EOI Updates We need an ambitious budget to help our all people and communities thrive February 25, 2022 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins On February 22, Washington legislators unveiled their proposals to amend the current state budget that runs through June 2023. They had plenty of money to potentially spend, since state tax revenues are coming in faster than expected and federal COVID relief funds remain unallocated. Our people and state also have extraordinary needs. The COVID pandemic […] Read more »
EOI Updates A powerful and historic legislative session April 28, 2021 / October 30, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Steps toward racial equity were in the forefront throughout the session, including automatic restoration of voting rights and multiple measures to rein in excessive use of force and hold police accountable. Read more »
EOI Updates Budgets from Senate and house Democrats take steps towards a fair tax code for Washington March 27, 2021 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins The state budget proposals just released by Washington’s Senate and House Democrats take steps toward a fairer tax code and make critical investments in individuals and working families hardest hit by the pandemic. This combination of moving toward a more balanced tax system and investments in Washington’s people is the right medicine to build a […] Read more »
EOI Updates ‘Building back better’ requires big new investments in women and caregiving February 28, 2021 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Originally published in the South Seattle Emerald COVID-19 has hit the hardest smack at the intersection of racial, gender, and economic disparities, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable amongst us. Black and Brown communities have been much more likely than whites to suffer illness and financial hardship due to COVID-19. The closure of schools and childcare […] Read more »
EOI Updates COVID-19 Federal paid leave requirements April 2, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins 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, […] Read more »
EOI Updates Financial support in the age of coronavirus March 27, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins 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 […] Read more »
EOI Updates Without government spending, coronavirus May cause Washington’s economic collapse March 6, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins 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 […] Read more »
EOI Updates Coronavirus and keeping our communities healthy March 4, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Washington State and Seattle may be the epicenter for coronavirus in the US. Fortunately, we also have a strong public health system and some of the most comprehensive paid leave laws in the country. The best advice from the CDC and public health officials to avoid getting and spreading disease: Stay home when sick Wash […] Read more »
EOI Updates Washington paid family and medical leave rollout update February 4, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Washington’s new Paid Family & Medical Leave program fully launched January 1, 2020 to intense demand. More than 22,000 applications came in during the first month, far more than projected. Washington is the first state to build a PFML program from the ground up. The four states that implemented earlier programs were able to add […] Read more »
EOI Updates Paid family and medical leave is here! January 2, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program is open for business! You can apply here – and learn how to prepare for future leaves or how to support your employees or coworkers needing leave. Paid leave is available to welcome a new child, care for seriously ill family members, recover from your own serious health […] Read more »
