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Local Level Actions
Housing & Homelessness Homework
Source: Opportunity Council and the RC
Description: Reading homework in support of community discussions on housing and homelessness. We reached out to Mike Parker, director of Whatcom Homeless Service Center, for background reading that will help us productively engage in this conversation. Comment here with your three biggest takeaways from these reading selections.
Links:
Opportunity Council Point in Time Count of Homeless reports (2017 is nearly finished)
Stranger article on homelessness in Seattle
Housing is Healthcare letter from National Health Care for the Homeless Council
More resources from National Alliance to End Homelessness and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Background: Our community conversation around housing and homelessness solutions is picking up speed, and here at the RC, we work together to be informed and thoughtful participants. The city is hosting a town hall on this topic this week, and the RC plans to follow up with additional opportunities to engage (can you say AMA with city council members and housing experts?).
Additional Information: If you missed our earlier housing and homelessness homework, you can catch up by watching these two videos from the Homeless in Bellingham series: Cold, Dirty and Scared, and The Trifecta: Mental Illness, Addiction and Homelessness.
.
Attend the Candidates Endorsement Meeting on 06/15/17
Source: RC and the Whatcom Democrats
Description: Attend the endorsement meeting to hear candidates speak and answer questions on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 7:00-9:00p.m. The meeting will be hosted by Whatcom Democrats at Whatcom Middle School Auditorium, 810 Halleck Street, Bellingham, WA. Visit Facebook for more details.
Meet up with your fellow Riveters at 6:15p.m. at Wander Brewing, 1807 Dean Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225 before heading over to the endorsement meeting. Some of our endorsed candidates plan to stop in as well! Let’s show our support for our candidates and spend some time together in the process. Let others know you are joining on the RC Facebook event page.
Ask Legislators to Oppose Ill-Advised Hirst 'Fix'
Source: RC Member
Description: Senate Bill 5239 alters important state water laws and threatens our children’s future.
Background: It may not always seem like it, especially after the abundance of wet weather we experienced this spring—but Whatcom County faces serious challenges with the availability of water.
- There is not enough water in streams to support salmon spawning — which in turn support our Pacific Northwest food chain. Salmon returns have been steadily declining year after year.
- In 2015, we experienced a serious statewide drought. The severity and frequency of drought is likely to increase as a result of climate change, and we currently have no plans in place for dealing with these changes.
- With Whatcom County’s population expected to grow by 75,000 in the next 20 years, it is critically important that we develop a plan to ensure our children have enough water for a healthy future — instead of a future of water shortages, failing crops, and county-wide water rights battles.
In March, Republican State Senator Judy Warnick proposed a dangerous bill in the Washington State Legislature that would change state law — laws present to protect existing water rights and ensure water resources are being shared. Proponents of SB 5239 want to pass legislation allowing developers to drill new wells that will take away water from someone else with an existing water right — including tribes, farms, and homeowners with wells.
SB 5239 is a back-door fix to get around a State Supreme Court ruling that determined Whatcom County needed to get its act together and figure out how much water is being used and how much water is available, before granting carte blanche permission to dig private wells for rural development. The court ruled that counties are required to ensure water is available before approving permits for new rural development — a reasonable and obvious conclusion.
What would SB 5239 do?
If SB 5239 becomes law:
- The state will move the burden of this work away from counties to an underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened Department of Ecology — a sure way to sweep the problem under the carpet.
- Counties approving permits for new development would not need to consider whether granting the permit would reduce water supply and impair existing water rights.
- The door would be flung open to urban sprawl, with little review of impacts on existing water right holders — including tribes, farms, existing wells, and water in streams for fish.
Legislators need support from their constituents.
Currently, SB 5239 is being used as a bargaining chip. Proponents of the bill are holding funding for education and toxic cleanups hostage, and threatening not to come to a compromise if SB 5239 is not passed. This would all but ensure a government shutdown.
