United Way of King County's public policy role:

• Share information with lawmakers on key issues
• Provide education and testimony
• Encourage the public to take action
• Develop public policy and legislative agendas

Through our public policy work, United Way of King County promotes policies that create community solutions. We do this by collaborating with health and human service agencies to develop legislative agendas that focus on changing or enacting legislation and policy direction. We bring corporate leaders to Olympia to talk about key policy issues with lawmakers. We use press, public relations, our Web site and Legislative Alert action e-mails to educate and mobilize the public.

In November 2008, United Way of King County's board of directors approved the Policy Agenda for 2009-2011 which guides our public policy activities along with the Criteria for Involvement. Both documents are used to screen issues for inclusion on the 2009-2011 State Legislative Agenda. In light of the state budget deficit, United Way prioritized certain items on the legislative agenda to focus attention where it is most needed. Read the revised legislative priorities for 2009-2010.

United Way of King County's activities and victories in the state legislature:

• Providing access to services (King County 2-1-1)
• Ending homelessness/meeting basic needs
• Ensuring success in school for all children
• Strengthening nonprofit capacity

Stay up to date on important happenings. Sign up for our Legislative Alerts sent during the legislative session. Find your elected officials and learn more about where they stand on key issues.

Let us know what you think! We welcome your questions and feedback on our public policy work.