News & Stories
Policy is personal. So, we want to share more than just data.
Stay up to date with our legislative updates, organizational news, media mentions, and more.
Workers have won strong paid leave laws.
COVID-19 has disrupted almost every aspect of everyday life, including at higher education institutions. Moving classes online, cancelling gatherings, and closing libraries, gyms, and housing have proven to be major disruptions for students, faculty and staff. But people who have left college and have student loans to repay are also facing grave financial worries. Student […]
Washington’s regressive tax system has failed us. Again. This weekend, Governor Inslee vetoed nearly two dozen bills recently passed by the Legislature, including one that would have extended health care to low-income women and birth parents up to one year after giving birth. Other items on the chopping block – a prescription drug affordability board, […]
On Friday, the Washington Supreme Court decided to not review the ruling of the Court of Appeals on Seattle’s income tax on the affluent. This means that Seattle can create an income tax, but it can’t be progressive — and the archaic legal equation that income is property remains in force in our state. “Seattle […]
Looking for information on how to sign up for health insurance? Click here for more information. With our country’s broken health care system and high levels of uninsurance, it should come as no surprise that the United States has quickly become the world leader in the number of COVID-19 cases. Despite being well-resourced and a […]
On March 27, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, allocating $350 billion to help small businesses and nonprofits survive the pandemic-induced economic freefall. One initiative within this legislation, the Paycheck Protection Program, provides federally guaranteed loans to help eligible organizations maintain payrolls through June 2020. All, or a portion of […]
In the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) passed on March 18, Congress enacted the first national paid leave standards. The law requires companies with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid leave to employees impacted by coronavirus, with possible exemption Emergency federal leave goes into effect on April 1 and expires on December 31, […]
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange has implemented a “special enrollment period” through May 8, which will enable people to sign up for coverage on the exchange in the event of a change in income or the loss of a job or employer-based health insurance. No- and low-cost health coverage is available through Washington Healthplanfinder. If you […]
Policy will repeat mistakes of Great Recession stimulus – contact your member of Congress now! UPDATE 4/1/20 8 PM PST: The Trump administration has (partly) changed course: Social Security recipients will not have to file tax returns to receive a stimulus check. But: very low-income seniors and people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income, […]
Emergency workers are on the front line of the COVID‐19 outbreak
The coronavirus pandemic has most of us hunkering down at home and thousands of businesses forced to close their doors. New unemployment insurance claims from out-of-work Washingtonians rose the second week in March to more than 14,000, from an average of about 6,000 a week the previous month. Last week, a whopping 133,464 people applied […]
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There’s nothing like a global pandemic and an ensuing economic crisis to drive home the point that health care is not a luxury. Today, on the tenth anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), we take stock of what we’ve gained – and how urgent it is to continue our fight for […]
When your friend is sick, running a temperature of 103, coughing, sweating, and vomiting, do you leave her $200 and think that will is enough for her get better? No, that wouldn’t be enough. Neither is the federal government’s plan to send out $1,200 checks. To get better, your friend needs tender-loving care, health consultations, […]
As the novel coronavirus spreads throughout our community, we are pulling together to help each other out and protect our society.
EOI has closed its office and is asking all staff to work remotely. No one-on-one meetings. We have also put in place this paid sick leave policy: During the current state of emergency, EOI will make up to 3 weeks of additional paid leave available to staff for use if: · they become infected with […]
President Trump, grappling with a brewing economic crisis precipitated by his failure to manage the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thinks he’s found the answer: a payroll tax cut. It’s the wrong prescription for our economy. As part of a broader package of emergency response, Congress should instead expand Social Security, which – exactly […]
Washington’s 2020 legislative session wraps up just as the extent of the coronavirus crisis is becoming clear and further illuminating holes in our health care system. We knew at the start of session that passing bills with much of a price tag would be an uphill battle, but we did see some movement forward on […]
In the current and accelerating health and economic crisis, state and local policy makers need the tools to activate resources to protect Washington residents. This is particularly important as public health needs are escalating while public revenues are dropping. We understand that the Legislature will adjourn soon, so this may be something that our leaders must […]
The usual lunchtime crowds are gone from downtown Seattle, as businesses and individuals heed the advice of public health officials to stay home if sick and work from home if they can. That means no more long lines at food trucks, restaurants, and retail shops. We don’t know yet how the COVID-19 crisis will ultimately […]