Blog
Discover more about our recent advocacy and the communities we fight for through our latest blog posts and media releases.
THE LATEST
Stand up for workers this Earth Day
On Earth Day we have a special obligation to confront the reality of climate chaos and the unequal impacts it has on people across Washington. Extreme heat and wildfires are now a part of our seasons, and many of us cannot just stay indoors until the seasons change....
We have some exciting news…
We are thrilled to share that our Advocacy Director Janet Chung has been appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One.
End of Year Legislative Recap 2022
Wrap up of the 2022 legislative session.
Governor Inslee signs bill providing LFO relief options to people who can demonstrate an inability to pay
Last week, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that will provide much-needed relief to people burdened with legal financial obligations (LFOs)—the fees, fines, costs, and restitution imposed by courts on people with criminal convictions. House Bill...
Governor Inslee signs bill giving judges discretion to grant late public assistance hearings for good cause
Senate Bill 5729 creates a “good cause exception”, letting judges grant a hearing even if people missed the deadline to request one, so long as they had a good reason for doing so.
The little things add up
Much of the behind the scenes work that happens in Olympia may not be headline material, but those small, unheralded interventions help to protect low-income communities.
Action Alert: Support HB 1169
Call your Senator and ask them to pass HB 1169 as it passed out of the Law and Justice Committee and to oppose any amendment to HB 1169 that strips out retroactivity. When a government recognizes that a criminal sentencing law is excessive, unfair, and...
Action Alert: Support HB 1412
HB 1412 provides individuals with new and necessary opportunities to seek relief from LFO debt if they are unable to pay.
Action Alert: Contact your legislators to vote YES on HB 1300
Support HB 1300 – Tenants should not fall into debt because of exaggerated, unsubstantiated damage claims.
HB 1874 Joint Letter – WA Policy Center & CLS
HB 1412: Opening up Opportunities for Relief from LFO Debt
HB 1412 provides individuals with new and necessary opportunities to seek relief from LFO debt if they are unable to pay.
King County Settlement for Children and Youth Harmed After Being Held Illegally in Solitary Confinement
Settlement will compensate 76 people who were illegally held in solitary confinement in King County’s adult jails as children or young adults.