There's something new this morning, the
Washington State Netroots Agenda. This is the brainchild of Emmett O'Connell, owner/writer of
Olympia Time. Hosts:
Institute for Washington's Future (IWF),
Washblog,
Evergreen Politics,
Democracy for Washington, and Olympia Time. The idea is to conduct a contest, similar in structure to SEIU's
Since Sliced Bread but focused on policy ideas for the Washington State Legislature. In mid-November community votes will have winnowed it down to the top seven. These will be presented to state legislators at a prime time in the legislative cycle for considering new bills. The idea posting
begins now.
I began my posts on the Netroots page with a list of the policy agendas of Washington State organizations that I know of. Here 'tis:
PUBLIC POLICY AGENDAS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Crossposted on Washington State Netroots Agenda
Before you post your own proposal for a new law, it can be helpful to see with other organizations have proposed -- either on your topic or on related topics. So here is the beginning of a list of public policy agendas and statements of Washington State and other regional organizations. What others should be listed here? Please include suggestions in the comments.
A benefit of collocating the policy agendas of multiple organizations is that this creates context for all these agendas. Where do they overlap? Where are there gaps? Where are there interesting and possibly fruitful connections the work and concepts of various groups?
In Washington State there have been several examples recently of organizations working together on their legislative strategies. Washington Environmental Coalition's legislative strategy provides a powerful example of how collorative policy agendas can get results. Their legislative priorities each session are selected by several dozen Washington environmental groups. The result of this remarkable collaboration in Washington is a much higher level of success in the passage of key environmental laws.
We also see a successful effort at coordinating legislative agendas with the King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee, which just began last year to identify legislative priorities and to work in a concerted way with state legislators on these priorities. This has been a great success.
Eventually, we may see a similar approach used in other arenas -- for example, in structural election and campaign reform. In my estimation, coordination between people working for reforms in campaign finance, election integrity, districting, proportional voting, the electoral college -- and perhaps even tax reform -- could have very powerful results. Ideas anyone?
POLICY STATEMENTS
Apollo Washington
Apollo Washington is a coalition of unions, environmental groups and community-based organizations convened to pursue a statewide agenda of investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency to create good jobs, achieve energy independence, revitalize underserved and rural communities and improve our environment. Coalition partners endorse the Apollo Washington Ten Point Platform. Apollo Washington adopts and adheres to the principles and goals of the national Apollo Alliance and seeks to coordinate its work with other state Apollo projects and the national Apollo agenda.
Cascade Agenda
The Cascade Agenda is a 100-year program that conserves more than 1.26 million acres of land from Puget Sound to the Columbia River, encourages wise development of homes and business in the growing four-county area and fosters a non-regulatory, market-based approach to cooperation between business and conservationists.
Childrens Alliance 2007 Legislative Agenda Survey
This short survey will take 5-10 minutes and will help inform the policy work that the Children's Alliance does in the 2007 legislative session and beyond. Your input is essential in guiding our advocacy and keeping us informed about the emerging needs of children from around the state.
Economic Opportunity Institute
The Economic Opportunity Institute offers solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing individuals and children in Washington ― solutions that result in long-term economic security for families and communities. Our policy work focuses on building economic security for working families, giving every child a chance for success, and providing real opportunity for the people in our state. We encourage the use of taxpayer dollars in programs that have a measurable return in productivity, cost savings, and individual achievement.
Farmworker Pesticide Program
FWPP submits comments, petitions and other advocacy documents to government agencies and elected officials, encouraging policy reforms to better protect workers and their families from pesticides.
Harvesting Clean Energy
The Harvesting Clean Energy Network has crafted an Action Plan for rural clean energy development. It is a set of incentives-based actions that can be undertaken by state governments, and in some cases by local governments. The Action Plan calls on each state to undertake strategic planning for clean energy development, and lays out a set of actions to grow clean energy production, as well as specific actions targeted to growing production capacities and markets for clean fuels and electricity.
People for Puget Sound
During the 2006 legislative session, which concluded in March, People for Puget Sound working together with a coalition of other environmental groups successfully advanced a package of Puget Sound related legislation and budget items which grew out of the Governor's Puget Sound Clean Up Initiative.
Washington Association of Churches
Our Biblical faith calls upon us to measure justice in our society by how the needs of the poor and the oppressed are met. Consistently, the prophets called upon religious and political leaders to end economic injustice. If we are faithful to God's ways, God's words and God's works, we must change public policy to address the lack of moral values that the following facts reveal about hunger, housing and healthcare.
Washington Education Association
WEA's Legislative Goals 2005-2007
Washington Environmental Council
Say what you are going to do. And then do it. People respond to that kind of hard work and accountability. And that's how we work here at WEC. In March, after thousands of people like you helped pass three out of four priority proposals, the Seattle Times editorialized "Olympia Turns Green." The editorial starts with, "Environmental organizations had a remarkably productive session in Olympia ...Through at least the past four legislative sessions, environmental groups have been better prepared and focused on a limited agenda. They show up in Olympia with a short, tight to-do list, and have done well." Getting good laws passed, better enforced and funded is what we do, thanks to your support. And those protections help you and me in our everyday lives.
Washington Public Campaigns
We must liberate ourselves and our politicians from a broken system. Washington Public Campaigns is organizing toward public financing of all election campaigns in Washington state. WPC is drafting a bill for consideration by the 2007 legislature, expecting hearings and publicity on the proposal. If it fails to pass, we are carefully considering a citizen initiative -- perhaps an initiative to the 2008 legislature, which would automatically be placed on the November ballot that year if it is not adopted by the legislature exactly as written.
Washington State University Triple Bio Program
[This is not a legislative agenda, but rather an action agenda that, to me, suggests several areas for legislative action. NM]
Washington's agricultural and natural resource industries face increasing pressure from rising energy and input prices, increasing global competition, global climate change, heightened demand for environmental responsibility, and declining rural income relative to urban populations. In this difficult context, our farmers are being called upon to produce energy in addition to food and fiber, while also providing environmental services such as clean air and water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Triple BIO's <sup>TM</sup> is a comprehensive program to address all of these competing interests without compromising the primary goal of improved agricultural sustainability in Washington State.
Washington Tax Fairness Coalition
Washington State is falling behind in maintaining our quality of life and in supporting families who are working to meet their basic needs. We have created a situation where low and moderate-income families bear the heaviest share of our taxes. Together, we should reform our tax system such that all income groups pay their fair share. Washington's tax system should provide adequate and consistent revenues for families and communities to maintain a healthy and productive standard of living.