Quote of the Week: “I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able.” --Cory Booker from his 25 hour speech. Legislative Actions: The Key to Statewide Activism is Using TAN!  If you're new to Take Action Network (TAN):
Sign in PRO/Support Email your reps to expand automatic voter registration DEADLINE: Apr 8 • 11:00pm By automatically registering people to vote when they become citizens, apply for healthcare, or return home from prison, we can ensure every Washingtonian has our voice heard. Support Increased fairness in retirement Plan I for teachers, public employees, police and firefighters. (House: In Committee (Appropriations)) DEADLINE: Apr 8 • 11:00pm This bill would restore fairness to a group of retired teachers who do not receive a COLA (Plan I), save the state money, and provide equity by combining the retirement systems for teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees into a unified system. Support Restrictions on out of state military forces. (Senate: Passed To Rules For 2nd Reading) DEADLINE: Apr 16 • 5:00pm HB 1321 gives the governor authority to limit outside military force activities within the state. Federal Actions:Oppose Attacks on Health Care for DACA and Transgender Americans Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash From our friends at Chop Wood, Carry Water Health care coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients would disappear along with everyone’s coverage for gender-affirming care if a proposed rule change at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) goes through. Proposed rule CMS-9884-P would make DACA recipients ineligible for Qualified Health Plans, premium tax credits, and Basic Health Plans in states that offer them; it would also remove coverage for gender-affirming care. These attacks on immigrants and transgender people are buried in a raft of rule changes presented as cost-saving measures. Admittedly, denying coverage reduces costs – but at whose expense? If you’re not a DACA recipient or trans person yourself, you probably know someone who is. Action: Submit a public comment using the CMS individual comment portal. Be sure to personalize it: sharing personal stories is a powerful way to emphasize the harm these changes would cause. When asked “What is your comment about?” pick either Federal Government or Other. Script: I oppose the changes to 45 CFR Section 155.20, which would make Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients ineligible for health care coverage under ACA; and the proposed changes to Section 156.115(d), which would remove gender-affirming care from required essential health benefits (EHB). Talking points:
Investing in Democracy  Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash From OI’s Federal Rapid Response Team If Elon has taught us anything, it’s the power of money. How are you spending yours? Below are actions for spending money consistent with your democratic values – a choice you can make every day, in several ways. This short list of actions is not meant as an endorsement of specific organizations, nor is it complete or definitive. It’s simply a starting point. Find what inspires you. Actions:
Take A Stand Against Trump’s Attack on Federal Unions and Workers’ Rights Photo: by Manny Becerra on Unsplash From OI’s Union and Workers Justice Team Source: AFL-CIO, Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, “Explainer” Trump signed an Executive Order on March 27 attempting to abolish the union rights from an estimated 1 million federal workers. This is retribution for unions speaking out and leading the charge against the administration’s illegal actions in court. This order includes 30 agencies and includes employees whose jobs affect national defense, border security, foreign relations, energy security, pandemic preparedness, the economy, public safety, cybersecurity and much more. If the order stands it removes the union's ability to protect rights to free speech, fight to preserve essential government functions, and blow the whistle on government actions that violate the law or endanger the public. What starts at the federal level will likely creep into state and local employee rights. Action: Send this simple and clear message to your senators and representative: Members of Congress (MOCs)
WA State Actions:Urge the Governor to Preserve the Safety Net and Approve Sufficient Revenue Credit: WA State Senate Democratic Caucus Website From OI’s Social Safety Net Team Background
However, Governor Ferguson is concerned about the revenue approach the Legislative Democrats took and says he wouldn’t sign (approve) either of their proposals. You can actually see how horrible the cuts to state services would be if there is insufficient revenue by looking at what the House Democrats have publicized. Action: Contact the Governor and urge him to support the Legislative Democrats’ approach to find sufficient revenue to avoid massive cuts to the social safety net. And contact our local legislators to thank them and encourage them to keep it up. Contact State Representatives
Contact Governor Ferguson
Script for the Governor: I’m calling to indicate my support for the Legislature’s approach to have sufficient new revenue to help solve the budget deficit. Cuts to social services and health care only hurt people and create other costs down the road. Please work with the Legislature to preserve vital state services particularly in this time of federal chaos and threats to the safety net. Script for Legislators: Thank you for standing up for Washingtonians who rely on social safety net services, and proposing sufficient new revenue to avoid massive cuts. Keep it up for the final budget negotiations! Thank AG Nick Brown for Opposing the Trump Administration Source: Atty General website From OI’s State Executive Team Background:
While the Trump-Musk administration is leaving us breathless with its “flood the zone” strategy, the 23 Democratic Attorneys General have been quick to respond. They meet every day to determine how to respond and to track the lawsuits they have already filed. Their lawsuits have stopped the President from actions like revoking birthright citizenship and forcing the rehiring of Federal probationary workers. Attorney General Nick Brown has led or joined many lawsuits and actions to stand in opposition to many destructive administration policies. Let’s thank him for some of the key actions and add others you may know about:
Action: Contact AG Nick Brown's office to thank him for opposing Trump’s harmful policies.
Script I want to tell Attorney General Nick Brown that I am deeply grateful for his work with other Democratic Attorneys General to be the tip of the spear of opposition to Trump. I feel this is a critical effort to protect Washingtonians, vulnerable people in our country, and our democracy. It is especially important to me that you joined actions on _________(pick any one or more of the following actions) because _______________
Local Actions:We Need Your Help to Find Progressive Port Commissioner Candidates County map with open Port of Olympia Commissioner seats in 2025 elections. From OI’s Port of Olympia Action Team For decades the Port of Olympia has wasted our tax dollars in speculative projects, and it continues to ignore the environment in development decisions. We need to elect progressive Port Commissioners who will protect the environment, be fiscally responsible, and offer us the quality of life we deserve from a government agency that receives over $8 million in taxes from Thurston County residents each year. Three Port Commissioner positions are open for the 2025 elections. Olympia Indivisible’s Port of Olympia Action team is looking for candidates to run for Port Commissioner who will make decisions that:
The May 9th candidate filing deadline is fast approaching, so time is of the essence to find good candidates. If you might know of a potential candidate who lives in one of the three districts (2,3, or 4 on the above map) please contact us. We can offer information about the position’s description, salary, benefits, etc., as well as support for potential candidates. Action: As soon as possible, please contact the Port of Olympia Action team at [email protected] if you are interested or if you have suggestions for Port Commissioner candidates. Department of Good News: Not for Sale: Justice in Wisconsin
Liberal Judge Susan Crawford beat Trump-loyalist Judge Brad Schimmel in a closely contested judicial race in Wisconsin on April 1. Though Elon Musk personally donated more to control the outcome than had been in any other judicial race–$25 million–to defeat liberal Judge Crawford for the position of Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, she handily won, by roughly 9 points. Wearing a cheesehead hat, Musk had traveled to Wisconsin to personally campaign, offering to pay $100 per person to sign petitions against ‘activist judges,’ awarding two $1 million ‘lottery’ checks to conservative voters, and announcing his view that the election was so important it could change the future of civilization. With Justice Crawford’s win, the 4-3 liberal majority will likely consider important cases on abortion, labor and redistricting, among others. Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, Despite Elon Musk’s Millions - The New York Times Comments are closed.
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