Hearing the Concerns of Small Business

Senator Patty Murray's staff recently visited three GSBA small businesses to hear about their successes and concerns. Richard de Sam Lazaro, Senator Murray's Seattle Metropolitan Director, and Scott Cheney, Policy Director of Workforce & Economic Development in the Senate's HELP Committee, reached out to GSBA to make the connection.

During the day they visited Repair Revolution in SoDo, SugarPill on Capitol Hill, and Hilliard's Beer in Ballard to hear about the diverse situations faced by each of these businesses.

Karyn Schwartz of SugarPill talked about the big changes occuring in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, and the particular impact on small independent businesses which are too often being squeezed out by rent increases, loss of small retail and commercial space, and the everyday disruptions of rampant construction in every direction. She asked that small businesses like SugarPill receive an even playing field - that elected officials pay just as much attention to the majority of establishments that dominate our city's streetscape as they do to a small number of very large corporations and special interests. All levels of government should be actively supporting  "We shouldn't have to be bigger, places that are human sized should be celebrated."

At Hilliard's Beer, Ryan Hilliard and Adam Merkl talked about a very different set of issues - the West Coast port slowdown over a labor dispute. Hilliard's has begun distribution in Sweden and their shipments have been delayed.

GSBA is regularly contacted by our elected representatives asking to meet with some of our members and hear their concerns. If you would ever be interested in connecting with local, state and national policymakers, contact Matt Landers, our Public Policy & Communications Manager.

The Social Security and Marriage Equality Act: Ensure Equality for All Spouses

By Senator Patty Murray

As I often discuss with my colleagues in the Senate, I am so proud of how Washington state is leading the way – growing our small businesses and our economy, protecting the environment, educating our children, and so much more. I also could not be more proud of our state’s history of protecting the rights of all our citizens, including our thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Thanks to organizations such as the GSBA, Washington is a place where all of our residents can live and thrive without the threat of being discriminated against because of who they are or who they love.

Of course, a major milestone in protecting these rights was when former Governor Christine Gregoire signed our marriage equality bill into law in 2012. It was a day of joy and celebration for all of the loving, committed LGBT couples in our state – and for all of us who respect and support them.  It was also a day of joy for many in our border states, such as Idaho, whose residents were now able to travel to Washington and finally, legally marry who they love.

This victory only became sweeter last year, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act and found that the federal government may not, through its statutes, create two classes of marriage. This paved the way for all married couples to receive equal access to federal protections and benefits. However, despite  the Court’s ruling, when it comes to Social Security spousal benefits, same-sex marriages are currently classified as valid only if the couple lives in a state where marriage equality is recognized.  So even though those Idahoans are legally married, in the unfortunate instance of the death of their spouse they’re unable to access the Social Security benefits that they’ve earned. As a result, their Social Security applications have been put on hold.

With support from organizations like the GSBA, Pride Foundation, and Human Rights Campaign, Colorado Senator Mark Udall and I have come together to remove this unnecessary burden on families who are already suffering from the loss of a loved one. While we believe the Social Security Administration can, and should, resolve this inconsistency through administrative action, our bill –named the Social Security and Marriage Equality or SAME Act – provides a roadmap to ensure equal access for all.  In addition, the SAME Act would provide more consistency among federal agency policies, falling in line with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and many other federal agencies, which currently recognize all marriages regardless of where they live.

This current delay of spousal benefit claims by the Social Security Administration not only places an unfair economic burden on legally married LGBT spouses, but also an extremely emotional one. While I believe the Administration has made significant strides toward equal treatment of all marriages under federal law, your zip code should not determine whether or not your family will have access to the Social Security benefits that they’ve earned. 

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, in states such as Pennsylvania and our neighbors in Oregon, marriage equality is becoming a reality for more and more Americans. But, there is still work that must be done to ensure that equality does not end at state lines. I’m hopeful our colleagues in the Senate and in the Social Security Administration agree and help move quickly to resolve this inequality.

Responses to Supreme Court Rulings

President Barack Obama
(full statement here)


The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.  


