WSALPHO

   Work Plan - Legislative Committee

PROCESS GOALS

• Increasing the number of members making contact with their legislators at home before the session, as well as expanding those that participate during the session.

• Reach out to public health advocates beyond the WSALPHO membership.

• Sharing of our evolving legislative agenda through the forums and soliciting their ideas and issues.

• Look for ways to better inform and serve our membership via the Internet.

PURPOSE - Prepare WSALPHO for the legislative session

• Provide training and information to WSALPHO membership on communications with legislators;

• Develop issues, policies, and positions for legislative action;

• Prioritize WSALPHO legislative issues;

• Provide information and communication on issues and legislation to WSALPHO members and partner organizations;

• Articulate WSALPHO’s positions and priorities to the legislature through testimony and other means;

• Work strategically with partner organizations, particularly WSAC, to increase support for our issues.

• Provide immediate response to legislative issues during Session.

RELATIONSHIP TO WSALPHO BYLAWS

Article III of the WSALPHO bylaws state: “The mission of public health is to improve health status through the promotion of health and the prevention of and protection from injury and disease. To support this mission, the purpose of WSALPHO is to encourage improvement in the quality, capacity, and leadership of the health departments/districts in order to provide a more effective, efficient and consistent public health infrastructure throughout the state. To support this vision, the WSALPHO shall: A. Assume an active role in public health policy, including legislation, ordinances and regulations pertaining to core public health functions at the local, state and, when appropriate, federal levels. Organize and participate in efforts to enhance the abilities of public health workers. Actively contribute to the development of leadership from and among the practicing disciplines of public health.”

The Legislative Committee directly supports the bylaws through it membership makeup, its plans for legislative training (through workshops and the annual legislative meeting), its provision of information to membership regarding legislative issues and its weekly review, analysis and response to legislative issues during the legislative session.

ITEMS THAT WILL/MAY BE ON OUR 200542004 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

• Money, money, and money

• Explore development of a dedicated funding source for public health. This may be coupled with Standards work.

• Tobacco Plan Funding

• Motorized Scooters

• Youth Access to Tobacco

• Health care access

• Water Legislation

• Tattoo Parlors?

• Vaccine/immunization policy

• Nutrition/Fitness

• Other items….

CHALLENGE FOR 2005

• How to manage and prioritize an ever-expanding workload.

• How to maintain and expand funding in an increasingly challenging financial environment.

• Maintaining the effort year after year and fighting the funding issue.

• Expanding the involvement of the broader public health community.

RESOURCES NEEDED

Legislative Rosters, committee assignments, staff assignments, etc. for 2005 Session.

BUDGET

• Conference Calls $4,000.00

• PH Roundtable $2,500.00

• Meeting costs & materials 2,400.00

• TOTAL BUDGET $8,900.00

WSALPHO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE