In this edition:

Session Begins

Preventing Tragedies

A New Medical School

Contact Details:
327 John L. O’Brien
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360)786-7888

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Email: Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov

Legislative Assistant:
Michaela Williams
Michaela.Williams@leg.wa.gov

The 2015 Session Begins

Representative Riccelli stands with his colleagues to be sworn into office.

The 2015 Legislative Session has begun. It is hard to be away from Spokane, but it feels good to be back in Olympia promoting our community’s values, like family-wage jobs, affordable health care, and opportunity for all.

There’s a lot on the table. We need to craft a budget that reflects our values, but revenue is not keeping up with the demand for services. It’ll cost about $3 billion just to continue current operations, but “business as usual” is not enough. We’re facing law suits over the chronic underfunding of core services like education and mental health.

Part of the backlog in quality services stems from a long-standing requirement for a 2/3 majority for new revenue—a mandate that was thrown out as unconstitutional but resurrected by the Senate this year. I believe we need a budget that closes corporate tax loopholes, because like the rest of us, corporations should pay their fair share for the core services that help our communities thrive.

Preventing Tragedies – Saving Lives

Gary Kennison, father of Sheena Henderson, and Kristen Otoupalik, her friend, speak to reporters in Olympia.

The gaps in our mental health system are severe. I often hear from distressed constituents who can’t get needed treatment for their loved ones. And I was particularly saddened by the tragedy in Spokane involving Sheena Henderson, who was killed at work by her husband in a murder-suicide. 

Chris Henderson had made suicidal threats in May 2014 and was taken to the emergency room by law enforcement, but due to inadequacies in the law, he was released hours later after signing a form saying he was not a threat to himself. 

Mental health emergencies should be handled by mental health professionals. Over the past few months, I have been humbled to work on legislation with some of Sheena’s loved ones to address holes in how law enforcement and the mental health system handle suicide attempts or threats. Earlier this week, I introduced legislation to ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again.

The Future of Medicine

Rep. Riccelli and Sen. Baumgartner introduce legislation to allow for a new medical school in Washington. 

Mental health care is not the only area where our health care system is failing. Nearly every county in Washington has physician shortages that limit access to care. WSU Spokane is equipped to launch their own medical school and accelerate training of physicians in Eastern Washington and across the state, but they’re held back by a 1917 statute that only allows UW to offer medicine degrees. 

Health professional shortages affect every corner of the state. I was proud to prime-sponsor a bill, signed by 65 of the 98 members of the House of Representatives, that would repeal this outdated law and pave the way for more doctors, vibrant economic development, and a 21st century medical system in Washington state.

The stakes are high, but working together, we can advance our community’s values and priorities. I can’t do it alone–your voices are crucial in ensuring our democracy works for “We the People.” I look forward to hearing from you. It is an honor to serve our community. Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane

Legislative Video Update

Catch a glimpse of the work I’ve been doing for our community by tuning in to my latest video update.

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