Your senator and representatives need to hear from you. They need to hear that you don’t support SB 5239 being used as an all-or-nothing bargaining chip—you want a balanced, compromised solution that supports property owners, tribes, farmers, and salmon.
Tell your legislators to vote no on SB 5239 and to instead work toward a middle-of-the-road solution requiring the Department of Ecology to provide expertise to counties to help them focus on cost-effective ways to offset the impacts of water use from rural wells through a process called mitigation. Mitigation options could include:
- Increasing water-use efficiency;
- Limiting outdoor water use in the summer;
- Creating water banks and markets;
- Extending water service from existing water associations and districts; and many more.
Lastly, the Department of Ecology must have adequate funding in order to help counties craft and implement mitigation options. The legislature must allocate sufficient funding
Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [insert name] and I live in [insert city], which is in the [insert legislative district].
I’m calling to urge Senator/Representative [insert name] to find a middle-ground solution to the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision on rural wells. We CAN have new single-family homes in rural areas using wells without impacting senior water rights and salmon. This isn’t an either-or issue.
Any solution must require the Department of Ecology and counties to offset water use by new rural wells through mitigation. The Department of Ecology also must have sufficient funding to support this work.
Thank you for considering my views on this important topic.
Contact Information: Contacting your legislators by phone is by far the most productive and impactful form of communication. Read more in the New York Times article “Here’s why you should call, not email, your legislators.”
State Representation
- Governor Jay Inslee, (360) 902-4111 or TTY/TDD call 711 or (800) 833-6388
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen, (360) 786–7682
- Representative Luanne Van Werven, (360) 786-7980
- Representative Vincent Buys, (360) 786–7854
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker, (360) 786–7678
- Representative Kristine Lytton, (360) 786–7800
- Representative Jeff R. Morris, (360) 786–7970
Ask Legislators to Support the Solar Bill
Source: Solar Installers of Washington
Description: The State Legislature is in its Second Special Session which is anticipated to run until the end of June. The Solar Jobs Bill remains very much a part of the final negotiations as lawmakers finalize a budget. Our area’s legislators are critical to success: Senator Ericksen chairs the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee, Senator Ranker is a leader on the Senate Energy and Senate Ways & Means Committees, and Representative Lytton chairs the House Finance Committee. There are only a few more days left to make your voice heard!
Background: Since 2006, Washington’s solar program has been enormously successful, adding solar power to 13,000 homes and businesses and creating 3,700 family-wage jobs. Today, the legacy program is inefficient and at capacity. Legislators must pass the Solar Jobs bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939) to support our state’s continuing transition to clean energy. Read the RC AMA with Ecotech and Western Solar.
Suggested Script: I am a constituent of the [insert #] legislative district in [insert city], Whatcom County. I urge you to support the Solar Jobs Bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939). Solar protects our climate, promotes energy independence, and has produced tremendous economic benefit. But without legislative certainty, the future of solar is dark, because the existing program is badly outdated. For Washington’s taxpayers, the Solar Jobs Bill is 5x more cost-effective than the legacy system we’re locked into. And for WA’s 100+ small businesses who collectively employ thousands of people in solar, legislative certainty is make-or-break: without the Solar Jobs Bill, most of our existing companies will close their doors.
Contact Information:
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information (from Solar Installers of WA):
Solar Jobs Bill Summaries: HB1048, SB5499, SB5939
Solar Installers of Washington: Solar Jobs Bill by the Numbers
Solar Installers of Washington: Why does the Solar Jobs Bill matter? (video)
Ask Legislators to Support Strong Climate Policy
Source: Fuse Washington
Description: Contact your legislators to support the carbon tax proposal (HB1646/SB5509) in Olympia.
Background: With President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must work to pass a strong climate policy here in Washington. The truth is that we can make our biggest impacts here where we live. HB 1646/SB 5509 would reduce carbon pollution, help fix our state’s upside down tax code, and invest in the communities hurt most by climate change.
Suggested Script: President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is a national embarrassment that threatens the health and safety of our communities. In the absence of national leadership, Washington state must take strong action to fight climate change.
