Whether we like it or not, politics plays a huge role in our lives. And especially as public employees, lawmakers at every level make decisions that impact whether your job will be funded, your retirement plan will remain solvent, or whether you can take time off to care for a sick loved one.

PROTEC17 advocates for laws and policies at the city, county and state level that support our members and their families. In addition, we have a political action committee (PAC) that makes endorsements for worker-friendly candidates. The PAC is funded through voluntary donations — NEVER DUES MONEY.

The PROTEC17 Political Action Committee (PAC) has begun their candidate interviews for the 2021 election cycle. Below you’ll find our list of early endorsements. If you are a candidate interested in an interview, or if you are a member who would like to join the PAC, please reach out to our Political Organizer, Nikki Dias.

• Lorena González, City of Seattle Mayor
• Teresa Mosqueda, City of Seattle Position 8
• Nikita Oliver, City of Seattle Position 9
• Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commissioner Position 3
• Pete Holmes, City of Seattle Attorney
• Dow Constantine, King County Executive
• Rod Dembowski, King County District 1
• Sarah Perry, King County District 3
• Dave Upthegrove, King County District 5 (dual endorsement)
• Shukri Olow, King County District 5 (dual endorsement)
• Saudia Abdullah, King County District 7
• Kim Khanh-Van, King County District 9
• Judge Andrea Robertson, King County Superior Court
• Naghmana Sherazi, City of Spokane District 1, Position 2
• Lacrecia Hill, City of Spokane District 3, Position 2
• Kaylee Galloway, Whatcom County Council District 1
• Rebecca Lewis, Whatcom County Council District 3
• Kate Akuyz, Mercer Island City Council (a PROTEC17 member!)

We have launched our 2021 political endorsement program! This is a unique opportunity for PROTEC17 members to share the work we do with political candidates, as well as to show our support to those who are committed to supporting working people and their families. If you have questions or are interested in participating on the Political Action Committee (PAC) and in the endorsement interviews, please reach out to our Political Organizer, Nikki Dias. Endorsement interviews will take place in summer 2021.

Click the link below to find a summary of the legislation that was passed during the 2021 Washington State legislative session that aligned with PROTEC17’s priorities — click on the graphic on the left for more details.

2021 Washington Legislative Report

TRANSPORTATION

HB 1207: Extension of Drivers Licenses to 8 years with the ability to online renew and upload home photos. 

NEUTRAL. This bill has since been amended with our proposed changes to expire expanded online renewal in 2024, complete an impact study in 2023, and offer a 6-year renewal option. PROTEC17 members who work in the Department of Licensing have expressed many concerns with this proposed legislation — the most important of which is public safety. While it may be helpful to have to visit the DOL office less to renew a drivers license, PROTEC17 DOL members help keep our roads safe by doing assessments and vision exams. Additionally, this legislation poses issues on several levels with the ability to upload photos from home – only every 16 years. It could also be cost prohibitive for low-income or others to pay for an 8-year license. (House Transportation Committee)  PASSED. 

HB 1135: Making transportation appropriations for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium. (Sponsor: Fey)

SUPPORT. House Bill (HB) 1135 proposes $26 billion over 16 years. DID NOT PASS, but with discussion of a special session to address transportation revenue package. 

SB 5165: Making transportation appropriations for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium. (Sponsor: Hobbs)

SUPPORT. Senate Bill (SB) 5165 proposes a $16 billion budget over 16 years. PASSED with $11.8 billion in funding. 

PUBLIC HEALTH

Senate Budget to be debated on the floor on Thurs., April 1. 

SUPPORT. This budget appropriates $150 million for public health in the 2021-23 biennium ($50m first year, $100m second year), and it increases to $300 million for the 2023-25 biennium. These funds are ongoing.

House Budget to be debated on the floor on Sat., April 3.

SUPPORT. This budget allocates $100 million to Public Health during this biennium, however, the funding does not appear to be ongoing. 

Public Health funding for Foundational Public Health Services PASSED in both chambers. $147 million has been allocated for the 2021-23 biennium, and $148 million per year ongoing beginning in 2024.   

SB 5149/HB1201: Fund Public Health through a tax on insurance companies

SUPPORT.  These companion bills propose an assessment on insured lives in the form of $3.25 per member/per month tax on health carriers, Medicaid managed care, and third-party administrators. Once fully realized, it would provide $200 million/year for public health. (Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee) NOT PASSED.

HB 1152 (formerly 1110): Improve the structure and transparency of Health Boards.  

SUPPORT. (House Health Care and Wellness Committee) This would support comprehensive restructuring and transparency on Boards of Health in Washington. PASSED. 

SB 5371: Funding for Public Health through a sugary beverage/soda tax.  

SUPPORT. DID NOT PASS.

SB 5129: Concerning the possession of vapor, vapor products, tobacco, and tobacco products by minors.

SUPPORT. SB 5129 eliminates the youth Purchase, Use, and Possession (PUP) laws related to tobacco. The current laws allow for law enforcement to detain youth suspected of possessing or attempting to purchase tobacco or vaping products. PUP laws are ineffective in reducing and preventing youth use, and youth of color and LGBTQ youth are disproportionally targeted by the criminal justice system. DID NOT PASS. 

CAPITAL GAINS & BILLIONAIRES TAX

HB 1406: Billionaires Tax

SUPPORT. This bill would tax the skyrocketing wealth of billionaires in our state, and the money collected would be reinvested to fund a just and equitable recovery from the current economic crisis. (House Finance Committee) DID NOT PASS. 

SB 5096: Capital Gains Tax on Extraordinary Wealth

SUPPORT. SB 5096 is a tax on extraordinary capital gains profits that will be paid by only 2% of the very wealthiest Washingtonians and aims to fix our upside down tax code. The funds generated will be used for a wide variety of programs and services that support our communities, like childcare, infrastructure, and more. PASSED. 

WORKERS’ RIGHTS & BENEFITS

SB 5061: Unemployment insurance tax relief for businesses and improve unemployment benefits for working people.

AMMEND. As written, this bill would do more for businesses than for workers. PROTEC17 advocates amending this bill to address the crisis in our unemployment system, such as requiring speedy payment of claims, waiving overpayments, auditing past denials, and more. (Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Senate Committee). PASSED and signed into law on Feb. 8.

HB 1076: The ‘Worker Protection Act’

SUPPORT. The Worker Protection Act would expand the legal tools workers can use to enforce their rights. (House Workplace and Labor Committee) DID NOT PASS. 

HB 1297: Working Families Tax Credit

SUPPORT. This bill would get money into the pockets of low-wage workers.  (House Finance Committee) PASSED. 

SB 5021: Mitigating the effect of expenditure reduction efforts on retirement benefits for public employees

SUPPORT. This bill provides that specified public pensions will not be reduced as a result of compensation reductions that are part of a public employer’s expenditure reduction efforts during the 2019-2021 and 2021-23 fiscal biennia. It also provides that the pension benefit of an employee covered by a pension system that is administered by the Department of Retirement Systems is not reduced as a result of participation in an unemployment insurance shared work program. PASSED. 

SAFE COMMUNITIES FOR ALL

SB 5051: Concerning state oversight and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers.

SUPPORT. SB 5051 is a bill that creates oversight at the statewide level to decertify police officers for unethical or gross misconduct. This bill passed the Senate and we hope to see it in the House chamber soon. PASSED. 

HB 1054: Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers.

SUPPORT. HB 1054 establishes requirements for using certain types of use of force and prohibits others – like choke holds, tear gas, and using dogs to arrest or apprehend people. This bill has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. PASSED.