by Elisabeth Parker | Mar 6, 2019 | Actions, Events, News
House & Senate Republicans Want to Get Away with Some Pretty Shady Stuff.
Can we count on you to help?
All we need you to do is make three quick phone calls – one to your U.S. House rep. and two to our senators. Urge them to act on the items below. It’s super easy. We’ve even listed their phone numbers below for handy dandy reference.
MoC Actions
- House floor vote on H.R. 1 for Electoral Reform: House Democrats are on track to pass this historic legislation. But urge your rep to keep a beady eye on those sneaky Republicans. They’ve got a sneaky procedural trick up their sleeves called the “motion to recommit” (MTR) for derailing or watering down bills. Urge our reps to vigorously oppose any MTRs and bad faith amendments.
- Senate vote on Trump’s fake emergency: It’s official. Thanks to the handful of Senate Republicans who still care about the U.S. Constitution, we have the votes to revoke Trump’s fake state of emergency. Please tell Sens. Murray and Cantwell we have their backs. And let’s thank them for their strong statements against Trump’s abuse of emergency powers.
- Senate vote on the U.S. War in Yemen (S.J. Res. 7): Demand that our senators sponsor and urge their colleagues to pass a resolution that orders Trump to end our unauthorized and immoral U.S. support for the Saudi-backed war in Yemen.
MoC Phone Script
It’s easy and takes less than five minutes, we swear!
For calling your rep.: “Hi, I’m __________ from Indivisible Tacoma and District __. I support electoral reform for ending corrupt practices and making it easier for people to vote. Please stand strong for H.R. 1 and reject all Republican MTRs and bad faith amendments.”
For calling our senators: “Hi, I’m ____________ from Indivisible Tacoma. Please vote yes on S.J. Res. 7 to end our illegal and immoral war in Yemen, I also want to thank you for rejecting Trump’s fake emergency. Please urge your colleagues to join you. Thank you!”
Call Now!
What’s a Motion to Recommit?
NOTE: No parakeets were harmed in the production of this GIF
House Republicans have a sneaky weapon for nuking the legislation we care about. it’s called a “Motion to Recommit” (MTR). Before a bill goes to the House floor for a vote, the minority party gets to offer an MTR and require it as a final step before passage.
An MTR lets them send a bill back to committee or to add amendments that weaken the bill. And you can pretty much count on them doing this with H.R. 1 (also known as the For the People Act of 2019) for electoral reform. These changes would crack down on corruption and make it easier for people to vote. And we all know that when more people vote, Republicans tend to lose.
Of course, these motions almost never pass. After all, why would the party in power ever allow that?
That wouldn’t make any sense … Unless you’re a Democratic member of Congress.
Republicans have found an easy way to weaponize MTRs by picking an issue that divides Democrats or is a deal-breaker. And then they wait for the fun to begin.
Take H.R. 8, for example. This bill requires more background checks for buying firearms, and closes the gun show loophole, Republicans tried to add an amendment that would require gun shops to report “illegal” immigrants trying to buy guns.
Thankfully, the Democrats clapped a stopper on those capers and passed the bill without the amendment.
For more information, see Indivisible U.S.A.’s Legislative Process 101 — Motion to Recommit.
On your phone? Click on the button below.
CALL THE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD NOW!
Or you can simply call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Either way, they’ll send you to your MoC’s voicemail so you can leave a message. Click here for a list of phone numbers for our members of Congress and our state legislators.
by indivisibletacoma | Feb 24, 2019 | Actions, Events, News
This Week: Please Urge Our State Reps & Senators to Kick CO2s and Defend Our Shared Natural Resources
(Because If the U.S. Government Can’t Do It, We Here in Washington Can)
Hi everyone. The good news is, there’s a slate of great environmental bills in the state leg. The bad news is, they need all the votes we can get, and some are still stuck in committees. The list below may seem like a lot, but it’s easy. You can simply call and leave a message.
We’ve even written you super-short and sweet scripts to make it easier. This way, you can just call your reps and your senator, leave your message and be done in less than 10 minutes. And when our reps and senators hear from us, it really makes a difference.
So, are you ready? Let’s start with the House bills.
PLEASE ASK OUR STATE HOUSE REPS TO MOVE THESE URGENT ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS FORWARD.
TLDR* Script: Hi, [Name of Rep], I’m ______. I’m your constituent in [your zip code]. I support reducing our carbon emissions and giving our state’s Dept. of Fish & Wildlife the tools they need to enforce our environmental laws. Please approve HB1110 and HB113. Please pass HB 1112 and 1579 out of committee. Thank you.
[*The short “too-long-didn’t-read” script you can use if you trust us on whether these bills are worthy of your support and you’re in a hurry]
HB 1579 – Chinook abundance – Message: Please pass out of committee.
