Making Democracy Work^®

Democracy Issues  
The LWVWA Democracy Team follows bills related to our representative government, elections, civic education, campaign finance, public accountability and records, and the initiative process. These bills can have sweeping effects on how our government works and even small changes can affect how many other issues get addressed or not.

Local News and Democracy 

Work to support efforts to revive local news and ensure all Washingtonians have ready access to information that helps them build healthy communities and participate in our democracy. Included in this effort is work to expand media-training opportunities for all.

Environment

Agriculture 

Advocacy efforts for the League of Women Voters of Washington in the area of Agriculture will focus on issues as they relate to agriculture viability, climate impacts, pollution and safe food access.

Climate Crisis & Energy 

Support measures that address the climate crisis and create clean and renewable energy sources as well as opportunities to enhance climate and environmental justice.

Forests 

Support measures that protect and restore mature and old-growth forests, reform the adaptive management program and enhance community resilience to wildfire.

Growth Management 

The League supports legislation that assures that land use decisions protect resource lands, forests, shorelines, rural areas and agriculture, and also enhance climate resilience. 

Transportation 
Achieve balanced and efficient systems, prioritizing those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion.

Waste Diversion 

Divert waste from disposal through reuse, reduction, recycling using a variety of methods including extended producer responsibility and product stewardship policies with special attention to packaging, plastics, batteries, and digital electronic products.

Social and Economic Policy

Behavioral Health 

Support increased funding for behavioral health services and behavioral health workforce development.

Early Childhood & K-12 Education 

Promote adequately funded education services that support the development of children, those with special needs, economic vitality for families and businesses, and living wages and training/education for teachers. Ensure that state academic standards are sustained in local districts; and ensure that equitable education is available for all students.

Health Care 

Support measures needed to progress toward Universal Healthcare funded by a single payer system for Washington State. Also support increasing the healthcare workforce capacity and improvements in system regulation.

Affordable Housing & Homelessness 

Ensure affordable housing for all and that new housing development is transit-oriented and contains environmental justice provisions.

Children’s Issues 

Ensure policies that provide for the safety and well-being of all children as well as access to opportunities to develop their full potential.

Criminal Justice 

Advocate for a criminal justice system that is just, effective, equitable and transparent, including sentencing reform, restrictions on use of solitary confinement, police accountability and recognition that mental health conditions and substance use disorders are health issues, not crimes.

Immigrants 

All residents, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, should be treated with dignity and respect. This means that all residents, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, should have access to essential state-funded services, have the opportunity to avail themselves of legal representation in court and immigration proceedings, and have the opportunity to live and work in safety. We encourage all elected officials and government leaders to take action to ensure these fundamental rights, and to condemn xenophobia, discrimination, and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Revenue 

Promote a flexible, equitable tax structure that provides robust support for all government obligations and is based on sound economic policy, including measures that will support savings in government costs to do business.