!!VOTING IN WASHINGTON BEGINS OCTOBER 18, 2024!!
ALL WA VOTERS WILL BE PRESENTED THIS YEAR WITH 3 INITIATIVES THAT, IF THEY PASS, WOULD REPEAL LAWS THE FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE; PROMOTE PROGRESSIVE TAXATION; AND PROVIDE LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE. AAUW-WA HAS STUDIED THESE AND CONCLUDED THAT SUCH AN OUTCOME WOULD BE CONFLICT WITH THE GOALS OF OUR ORGANIZATION. AAUW-WA RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE NO ON THESE:
NO on 2117 Climate Commitment Act Repeal
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RPj11pOJs3Y9OXRaS8bvWhxtFjIHdNHM/edit
NO on 2109 Capital Gains Excise Tax Repeal
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uT5V1mG-kEkoGP6Z90ZvzSMalEG3p7G7/edit
NO on 2124 Long Term Insurance Program Changes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBzEoQYbxcrDyahD2Z8imS_spsJEmL3T/edit
THESE CHOICES ARE SO IMPORTANT! CLICK THE LINKS TO FIND TALKING POINTS PREPARED BY THE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE. WE HOPE YOU WILL SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES.
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***TITLE IX UPDATES***
AAUW welcomes recent revisions and updates of Title IX regulations. Rules increase protection for student survivors of sexual harassment and assault; ensure equal education opportunities for pregnant, parenting, and LGBTQ+ students.
DIVE INTO THE DETAILS HERE
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EQUAL PAY DAY MARCH 12 2024–Overall the pay gap between women and men who work full time has remained stuck for decades at around 20%. Women earn 80% of what men earn.
Get the scoop and the data HERE
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Washington Legislative Session ended March 7, 2024. Sign up for Legislative Updates for next session here:
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The next Lobby Day in Washington State is not until January 2025, but AAUW members have resources to be involved in policy issues all year long through the AAUW TAKE ACTION website. https://www.aauw.org/act/
Whether it’s learning about national issues pertaining to equity that AAUW is following, such as Title IX, the Paycheck Fairness Act, or discovering the pay gap in Washington State, you’ll find the information there. Take a deep dive into the substance of an issue, or review AAUW’s policy priorities. And you can have your say as well by signing up for the Two Minute Activist; the AAUW policy newsletter or text AAUW to 21333 for text alerts! You can also contribute by donating to the Action Fund which supports all AAUW’s advocacy efforts on behalf of equity for women and girls.
Two Minute Activist
Have you signed up for AAUW’s Two Minute Activist notices? Did you know that it sometimes has state lobby campaigns and local activism? Sign up today to make a difference!
The Crisis in Local News and Democracy
“The Decline of Local News and its Impact on Democracy” from the League of Women Voters in WA. This report has implications for all of us, especially AAUW in its work in the community and advocacy. It’s long but very reader friendly! Check it out at this link: The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy
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AAUW RESPONSE ON ABORTION ISSUE
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) strongly condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The decision overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established abortion as a constitutionally protected right nearly 50 years ago and ignores the will of the American people, 80% of whom support legal abortion.
AAUW believes everyone has the right to make decisions about their own reproductive lives without government interference. Abortion access is vital to women’s ability to control their lives, bodies and futures. Without reproductive freedom, there can be no equity. For more see http://aauw.org
CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITY
AAUW joins with other organizations to counter trends toward inequality in the U.S. We demand our legislators:
***Pass Voting legislation to guarantee access to the ballot box for all
***Confirm and publish the Equal Rights Amendment: it has been ratified by Congress and 38 states. It’s time to publish it as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
***Restore reproductive freedom for women and those who can become pregnant
https://wa-online.aauw.net/advocacy/