I support this bill, which provides the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife the same tools that other agencies have to enforce critical environmental laws and effectively deter habitat destruction. This will help secure the food web for our Southern Resident orcas.
(P.S., some bears might thank us too).
HB 1110 – Low Carbon Fuel – Message: Do Pass
Please approve this bill, which supports the deployment of clean transportation fuel technologies through a carefully designed program that reduces the carbon intensity of fuel used in the state.
HB 1112 – Hydrofluorocarbon phase out – Message: Please pass out of committee.
I support this bill, which phases out the sale and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are primarily used as refrigerants, by 2024. HFCs are extremely potent greenhouse gases with existing alternatives for their use.
HB 1113 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Message: Do Pass.
Please approve this bill, which updates state emissions limits to be consistent with recommendations from the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, as well as United States commitments to the Paris Climate Accords
PLEASE URGE YOUR STATE SENATORS TO MOVE THE FOLLOWING ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS FORWARD
TLDR* Script: Hi, I’m ______. I’m your constituent in (your zip code). I support clean energy, reducing toxic pollution, energy efficient buildings, and phasing out HFCs. Please vote yes on SB 5125. And please vote to move SB 5116, 5293, and 5426 out of committee. Thank you.
{*The short “too-long-didn’t-read” script you can use if you trust us and you’re in a hurry)
- For a list of all our lawmakers and their phone numbers (both U.S. and state), click here:
legislators-phone-numbershttp://indivisible.org/
- Or you can simply call the Washington State Legislature’s hotline and leave a message: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-833-6388).
SB 5116 – 100% Clean Energy – Message: Please move out of committee.
I ask you to preserve the key target dates of coal plant shutdown by 2025 and 80% electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Please limit opportunities for utilities to avoid being held accountable to these dates.
SB 5135 – Reducing Toxic Pollution – Message: Please vote yes on SB 5135.
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 5293 – Energy Efficient Buildings – Message: Please vote to move out of committee.
I support this bill which reduces emissions from buildings, which currently produce 27% of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions – our second largest source of emission.
SB 5426 – Hydrofluorocarbon phaseout – Message: Please vote to move out of committee.
I support this bill, which phases out the sale and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are primarily used as refrigerants, by 2024. HFCs are extremely potent greenhouse gases with existing alternatives for their use.
Great job, everyone. Let’s all give ourselves a round of applause.
Yours in solidarity,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Indivisibles
by indivisibletacoma | Feb 17, 2019 | Actions, Events, News
This Week’s Actions
Tell the Tacoma City Council to Say NO on LNG, and Join the President’s Day Protest of Trump’s Fake Emergency in Olympia
Greetings Indivisibles. We have two actions this week so far, and both are crucial.
Please support the Puyallup tribe and tell the Tacoma City Council NO LNG
In 350 Tacoma’s words:
“Still wonder why this thing is being built? With so many issues around it we do too!
First and foremost, Puget Sound Energy has built their fracked gas tank on Puyallup Tribal land without their consultation or consent, a direct violation of the Medicine Creek Treaty.
The Tribe has asked the community to write to the Tacoma City Council demanding an additional review of the project since it has changed so much since first reviewed. Their goal is 500 emails sent to the City. Can you help?
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/seisletter
We stand in solidarity with the Puyallup Tribe!
#standwithpuyalluptribe
#nolng253
#nofrackingway #wedonthavetime #tacoma_wa #cityoftacoma #fossilfree #port253″
Image via The Daily Show.
Indivisible Olympia’s President’s Day Protest of Trump’s Fake Emergency
Monday, February 18, 12pm-1pm.
Washington State Capitol Building and Campus (Old Insurance Building)
(in Indivisible Olympia’s words):
Donald Trump has declared #FakeNationalEmergency. Now, we’re mobilizing rapid-response events on Presidents Day—Monday, 2/18. Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Congressman Denny Heck are in the speaker line-up. Join us as we protest against Trump’s fake crisis and racist deportation force and stand with immigrant, Muslim, and Black and brown communities to stop Trump’s dangerous and illegal power grab.
Details via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/385001755634233/?ti=cl
by indivisibletacoma | Feb 12, 2019 | Actions, Events, News
Events & Actions for This Week
Indivisible Lobby Day (& Virtual Lobby Day)
Friday, February 15, 2019
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The Indivisibles from CD 10 are putting together our first Indivisible Lobby Day for the state of Washington. Held in Olympia, the event will include the following:
- Morning briefings on active bills that fall within Indivisible’s priorities, what to expect during our legislator visits, and talking points.
- Lunch
- Meetings with legislators to briefly discuss talking points and leave an informational document.
- Debriefing meeting with our fellow Indivisibles to share what we’ve learned.
If you’d like to join us, please email us at IndivisibleTacomaChapter@Gmail.Com. We need 2-3 people for the 27th, 28th, & 29th legislative districts. Alas, we can’t take more because space is limited.
