bill number.
What Should Indivisible’s Priorities Be for the 2020 Primaries?
Fill Out Our Survey and Tell us What You Think!
As the primary season rolls out, we at Indivisible Tacoma want to reflect your priorities in our visions, priorities, and plans, and in our feedback to Indivisible National. Please take a minute to let us know, and fill out our form below. Or, to go to the form page, click here,
We Must Keep the Pressure On! Help Us Raise $500 and Indivisible U.S. Will Match Your Gift
With activists across the nation, we’ve pushed back against the Trump agenda and taken back the House. Now, we want to keep up the good work. We’ve set our goal to raise $500 this month for upcoming actions… AND Indivisible National has offered to match this goal, dollar for dollar — but only for support we receive in April!
Help us reach our goal and meet this matching challenge by chipping in $20.19 — your gift will go twice as far if you give today!
Indivisible Tacoma is completely volunteer-run and we operate on a shoestring budget. Your contributions will help us pay for signs, printed materials, our website, email list, rent for our meeting venue at the Tahoma Unitarian Universal Congregation, voter registration booths, gas, snacks for volunteers, and other expenses.
Chip in $20.19 today so Indivisible Tacoma can keep organize, build power, and continue to fight back in 2019.
SB 5207 – Concerning notification of felony voting rights and restoration: One of the most persistent hurdles to re- enfranchisement of ex-prisoners is that oftentimes they don’t realize that their voting rights have been restored.
People are so used to the idea that this country disenfranchises you for life if you go to jail, that they don’t even bother trying to vote again once they’ve served their sentences. This bill would direct the Department of Corrections to let prisoners know that their voting rights are restored and instruct them how to register to vote, prior to the end of their sentences. This would close a huge gap in the prisoner-to-citizen pipeline in our state.
Currently this bill is on the House floor calendar for a second reading. It needs your support to come up for debate and a vote.
Machine printed plastic firearms are extremely dangerous and undetectable! SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable.
House Substitute bill #1739 has passed the House, is in the Senate and was referred to Senate Committee Law and Justice on March 6th.
ACTION: Contact the Senate Rules Committee and ask them “Please support SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable and move this bill forward to a vote.
Talking Points:
Machine printed plastic firearms have no legitimate purpose in self-defense, sport shooting or hunting.
Machine printed plastic guns can be carried undetected aboard airplanes, into courtrooms and into school classrooms.
Machine printed plastic firearms are dangerous and without Constitutional protections.
Chair Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib (360) 786-7700 Vice Chair Senator Karen Keiser (360) 786-7664 Ranking Senator Mark Schoesler (360) 786-7620
Background: We have an upside-down tax code that forces the poorest among us pay the largest share of their wages in sales tax, people are seeing their property taxes skyrocket, and businesses are cutting deep into their margins to pay their tax bills.
Extraordinary Profits Tax – A targeted 9.9 percent excise tax that only applies to the extraordinary profits made on a sale of very high-value assets like stocks and bonds. The profits that are under $200,000 for couples and
$100,000 for single-filers will be TOTALLY exempt. Retirement accounts; single-family, duplex, and triplex homes; most agricultural and farm-related sales; and certain qualifying small businesses are also 100 percent exempt.
ACTION: Contact your State representatives and ask that they vote in favor of more progressive revenue changes in the budget. Support of constituents for legislators taking these actions is imperative to offset the special interest lobbying in favor of keeping the more regressive system in place.
Progressive Revenue Talking Points:
The Extraordinary Profits tax, formerly called the Capital Gains tax
Making the REET Real Estate Excise Tax slightly progressive
Funding for Working Families Tax Credit
Reducing the B&O tax on small businesses
Increasing the B&O tax increase on high end service businesses like lawyers, architects and accountants
Keeping the Rainy-Day Fund intact
Sample script: Please be sure that the Capital Gains Tax, progressive REET, and closure of certain preferential tax rates are included in the final budget to increase fairness in the tax structure and to fund essential services for Washington State residents.
A fight for treaty rights, water, and way of life.
A film screening hosted by the Native Daily Network
Ancestral Waters is a story of the Puyallup Tribes fight for their treaty, their water and their way of life. We have stood at the side of tribal members fighting a Liquefied Natural Gas plant that violates their treaty. Ancestral Waters is their story.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Evergreen Tacoma, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
Our Washington State Legislature Is in Session… But Not for Long
Your Washington State Legislature is still in session, but not for long. Without your help, they’ll adjourn and these important bills will die. So please take action and email or call!