I strongly support the policies of HB 1646/SB 5509 that put a price on carbon and invest the proceeds in a just transition to clean energy. These bills creates jobs by investing in clean energy, clean water, and healthy forests to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change. The bill creates an innovative, performance-based carbon tax that scales in response to progress in reducing emissions. By targeting a share of investments to communities most burdened by pollution, climate threats, and poverty, the policy will spur an equitable shift to a clean energy economy. Through creating good jobs and supporting workers and households with lower incomes, it ensures no one is left behind.
I urge you to support this equitable and effective approach to addressing climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Contact Information:
Click here to send a quick email.
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information:
Practice Your Dialogue Skills
Source: RC Member
Description: We have challenging issues to solve in our community. Finding solutions to homelessness, housing, water, protecting undocumented folks, etc. will require all of us working together productively. This means thoughtful conversations where different opinions are shared. Time to fine tune your dialogue skills!
Additional Information: Do you know the difference between debate, discussion, and dialogue? Read one or all of these to find out.
- Moving Beyond Debate: Start a Dialogue
- Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
- Exploring the Differences between Discussion, Debate, and Dialogue
- Bonus Action: Take this free, simple, under-an-hour online course. Communication Skills for Bridging Divides
Source: Opportunity Council and the RC
Description: Reading homework in support of community discussions on housing and homelessness. We reached out to Mike Parker, director of Whatcom Homeless Service Center, for background reading that will help us productively engage in this conversation. Comment here with your three biggest takeaways from these reading selections.
Links:
Opportunity Council Point in Time Count of Homeless reports (2017 is nearly finished)
Stranger article on homelessness in Seattle
Housing is Healthcare letter from National Health Care for the Homeless Council
More resources from National Alliance to End Homelessness and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Background: Our community conversation around housing and homelessness solutions is picking up speed, and here at the RC, we work together to be informed and thoughtful participants. The city is hosting a town hall on this topic this week, and the RC plans to follow up with additional opportunities to engage (can you say AMA with city council members and housing experts?).
Additional Information: If you missed our earlier housing and homelessness homework, you can catch up by watching these two videos from the Homeless in Bellingham series: Cold, Dirty and Scared, and The Trifecta: Mental Illness, Addiction and Homelessness.
.
Attend the Candidates Endorsement Meeting on 06/15/17
Source: RC and the Whatcom Democrats
Description: Attend the endorsement meeting to hear candidates speak and answer questions on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 7:00-9:00p.m. The meeting will be hosted by Whatcom Democrats at Whatcom Middle School Auditorium, 810 Halleck Street, Bellingham, WA. Visit Facebook for more details.
Meet up with your fellow Riveters at 6:15p.m. at Wander Brewing, 1807 Dean Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225 before heading over to the endorsement meeting. Some of our endorsed candidates plan to stop in as well! Let’s show our support for our candidates and spend some time together in the process. Let others know you are joining on the RC Facebook event page.
Ask Legislators to Oppose Ill-Advised Hirst 'Fix'
Source: RC Member
Description: Senate Bill 5239 alters important state water laws and threatens our children’s future.
Background: It may not always seem like it, especially after the abundance of wet weather we experienced this spring—but Whatcom County faces serious challenges with the availability of water.
- There is not enough water in streams to support salmon spawning — which in turn support our Pacific Northwest food chain. Salmon returns have been steadily declining year after year.
- In 2015, we experienced a serious statewide drought. The severity and frequency of drought is likely to increase as a result of climate change, and we currently have no plans in place for dealing with these changes.
- With Whatcom County’s population expected to grow by 75,000 in the next 20 years, it is critically important that we develop a plan to ensure our children have enough water for a healthy future — instead of a future of water shortages, failing crops, and county-wide water rights battles.
