Bishop-supported bills succeed, abortion-coverage mandate flounders
April 17 was the cut-off date for all non-budget-related legislation during the 2013 regular session of the state Legislature. According to its own self-imposed rules, only bills necessary to implement the budget can be considered from now until lawmakers adjourn Sunday, April 28.
Both the House of Representatives and Senate have passed their respective budget proposals. The Senate budget seeks no new revenue, but the House budget would require increased revenue in order to balance the budget. Both budgets significantly increase funding for education.
The bishops of Washington state expressed concern over proposed budget reductions for social services. Safety net programs including the Housing and Essential Needs program, Working Connections Child Care and the Housing Trust Fund are among its top priorities.
The bishops addressed these concerns in an April 16 letter to legislators and the governor. The bishops emphasized that funding for low-income individuals and families has been cut dramatically over the past four years, and that the state has a “moral obligation to maintain an adequate safety net for programs that serve the most vulnerable among us.”
The letter continues: “A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects our poorest sisters and brothers. The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work or in poverty should come first.”
Supported bills move forwardSeveral bills supported by the WSCC have made important progress.
SB 5563, which requires teachers as part of their initial certification to complete a course on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking of minors, was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on April 17.
HB 1294 would prohibit the manufacture or sale of upholstery and children’s products containing chemicals found to be toxic to children. Different versions of the measure have now passed both legislative chambers and must be reconciled before final passage.
A bill aimed at reforming behavioral health services passed the House and Senate, but not in identical form. SB 5732 would create a taskforce to implement a strategy to improve the current publicly funded behavioral health system. Conflicts remain between amendments in the House and Senate versions of the bill.
Abortion mandate deadHB 1044, legislation that would mandate abortion coverage in insurance plans that cover maternity care, died in the Senate. Though the bill failed to pass out of committee on April 1, Senate Democrats twice attempted parliamentary procedures to revive the measure. The efforts were blocked by the Senate majority coalition, effectively killing the bill.
April 25, 2013