Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Every year a number of policies are proposed that, if adopted, would impact immigrant communities in Washington State. As part of its state and local policy work, OneAmerica tracks policies across the state to gauge their impact on immigrant communities and to organize an appropriate response to ensure that policy makers are informed and educated about the effects of these proposed policies.  OneAmerica’s work falls into three primary categories: Policy Analysis, Education and Advocacy.

Policy Analysis: OneAmerica analyzes policies at the state and local level to gauge their impact on immigrants and identify whether the organization should support or oppose the proposed policy changes.

Education: After analyzing the impact of a policy on Washington’s foreign-born residents, OneAmerica disseminates the analysis through policy briefs, testimony at public hearings, its network of member organizations and individuals, and other mediums to educate the public and policy makers about the effect of these proposals on immigrants.

Advocacy: Through coordination with its organizing team, OneAmerica engages in advocacy efforts designed to impact policy discourse and win favorable policies for the immigrant communities of Washington State.

Below are a list of bills and budget items that OneAmerica is currently tracking during the 2010 legislative session:

Budget items:

OneAmerica’s testimony on the Governor's 2010 supplemental budget proposal, as presented to the House and Senate Committees on Ways & Means.

Washington New Americans Program: The  final budget funded the Washington New Americans Program at $283,000 for 2010, an increase of $30,000 over 2009.

Medical Interpreter Services: The final budget maintained funding for Medical Interpreter Services at $16.6 million for the 2009-2011 biennium.

Legislation:

OneAmerica Supports:

SHB3145 and SSB6456 (formerly HB 2646)/Improving administration of wage complaints

OneAmerica’s testimony as presented to the House Committee on Commerce and Labor and the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Status: Signed into law by Governor Gregoire.

SSB6449/Regarding signature gatherers for petitions

Status: Did not pass.

SB6371/Concerning money transmitters

OneAmerica’s testimony as presented to the House Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance and the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing and Insurance.

Status: Signed into law by Governor Gregoire.

HB3026/Regarding school district compliance with state and federal civil rights laws

Letter to Governor Gregoire in support of HB3026 from OneAmerica Executive Director Pramila Jayapal

Status: Signed into law by Governor Gregoire.

OneAmerica Opposes:

SHB 2433/Addressing compliance with federal selective service requirements before the issuance of drivers' licenses and identicards

Status: Did not pass.

HB3118/Requiring driver's license and instruction permit applicants to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States

Status: Did not pass.

SB6472/Concerning citizenship

Status: Did not pass.

SB6569/Regarding unlawful aliens

Status: Did not pass.