In March, Republican State Senator Judy Warnick proposed a dangerous bill in the Washington State Legislature that would change state law — laws present to protect existing water rights and ensure water resources are being shared. Proponents of SB 5239 want to pass legislation allowing developers to drill new wells that will take away water from someone else with an existing water right — including tribes, farms, and homeowners with wells.
SB 5239 is a back-door fix to get around a State Supreme Court ruling that determined Whatcom County needed to get its act together and figure out how much water is being used and how much water is available, before granting carte blanche permission to dig private wells for rural development. The court ruled that counties are required to ensure water is available before approving permits for new rural development — a reasonable and obvious conclusion.
What would SB 5239 do?
If SB 5239 becomes law:
- The state will move the burden of this work away from counties to an underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened Department of Ecology — a sure way to sweep the problem under the carpet.
- Counties approving permits for new development would not need to consider whether granting the permit would reduce water supply and impair existing water rights.
- The door would be flung open to urban sprawl, with little review of impacts on existing water right holders — including tribes, farms, existing wells, and water in streams for fish.
Legislators need support from their constituents.
Currently, SB 5239 is being used as a bargaining chip. Proponents of the bill are holding funding for education and toxic cleanups hostage, and threatening not to come to a compromise if SB 5239 is not passed. This would all but ensure a government shutdown.
Your senator and representatives need to hear from you. They need to hear that you don’t support SB 5239 being used as an all-or-nothing bargaining chip—you want a balanced, compromised solution that supports property owners, tribes, farmers, and salmon.
Tell your legislators to vote no on SB 5239 and to instead work toward a middle-of-the-road solution requiring the Department of Ecology to provide expertise to counties to help them focus on cost-effective ways to offset the impacts of water use from rural wells through a process called mitigation. Mitigation options could include:
- Increasing water-use efficiency;
- Limiting outdoor water use in the summer;
- Creating water banks and markets;
- Extending water service from existing water associations and districts; and many more.
Lastly, the Department of Ecology must have adequate funding in order to help counties craft and implement mitigation options. The legislature must allocate sufficient funding
Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [insert name] and I live in [insert city], which is in the [insert legislative district].
I’m calling to urge Senator/Representative [insert name] to find a middle-ground solution to the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision on rural wells. We CAN have new single-family homes in rural areas using wells without impacting senior water rights and salmon. This isn’t an either-or issue.
Any solution must require the Department of Ecology and counties to offset water use by new rural wells through mitigation. The Department of Ecology also must have sufficient funding to support this work.
Thank you for considering my views on this important topic.
Contact Information: Contacting your legislators by phone is by far the most productive and impactful form of communication. Read more in the New York Times article “Here’s why you should call, not email, your legislators.”
State Representation
- Governor Jay Inslee, (360) 902-4111 or TTY/TDD call 711 or (800) 833-6388
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen, (360) 786–7682
- Representative Luanne Van Werven, (360) 786-7980
- Representative Vincent Buys, (360) 786–7854
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker, (360) 786–7678
- Representative Kristine Lytton, (360) 786–7800
- Representative Jeff R. Morris, (360) 786–7970
Ask Legislators to Support the Solar Bill
Source: Solar Installers of Washington
Description: The State Legislature is in its Second Special Session which is anticipated to run until the end of June. The Solar Jobs Bill remains very much a part of the final negotiations as lawmakers finalize a budget. Our area’s legislators are critical to success: Senator Ericksen chairs the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee, Senator Ranker is a leader on the Senate Energy and Senate Ways & Means Committees, and Representative Lytton chairs the House Finance Committee. There are only a few more days left to make your voice heard!
Background: Since 2006, Washington’s solar program has been enormously successful, adding solar power to 13,000 homes and businesses and creating 3,700 family-wage jobs. Today, the legacy program is inefficient and at capacity. Legislators must pass the Solar Jobs bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939) to support our state’s continuing transition to clean energy. Read the RC AMA with Ecotech and Western Solar.
