{"id":7494,"date":"2024-03-27T15:22:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T20:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=7494"},"modified":"2024-06-27T14:46:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T19:46:51","slug":"march-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/march-updates-u-n-and-state-edition-2\/","title":{"rendered":"March Updates – U.N. and State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following are updates shared from submissions of the Lutheran Office for World Community and state public policy offices (sppos) in the ELCA Advocacy Network last month. Full list and map of sppos available<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

U.N.<\/a> |\u00a0ARIZONA <\/a>| CALIFORNIA <\/a> | MINNESOTA <\/a> | OHIO <\/a> | PENNSYLVANIA <\/a> | WASHINGTON <\/a> | WISCONSIN <\/a>
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New York<\/h5>\n
Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), U.N. – ELCA.org\/lowc <\/a><\/h5>\n
Christine Mangale, Director<\/h5>\n

As our Lutheran Office for World Community colleagues conclude vigorous activity during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68<\/a>), no March update is available.<\/p>\n

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Arizona<\/h5>\n
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY ARIZONA (LAMA) lamaz.org<\/span><\/a><\/h5>\n
Solveig Muus, Director<\/h5>\n

LAMA hosted its 3rd annual Lutheran Day at the Legislature<\/span><\/a> on January 18. <\/span>Gathered were <\/span>125 Lutherans and friends representing 24 of Arizona\u2019s 30 legislative districts to hear remarks from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Arizona\u2019s longest-serving <\/span>s<\/span>enator, Lela Alston, Bishop Deborah Hutterer and <\/span>others<\/span>, and then met with their legislators about hunger, the water crisis, equal access to voting, and the need for low-income housing. Participants met with more than 40 lawmakers, practicing neighbor love through advocacy and demonstrating that faith is an action word.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LAMA co-hosted its 2nd annual Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day at the Capitol<\/span><\/a> on February 21. LAMA co-founded the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance, a statewide coalition of food banks, farmers, healthy school meals advocates, community gardeners, justice advocates, state agencies and faith-based organizations who share common values \u2013 ending hunger! \u2013 to educate our legislators and advocate for the more than 750,000 Arizonans who face hunger every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grand Canyon Synod Hunger Leaders Network sponsored the<\/span> 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge<\/span><\/a>, an ELCA Region 2 inter-synod challenge. <\/span>Participating were <\/span>708 individuals in 149 congregations across the <\/span>five<\/span> synods<\/span> of Region 2<\/span>. Based on the enthusiastic response to the <\/span>c<\/span>hallenge and a productive regional meeting at the ELCA World Hunger Leaders Gathering in February, the Region 2 delegates decided to meet regularly to discern how the five synods might collaborate as church together around hunger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grand Canyon Synod\u2019s<\/span> Bishop Deborah Hutterer joined other faith leaders and lawmakers<\/span><\/a> from both sides of the <\/span>a<\/span>isle on February 15 to discuss the pressing need for affordable, accessible housing, pressing for the passage of Yes In God\u2019s Back<\/span>y<\/span>ard (YIGBY)<\/span>,<\/span> legislation aimed at helping Arizona meet the needs of its inadequately-housed citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n

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California<\/h5>\n
Lutheran Office of Public Policy (LOPPCA) – lutheranpublicpolicyca.org<\/a><\/h5>\n
Regina Banks, Director<\/h5>\n

LOPPCA has a strong focus on the state budget situation leading up to the May Revision deadline. The Legislative Analyst\u2019s Office projects a potential $73 billion deficit as of February. Our priority areas to prevent the most drastic cuts this year are centered in housing, human services, and climate. A budget letter containing<\/span> LOPPCA\u2019s specific 2024 budget asks has been completed<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The policy bill process is ramping up in the state legislature as well. A couple bills that we\u2019ve begun to track and support in our office include:<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

AB 2090 (Irwin) \u2013<\/b> which w<\/span>ould require the Office of Farm to Fork in CA\u2019s Department of Agriculture to work with transportation agencies to prioritize efforts in food deserts, especially counties most impacted by food security. Additionally, the bill would require the office to work with school districts to assess access to school meal programs during academic calendar breaks and school closures.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 252 (Gonzalez) \u2013<\/b> which w<\/span>ould prohibit the state retirement systems from making new investments or renewing existing investments of retirement funds in a fossil fuel company.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Upcoming event:<\/b> Registration is ongoing for our 5<\/span>th<\/span> annual Lutheran Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 15<\/span>th<\/span> in Sacramento! Register and learn more here:<\/span> https:\/\/lutheranpublicpolicyca.org\/lutheran-lobby-day-2024<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>Minnesota<\/b><\/h5>\n
Lutheran Advocacy Minnesota (LA-MN) \u2013 <\/b>lutheranadvocacymn.org<\/b><\/a><\/h5>\n
Tammy Walhof, Director<\/b><\/h5>\n

E-Waste Recycling:<\/b> Bills to redefine and collect electronic waste have passed House and Senate Environment Committees. Next, they must pass the respective Commerce Committees, and then Ways and Means in the House and Finance in the Senate. Our previous Action Alerts<\/a> are still valid, but focus on asking legislators to urge their colleagues in the Commerce Committees to pass the bills (H.F.3566 in House; S.F.3940 in Senate). Concerns with small upfront fees to be charged on electronics to pay for statewide collection should be countered by reminding legislators that health costs of toxins getting into groundwater or air are much greater, as are taxpayer costs as counties address fire hazards from electronics in trash.<\/p>\n

Affordable Housing:<\/b> The House Capitol Investment Committee passed H.F.4194 for <\/span>$500 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs) and an expansion of the possible uses of HIBs to allow funds to be used to address deferred maintenance, insurance, renovations, and more. Our partners at MCCD (Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers) claim that about one-third of affordable housing residents are at risk of losing housing because operators can\u2019t keep up with expenses (a problem stemming from increasing insurance and pandemic losses). Although <\/span>we do not expect obstacles at the House Housing Committee, please <\/span>watch for Action Alerts as HIBs move forward from there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Lenten Letter Challenge:<\/b> Action is still possible from this initiative which helps<\/span> generate action to legislators from your church, committee, group, friends, or wherever through our<\/span> Lenten Letter Challenge (scroll to mid-page)<\/span><\/a>. Action doesn\u2019t need to be tied to Lent, but Lenten season <\/span>launch was meaningful<\/span> timing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ohio<\/h5>\n
Hunger Network in Ohio (HNO) – www.hungernetohio.com<\/a><\/h5>\n
Deacon Nick Bates, Director<\/h5>\n

Gerrymandering Reform NOW!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When legislators are more concerned with small segments of primary voters and cable news quotes, our food pantries, social services, and school groups will not be heard on the local needs. That is why the Hunger Network is all in on <\/span>g<\/span>errymandering reform! The <\/span>Citizens not Politicians campaign <\/span><\/i>is gathering signatures to put the issue before Ohio voters in November. Luther said that <\/span>Daily bread<\/span><\/i> includes good government. We need a government where the people choose our <\/span>r<\/span>epresentatives not where politicians choose their voters. Learn more at<\/span> https:\/\/www.hungernetohio.com\/redistricting<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Faith Leaders Legislative Lunch April 16th 11-1pm at the Ohio Statehouse. <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Join people of faith and advocates to have lunch with our lawmakers to discuss safe, decent, and affordable housing in Ohio and what can be done to guarantee every Ohioan a bed at night and a full table for dinner. You can reserve your seat at<\/span> www.hungernetohio.com\/events<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pennsylvania<\/b><\/h5>\n
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) \u2013 <\/b>lutheranadvocacypa.org<\/b><\/a><\/h5>\n
Tracey DePasquale, Director<\/b><\/h5>\n

