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Hi John,
With only twenty days left in this year’s legislative session, some bills have reached the final hurdles to passing the state legislature and heading to Governor Inslee while others are at the point where they can’t be revived until next year.
This week, Poverty Action is co-hosting two online events to celebrate how far we’ve come this session and continue pushing for commonsense policies to protect Washingtonians living in poverty:
Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) Virtual Rally
When: Wednesday April 7, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.
Where: Register now for access to the Zoom call!
For the first time since the credit was passed in 2008, both the House and Senate included funding for an expanded Working Families Tax Credit in each of their state budget proposals! And last week ESHB 1297, the bill to increase the WFTC and expand eligibility passed the Senate Ways & Means Committee with 20 votes in favor and only 5 opposed! The bill now waits to be pulled to the Senate floor for a full vote, its last stop in the Senate before heading to Governor Inslee for approval.
This Wednesday, join the WFTC Coalition for a virtual rally to celebrate our historic progress and get this bill across the finish line! The event will be a celebration of our collective power to push the Working Families Tax Credit farther than ever before and a big thank you for all who have supported this effort over the last 13 YEARS! 🎉
Dental Access People’s Hearing
When: Thursday April 8, drop in any time between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Where: Join via Zoom online or call into 253-215-8782 (Meeting ID: 979 6250 3915)
This year, Washington state senators in the Healthcare Committee chose not to hold a hearing on a bill that would authorize dental therapy statewide, a proven solution to addressing racial disparities in healthcare and the severe shortage of affordable oral healthcare providers across the state. Instead, they let SB 5142 die, letting another year to go by where lawmakers do nothing to help the thousands of Washingtonians in desperate need of affordable dental care. So many people living on low incomes are forced to go without routine dental care for YEARS and delay much-needed treatment because they cannot find an affordable provider.
So we’ve decided to hold our own public hearing! We welcome you to join the virtual Dental Access People’s Hearing hosted by the Washington Dental Access Campaign so you can share your story on why Washington needs better dental access NOW.
📣This Thursday April 8, drop in via Zoom any time between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. to record a message for lawmakers!
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