EOI Updates 2019 legislative health policy update March 18, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Ashley Sutton Washington’s legislature is moving forward a menu of bills that will improve health and economic security for state residents by lowering health care costs, increasing access, and offering more comprehensive, transparent, and equitable medical services. These bills still have to survive another series of hearings and votes before becoming law, but they made it past […] Read more »
EOI Updates Mythbusting Washington’s 2019-2021 budget March 15, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Aaron Keating Washington’s next revenue forecast will lay out a stark choice for legislators: stick with a status quo that shortchanges residents — or take bold steps to solve the state’s chronic budget shortfalls. When the state’s revenue forecast is released next week, legislators will turn much of their focus to hashing out Washington’s 2019-2021 budget. Given […] Read more »
EOI Updates What health care providers mean when they say they can’t lower costs March 14, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Matthew Caruchet When you start a career in nonprofit work, you’re generally giving up on earning Bezos-like money, even if you make it to the top. As an old mentor used to say, “There are hundreds of dollars to be made in doing the right thing.” To wit: EOI is a nonprofit. It paid its leader $85,208 […] Read more »
EOI Updates Trump’s overtime change won’t help Washington March 8, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins President Trump’s Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a proposed new overtime salary threshold of $679 per week, or $35,308 a year. The proposed new rule will leave millions of American workers toiling long hours below a living wage. Overtime rules require employers to pay salaried workers who make less than the threshold additional wages […] Read more »
EOI Updates Five statewide bills to make women’s lives easier March 8, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins In time to celebrate International Women’s Day, the Legislature is tackling a range of issues central to opportunity and economic security for Washington women, including pay discrimination, childcare, long term care, and restoring rights to previously incarcerated people. These policies still have to go through several more hoops to become state law, but in the […] Read more »
EOI Updates EOI’s changemakers dinner March 8, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Economic Opportunity Institute Each year, our dinner draws supporters, activists, legislators, and friends to celebrate progressive policy victories and re-focus our shared vision for the future. Will you join us this year and be a Changemaker? Reserve your seat today! Event Details: Date: September 19, 2019 Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm Location: Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center 305 Harrison St. Seattle, 98109 We’ll […] Read more »
EOI Updates Low pay for early childhood educators hits Hispanics harder February 15, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by John Burbank The failure to fully compensate early learning teachers and caregivers reinforces pay disparities for Washington’s Hispanic population, as the workforce is disproportionately composed of Hispanic people. Poverty level compensation violates the State of Washington’s intent to address racial inequity in early learning and build the “organizational capacity to advance racial equity.” Using Census Bureau Quarterly […] Read more »
EOI Updates Countdown to conception February 11, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Economic Opportunity Institute Hello happy couples! Are you considering having a baby? Well when a man and a woman love each other very much … they wait for PAID family and medical leave. In 2020, Washington workers will be able to take time off work to care for their new child, while receiving financial benefits. But if your […] Read more »
EOI Updates Hiring based on previous salary perpetuates inequality February 7, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Last year, Washington’s Legislature took an important step in closing the gender and racial wage gaps by updating our state’s equal pay law for the first time since World War II. But more is needed to end the legacy of centuries of discrimination. This year, legislators are considering another step that will bring us closer […] Read more »
EOI Updates Washington legislature considers affordable health option February 1, 2019 / October 26, 2026 by Ashley Sutton Washington legislators are considering a plan to make health care more affordable to families and individuals who struggle to pay premiums, then face a high deductible when they need medical care. Jed Whittaker, a Kitsap father of two and small business owner, shared his family’s dilemma at a hearing for Cascade Care, House Bill 1523, […] Read more »