If you can’t come…
- Call & say you want these things for Washington: Fair elections, a Green New Deal, single payer, tax corporations & the wealthy, affordable housing & tenants rights, oppose ICE, and halt projects that harm our communities & our planet. Here’s the hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 800.833.6388)
- Watch the livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2035653929805688/?notif_t=event_calendar_create¬if_id=1549823305319298
For a full list of links to contact info, visit the Legislative Information Center’s contact info page.
Indivisible Washington Phone Calls for the Week
Please call our state lawmakers about the agenda items below. You can visit the Legislative Information Center page for contact info or Sorry we’re late getting some of these to you, but these calls only take a minute.
2/11/2019 Monday – Labor: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce on 2/11/19 at 10:00 AM
- SB 5717 – Concerning employer and employee scheduling. Requires food service, hospitality, and retail establishments with more than 100 employees worldwide to provide employees 14 days’ notice of work schedules. Hunt is a sponsor. Companion bill HB 1491 was heard on 2/5/18.
2/12/2019 Tuesday – Environment & Clean Energy, Civil Rights
Environment
Bills to Support: Senate Committee on Ways & Means on 2/12/19 at 3:30 PM
- SB 5116 Supporting Washington’s clean energy economy and transitioning to a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. The bill was first heard on 1/17/18. Hunt is a sponsor.
- HB 1211 Companion to SB 5116 will be heard in House Committee on Finance on 2/12/18 at 8:00 AM in anticipation of other legislative action. Doglio and Dolan are sponsors.
Civil Rights
Bills to Support: House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary on 2/12/19 at 10:00 AM
- HB 1376 Addresses Christian Science treatment, faith-based exemptions, and the criminal mistreatment of children and vulnerable adults. Need to protect vulnerable persons from abuse such as withholding food, water, shelter. Companion bill SB 5749 has not yet been heard.
2/13/2019 Wednesday Homelessness, Housing Affordability, & Healthcare
Homeless/Housing Bills to Support: Senate Committee on Housing Stability & Affordability on 2/13/19 at 1:30 PM
- SB 5812 Concerning local governments planning and zoning for accessory dwelling units.
- Companion bill HB 1797 is not yet scheduled for a hearing. Doglio and Barkis are sponsors.
Healthcare Bills to Support: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on 2/13/19 at 1:30 PM
- SB 5395 Concerning comprehensive sexual health education. Hunt is a sponsor. Companion bill HB 1407 has not yet been heard. Dolan and Doglio are sponsors.
2/14/2019 Thursday – Education
Education Bills to Support: Senate Committee on Ways & Means on 2/14/19 at 3:30 PM
- SB 5393 Establishing a statewide free college program by changing the state need grant to the Washington college promise scholarship. Hunt is a sponsor. Bill originally heard on 1/22 by Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development. Companion bill HB 1340 referred to Appropriations on 2/7/19.
2/15/2019 Friday Healthcare, Government, & LGBTQ
Healthcare Bills to Support: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care on 2/15/19 at 8:00 AM
- SB 5602 Eliminating barriers to reproductive health care for all. State law should be enhanced to ensure greater coverage of and timely access to reproductive health care for the benefit of all, regardless of immigration status, or gender identity or expression. Hunt is a sponsor. Companion bill HB 1612 has not yet had a hearing.
Government & LGBTQ Bills to Support: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations on 2/15/19 at 8:00 AM.
- HB 1698 Requiring disclosure of federal income tax returns of presidential candidates prior to appearing in the primary. Dolan & Doglio are sponsors Companion bill SB 5078 was heard on 2/1/19.
LGBTQ Bills to Support: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections at 1:30 PM
- SB 5356 Establishing the Washington state LGBTQ commission. To ensure equal opportunity for all Washingtonians, the Legislature establishes a commission to identify the needs of the LGBTQ community and ensure that there is an effective means for advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government. Hunt is a sponsor.
- SB5342 Providing a nonbinary gender category in applications for certain programs. Voter registration, driver’s license and learner permit applications will include nonbinary as a gender category. Hunt is a sponsor.
by indivisibletacoma | Apr 4, 2018 | Actions, Events, News
April 11 – SAVE THE DATE!
VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING
Did you know that only 23% of Pierce County voted in the election last November?
Your Education and Outreach Team has been busy creating a membership training to increase that percentage. Come to the training, and develop the skills and confidence you need to register voters in any situation. We will review the rules and procedures, help you team up with other voter registration enthusiasts, lead you through confidence-building exercises, and help you identify good locations.
So that you leave fully equipped and ready to go, we have Voter Registration Packets for volunteers who complete the training. The Packets include:
- One each: Pocket Folder, Volunteer Instruction Sheet, Washington State Guide to Registering Voters, 11×17 display sign, Directory of Officials
- Twenty-five Voter Registration Forms in English
- Five each: Voter Registration Forms in Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese
- Two each: 8×11 laminated display signs and Voter Pamphlets
To defray the costs of the laminated signs we are asking for a suggested donation of $5.00 for each packet.
Please join us on April 11, at 6:30, at the Unitarian Universalist Church at:
1115 South 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
You can share the event with your Facebook friends here.
LET’S get GOING!!!!
Thank You,
Your Education and Outreach Team
by indivisibletacoma | Dec 7, 2017 | Actions, Events, News
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12 Days of Christmas
⭐ Donate here to give detainees money for bonds ⭐
Separated from family and working for only a dollar a day, it won’t be much of a Christmas for the more than 1,400 undocumented immigrants detained at Tacoma’s Northwest Detention Center. Despite its location in the Tacoma Tide Flats, most local residents are unaware of this private prison, not to mention the inhumane conditions, overcrowding, and lack of adequate care experienced by detainees there.
That’s why, this holiday season, Indivisible Tacoma is teaming up with the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) Resistance for “The 12 Days of Christmas,” providing some welcome holiday relief and letting detainees know they haven’t been forgotten.
Every day December 13-24, 2017, members of Indivisible Tacoma, along with a variety of other local grassroots, community, and religious organizations, will reinforce the efforts of NWDC Resistance activists to support detainees and raise awareness of the human rights crisis in our backyard.
Join us in one, more, or all of the events below!
Day 1. December 13th – NWDCR meeting & 12 Days kick off.
Time: 6:30-8pm.
Address: 1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Place: Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
RSVP: Facebook
Featuring: the documentary short film Hunger Strikes: A Call to End Immigrant Detention and speakers:
Join us to learn from the NWDC-R leaders locked away in the Tacoma immigration prison via the video and in person from those struggling on their behalf outside about why we should join the struggle.
Come learn how you can join the fight for human dignity and fairness…here, there and everywhere.
This event is free and open to the public.
There is wheelchair ramp access through a side door at the southeast corner of the building. One gender-neutral, disabled-access restroom with grab bars is located on the same level as the meeting room. Service animals are welcome.
Day 2. December 14th. Make some noise! Music, drumming at the NWDC.
Please contact us for more details.
Day 3. December 15th. Fundraiser for detainees to buy toiletries.
Please contact us for more details.
Day 4. December 16th. Chalk art at the NWDC.
This is a big visitation day. Let’s let the families know they are supported and loved with welcoming messages and drawings as they enter. This is a family-friendly event, and some sidewalk chalk will be provided.
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: 1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA 98421
Place: NWDC
RSVP: Facebook
Day 5. December 17th. Giving gifts to children, partners, and families of detainees.
Please contact us for more details.
Day 6. December 18th. Pairing volunteers up with pen pals inside the prison.
Please contact us for more details.
Day 7. December 19th. Writing letters to detainees.
Please contact us for more details.
Day 8. December 20th. Action meeting: transcribe poems, short stories, quotes in natively spoken languages to deliver to detainees.
It’s difficult to send detainees books, so we’re providing them with handwritten reading material.
Time: 6:30-8pm.
Address: 1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Place: Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
RSVP: Facebook
Day 9. December 21st. Online donation day.
Did you know detainees in Tacoma’s immigration prison work for $1 a day, while shampoo costs them $8 a bottle? Imagine working for 8 days just to be able to wash your hair. That’s the reality of everyday life for detainees living under the Geo Group and ICE detention regime.
And that’s why this Christmas, we’re raising money to give to detainees so they can buy toiletries and make phone calls. To donate, please go here:
https://www.youcaring.com/detaineesinthenorthwestdetentioncentertacomawa-1040410
Day 10. December 22nd. Raising community awareness.
Indivisible Tacoma members with fliers will educate the public about the NWDC in a high foot-traffic area.
If you’re interested in volunteering for this day, please contact Alexis.
Day 11. December 23rd. Music fundraiser.
Join us for a night of live music. This event is open to the public, and donations for detainees’ commissary accounts are appreciated.
Time: 6:30-8pm
Address: 1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Place: Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
RSVP: Facebook
Day 12. December 24th. Candlight vigil and singing.
In the hush of night, as Christmas Eve draws to a close and Christmas Day arrives, join us for a candlelight vigil and carols. 1,400+ immigrants—our neighbors—are spending Christmas in Tacoma’s immigration prison. What will Christmas look like for them, separated from their families?
We invite people all faiths, no faith, and agnostics to join us as we sing Feliz Navidad, Silent Night, Cielito Lindo, and other songs and carols.
Time: 11:30pm-12:15am
Location: 1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA 98421
Place: NWDC
RSVP: Facebook
