Special Session
We are starting special session this week in Olympia. This special session is needed so that we can reconcile the differences between the House and Senate in the operating, capital and transportation budgets. In the House, our budget showcases our values by funding education, health care, and a healthy environment. The House budget is a commitment to create a state that is better for all people.
Our Budget: Works for everyone, not just the wealthy few
My friend and colleague, Rep. Joan McBride, shared the following with me and I wanted to pass it along to you.
The House Democrat’s budget aligns our shared values and makes real investments in the future of our economy and the well-being of our children, families and communities. With this budget, we are supporting an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
Our plan does a lot. It increases funding for K-12 education by 21%, adding in all-day kindergarten statewide, reduces class sizes for K-3 and provides funding for important everyday tools like textbooks, classroom supplies and general school operating costs. We’re also investing in college-readiness programs, and giving our hard working teachers and school employees a LONG overdue cost of living increase.
We’re also investing in early learning opportunities and child care. And, we’re freezing college tuition while increasing the funding for the State Need Grant so both middle class and low income students have the chance at a college education.
Finally, we’re putting much needed funding into our mental health and social safety net programs. Everyone deserves dignity and respect, and unfortunately our current mental health system is leaving too many people with mental illnesses in prisons, in emergency rooms or on the streets, because there is no room at our mental health facilities. By funding more beds in community mental health facilities and state hospitals, we can make sure that people are getting the treatment they need.
To me, the choice is clear: We must fund a budget that is responsible and meets both our constitutional and moral obligations. A budget is a values statement about who we are and what we believe in. If we simply cut, cut, cut and leave those with the most need behind, we are failing. But if we choose to move forward together and make investments in our future, we will have a stronger, healthier, and happier Washington for everyone.
Passing Bills
This session, so far, I have had two bills pass out of both the House and Senate. One of those bills, HB 1720, has already been signed by the Governor. The other bill, HB 1721, is still waiting for his signature.
HB 1720 authorizes healthy housing improvements for homes undergoing weatherization. Low-income weatherization programs create healthy and safe living environments, preserve existing affordable housing and stabilize neighborhoods. This bill will help reduce the use of Medicaid and allow children to have fewer incidents of using inhalers, sleep better and visit the emergency room less.
HB 1721 allows for the transport of patients to chemical dependency treatment programs or mental health facilities, such as the triage center in Everett, by ambulance services. The bill was requested by Snohomish County Human Services Department and I was proud to sponsor it. The Everett Herald mentioned as a positive step forward in addressing homelessness and mental health needs in our community in a recent editorial. HB 1721 will help hospital emergency departments across the state, allowing ambulances to divert low-risk patients a more appropriate facility. It provides a tool for preventing readmissions to hospitals and assuring appropriate care.
Contact Me!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me as special session moves along. There are a wide variety of bills introduced every year and I appreciate hearing from constituents about what is important to them. My Legislative Aide, Jordan Smith, can be reached at jordan.smith@leg.wa.gov or 425-258-4215. You can also always email me at june.robinson@leg.wa.gov