The Lobby Team at the August 2024 retreat. From left to right: Phyllis Farrell, Ann Murphy, Kate Lunceford, Karen Tvedt, Dee Anne Finken, Cynthia Stewart, Heather Kelly, Mary Coltrane (LWVWA President), Marty Gibbins, and Alison McCaffree. Not able to attend were Catherine Ahl, Mary Lynne Courtney, and Cindy Madigan

Some of the most important work the League does is its advocacy work. At the state level, the LWVWA Lobby Team leads this work, with guidance on priorities from local Leagues and the LWVWA Board of Directors.

The LWVWA Lobby Team is a group of League members with expertise in certain issues who have been approved by the LWVWA Board to speak on behalf of the League at the WA legislature regarding the issue for which they have been appointed. The Team has a bit of respite after each session, but essentially keeps work all year—though at a less frantic pace. Throughout the year there are coalition meetings to attend, research to do, briefings to various local Leagues and other groups, and planning for the year ahead.

In late August, the Lobby Team met in a retreat to plan for the year ahead. Some of the projects the Team is engaged with now include a webinar on the November ballot initiatives and an upcoming Action Workshop.

Are you interested in helping the Lobby Team? There are a number of ways that you can support the Team on issues you care about! You could be trained as a future Issue Chair or support the Team as an Advocate. You can also watch the weekly Legislative Action Newsletter (published during WA legislative session) and take action as requested. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cynthia Stewart.

Initiative Webinar

The Lobby Team is sponsoring a webinar on the November ballot initiatives—I-2109 (related to the Capital Gains Tax); I-2117 (related to the Climate Commitment Act); I-2124 (related to the WA Cares Act); I-2124 (related to the WA Cares Act); and I-2066 (related to restrictions on access to natural gas). The webinar is offered at two times to make it accessible to as many members as possible. Attend one of the webinar sessions to understand what's at stake if these initiatives pass and why the League recommends voting NO on all four.

The two sessions are:

• Thursday, September 26, 6:30-8:00 PM. Click here to attend.
  
• Saturday, September 28, 10:00-11:30 AM. Click here to attend.

Action Workshop

This year, instead of holding both an Action Workshop in the Fall and Lobby Week during the legislative session, the Lobby Team will hold one virtual Action Workshop this fall and offer support to local Leagues who are interested in holding meet and greets or other events with their local legislators before the session begins in January. Because there are a number of factors that will influence the next legislative session, including uncertain election outcomes, new executive branch leadership, and the forecast of decline revenues compounded by the effects of the initiatives if they pass, the Lobby Team believes pre-session is too early to set priorities. Instead, the Team wants to facilitate local League involvement with coaching that can also apply to advocacy at the local level. Watch for more information on Action Workshop soon.