Our Legislative Action team has picked the top bills that need action this week. Can we count on you? They just involve a phone call or copying and pasting email addresses and talking points.
And if you can’t do them all? Pick the ones that are most important to you from the list below.
When bills are in committee, you can have a lot of influence over whether they go to the floor for a vote or not. Lawmakers who serve on these committees want input from us whether or not we come from their district.
We’ve culled this list from the folks at Olympia Indivisible, the Washington State Indivisible Coalition (WASIC), and Pierce County Democrats. We provide a summary of each bill along with a script and email addresses or phone numbers for reps on the committees. For the emails, you can simply copy all the email addresses into the TO: field and copy the text into the body and fill in the blanks.
SB 5689: Concerning harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in public schools
ACTIONS FOR WEEK OF APRIL 1-7: This bill will DIE unless the House Education Committee pass this bill to House Rules and House Rules Committee Frank Chopp pushes to get it to the floor for the April 3 cut-off.
CALL!
Call House Education Committee Chair Rep. Tomiko Santos and urge her to pass this bill out of Committee immediately: (360) 786-7944.
Then call House Rules Chair Frank Chopp and ask that he do the same no later than April 3: (360) 786-7920.
TALKING POINTS: Washington urgently needs to build welcoming and safe school communities for LGBTQ young people, particularly for transgender youth.
Across the nation, transgender youth experience extremely high levels of in-school victimization, even higher than that experienced by their LGB peers. The harassment includes name calling, threats, and physical assault. The majority of victims of this kind of bullying do not report their situation to school authorities. The stress of an unsafe school environment contributes to increased absenteeism, decreased educational aspirations, and lower academic performance. Moreover, feeling unsafe for simply being who you are is a significant risk factor for suicide among transgender youth, which the American Academy of Pediatric Physicians reported in 2018 to be the most at-risk youth population in the US.
Creating a statewide school policy designed to prevent bullying of transgender students will create a safe, affirming, and nurturing environment for all Washington students.
This bill will save lives.
ACTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 1-6: CALL OR EMAIL. The House Rules Committee Chair, Frank Chopp, needs to hear from all of us
BEFORE APRIL 3, and our family and friends, over the next week, in support of this bill, asking the Committee to pass SB 5356 to the floor for a vote by April 3.
Contact information: Frank.Chopp@leg.wa.gov, 360-786-7920.
TALKING POINTS:
This bill establishes a vital resource for a segment of our population whose identity places them at risk of experiencing exceptional levels of violence and other treatment that can undermine self-esteem, health, and general wellbeing.
It will ensure a coordinated statewide oversight to ensure inclusion and access to benefits to which every other minority community in Washington is currently afforded, but to which the LGBTQ community has not had access or inclusion.
This bill will help eliminate barriers for LGBTQ people in all areas of state governance.
BILL DIGEST: Creates the Washington state LGBTQ commission in the office of the governor. Requires the executive director of the commission to:
Monitor state legislation and advocate for legislation affecting LGBTQ people;
Work with state agencies to assess programs and policies;
Coordinate with the minority commissions, women’s commission, and human rights commission to address issues of mutual concern; and
Work as a liaison between the public and private sector to eliminate barriers to economic and health equity.
Declares that June of each year will be known as LGBTQ pride month.
SB 5947 – Sustainable Farms and Fields helps WA farmers. If you support the bill and want to see it get a floor vote in the House, send an email to the Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Copy and paste these email addresses of the members of the committee into the To: line of an email:
Do Pass SB 5947 – Sustainable Farms and Fields Bill
In the body of your message, use this template, or write your own:
Dear Representative, Please Do Pass SB 5947 Sustainable Farm and Fields My name is: _________________________. My home or business address is: ______________________. My phone number is: __________________. My affiliation is: (Optional but helpful if with an organization or business or Citizen/Farmer/Rancher). I support this bill because: __________________________.