Washington Governor Jay Inslee
I could not be more proud and excited to see the U.S. Supreme Court take a long overdue stand for equality, fairness and family. Marriage is for two people in love and it is past time for our country to not just recognize that, but honor it. Washington state is a leader in marriage equality and today’s ruling means the benefits and recognition of marriage offered to couples here in our state will be offered equally across our nation. #loveislove #marriageequality

US Senator Patty Murray

(full statement here)

This is a great day for the civil rights and marriage equality movement. Following this good news, I’m going to work with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that all the rights and federal benefits enjoyed by married couples are provided to LGBT couples as quickly as possible, including to unite bi-national LGBT couples who have been split apart by this discriminatory law.

US Senator Maria Cantwell

(full statement here)

This is a historic day for equal rights in our nation and in Washington state. Our state was a trailblazer in recognizing the right of same-sex couples to marry and helped in setting the stage for this historic ruling. All Washingtonians will receive the equal treatment they deserve in the eyes of federal law for the first time. Our state’s same-sex married couples will now get the same federal benefits and recognition as heterosexual couples.

US Congresswoman Suzan DelBene

(full statement here)

The Court today affirmed what Washington voters already know, which is that all loving couples deserve equal treatment under the law. This was the same argument that I and 212 of my colleagues made when we submitted an amicus brief to the Court when making our case that DOMA is unconstitutional. For married gay and lesbian couples throughout the country, today’s ruling means that they are now clearly eligible for all the federal protections and responsibilities afforded to other married couples.

US Congressman Adam Smith

(full statement here)

Even with these rulings, significant work remains to ensure equal rights to the LGBT community.  Same-sex couples living in states that don’t recognize all marriages still face uncertainty and discrimination.  LGBT people can still be denied work simply based on who they are. Bullying in our schools is still a dangerous epidemic among youth who are or are perceived to be LGBT, and homelessness and poverty rates are still unacceptably high among LGBT people.  The Supreme Court’s decisions exhibit the tremendous progress we have made towards full equality, but we must remain committed to doing all we can to make sure equal opportunity and justice are realities for all Americans.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson

(full statement here)

Today is a great day for marriage equality both in Washington state and across the country.

This ruling is vitally important to the people of Washington.  Now that Washington voters have approved same-sex marriage, couples in our state could have found themselves in similar situations—being denied federal benefits provided to other couples. It was important that Washington’s voice be heard in this case.

King County Executive Dow Constantine 

I am pleased and proud that the Supreme Court has officially recognized the civil rights of same-sex couples, rights that Washington State voters embraced last year. Being able to issue the first marriage licenses to happy same-sex couples was one of the highlights of my career. Thankfully, it appears that there will be many more such joyful moments as our nation moves, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, ever closer to the ideals announced at our founding. I am proud of King County and Washington State for helping to nudge the nation toward justice.

Press Release: Senator Murray Meets with National LGBT Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            CONTACT: Murray Press Office

Thursday, April 11, 2013                                                                   (202) 224-2834

Senator Murray Meets with National LGBT Leaders

(Washington D.C.) – This week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray met with national LGBT leaders and advocates to discuss a variety of issues important to LGBT families in Washington state and across the country. They discussed protections for LGBT individuals in comprehensive immigration reform, the Defense of Marriage Act, the definition of spouse in veterans law and the barriers it creates for LGBT military families and veterans, homeless LGBT youth, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and health and aging needs of the LGBT community.

“From our immigration laws to our policies for veterans and military families, there is still plenty of work to be done to ensure all Americans, including members of our LGBT community, are treated equally,” said Senator Murray.  “I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with leaders of important LGBT organizations, and I look forward to working with them on legislation in the weeks and months ahead.”

Senator Murray is a leader in the Senate working for equal rights for LGBT Americans in Washington state and across the country. 

On March 1, Senator Murray joined 172 members of the House of Representatives and 39 Senators in filing an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor, arguing that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and should be struck down.  As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Murray led a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki calling for an expedited waiver process granting same-sex veterans and their spouses burial rights in national cemeteries. 

She is a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, which would eliminate discrimination against bi-national LGBT couples in our nation’s immigration law, and led the charge to pass an inclusive Violence Against Women Act reauthorization with protections and specific services for LGBT individuals.