Suggested Script: I am a constituent of the [insert #] legislative district in [insert city], Whatcom County. I urge you to support the Solar Jobs Bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939). Solar protects our climate, promotes energy independence, and has produced tremendous economic benefit. But without legislative certainty, the future of solar is dark, because the existing program is badly outdated. For Washington’s taxpayers, the Solar Jobs Bill is 5x more cost-effective than the legacy system we’re locked into. And for WA’s 100+ small businesses who collectively employ thousands of people in solar, legislative certainty is make-or-break: without the Solar Jobs Bill, most of our existing companies will close their doors.
Contact Information:
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information (from Solar Installers of WA):
Solar Jobs Bill Summaries: HB1048, SB5499, SB5939
Solar Installers of Washington: Solar Jobs Bill by the Numbers
Solar Installers of Washington: Why does the Solar Jobs Bill matter? (video)
Ask Legislators to Support Strong Climate Policy
Source: Fuse Washington
Description: Contact your legislators to support the carbon tax proposal (HB1646/SB5509) in Olympia.
Background: With President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must work to pass a strong climate policy here in Washington. The truth is that we can make our biggest impacts here where we live. HB 1646/SB 5509 would reduce carbon pollution, help fix our state’s upside down tax code, and invest in the communities hurt most by climate change.
Suggested Script: President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is a national embarrassment that threatens the health and safety of our communities. In the absence of national leadership, Washington state must take strong action to fight climate change.
I strongly support the policies of HB 1646/SB 5509 that put a price on carbon and invest the proceeds in a just transition to clean energy. These bills creates jobs by investing in clean energy, clean water, and healthy forests to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change. The bill creates an innovative, performance-based carbon tax that scales in response to progress in reducing emissions. By targeting a share of investments to communities most burdened by pollution, climate threats, and poverty, the policy will spur an equitable shift to a clean energy economy. Through creating good jobs and supporting workers and households with lower incomes, it ensures no one is left behind.
I urge you to support this equitable and effective approach to addressing climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Contact Information:
Click here to send a quick email.
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information:
Practice Your Dialogue Skills
Source: RC Member
Description: We have challenging issues to solve in our community. Finding solutions to homelessness, housing, water, protecting undocumented folks, etc. will require all of us working together productively. This means thoughtful conversations where different opinions are shared. Time to fine tune your dialogue skills!
Additional Information: Do you know the difference between debate, discussion, and dialogue? Read one or all of these to find out.
- Moving Beyond Debate: Start a Dialogue
- Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
- Exploring the Differences between Discussion, Debate, and Dialogue
- Bonus Action: Take this free, simple, under-an-hour online course. Communication Skills for Bridging Divides
Source: RC Member
Description: Senate Bill 5239 alters important state water laws and threatens our children’s future.
Background: It may not always seem like it, especially after the abundance of wet weather we experienced this spring—but Whatcom County faces serious challenges with the availability of water.
- There is not enough water in streams to support salmon spawning — which in turn support our Pacific Northwest food chain. Salmon returns have been steadily declining year after year.
- In 2015, we experienced a serious statewide drought. The severity and frequency of drought is likely to increase as a result of climate change, and we currently have no plans in place for dealing with these changes.
- With Whatcom County’s population expected to grow by 75,000 in the next 20 years, it is critically important that we develop a plan to ensure our children have enough water for a healthy future — instead of a future of water shortages, failing crops, and county-wide water rights battles.
In March, Republican State Senator Judy Warnick proposed a dangerous bill in the Washington State Legislature that would change state law — laws present to protect existing water rights and ensure water resources are being shared. Proponents of SB 5239 want to pass legislation allowing developers to drill new wells that will take away water from someone else with an existing water right — including tribes, farms, and homeowners with wells.
SB 5239 is a back-door fix to get around a State Supreme Court ruling that determined Whatcom County needed to get its act together and figure out how much water is being used and how much water is available, before granting carte blanche permission to dig private wells for rural development. The court ruled that counties are required to ensure water is available before approving permits for new rural development — a reasonable and obvious conclusion.
