Greetings! It’s hard to believe we’re at the halfway point of the legislative session. 

Starting out in Olympia involves a steep learning curve for every freshman legislator, with solid weeks of committee hearings, work sessions, and agency briefings. But the most powerful lessons that I have learned have come from the people back home.

So far this session, I’ve met with over 150 groups of advocates and concerned citizens who have traveled across the state to share their stories. Every person I meet with offers an important perspective on an issue we’re working on in Olympia. I’ve met with parents, teachers, and administrators; students, professors, and chancellors; business leaders, tradespeople and consumers; restoration fieldworkers and outdoors enthusiasts; citizens and local elected officials; nurses, the uninsured, and many more.

 Remember, your legislators work for you. My job in Olympia is to shape public policy in a way that works for the folks in our district. I need to see the complete picture, and I want to hear your side of the story.

If you can’t make it out to Olympia, be sure to stop into one of the Town Hall gatherings that I’ll be hosting with my seatmates, Senator Billig and Representative Ormsby.

Mark your calendars for March 16 at these times and places:

10:00 AM: Shadle Park High School Auditorium, 3427 N. Ash Street

2:00 PM: Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S. Richard Allen Court

Unanimous Support for Transparency Bill

Yesterday, the bill I sponsored to increase transparency in public investments passed out of the House with unanimous support. Millions of dollars fund capital and transportation projects in all 39 of our state’s counties. These projects create jobs, make our communities safer, and improve our quality of life. But the public has no way to look up or track where their money goes, and we want to change that.

HB 1733 would improve public access to state budget data online by requiring a one-stop location for the information and simple, user-friendly navigation. Click here to learn more.

I was really encouraged by my colleagues’ statements about this bill, from both sides of the aisle. The remarks are brief, and you can watch them here. The legislators across Washington State’s 49 districts have differing opinions on a lot of issues. But one thing we can all agree on is the need for greater public transparency and accountability, and this bill would achieve that.

Bulldogs or Bust!

Finally, I’d like to give a special shout out to the GU Men’s and Women’s basketball teams – Gonzaga is Washington’s first Division 1 men’s basketball program to be ranked No. 1 in the nation, and it is the first school in state to be voted No. 1 in both major college basketball polls! Congratulations also go out for the Gonzaga Women’s basketball team for their 9th straight year in the WCC, and for their strong “first seed” position going into this year’s West Coast Conference!

Gonzaga was also recently recognized as the top Peace Corps Volunteer-producing small college in the nation. As a Gonzaga alum, it is incredible to see my alma mater still earning national accolades in athletics and public service.

Earlier in the session, I sponsored a resolution recognizing Gonzaga’s constant standard of excellence to commemorate the university’s 125th anniversary. And on Monday, I made a “Point of Personal Privilege” to congratulate the Zags for their current athletic victories. The university’s consistent achievements truly speak to the quality of the people in this institution and in our community as a whole.

Thanks for checking in, and don’t forget to stop by our Town Hall.

Best Regards,

Rep. Marcus Riccelli