Our friends at the Washington Work and Family Coalition sent out this important action alert yesterday. Please contact your representatives and tell them to give Washington's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FaMLI) bill a hearing!

Tell your legislator: Unleash the Family and Medical Leave Act

There are a handful of times in life when family and health must come first.

Last summer I took 6 weeks of unpaid leave to help my mother care for my father who was battling cancer. To save our household budget, we put off paying a few bills, and luckily my child's preschool cared for my son an extra day a week without charging me.

We all need access to long-term leave at some point -- whether to nurture a new child, fight cancer, care for an aging parent. But too many Washington workers don't have that option. Forced to return to work too soon, they sacrifice health and family well-being to cover their bills.

It doesn't have to be this way. Washington's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FaMLI) bill would protect workers and families in those situations.

Unfortunately, as of week three of a sixty-day legislative session, the FaMLI bill hasn't been scheduled for a hearing. Without leadership's approval, the bill will die in the Appropriations Committee, without even a chance for consideration by the full legislature.

Washington voters deserve to know whether their elected leaders will stand up and support our families. Please take a moment right now to ask your state representatives to push for a hearing on the FaMLI bill in the House Appropriations Committee.

Washington voters deserve to know whether their elected leaders will stand up and support our families. Please take a moment right now to tell ask your state representative to push for a hearing on the FaMLI bill in the House Appropriations Committee.

Thank you for all you do for Washington's workers and families!

- Gabriela, Washington Work and Family Coalition