What would SB 5239 do?
If SB 5239 becomes law:
- The state will move the burden of this work away from counties to an underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened Department of Ecology — a sure way to sweep the problem under the carpet.
- Counties approving permits for new development would not need to consider whether granting the permit would reduce water supply and impair existing water rights.
- The door would be flung open to urban sprawl, with little review of impacts on existing water right holders — including tribes, farms, existing wells, and water in streams for fish.
Legislators need support from their constituents.
Currently, SB 5239 is being used as a bargaining chip. Proponents of the bill are holding funding for education and toxic cleanups hostage, and threatening not to come to a compromise if SB 5239 is not passed. This would all but ensure a government shutdown.
Your senator and representatives need to hear from you. They need to hear that you don’t support SB 5239 being used as an all-or-nothing bargaining chip—you want a balanced, compromised solution that supports property owners, tribes, farmers, and salmon.
Tell your legislators to vote no on SB 5239 and to instead work toward a middle-of-the-road solution requiring the Department of Ecology to provide expertise to counties to help them focus on cost-effective ways to offset the impacts of water use from rural wells through a process called mitigation. Mitigation options could include:
- Increasing water-use efficiency;
- Limiting outdoor water use in the summer;
- Creating water banks and markets;
- Extending water service from existing water associations and districts; and many more.
Lastly, the Department of Ecology must have adequate funding in order to help counties craft and implement mitigation options. The legislature must allocate sufficient funding
Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [insert name] and I live in [insert city], which is in the [insert legislative district].
I’m calling to urge Senator/Representative [insert name] to find a middle-ground solution to the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision on rural wells. We CAN have new single-family homes in rural areas using wells without impacting senior water rights and salmon. This isn’t an either-or issue.
Any solution must require the Department of Ecology and counties to offset water use by new rural wells through mitigation. The Department of Ecology also must have sufficient funding to support this work.
Thank you for considering my views on this important topic.
Contact Information: Contacting your legislators by phone is by far the most productive and impactful form of communication. Read more in the New York Times article “Here’s why you should call, not email, your legislators.”
State Representation
- Governor Jay Inslee, (360) 902-4111 or TTY/TDD call 711 or (800) 833-6388
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen, (360) 786–7682
- Representative Luanne Van Werven, (360) 786-7980
- Representative Vincent Buys, (360) 786–7854
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker, (360) 786–7678
- Representative Kristine Lytton, (360) 786–7800
- Representative Jeff R. Morris, (360) 786–7970
Ask Legislators to Support the Solar Bill
Source: Solar Installers of Washington
Description: The State Legislature is in its Second Special Session which is anticipated to run until the end of June. The Solar Jobs Bill remains very much a part of the final negotiations as lawmakers finalize a budget. Our area’s legislators are critical to success: Senator Ericksen chairs the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee, Senator Ranker is a leader on the Senate Energy and Senate Ways & Means Committees, and Representative Lytton chairs the House Finance Committee. There are only a few more days left to make your voice heard!
Background: Since 2006, Washington’s solar program has been enormously successful, adding solar power to 13,000 homes and businesses and creating 3,700 family-wage jobs. Today, the legacy program is inefficient and at capacity. Legislators must pass the Solar Jobs bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939) to support our state’s continuing transition to clean energy. Read the RC AMA with Ecotech and Western Solar.
Suggested Script: I am a constituent of the [insert #] legislative district in [insert city], Whatcom County. I urge you to support the Solar Jobs Bill (HB1048/SB5499/SB5939). Solar protects our climate, promotes energy independence, and has produced tremendous economic benefit. But without legislative certainty, the future of solar is dark, because the existing program is badly outdated. For Washington’s taxpayers, the Solar Jobs Bill is 5x more cost-effective than the legacy system we’re locked into. And for WA’s 100+ small businesses who collectively employ thousands of people in solar, legislative certainty is make-or-break: without the Solar Jobs Bill, most of our existing companies will close their doors.