Representatives from the following organizations attended the meeting with Senator Murray:

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Third Way

Equality Delaware

Human Rights Campaign

AIDS United

National Black Justice Coalition

Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (BAGLEY)

Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada

American Civil Liberties Union

Center for American Progress

Immigration Equality

Freedom to Marry

###

Sean Coit

Press Secretary

Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray

202-224-2834

Big Day for Democracy and Civil Rights

Today (Thursday, February 28) has been a tremendously successful day for our community!

Following the actions taken by GSBA, many of our members, the City of Seattle and King County, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson joined attorneys general from a dozen other states and the District of Columbia have urged the U.S. Supreme Court to support marriage equality.

“Washington has a clear interest in supporting marriage equality and in ensuring the federal government respects marriages that are valid under Washington law,” said Ferguson. “I am proud that Washington played an active role in developing the strong arguments in these briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting marriage equality for couples in Washington and across the country."


Oh, and the President also spoke up for equality. President Obama's administration is urging the Court to rule that voters in California did not have the right to ban gay marriage in 2008 (the Perry case) and that Section 3 of DOMA, limiting federal recognition of same-sex couples, is unconstitutional (the Windsor case).


In Congress, the House of Representatives passed the Senate's bipartisan, inclusive version of the Violence Against Women Act, which now goes to the President's desk for his signature. House Republicans had proposed an alternate version removing added protections for LGBT and Native Americans, but that version failed to pass. Our own Senator Patty Murray deserves a big thank for her leadership role in passing an inclusive VAWA. The Senator had this to say about the bill following its passage:

"This is a long delayed, hard won, and badly needed victory for millions of women, especially those who were told that they weren’t worthy of VAWA’s protections. It means that finally, after over 16 months of struggle, tribal women, the LGBT community, immigrants, and women on college campuses will have the tools and resources this life-saving bill provides.

“There is absolutely no reason that it should have taken this long for the House leadership to come around on a bill that had overwhelming bipartisan support. But passage today is a validation of what we’ve been saying since this bill expired in 2011 - VAWA has never been, and should never be, a partisan bill. That is why I applaud moderate Republican voices in the House who stood up to their leadership to demand a vote on the Senate bill."


And, finally, education and democracy won today when the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that state law stemming from a series of Tim Eyman initiatives requiring a two-thirds majority vote in the state legislature to increase taxes or close a loophole was unconstitutional. The 6-3 decision ruled that the state constitution gives the Legislature the authority to pass laws by simple majority. GSBA took a public stand against Eyman's most recent Initiative 1185, with the Board arguing that that the initiative would adversely impact our state's ability to effectively legislative and would unduly tie the hands of government to react to the needs of the citizens.

Senator Patty Murray Convenes Stakeholder Roundtable on Immigration Reform

By Mona Smith, GSBA Public Affairs Chair

On January 10, 2013, Senator Patty Murray convened a group of stakeholders to discuss immigration reform. The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) was invited as a representative of the LGBT and business communities.

Senator Murray pledged to fight for comprehensive immigration reform that would reunite families, create a pathway of citizenship for undocumented and address border issues.  Several speakers attended to tell their personal stories.  A gay man, who came to the United States as a college student, fell in love with another man but had difficulty with commitment because he feared his visa would not be renewed and he would need to leave the country.  One woman shared that the deportation of her husband resulted in the separation of their family.  She was left to be the sole supporter of their children.  Her husband has illegally returned to the United States and the family lives in constant fear that their family will be ripped apart by his deportation in the future.  Another woman talked about filing her application for permanency and has been waiting more than fourteen years in limbo.

Representatives from several immigration, advocacy and labor organizations joined with GSBA to voice their priorities for inclusion in an immigration reform bill.  GSBA presented three of its priorities:  (1) Reuniting LGBT families, allowing same-sex foreign national partners and spouses of U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency; (2) Extending federal student financial aid to “Dreamers” to enable them to attend college and pursue professional careers; and (3) Increasing visa and residency options for foreign students who attend college in the United States and want to remain to work and live in our country, particularly in the technology and science industries where employers are unable to fill positions with qualified U.S. citizens.  GSBA also suggested that our country engage in a serious conversation about K through 12 STEM education and increasing the number of U.S. college graduates that can fill the needs of U.S. employers in the science and technology industries.