The Family Policy Institute of Washington (FPIW) will very soon be releasing its 2021 Washington State Legislative Agenda in advance of the upcoming legislative session in Olympia. Given the balance of power between Christian supporters in the minority and those championing an anti-Christian, radical secular agenda, we will be focusing heavily on defense with regards to issues of life, family, children, Christian social justice, and the promotion of proper governance – which defers to religious and other liberties.
Let me be direct: it is going to get very, very ugly next year.
With moderately large Democratic majorities in the House (57-41) and Senate (28-21), much of our work will be highlighting the clear attacks on Christians and the undermining or persecuting of Christians in the public square. We will also be fighting a battle for transparency, as legislators are almost certain to use the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine the Christian traditional values Washington State was founded upon. We’ll make every effort to ensure Washingtonians are given ample opportunity to show up and testify – even virtually – on legislation that affects them.
Here are a few of the top priorities we’ll be working towards in 2021. Our full agenda will be released soon:
Support Implementation of a School Choice Voucher Program: Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a comprehensive SeXXX Education package, giving public schools a mandate to teach children dangerous, abusive, and anti-Christian information and ideologies on sexuality and gender theory. With the U.S. Supreme Court’s striking down of all Blaine Amendments over the summer, public education funds can now be redirected to private and religious schools. It is time to abandon the corrupt school system; parents must be given the choice and fair allotment of funds need to best educate (private school, homeschool) their children. Sen. Phil Fortunato worked on this issue last session with SB5758, which provided a property tax break to all families sending their child to a private school. Rep. Vicki Kraft also plans to introduce a school voucher bill this legislative session. We will be working to build a coalition of business leaders, churches, and parents who desire to regain control over their children’s education.
Oppose the legalization of hard drugs (meth, heroin, etc.) and prostitution: The City of Portland, Oregon set a dangerous bar during the recent election by effectively legalizing all hard drugs. Similar to Seattle, the city was already dealing with an enormous addiction and homelessness issue. Now, Seattle and liberal leaders are considering a similar path, and are influencing lawmakers in Olympia to attempt the same. Hard drugs and prostitution — which was promoted last session through the passage of HB 1775 –are favorite policy objectives for the radicals who have been jockeying for high leadership positions in state government.
Support and protect therapists, counselors, and children from unconstitutional speech restrictions: Washington’s laws banning talk therapy for minors dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion are out of line with common sense and a recent federal court decision from the 11th Circuit. We need to revise our statutes to protect the free speech rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and reinforce laws that already address therapeutic child abuses under any circumstance.
Oppose “Health Centers” in public schools: Similar to what was done in California where Planned Parenthood set up clinics in the public schools, there will be an effort to set up subsidized, private health centers in Washington’s public schools, to provide free, confidential healthcare (without parental permission) to any child the vendor determines appropriate. This could include abortions, gender reassignment surgeries, and hormonal treatments. This effort (HB2288) was defeated last year, but will probably be back in 2021.
Oppose the elimination of religious objections for vaccines: With a slate of COVID-19 vaccines (some developed with aborted fetal tissue) around the corner, we expect the issue of vaccinations to be a huge discussion point both nationally and in Washington State. We’ll continue to fight for parents’ rights to choose the best healthcare options for their child(ren) and themselves, free from unconstitutional government mandates.
Of course, I have not even addressed the crazy legislation we expect on other issues of importance like homelessness, racism, defunding the police, legalizing petty crime, and the expected continued assaults on churches, families, and businesses. This growing radical agenda comes at an important time in Washington’s political journey. The blue wave the media forecasted for our state was much, much smaller than advertised; more than 1.7 million Washingtonians showed up to cast a ballot for life, liberty, and limited government this year. At the end of the day, opportunities will present themselves; we have the Truth on our side and we know God is in control.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Ps. 46:1-3).
We believe the 2021 FPIW Legislative Agenda is ambitious and will set us up for real change in the future, but we need your help to make it happen. Would you step up with a one-time or recurring donation to support these efforts?
We aren’t giving up the fight and we aren’t backing down. Join us.