SB 5947 – Sustainable Farms and Fields helps WA Farmers dealing with the federal trade embargo to keep fighting the good fight against CO2 emissions. Grants for 3 buckets – regenerative farming, agroforestry and reduction in fossil fuel inputs (i.e. fertilizer and diesel fuel) would be awarded to farmers, ranchers and orchardists across WA in exchange for reduction in CO2 emissions. Farmers grow our food, so their economic and environmental costs are our costs. SB 5947 would have long-term impacts in shifting the economics for these sustainable farmers, while continuing or establishing sustainable practices for years to come. It’s a bipartisan bill that Carbon WA has been involved with from the start, and it’s almost at the finish line!
SB 5811 – Zero Emissions Vehicles reduces transportation emissions by expanding our clean car program standards. If you support the bill and want to see it get a floor vote in the House, please send an email to the Environment & Energy Committee.
Copy and paste these email addresses of members of the committee into the To: field of an email:
Do Pass SB 5811 – Zero Emissions Vehicles Standards
In the body of your message, use this template, or write your own:
Dear Representative, Please Do Pass SB 5811 Zero Emissions Vehicles Standards
My name is: My home or business address is: _______________________ My phone number is:______________________________. My affiliation is: (Optional – “Concerned Citizen, Parent, Climate change are ok). I support this bill because: _________________________________.
SB 5811 – Reduces vehicle emissions by expanding our clean car program standards to include more vehicles – basically closing a gap we currently have from California levels. It’s good for WA because more new electric vehicles would become available sooner – not a year later than other states! On-road gasoline transportation accounts for over 21%* of WA state’s emissions! Carbon Washington supports this bill because with ever more drivers on our roads we need to curb the tide of air and water pollution.
Would reduce pollution from plastic bags (that is, would help prevent marine mammals from ingesting and dying from plastic waste) by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments.
Action: Attend the public hearing in the House Finance Committee on 4/2/19 at 8:00 a.m. Or, voice support by contacting Representative Gael Tarlton, Chair of the Finance Committee,
(360) 786-7680 and Amy Walen, Vice-Chair, (360) 786-7848
Please vote yes on E2SSB 5116 in your House Finance committee. This bill creates landmark legislation, which is very important to me. Please preserve target dates for coal plant shutdown by 2025 and carbon-neutral electricity by 2030. Please limit opportunities for utilities to avoid being held accountable to these dates.
Copy and paste these House Finance Committee members emails:
Gun Violence Prevention
Machine printed plastic firearms are extremely dangerous and undetectable!
SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable.
House Substitute bill #1739 has passed the House, is in the Senate and was referred to Senate Committee Law and Justice on March 6th.
ACTION: Contact the Senate Rules Committee and ask them “Please support SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable and move this bill forward to a vote.
Talking Points:
Machine printed plastic firearms have no legitimate purpose in self-defense, sport shooting or hunting.
Machine printed plastic guns can be carried undetected aboard airplanes, into courtrooms and into school classrooms.
Machine printed plastic firearms are dangerous and without Constitutional protections.
Contact:
Chair Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib (360) 786-7700
Vice Chair Senator Karen Keiser (360) 786-7664
Ranking Senator Mark Schoesler (360) 786-7620
Senate Rules email (just copy and paste these into the TO: field.
E2SSB 5497 – Immigration Policies to protect all Washington residents
Establishing a statewide policy supporting Washington State’s economy and immigrants’ role in the workplace.
Action: The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee which considers operating and capital budget impacts of bills. Call or email (hyperlink provided) the Committee Chair Rep. Timm Ormsby, the 1st Vice-Chair Rep, June Robinson 2nd and Vice-Chair Rep. Steve Bergquist and urge them to push this bill to the floor for action and to vote yes for E2SSB 5497.
Would help protect southern resident killer whales, other marine life, and people by reducing the impact of oil spills, which have been numerous in the Salish Sea over the last 50 years.
Action: Attend the public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on 4/4//19 at 1:30 p.m. Or contact Senate Ways and Means to voice support:
2SHB 1216 Concerning non-firearm measures to increase school safety and student well-being.
Action: The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee which considers operating and capital budget impacts of bills.
Call or email the Committee Chair Senator Christine Rolfes and Vice-Chair Senator David Frockt to push this bill to the floor for action and to vote yes on 2SHB 1216.
Senator Christine Rolfes, Ways & Means Chair: PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA; (360) 786-7644
Senator David Frockt, Ways & Means Vice-Chair: PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA; (360) 786-7690
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