Contact Information:
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information (from Solar Installers of WA):
Solar Jobs Bill Summaries: HB1048, SB5499, SB5939
Solar Installers of Washington: Solar Jobs Bill by the Numbers
Solar Installers of Washington: Why does the Solar Jobs Bill matter? (video)
Ask Legislators to Support Strong Climate Policy
Source: Fuse Washington
Description: Contact your legislators to support the carbon tax proposal (HB1646/SB5509) in Olympia.
Background: With President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must work to pass a strong climate policy here in Washington. The truth is that we can make our biggest impacts here where we live. HB 1646/SB 5509 would reduce carbon pollution, help fix our state’s upside down tax code, and invest in the communities hurt most by climate change.
Suggested Script: President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is a national embarrassment that threatens the health and safety of our communities. In the absence of national leadership, Washington state must take strong action to fight climate change.
I strongly support the policies of HB 1646/SB 5509 that put a price on carbon and invest the proceeds in a just transition to clean energy. These bills creates jobs by investing in clean energy, clean water, and healthy forests to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change. The bill creates an innovative, performance-based carbon tax that scales in response to progress in reducing emissions. By targeting a share of investments to communities most burdened by pollution, climate threats, and poverty, the policy will spur an equitable shift to a clean energy economy. Through creating good jobs and supporting workers and households with lower incomes, it ensures no one is left behind.
I urge you to support this equitable and effective approach to addressing climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Contact Information:
Click here to send a quick email.
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information:
Practice Your Dialogue Skills
Source: RC Member
Description: We have challenging issues to solve in our community. Finding solutions to homelessness, housing, water, protecting undocumented folks, etc. will require all of us working together productively. This means thoughtful conversations where different opinions are shared. Time to fine tune your dialogue skills!
Additional Information: Do you know the difference between debate, discussion, and dialogue? Read one or all of these to find out.
- Moving Beyond Debate: Start a Dialogue
- Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
- Exploring the Differences between Discussion, Debate, and Dialogue
- Bonus Action: Take this free, simple, under-an-hour online course. Communication Skills for Bridging Divides
Source: Fuse Washington
Description: Contact your legislators to support the carbon tax proposal (HB1646/SB5509) in Olympia.
Background: With President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must work to pass a strong climate policy here in Washington. The truth is that we can make our biggest impacts here where we live. HB 1646/SB 5509 would reduce carbon pollution, help fix our state’s upside down tax code, and invest in the communities hurt most by climate change.
Suggested Script: President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is a national embarrassment that threatens the health and safety of our communities. In the absence of national leadership, Washington state must take strong action to fight climate change.
I strongly support the policies of HB 1646/SB 5509 that put a price on carbon and invest the proceeds in a just transition to clean energy. These bills creates jobs by investing in clean energy, clean water, and healthy forests to reduce carbon pollution and address the impacts of climate change. The bill creates an innovative, performance-based carbon tax that scales in response to progress in reducing emissions. By targeting a share of investments to communities most burdened by pollution, climate threats, and poverty, the policy will spur an equitable shift to a clean energy economy. Through creating good jobs and supporting workers and households with lower incomes, it ensures no one is left behind.
I urge you to support this equitable and effective approach to addressing climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Contact Information:
Click here to send a quick email.
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993)
42nd District
- Senator Doug Ericksen: (360) 786–7682, Doug.Ericksen@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Luanne Van Werven: (360) 786–7980, Luanne.VanWerven@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Vincent Buys: (360) 786–7854, Vincent.Buys@leg.wa.gov
40th District
- Senator Kevin Ranker: (360) 786–7678, Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Kristine Lytton: (360) 786–7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
- Rep. Jeff R. Morris: (360) 786–7970, Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov
Additional Information:
Practice Your Dialogue Skills
Source: RC Member
Description: We have challenging issues to solve in our community. Finding solutions to homelessness, housing, water, protecting undocumented folks, etc. will require all of us working together productively. This means thoughtful conversations where different opinions are shared. Time to fine tune your dialogue skills!
