WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Early starts and second chances

Town Hall Meeting

 Aaron BarnaEvery year during the busy legislative session representatives head back to their home districts to host town hall gatherings.

Last Saturday morning dedicated constituents of the 37th Legislative District gathered over coffee and doughnuts to get an update about the session and discuss issues of importance to them. This year, Rep. Pettigrew was joined by Rep. Santos and Sen. Jayapal.

The top concerns from the community included education, funding for the safetynet and fixing our unfair tax system.

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed

Over 50% of Washington’s children arrive at kindergarten unprepared. On the first day they’re behind on math and language and don’t have the social and emotional skills to succeed.

These kids are starting a lifelong race 20 yards behind. Most never catch up. If you’re a mom or dad, a business owner or a taxpayer, you should care. Because when children fail, we all pay the price.

The good news is, we have a solution. Last week, the House and Senate passed The Early Start Act.

This bill expands the effective, high-quality programs and policies that have made Washington state a nationally recognized leader in early learning. It is based on proven brain science and the positive long-term impact quality early learning has on a child’s school readiness, overall health and life.

“When we change the beginning of the story, we can change the whole story,” said Rep. Ruth Kagi, the bill’s prime sponsor. “A strong start for children leads to more successful schools, stronger families, more self-reliant adults and safer communities. It’s as simple as pay now or pay a lot more later.”

The evidence is really clear – quality early learning is the best investment we can make to close the opportunity gap here in Washington.

Fighting for Justice

Two weeks ago at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast I was proud to have the opportunity to introduce a childhood hero and man I greatly admire, Ambassador Andrew Young.

Dr. Young Dr. Young’s work holds particularly special meaning to me. I was raised by a single Mom, who struggled to make ends meet, in Watts, a neighborhood in South Central LA. I grew up in the midst of racial tensions, police riots, and violence.

Gangs grew out of this violence – the Bloods, the Crips. They claimed territory and tried to recruit my friends and me. I had to be careful about what streets I walked down, and constantly looked over my shoulder.

Luckily, I had a Mom who cared.  And I also had important figures to look up to. People fighting inequality in a different way. People like Dr. Young. He was a model for young, black men and women everywhere, including me.

His work was inspiring. Dr. Young showed my friends and me a different path.

 He fought, non-violently, and relentlessly beside Dr. Martin Luther King, for the rights marginalized people everywhere. He led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and spearheaded the Civil Rights campaign across our country.

He has served the Mayor of Atlanta, US Representative, and as Ambassador to the United Nations.

Dr. Young continues his public service to this day – working tirelessly for the rights of oppressed people here and across our globe.

Thank you for your service, Dr. Young, to me, and to generations of minority, poor and oppressed people across the globe.

 

Helping former offenders lead productive, successful lives

 People from all walks of life make mistakes. Most of them want to pay their debt to society, move on and become productive, law–abiding members of their community. But many can’t. There are too many barriers.

That’s why I’ve sponsored two bills, HB 1674 & HB 1704, to help juveniles and adults overcome these hurdles and succeed in life.

By 2020, 70% of all jobs will require an associate’s degree. Former inmates returning to their communities face incredible barriers to building a stable life. In order for them to escape the problems that put them in prison in the first place: drugs, instability, violence and poverty – former offenders need a leg-up. Education is key. For those who have some higher education, recidivism is halved.

Currently, Washington’s Department of Corrections is prohibited from using any funds to provide secondary education. Correctional facilities are allowed to offer some vocational training, but nothing beyond that. HB 1704 changes this and authorizes the DOC to provide higher education within existing resources – at no extra cost to taxpayers.

Washington’s juvenile justice system is founded on the core principle of rehabilitation. HB 1674 allows juveniles who will finish their sentences by age 21 to stay in juvenile facilities, rather than be moved to adult detention centers. It is most successful when youth reintegrate into society and become active, law-abiding, contributing members of their communities. Juvenile detention centers are better able to give young adults the support they need.

If we want our children to lead productive, meaningful lives, we not only need to hold them accountable for their actions, but give them the tools to succeed. Rehabilitated children should be allowed to move on from their mistakes. We all benefit when young men and women, after paying their debt to society, become productive citizens.