This is an archive of old Quaker Voice posts.
Last week, the Steering Committee of the Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy minuted support of a state income tax and that “we encourage Friends in the State of Washington to read and consider I-1077 [1] and if they approve it to encourage their meetings to minute their support.” If approved by voters in November … Read more
Dear FCWPP Activists, This is a reminder that you are invited to the FCWPP Steering Committee meeting at Quarterly Meeting at Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg this coming Friday evening, April 23 at 7 pm. We will focus on reporting on our legislative work this past legislative session and hear reports from our Restorative Justice, … Read more
Dear Friends, We have sent out only a few legislative alerts this past short session because the legislature was so immersed in working out the budget. After an extended session a budget proposal is ready to be approved, but it needs our citizen support. Please consider calling your Senator and House members to urge … Read more
Dear Friends, My report must begin with the sad news that Susan Merrill died this past Wednesday, March 31. Susan had assumed the role of Assistant Clerk to FCWPP in the fall of 2008, but a week later she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In spite of her illness she served in this capacity … Read more
Dear FCWPP Friends, May I recommend as strongly as possible that you take time to view the Friday, April 2, Bill Moyers Journal if you did not see it Friday evening or have not already seen it on line: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04022010/watch.html. The program features an interview with Michelle Alexander who has written a book about the “drug … Read more
Urge our state legislators to approve revenue increases needed to reduce the cuts in vital state services, and to consider an income tax 1. Please ask your Representatives in the State House or Representatives to support the larger increases in state revenue approved by the Senate The state senate last week passed a budget that … Read more
Please call your state senator today (and members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee) to express your support for increasing state revenue to reduce the magnitude of the cuts our state will be forced to make to cover the projected deficit (currently $2.8 billion). Forcing those who benefit from state sponsored schools, health care, … Read more
Review of the book Beyond Prisons: A New Interfaith Paradigm for Our Failed Prison System Our criminal justice system fails to promote rehabilitation, healing, and reconciliation. Does it need as radical a paradigm shift now as the one over 200 years ago that led to penitentiaries instead of gaels, public hangings, mutilations, deportations and other harsh … Read more
Washington State legislators will hold Town Meetings this Saturday, February 20, to get citizen input about revenue issues and the state services for which they are needed. Legislators from across the state are taking time off from the session to hold these meetings in their home districts. For the town hall meeting in your district, … Read more
When we visited our legislators during Quaker Lobby Day last Monday, we learned that they are getting bombarded with mean-spirited and angry emails and phone calls from groups demanding “No new taxes!” So they need to hear from the other side.When we visited our legislators during Quaker Lobby Day last Monday, we learned that they … Read more