Regulation of Marijuana for Medical use – 4/13/2011

E2SSB 5073 would: 1. Establish a regulatory system for producing, processing, and dispensing cannabis (marijuana) intended for medical use. 2. Establish protections from criminal liability and arrest for qualifying patients, designated providers, health care professionals, licensed producers, licensed processors, and licensed dispensers. 3. Establish a voluntary registry in which qualifying patients and designated providers may … Read more

Washington Investment Trust Revisited – 4/13/2011

The effort to establish the Washington Investment Trust — discontinued earlier in this session — is experiencing some degree of rejuvenation.  A new budget-related bill, HB 2040, has been introduced and has already had a hearing.  Like the original bill, HB 2040 creates a task force to develop a means to use the state’s operating … Read more

Support a Coal-Free Future for Washington – 4/13/2011

FCWPP joins Earth Ministry in the following alert.    April 5, 2011  | Earth Ministry Home  |  Washington Interfaith Power & Light  | Contact Us  |  Donate Now  |  Blog       Dear Friends of Faith in Washington:   In a grace-filled moment, we recently reached a landmark agreement with the TransAlta Corporation and Governor Gregoire … Read more

A letter from our Legislative Advocate – March 30, 2011

Friends- Although we currently tax physical fitness services, tanning salon services, and tattoo parlor services, we do not tax elective cosmetic surgery. We also provide funding assistance for Washington seniors who lack the means to pay for prescription drugs necessary for their health and well-being. Most of the seniors in this group require financial assistance … Read more

Funding for Basic Health – update March 12, 2011

HB 1847 repeals tax expenditures that shield those who own private aircraft from excise taxes, block taxes on elective cosmetic surgery, shelter bank profits on home mortgages and out-of-state coal used to produce electricity. The revenue raised by terminating these tax shelters or tax expenditures is dedicated to funding Basic Health to low-income state residents. … Read more

Economic Justice: Including access to health care – March 12, 2011

Basic Health, Disability Lifeline, and Apple Health for Kids: We need to talk to our neighbors who are doing well about the value of providing for our neighbors who are struggling. The value of our health care safety net (even after accounting for all its holes) is well recognized. (See: http://blog.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/brown/major-reform-health-care/) Keeping that net from … Read more

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives – March 12, 2011

HB 1775, our Restorative Justice bill, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee Friday, March 11th. SSB 5073, which reduces the potential that those prescribing or selling medicinal marijuana are jailed for their efforts while also formalizing the operation of medical marijuana distribution centers to minimize the potential marijuana … Read more

Local Responses to Global Challenges – March 12, 2011

Supporters and opponents of 2SSB 5769 that required termination of coal fired electrical power generation reached a compromise that supported a vote in the Senate to pass the bill. Click here for more information…  E2SSB 5769 has now been scheduled for a hearing in the House Environment Committee on March 15th. Action: Call members of … Read more

Local Responses to Global Challenges: increased opportunities and Clean Air – 3/1/2011

When coal is burned, reports Howard Frumkin, dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, “the health risks pile up. Air pollutants such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen threaten cardiac and respiratory health. Tiny particles – some that rise directly from the smokestacks, others that form in the air from combustion products … Read more

Criminal Justice: creating alternatives – 3/1/2011

HB 1775, our Restorative Justice bill, was amended on the House Floor to increase the juvenile population eligible for diversion through Restorative Justice programs and passed by a 96:1 vote. EHB 1775 has now been put on first reading in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee. The Senate companion bill, SB 5706, remains in … Read more