Tight state budget puts squeeze on communities of color - what can you do?

On Monday, January 11, 2010, the 2010 Legislative Session began in Olympia with the primary focus on a supplemental budget process that is required to fill a $2.6 billion gap in the 2009-2011 biennial budget. The short 60-day legislative session will run until March 11^th, unless the legislature and Governor choose to extend it.

Staff from OneAmerica will be in Olympia during the session to work on gathering support for our 2010 Legislative Agenda (link), which includes protecting funding for the Washington New Americans program (link to fact sheet) and preserving funds for language access and acquisition programs, including medical interpreter services. In addition, OneAmerica will be doing its part to ensure that the legislature does not implement a “cuts-only” budget, but looks at new, progressive revenue sources that do not disproportionately impact communities of color, including immigrants. New revenue is essential to stop the cuts that have already eroded important services and programs for all Washington State residents.

Please follow along as we provide updates on legislative happenings from the Capitol Campus on this blog and as OneAmerica advocates with and for immigrant communities in Washington State. How can you help?

1)      Join us on January 26^th in Olympia for Immigrant’s Day at the Capitol

2)      Contact your State Representatives and Senators at 800-562-6000 and urge them to support OneAmerica’s legislative agenda, including the Washington New Americans Citizenship program. Don’t know who your legislators are? Don’t worry, visit here.