News

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Legislative Update: Flood Assistance | December 18, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m reaching out with some resources as our state faces devastating and historic levels of flooding. The Governor updated his emergency proclamation earlier this week to help ensure… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Committee Assembly Days, Legislative Survey, 2026 Session Preview | December 4, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m down in Olympia today and tomorrow for Committee Assembly Days, a two-day stretch of committee meetings that help us get ready for next year. This… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Constituent Survey, Federal Budget Cuts, and Food Assistance | November 20, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Over the last few months I’ve covered a lot of the work we did last session (if you want a refresher, you can see all my… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Government Shutdown Impacts Food Assistance, Childcare; Page Applications Open | November 6, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, The federal government shutdown has stretched to 37 days, the longest shutdown in our nation’s history, and Washingtonians are feeling the impact. I wish we all… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Healthcare Costs, HR 1, and the Federal Government Shutdown | October 23, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, We’re on day 23 of the federal government being shut down. This is the second-longest funding lapse in modern history, and I have heard from many… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Protecting our Environment, Community Conversations, New Asia Pacific Cultural Center Building | October 9, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, As we enter fall, 2025 is still on track to be one of the hottest years on record. Washington is facing drought conditions that thankfully, Tacoma… READ MORE

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins on Legislative Building vandalism | October 6, 2025

Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), released the following statement regarding a break-in and vandalism at the Legislative Building in Olympia: “Last night, an intruder broke into the Legislative Building in Olympia… READ MORE

Statement from Washington House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on today’s deadly shooting of an Eastern State Hospital employee | September 27, 2025

“It is horrifying to learn of today’s shooting death of an Eastern State Hospital employee. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the victim, and to… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Lowering Costs and Increasing Economic Security, Community Conversation Today | September 25, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I want to kick off this newsletter with a reminder that today’s Community Conversation will be from 10:30AM-12PM at Franklin Park in Tacoma. These are intended… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Back to School, Legislative Internship, and Community Conversations | September 11, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Last week was the first day of school for Tacoma Public Schools, and I thought I’d take this chance to update you on our work in… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Protecting our neighbors, Fighting for Washington Values | July 10, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, July is Pride Month in Tacoma and as we celebrate I’m thinking about how these events have always been an act of resistance. It was about… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Community Projects and Local Transportation Projects | June 26, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I begin this newsletter on a somber note, in the wake of rising political violence in our nation. Earlier this month, Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa… READ MORE

Legislative leaders condemn political violence in Minnesota | June 16, 2025

OLYMPIA – The leaders of all four caucuses in the Washington State Legislature released the following statement regarding the assassination and attempted assassinations of Minnesota elected officials: “Our deepest sympathies… READ MORE

Senate Majority Leader Pedersen, Speaker Jinkins: “Washingtonians stick by their neighbors” | June 13, 2025

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) issued the statement below Friday: “President Trump’s assertion that he can federalize the National Guard without… READ MORE

Legislative Update: The Economy, Jobs, and Free Summer Meals for Kids | June 12, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, This week’s e-newsletter is focused on jobs and the economy, but first I wanted to spread the word about free summer meals at the playgrounds. Every Monday-Friday… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Housing and Community Safety Session Recap | May 29, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Continuing with my updates from the 2025 session, I want to share more about the work we did in housing and community safety. These are consistently… READ MORE

Legislative Update: The Operating Budget and a Telephone Town Hall | May 15, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Now that session has ended, I’ll be going into more detail in each of my e-newsletters about some of the work we did in different areas…. READ MORE

Legislative Update: Sine Die, a Telephone Town Hall, and a Real ID Update | May 2, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Last Sunday the legislature adjourned Sine Die (pronounced sigh-knee die), which is the formal way of saying that this year’s 105-day session came to an end…. READ MORE

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins on the passing of Sen. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah) | April 20, 2025

OLYMPIA – Washington Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) released the following statement today on the passing of state Sen. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah): “Sen. Bill Ramos brought boundless energy… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Priority Bills, Revenue Options, and the Legislative Youth Advisory Council | April 17, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, We’re on day 95 of this year’s 105-day session, and as you might imagine things are moving quickly. I wanted to pass along an update about… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Remembering Former Speaker Chopp, a Budget Update, and More | April 3, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m starting off this week’s e-newsletter on a somber note as we continue to mourn the loss of Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp. His commitment to growing opportunity… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Bills so far, budget rollout, and town hall thank-yous | March 20, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, I wanted to kick things off with a thank you to everyone who came to the 27th district town hall last weekend! We had a lot of… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: 27th LD legislators hosting town hall | March 7, 2025

Who: Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Rep. Jake Fey What: 27th Legislative District Town Hall When: Saturday, March 15th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (sign-in begins at 9:30 a.m.)… READ MORE

Legislative Update: House of Origin Cutoff and a Town Hall March 15th | March 6, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, We’ve reached the halfway point of this year’s session and we’re coming up on a big deadline – the House of Origin cutoff – next week…. READ MORE

Legislative Update: Children’s Day, Speaker’s Scoop podcast, & the Book 1 budget | February 20, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, We’re wrapping up week six of this year’s legislative session, and tomorrow marks our first big deadline for this year, policy cutoff. On Monday though we… READ MORE