LAMPa is excited to open registration for<\/span> Lutheran Day in the Capitol, and our 45<\/span>th<\/span> Anniversary Gala Celebration of Advocates on May 9<\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 We will celebrate and cultivate being church together in Pennsylvania for the sake of the world God loves, lifting up our partnership with ELCA World Hunger as we mark 50 years of striving for a just world where all are fed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In February, LAMPa staff participated in the World Hunger Leaders Gathering in Texas.<\/span> Read what P<\/span>enn.<\/span> hunger leaders took away from the event.<\/span><\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his budget in February.<\/span> LAMPa found much to applaud, but called for more investment in anti-hunger programs to meet the need we are witnessing<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0As<\/span> we marked National School Breakfast Week<\/span><\/a> with a win and a challenge,<\/span> LAMPa encouraged congregations to step up in support of summer nutrition programs<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>LAMPa launched a<\/span> period poverty postcard campaign<\/span><\/a> on International Women\u2019s Day, <\/span>Mar. 8, <\/span>urging lawmakers to support the governor\u2019s request for $3 million for menstrual hygiene products in public schools \u2013 a need raised by our ministries with struggling families and individuals across the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing that Pennsylvania is a pivotal state this election year,<\/span> Gov.<\/span> Shapiro launched an elections security task force, and LAMPa shared tips and resources for faithful civic engagement as a way of loving our neighbor<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0As the daffodils began to bloom in Pennsylvania, LAMPa shared<\/span> resources for congregations and conferences to mark Earth Day<\/span><\/a> in praise, prayer and action for the care of neighbor and our common home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Washington<\/b><\/h5>\n
Faith Action Network\u00a0 (FANWA) \u2013 <\/b>fanwa.org<\/b><\/a><\/h5>\n
Elise DeGooyer, Executive Director<\/b><\/h5>\n

\u00a0<\/span>We are grateful to report that FAN had our successful Interfaith Advocacy Day on February 8. The sun shone upon nearly 200 faithful advocates who gathered from across the state. We heard from plenary speakers including Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and attended workshops on different advocacy topics presented by coalition partners in the morning. Attendees caucused among their districts and met with legislators and staff. This year, the attendees had a unique opportunity of \u201cfloor pulls<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d and some legislators stepped off the floor to meet their constituents in the lobby. The dynamic presence of FAN advocates at the Capitol served as a reminder of the crucial role faith communities play in legislative advocacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Washington\u2019s 2024 legislative session <\/span>wrapped up<\/span>, we have exciting news. <\/span>At the time of this writing, s<\/span>ome bills that we advocated for are nearing the governor\u2019s desk to be signed into law, including HB 2368 Funding for Services for Newly Arrived Immigrants <\/span>which impacts those <\/span>who do not qualify for federal refugee programs<\/span>,<\/span> and HB 1541 Nothing About Us Without Us to ensure the meaningful participation of people with direct lived experience on state committees. We also witnessed several major policies stall<\/span>,<\/span> such as HB 2114 Limiting Rent Increases at <\/span>seven percent<\/span> annually<\/span>,<\/span> and HB 1579 Establishing a State Office of Independent Prosecutor. Updates can be found on our<\/span> bill tracker<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While some bills\u2019 journeys to become law may have stopped short this year, FAN\u2019s advocacy does not cease. As the legislators finalized the\u00a0 supplemental budget,<\/span> FAN network\u00a0 raised our voice<\/span><\/a>s to call for budget allocations that meet the environmental and human needs of communities like children in school, senior citizens experiencing heightened food insecurity, and unhoused people.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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FAN Advocates at the steps of the legislative building of the Washington State Capitol.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Wisconsin<\/b><\/h5>\n
The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) \u2013 <\/b>loppw.org<\/b><\/a><\/h5>\n
The Rev. Cindy Crane, Director<\/b><\/h5>\n

Voting:<\/b> On<\/span> Wednesday Noon Live<\/b><\/a> we interviewed<\/span> Jay Heck, Common Cause, <\/span>and <\/span>discussed how legislative maps in Wisconsin will impact state elections. <\/span>Heck<\/span> has been working on fair maps in Wisconsin and explained the nuances of the new maps. We asked him:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n