The Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it will take up a case that challenges President Barack Obama’s executive actions that deferred the deportation of 5 million undocumented immigrants. News coverage of this development naturally was dominated by the two words that are sure to make any news story go viral: “procedural battle.” Okay, perhaps suchContinue reading “Instead of Building Walls, Build an Economy That Works for All”
Author Archives: Ben Henry
Beating Cancer Is One Thing; Beating Medical Debt Is Another
It was a dreary Wednesday afternoon, about a year-and-a-half ago. I was rehearsing in Seattle for an upcoming performance with my rock band, Theory of Change. I was working out some parts with the saxophonist, and things were sounding good. Then, I got the call that would change my life.
Low-Wage Job Growth a Major Factor in Income Inequality. Patience is Not the Answer.
In response to the New York Times’ Jan. 27 Upshot piece, “Gains From Economic Recovery Still Limited to Top One Percent,” we appreciate the effort to report on the historic, staggering and blatant income inequality that has taken hold of America. This piece made some excellent points around the continuing inequality crisis. However, we have an answerContinue reading “Low-Wage Job Growth a Major Factor in Income Inequality. Patience is Not the Answer.”
Testimony: A Living Wage Is about Family Prosperity
Yesterday I got the chance to testify to the Washington state House Labor and Workforce Development Committee. Our living wage research findings set a standard, that mere survival is not an adequate measure of a healthy society, and not an expectation we should be striving to set. It’s about a living wage that positions familiesContinue reading “Testimony: A Living Wage Is about Family Prosperity”
I Give Thanks to Workers Standing Up to Injustice
The holiday season — a time of counting your blessings, spending time with your family, and abundance. It is also a time for a huge portion of workers — unable to make basic ends meet — to be made painfully aware of how they are falling short. About half of all full-time workers of color in the United States do notContinue reading “I Give Thanks to Workers Standing Up to Injustice”
King County Council Approves One of Toughest Living Wage Ordinances in the Country
SEATTLE — The King County Council yesterday approved a living wage ordinance, which, when signed by County Executive Dow Constantine, would be among the stronger county-level ordinances in the country. The Alliance for a Just Society and Washington Community Action Network have supported the legislation, which includes language citing Alliance living wage research. The legislationContinue reading “King County Council Approves One of Toughest Living Wage Ordinances in the Country”
King County Living Wage Ordinance a Modest Step to Address Inequalities
On the heels of the historic passage of Seattle’s $15 minimum wage, a King County Council committee will be voting next week on a living wage ordinance that would apply to county employees and contractors for broader King County. The Alliance testified at a Council committee hearing on Sept. 2 calling for adoption of the legislation,Continue reading “King County Living Wage Ordinance a Modest Step to Address Inequalities”
Everyone Benefits When Workers Earn Living Wages
The South Korea government is taking an interesting approach to stagnating wages. The South Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance is pushing a policy to offer tax credits to those firms that increase worker pay. This legislation — which, if approved by the South Korean parliament, would go into effect in January — creates a policy incentive forContinue reading “Everyone Benefits When Workers Earn Living Wages”
Apply Now: Summer 2014 Public Policy Internships
We are now accepting applications for Alliance summer and fall Public Policy Internships. An internship with the Alliance is an opportunity to work on social justice issues like income inequality, health care access, and immigration that impact millions. Interns will have the opportunity to work on important, tangible public policy products with immediate impacts.
Building a Movement for a Constructive Commonwealth
The sky is blue and their air is clean; the schools are good and the kids are happy; there are parks, good food, and safe places to live and work, as well as artistic, cultural, and religious institutions that reflect the richness and diversity of our communities and society. The desire to create strong communitiesContinue reading “Building a Movement for a Constructive Commonwealth”