Advocates direct attendees to information on bills

 

Kristin Ang, policy engagement director with the Faith Action Network (FAN), and Jean Welch Hill, executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference, gave overviews of their 2026 legislative priorities and bills before the 2026 Washington State Legislature at the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on Jan. 31 in Spokane.

They led a morning plenary session and an afternoon workshop on issues and proposals.

The FAN agenda includes promoting economic justice to ensure basic needs, advancing immigrant and refugee rights, cultivating climate and environmental justice, reforming the state carceral system and strengthening police accountability, and fostering rights, inclusion and pluralism.

Details on the agenda, ways to take action, the FAN bill tracker, issue fact sheets, advocacy toolkit and voting and civic engagement opportunities are at fanwa.org under "Advocacy" in the menu.

The Washington State Catholic Conference priorities are poverty reduction—to assure everyone has access to resources for a life of dignity, including adequate food, clean water, safe and stable housing, health care, education and meaningful employment. The second and third priorities are immigrant rights and the sanctity of life.

Information on what they do, how to be an advocate and join the Catholic Advocacy Network is online at wacatholics.org.

Luc Jasmin III, the Eastern Washington representative for the governor's office, reported on the anticipated $2.3 billion deficit biennium and $15 billion in the next, noting causes in the drop of federal funds for health care, child care and housing in particular.

He also spoke of the wealth tax on millionaires and the need to balance the tax code related to sales, gas and B & O taxes.

"I'm here to hear what you want and don't want," he said, giving his email to invite contacts at luc.jasmin@gov.wa.gov.

Feb. 17 was the cutoff date for bills to move forward.

For information on what bills are still viable and needing advocacy, visit https://fanwa.org/advocacy/take-action.

To watch a video of the EWLC 26 Legislative Briefing click here.