Story of Impact: Government Affairs Impacts State Budget and Policy

When the 2009 legislative session was being defined by a crushing $9.0 billion deficit, intense lobbying and citizen advocacy efforts were the only way to prevent dire cuts to the safety net critical to our partner agencies and the community members.

Thanks to the government affairs and community relations efforts of the Jewish Federation, the social service programs and funding our partner agencies depend on to operate services to low-income people were mostly preserved.

Another major “win” during the session was the passage of legislation allowing the first Jewish hospice to open in Washington State. The Jewish community also scored clear victories related to hate crimes, Holocaust education and public safety.

Significant legislative and budget victories include:

• Passed legislation allowing the first Jewish hospice to open in Washington State.
• Saved Washington’s General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) program, preserving the only safety net for people who are unable to work because of a temporary disability.
• Passed legislation making it harder for people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental facility to buy a firearm.
• Preserved the provision in state law encouraging the teaching of the Holocaust in public schools.
• Passed legislation extending domestic partner benefits to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
• Passed legislation expanding and unifying Washington State’s hate crime statute.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle plays a critical role in meeting the advocacy and political affairs needs of the entire Jewish community in Olympia and Washington, DC.