Resolution to Support I-1501

WHEREAS thousands of Washington’s citizens are victims of identity theft and consumer fraud each year;

WHEREAS over half of scam victims are over age 50, according to a recent study, and fraudulent telemarketers direct 56 percent to nearly 80 percent of their calls at older customers;

WHEREAS financial exploitation of senior citizens costs them $2.9 billion every year;

WHEREAS for every case of fraud that is reported, it is estimated that 43 ­­others are not;

WHEREAS Initiative 1501 will address the problem by discouraging identity theft and consumer fraud against seniors and other vulnerable residents;

WHEREAS Initiative 1501 will increase penalties on criminals who prey on senior citizens and other vulnerable people;

WHEREAS Initiative 1501 prevents the government from releasing information that could help identity thieves who target seniors and the vulnerable;

WHEREAS Initiative 1501 protects the personal information of caregivers of seniors, Alzheimer’s patients, frail and vulnerable citizens;

WHEREAS the Platform of the Washington State Democratic Party calls for a human services safety net and improved oversight for elders, and further states “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members” – Mahatma Gandhi;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Washington State Progressive Caucus, supports Initiative 1501 and urges all Washington Democrats to support Initiative 1501.

Submitted to the Washington State Progressive Caucus meeting of September 17, 2016.

Disposition: Adopted, Sept. 17, 2016

Brian Gunn, Chair