2010

Housing Trust Fund - February 8, 2010 - The Housing Trust Fund (HTF), provides funding for low-income housing, and is an integral part of nearly all affordable housing developments in the state.  WSCC supported HB 3177, which would authorize the state to issue $100 million in bonds for the HTF.    The bill also places an additional surcharge on recorded deeds of trust which would be established solely for debt service payments on the bonds.

Abolishing the Death Penalty - January 22, 2010 - A bill, supported by WSCC, was heard in the Senate that would abolish the death penalty in Washington State.

2009

Provision of Services for Special Needs Students - September 3, 2009 - Recognizing that students with special needs attend all types of schools, including private religious schools, WSCC supported an amendment to the state rules (WAC 392-172A-04075).  This would allow provision of special education services on the premises of religious elementary and secondary schools which has previously been prohibited.

Federal Funding for Abstinence Programs - March 19, 2009 - Supporting the present requirement that the Department of Health maximize federal funding for abstinence education programs, WSCC testified against SB 5629, which would make this requirement optional.

Living Wage - February 13, 2009 - WSCC supports providing living wages in public contracts.  The bill is limited to contracts entered into by either the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, or the Department of Ecology on or after January 1, 2010.

Assisted Suicide Regulations - February 10, 2009 - The Department of Health held a hearing on their proposed rules to implement I-1000 legalizing assisted suicide.  WSCC testified regarding the need to have increased safeguards as well as transparency in the reporting process.

Abolishing the Death Penalty - February 10, 2009 - A bill, supported by WSCC, was heard in the Senate that would abolish the death penalty in Washington State.

Benefits for Domestic Partners - February 5, 2009 - In 2007 and 2008, legislation was passed granting certain rights and responsibilities to state registered domestic partners.  This year, bills were heard that granted all the rest of the rights, so that registered domestic partners would be treated the same as married spouses.  WSCC opposed these bills.

2008

Federal Funding for Abstinence Programs - January 28, 2008.  WSCC testified against SB 6305 which would make optional the requirement that the Department of Health maximize federal funding for abstinence education programs.

Domestic Partnerships - January 29, 2008.  For the second year in a row, there was legislation to expand the rights of state registered domestic partnerships.  WSCC testified against SB 6716.

Flood Assistance - January 29, 2008.  Catholic Community Services and the Archdiocesan Housing Authority identified key areas where assistance was needed for those who were affected by the storms and floods in southwest Washington.  Testimony was presented requesting funding for the flood victims.

End of Life Directives - February 26, 2008.  WSCC testified before the Senate about concerns in ESHB 2494, noting that it could have unintended consequences by not allowing access to needed healthcare.

2007

Conscience Clause for Pharmacists - March 2007.  The WSCC testified on the right of conscience for all pharmacists as the Washington State Board of Pharmacy pursues a rule change that could mandate that all pharmacists would be required to dispense all medications, whether or not doing so would violate one's own conscience.

Domestic Partner Benefits - March 2007; January 2007 - The WSCC supports extending “domestic partner” benefits, under specific conditions, to another member of a household.

Death Penalty Legislation, February 2007 - Four bills that would affect the death penalty in Washington State were introduced this year.  WSCC testified in favor of HB 1518 and SB 5786 which would form a task force to study the fairness of the application of the death penalty, and in favor of HB 1707 and SB 5787 which would protect mentally ill offenders from the death penalty.

WASL Funding for Private Schools, February 2007 - The WSCC supports funding for private schools who choose to have their students take the WASL test.

Stem Cell Research, February 2007 - The WSCC supports adult stem cell research, but requests a ban on human cloning and the elimination of any references to allowing embryonic stem cell research.

2006 

Conscience Clause, March 2006 - The WSCC supports the rights of citizens to follow their conscience in the face of laws that contravene their religious beliefs.

Payday Lending, February 2006 - The WSCC supports consumer protections that encourage responsible lending practices.

Plan B, February 2006 - The WSCC opposes the over-the-counter availability of Plan B.

United Nations Population Fund, February 2006 - The WSCC opposes fund allocation for coercive population programs.

Human Rights Commission, January 2006 - The WSCC does not support harassment or unjust discrimination against persons because of their sexual orientation, but opposes EHB 2661, which amends the Human Rights Commission.

2005

Homelessness, March 2005 - The WSCC supports safe and affordable housing for all. 

Life Sciences Discovery Fund, March 2005 - The WSCC does not support the use of public funding for research that lacks ethical guidelines.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research, February 2005 - The WSCC suppports adult stem cell research, but opposes embryonic stem cell research.