Additional Information: Do you know the difference between debate, discussion, and dialogue? Read one or all of these to find out.
- Moving Beyond Debate: Start a Dialogue
- Debate, Discussion, Deliberative Dialogue
- Exploring the Differences between Discussion, Debate, and Dialogue
- Bonus Action: Take this free, simple, under-an-hour online course. Communication Skills for Bridging Divides
National Level Actions / Other
Protect Our National Monuments! Comments Accepted Through 07/10/17
Description: President Trump has ordered the Department of the Interior to review all designations of national monuments greater than 100,000 acres created since 1996. Public comments on 26 monuments will be accepted through July 10, 2017.
Background: On April 26, 2017, the White House issued a Presidential Executive Order on the Review of Designations under the Antiquities Act, directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to review certain National Monuments designated or expanded since 1996. The Secretary of the Interior will use the review to determine whether each designation or expansion conforms to the policy stated in the Executive Order and to formulate recommendations for Presidential actions, legislative proposals, or other appropriate actions to carry out that policy. There are 27 National Monuments under review, including Hanford Reach in Washington and 5 marine national monuments; the list can be found here.
Contact Information: Submit comments online through regulations.gov (Docket ID# DOI-2017-0002).
Suggested Script: Click here for suggested scripts. We’ll update with new scripts as often as we can, so check back often!!
Additional Information:
- NPR: See the Sweeping American Landscapes Under Review by Trump
- New York Times: Battle Over Bears Ears Heats Up as Trump Rethinks Its Monument Status
Description: President Trump has ordered the Department of the Interior to review all designations of national monuments greater than 100,000 acres created since 1996. Public comments on 26 monuments will be accepted through July 10, 2017.
Background: On April 26, 2017, the White House issued a Presidential Executive Order on the Review of Designations under the Antiquities Act, directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to review certain National Monuments designated or expanded since 1996. The Secretary of the Interior will use the review to determine whether each designation or expansion conforms to the policy stated in the Executive Order and to formulate recommendations for Presidential actions, legislative proposals, or other appropriate actions to carry out that policy. There are 27 National Monuments under review, including Hanford Reach in Washington and 5 marine national monuments; the list can be found here.
Contact Information: Submit comments online through regulations.gov (Docket ID# DOI-2017-0002).
Suggested Script: Click here for suggested scripts. We’ll update with new scripts as often as we can, so check back often!!
Additional Information:
- NPR: See the Sweeping American Landscapes Under Review by Trump
- New York Times: Battle Over Bears Ears Heats Up as Trump Rethinks Its Monument Status
From the Calendar
Link to the Riveters Collective Calendar
Every Monday: Attend a vigil hosted by C2C and Keep Bellingham Families Working between 11:30a.m.-1:30p.m. or 5:00p.m. in front of City Hall. Show the powers that be that you stand by our undocumented workers and anyone else running afoul of ICE. Let the officials know it’s not alright to tear families apart!
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 6:00-8:30p.m.: Attend the City of Bellingham Townhall regarding the housing crisis affecting cities throughout the I-5 corridor. The meeting will be held at the Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. The first half will consist of a panel, the second half will be an opportunity for members of the public to share their ideas and potential solutions. Click here for more information or visit Facebook.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 7:00-10:00p.m.: Attend the Whatcom County Council for an emergency public hearing on the proposed mega jail. People will be gathering outside the Whatcom County District Court, 311 Grand Ave., 1st Floor, Bellingham, WA 98825 at 6:00p.m. to learn more about the issues, and then the County Council will convene at 7:00p.m. Visit Facebook for more details.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 5:00-6:30p.m.: Join the ACLU People Power Postcard Party to tell our local representatives that the community wants an “independent oversight entity” to ensure the safety of undocumented residents and immigrants in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The event will be held at at Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, 1107 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225 and is open to all ages. A small donation is appreciated to help with printing costs. Visit Facebook for more information.