Alright! This is #AceReporting doing double duty. I'll share anything and everything I can on the "Washington Can't Wait" Campaign Kickoff, which is all about combatting the climate crisis in the next #WAstate legislative session. I also am leading a group during the meeting so..

...the thread might go silent for a bit, but this is me hoping to share some more info on everything that will be happening in the upcoming year and how YOU can get involved.

#Seattle #WAstate #WACantWait #climatechange #sustainability #housing #planning

We're doing background on the Growth Management Act, will hear from Reps. Duerr and Fitzgibbon, and then talking about how y'all can help.

So if you don't know about @FuturewiseWA, it has existed for 30 years and aims to be the steward of the GMA and ensure the way the state grows in line with our goal of environmental protection and in a sustainable way.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) was started in 1990 and covers a number of things: concentrates urban growth, affordable housing, natural resource industries, historic preservation just to name a few.

That said, there are some big things it doesn't do:

- does not REQUIRE comprehensive plans to plan for affordable housing needs
- does not address climate change at all
- does not address social and racial equity in land use development

So the goals!

A comprehensive reform that requires and addresses

- climate change
- affordable housing
- environmental justice

and specific elements that push counties and cities to have to plan for the climate crises we are experience right now.

Now Rep. Davina Duerr explaining how this started with an initial bill last year that passed in the house. Now we are formalizing this more and making clear requirements that are actually targets the state goals outlined related to reductions in energy and emissions.

Now Rep. Fitzgibbon is giving his background and the work he's done in the lege before. This is the big big year as if we don't pass these requirements this year, then they wouldn't be required into 2032 at the earliest. By then we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in half.

Now chatting about essentially every urban area has housing shortage goals and the intent of this work to ensure future development is where we already have resources so those with the least are not separated from the things they need most.

And now i'm playing advocacy tennis in the chat of this zoom meeting while Rep. Fitzgibbon explains the roles of how our cities and governments need to be visible supporters of this effort to ensure this passes THIS year.

And now breakout time so I will be back!

So back from the breakout and now how people can get involved. This is the most major update to the Growth Management Act since it's creation, so it's critical to get as many people as possible involved!

So first goal is that we're aiming to raise a total of 10,000 to help pay our staff and support our effort. We already have a $5,000 match, so if you have anything you can donate before midnight - it will be doubled!

#WAstate #housing #climate #donate https://futurewise.salsalabs.org/WashingtonCantWaitDonationForm/index.html

We'll also be starting regional organizing meetings this month, including Skagit and Whatcom Counties, Spokane area, Seattle area, and the Eastside of the Puget Sound region! You can register at

http://futurewise.org/organizingmeetings

And that is that!

If you have any more questions about Futurewise or the campaign, do not hesitate to tweet at me. Y'all know I'm around.

Thanks for reading.