Washington Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice

POVERTY ACTION SUMMIT AND LOBBY DAY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 21

Join Washington UU Voices and other organizations committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty in Washington! WA UU Voices is a sponsor of the summit and lobby day, and we want lots of UU's to bring their voices to the state capitol and to call for legislation that ensures everyone in Washington can have a better future.

9 am: "Ending Poverty, Creating Opportunity" People's Summit begins at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 20^th Ave. SE, Olympia WA. Briefings on bills that address poverty issues, including housing and homelessness, and successful advocacy training are offered during the morning summit.

11 am: March to the Capitol, rally, and meetings with legislators

Please RSVP and let us know you plan to attend

Join hundreds of citizen lobbyists, including WA UU Voices for Justice members, meeting face-to-face with legislators on important environmental issues. This all-day event includes lobbying training, issue briefings on legislative priorities, keynote speakers and a reception in the evening.

Please RSVP and let us know you plan to attend

At Advocacy Day you'll have the chance to learn more about transportation issues, meet with legislators, attend hearings, and be a professional lobbyist for a day!

Washington Climate Action
Our state has set goals to reduce global warming pollution, and now it's time to make these goals real. Responsible limits on climate pollution will establish Washington as a strong leader in the clean energy economy, increase energy independence, create good new jobs, and deliver a better future for our children.

Local Solutions to Global Warming
This approach will help local governments make responsible plans about where we live, how we get around, and consider how those choices can reduce global warming pollution. With the dramatic population growth expected in our state, we must make responsible decisions - now - so we can reduce driving and promote efficient, livable communities.

Evergreen Cities
It is time to stop losing the trees and forests in our cities. Keeping existing trees and planting new ones enhances quality of life for people, increases property values and gives us cleaner water and habitat for birds and wildlife. This proposal will help Washington's cities be evergreen.

Local Farms - Healthy Kids
This effort addresses two major challenges facing our state: concerns about the diet and health of our children, and the well-being of our small and mid-sized farms. By getting more locally grown produce into our schools and food banks, we can improve children's health and create new and thriving markets for our farmers.

The Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality and Equal Rights Washington have not scheduled a rally during the 2008 60-day session. However, legislation to expand and clarify the rights provided in the 2007 domestic partnership registry, including community property and nursing home issues, is expected to be introduced, and WA UU Voices will advocate for those bills. Full marriage equality for same-sex couples continues to be the goal for WA UU Voices.

Supporters of a proposed Death with Dignity initiative to allow terminally ill patients the legal choice to access life-ending medication will begin a signature gathering campaign in February for the 2008 Washington State ballot.

Former Governor Booth Gardner, an outspoken advocate for the initiative, addressed the WA UU Voices Legislative Conference in November and urged Unitarian Universalists to support bringing the initiative to voters to ensure legal freedom for adults to make their own end-of-life choices. Many conference attendees volunteered to be signature gatherers and to support the initiative campaign as it moves into high gear.

Media and initiative signature-gathering events are planned in Olympia, Seattle, and other Washington cities in January and February.

WA UU Voices for Justice's newsletter will provide regular updates on the campaign and opportunities to support the Death with Dignity initiative. To volunteer contact the Death with Dignity campaign at:

LEGISLATIVE SESSION OPENS JANUARY 14!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lobby Days

Poverty Action Summit and Lobby Day

Environmental Lobby Day

Transportation Advocacy Day

Global Warming

Housing and Homelessness

Marriage Equality

Washington State Death with Dignity Initiative: An opportunity to support end-of-life choices.

Updates on Lobby Days and Legislation



	LEGISLATIVE SESSION OPENS JANUARY 14! TABLE OF CONTENTS Lobby Days Poverty Action Summit and Lobby Day Environmental Lobby Day Transportation Advocacy Day UU Voices' Legislative Agenda: What Will Be Happening in Olympia? Global Warming Housing and Homelessness Marriage Equality Washington State Death with Dignity Initiative: An opportunity to support end-of-life choices. Updates on Lobby Days and Legislation POVERTY ACTION SUMMIT AND LOBBY DAY Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 21 Join Washington UU Voices and other organizations committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty in Washington! WA UU Voices is a sponsor of the summit and lobby day, and we want lots of UU's to bring their voices to the state capitol and to call for legislation that ensures everyone in Washington can have a better future. 9 am: "Ending Poverty, Creating Opportunity" People's Summit begins at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 20^th Ave. SE, Olympia WA. Briefings on bills that address poverty issues, including housing and homelessness, and successful advocacy training are offered during the morning summit. 11 am: March to the Capitol, rally, and meetings with legislators Please RSVP and let us know you plan to attend ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY DAY Wednesday, January 23, 9 am. United Churches, 110 East 11th Ave., Olympia, WA. Join hundreds of citizen lobbyists, including WA UU Voices for Justice members, meeting face-to-face with legislators on important environmental issues. This all-day event includes lobbying training, issue briefings on legislative priorities, keynote speakers and a reception in the evening. Please RSVP and let us know you plan to attend TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY DAY Tuesday, January 29, 9 am. United Churches, 110 East 11th Ave., Olympia, WA At Advocacy Day you'll have the chance to learn more about transportation issues, meet with legislators, attend hearings, and be a professional lobbyist for a day! Please RSVP at the Transportation Choices Coalition website Global Warming The 2008 legislative focus will be on four Priorities for a Healthy Washington: Washington Climate Action Our state has set goals to reduce global warming pollution, and now it's time to make these goals real. Responsible limits on climate pollution will establish Washington as a strong leader in the clean energy economy, increase energy independence, create good new jobs, and deliver a better future for our children. Local Solutions to Global Warming This approach will help local governments make responsible plans about where we live, how we get around, and consider how those choices can reduce global warming pollution. With the dramatic population growth expected in our state, we must make responsible decisions - now - so we can reduce driving and promote efficient, livable communities. Evergreen Cities It is time to stop losing the trees and forests in our cities. Keeping existing trees and planting new ones enhances quality of life for people, increases property values and gives us cleaner water and habitat for birds and wildlife. This proposal will help Washington's cities be evergreen. Local Farms - Healthy Kids This effort addresses two major challenges facing our state: concerns about the diet and health of our children, and the well-being of our small and mid-sized farms. By getting more locally grown produce into our schools and food banks, we can improve children's health and create new and thriving markets for our farmers. More information will be available as these bills are developed further. Marriage Equality The Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality and Equal Rights Washington have not scheduled a rally during the 2008 60-day session. However, legislation to expand and clarify the rights provided in the 2007 domestic partnership registry, including community property and nursing home issues, is expected to be introduced, and WA UU Voices will advocate for those bills. Full marriage equality for same-sex couples continues to be the goal for WA UU Voices. Washington State Death with Dignity Initiative Supporters of a proposed Death with Dignity initiative to allow terminally ill patients the legal choice to access life-ending medication will begin a signature gathering campaign in February for the 2008 Washington State ballot. Former Governor Booth Gardner, an outspoken advocate for the initiative, addressed the WA UU Voices Legislative Conference in November and urged Unitarian Universalists to support bringing the initiative to voters to ensure legal freedom for adults to make their own end-of-life choices. Many conference attendees volunteered to be signature gatherers and to support the initiative campaign as it moves into high gear. Media and initiative signature-gathering events are planned in Olympia, Seattle, and other Washington cities in January and February. WA UU Voices for Justice's newsletter will provide regular updates on the campaign and opportunities to support the Death with Dignity initiative. To volunteer contact the Death with Dignity campaign at: (206) 633-2008 or campaign@itsmydecision.org