LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY HQ
Welcome to the Northwest Progressive Insitute, a forward-thinking organization dedicated to fighting for progressive values and common sense policies for America and the Pacific Northwest region. This page provides information about our legislative priorities and advocacy.
bill tracker INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATION WE'RE FOLLOWING
SB 6385: Allowing homeowners the right to recover damages when their homes are damaged by faulty construction. (Part of the Homeowner's Bill of Rights).
Prime Sponsor: Senator Brian Weinstein
Position: NPI supports this bill.
- Action 19 - March 13, 2008 - By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- Action 18 - February 29, 2008 - Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Action 17 - February 28, 2008 - Minority; do not pass.
- Action 16 - February 28, 2008 - JUDI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
- Action 15 - February 28, 2008 - JUDI - Executive action taken by committee.
- Action 14 - February 28, 2008 - Executive action in the House Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM
- Action 13 - February 26, 2008 - Public hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary at 6:00 PM
- Action 12 - February 4, 2008 - First reading, referred to Judiciary.
- Action 11 - February 1, 2008 - Third reading, passed; yeas, 27; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- Action 10 - February 1, 2008 - Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- Action 09 - February 1, 2008 - 1st substitute bill substituted.
- Action 08 - January 30, 2008 - Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- Action 07 - January 28, 2008 - Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Action 06 - January 28, 2008 - Minority; without recommendation.
- Action 05 - January 28, 2008 - Minority; do not pass.
- Action 04 - January 28, 2008 - CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- Action 03 - January 25, 2008 - Executive action in the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing at 8:30 AM
- Action 02 - January 24, 2008 - Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing at 8:30 AM
- Action 01 - January 16, 2008 - First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Housing.
HB 2601:
Increasing the transparency of the initiative process by requiring signature gatherers to register with the state. (Proposal for initiative process reform).
Prime Sponsor: Representative Sam Hunt
Position: NPI supports this bill.
- Action 13 - February 11, 2008 - Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Action 12 - February 7, 2008 - Minority; do not pass.
- Action 11 - February 7, 2008 - APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- Action 10 - February 7, 2008 - APPG - Executive action taken by committee.
- Action 09 - February 7, 2008 - Public hearing and executive action in the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review at 8:00 AM
- Action 08 - February 6, 2008 - Referred to Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review.
SB 6227: Gutting Sound Transit's current board and forcibly giving the agency the responsibility of planning and building roads and highways in addition to transit systems.
Prime Sponsor: Senator Mary Margaret Haugen
Position: NPI opposes this bill.
- Action 02 - February 5, 2008 - Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM
- Action 01 - January 23, 2008 - First reading, referred to Transportation.
HB 2977/SB 6517: Would allow property owners, especially corporations and businesses, to more easily dispute local property tax assessments, thereby shifting property taxes to homeowners.
Prime Sponsors: Senator Mark Schoesler and Rep. Mark Ericks
Position: NPI opposes this bill.
- (SB 6517) Action 01 - January 17, 2008 - First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
- (HB 2977) Action 02 - February 1, 2008 - Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM
- (HB 2977) Action 01 - January 18, 2008 - First reading, referred to Finance.
2008 session priorities LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES
Homeowner's Bill of Rights
The most important investment most Washington families ever make is the purchase of a new home. NPI is participating in the effort to create a homeowner's bill of rights that would provide a recourse for families who are victimized by shoddy construction practices.
Restricting robocalls
They're intrusive, they're annoying, they fill up your answering machine, and they are often employed to disseminate bad information. Consultants may love robocalls as a messaging tool, but we know you don't. The Northwest Progressive Institute is asking the state Legislature to explore restrictions on robocalls (including political robocalls) to put an end to their widspread misuse.
Initiative process reform
It's time to end abuse of our state's cherished powers of direct democracy. NPI is working to protect the spirit of the initiative and referendum process by requiring greater transparency and accountability from paid petitioners and initiative sponsors.
Property tax reform
Washington State's tax structure is outdated and broken. Decades of ignorance, coupled with thoughtless tax cuts, have hurt public services and created an unfair system that needs to be reformed. NPI is collaborating with legislators to develop sensible solutions that will address this problem.
Civics education funding
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is requesting $700,000 in the 2008-2009 supplemental budget to provide training to Washington State’s teachers on new civics classroom based assessments. NPI supports this program to improve instruction of high school social studies classes across the Evergreen State.
Learn more...
View the status of specific NPI priority legislation by following the Bill Tracker (to the right).
NPI strongly supports the Priorities for a Healthy Washington effort. The 2008 priorities are as follows:
- Climate Action and Green Jobs. Status: Heading to the Governor's Desk.
- Local Solutions to Global Warming. Status: Senate concurred with House amendments. Bill ready to head to Governor Gregoire's desk.
- Evergreen Cities. Status: Approved in House and Senate. Ready to head to governor's desk.
- Local Farms, Healthy Kids. Status: House passed Senate version with only one dissenting vote.
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