Speaker Jinkins, Majority Leader Pedersen: “We stand behind the attorney general’s efforts to defeat the president’s latest unlawful action” | February 7, 2025

Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) issued the statement below on Attorney General Nick Brown’s legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding gender-affirming… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Cora Whitley Family Center Groundbreaking, Protecting Washingtonians | February 6, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Hello from Olympia, where we’re nearly a quarter of the way through this year’s legislative session. Right now, our work is focused on committee hearings. These… READ MORE

Majority Leader Pedersen, Speaker Jinkins: Protecting Transgender Youth in Washington State | February 3, 2025

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins made the following statement Monday in response to multiple federal executive orders attacking transgender youth: “As parents, members… READ MORE

Declaración de Presidenta Laurie Jinkins sobre órdenes ejecutivas federales que amenazan a residentes de Washington | January 30, 2025

La Presidenta de la Cámara de Representantes, Laurie Jinkins (Demócrata de Tacoma), publicó hoy la siguiente declaración en respuesta a las órdenes ejecutivas federales que ponen en riesgo a inmigrantes, refugiados y… READ MORE

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins on Federal Executive Orders Threatening Washington Residents | January 30, 2025

Para español, ver más abajo Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), released the following statement today in response to federal executive orders putting immigrants, refugees, and undocumented community members… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Wrapping Up Week Two | January 23, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, Hello from Olympia, where we’re wrapping up the second week of this year’s legislative session! Last week I was formally re-elected by my peers as Speaker… READ MORE

Jinkins elected House Speaker, lays out successes and challenges ahead of 2025 session | January 13, 2025

OLYMPIA – The 2025 Legislative Session began today with the election of Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) to the top leadership role in the state House. Jinkins made history in 2020… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Session Starts Next Week, Legislative Preview Forum, How to Get Involved | January 9, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors, The 2025 legislative session starts next week! Washington has a part-time legislature (as do many states), so we’re only down in Olympia for a few months… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Happy Holidays, Food and Housing Assistance | December 19, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, It’s the holiday season once again, and a time when people often gather with loved ones, friends, and community to celebrate. It can also be an… READ MORE

Returning to your Inbox: Legislative Updates, The Page Program, and Open Enrollment for Health Plans | December 5, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, The election results were certified yesterday, and with that I can resume our regular official legislative updates! You might remember from earlier this year (or, for… READ MORE

Goodbye . . . for now | May 2, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m reaching out with a final update about our work this session. Folks who have received these emails from me for a while will remember that… READ MORE

2024 Session Victories: Funding for Local Projects | April 18, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, We talk a lot about the different budgets in our newsletters, but we wanted to update you all on what those investments will mean in our… READ MORE

2024 Session Victories: Let’s talk housing | April 4, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m back with another update on our work this session, this time with a focus on housing. First, though, I wanted to pass along a quick… READ MORE

You’re invited! Join me for this Thursday for a telephone town hall | April 1, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, This Thursday, April 4th, Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, Rep. Jake Fey and I will be hosting a telephone town hall for 27th District constituents from 5:30 –… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: Upcoming 27th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall | April 1, 2024

Who: Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Rep. Jake Fey, and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau What: Telephone town hall for constituents of the 27th Legislative District When: Thursday, April 4, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30… READ MORE

2024 Session Victories: Community Safety, Behavioral Health, and Responding to the Opioid/Fentanyl Crisis | March 22, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, In my final e-newsletter of 2024 session, I mentioned that I’d be doing a deeper dive in subsequent newsletters into some of the great work we… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Sine Die – The Last Day of Session | March 7, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, Today is Sine Die (pronounced sigh-knee die), the last day of the 2024 Legislative Session! It’s called that because when we adjourned for the last time tonight,… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Budget Rollouts and Town Hall Thank-Yous | February 23, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, I wanted to kick things off this week by thanking the people who attended our town hall last weekend. We had some good conversations about housing,… READ MORE

Sen. Billig, Speaker Jinkins: Three initiatives will have hearings, three will not | February 16, 2024

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins announced Friday that public hearings will be held on Initiative 2113 (police pursuits), I-2111 (state income… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Floor action and a Town Hall | February 8, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, We’re wrapping up the fifth week of this year’s legislative session, and we’re coming up on a big deadline – the House of Origin cutoff –… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Floor Action, Congrats to Tacoma Public Schools, and Protecting Reproductive Health | January 26, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, Hello from Olympia, where we’re wrapping up our third week of this year’s legislative session. This year is a short session and it’s going by quickly,… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Kicking off the 2024 legislative session | January 12, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, Earlier this week we kicked off the 2024 Legislative Session! Our legislature works on a biennial/two-year calendar, and we alternate between short sessions (60 days) and… READ MORE

Speaker Jinkins: “Optimistic and determined” about 2024 Legislative Session | January 8, 2024

Ver más abajo para la traducción al español OLYMPIA – The 2024 Legislative Session convened today with opening ceremonies in the state House and Senate. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma)… READ MORE

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins on not guilty verdict for officers charged with the death of Manuel Ellis | December 21, 2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) issued the following statement after the three Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers were found not guilty of the murder and manslaughter of… READ MORE

Happy holidays, and FAFSA applications open soon | December 15, 2023

Dear friends and neighbors, This will be my last e-newsletter of 2023! I hope that you are all able to spend time with family and friends as we celebrate this… READ MORE