Hello 28th Legislative District!
It’s been a busy couple of weeks here in Olympia and I wanted to give you an update on the work I am doing for you in our state’s capital. Frankly, I can’t believe we’re already three weeks into 2017. Olympia is a whirlwind of activity, with much of the focus on education funding and the new budget, but I’m also working on some important bills for members in our district.
First, I want to remind you about two bills I introduced last year that I’m bringing back for another try. One provides free legal services for military service members, veterans, and their families. When someone is deployed overseas, and has a legal dispute for which they need representation, it’s not possible or feasible for them to fly home to hire a lawyer.
The other bill will give consumer protections to our military service members who have to break contracts like gym memberships or cable TV when they’re given orders and have to move. Our service members don’t have a choice; when they are told to go, they go. It’s not fair to make them pay extra costs for amenities the rest of us get to enjoy.
Finally, I wanted to share a new bill I’m working on that I hope will provide some hope to families who are worried about the shockingly high cost of college. I’m proposing a pilot program that would create a new educational savings account that would provide matching grants of up to $50 for certain milestones. So, as families are able to save for their child’s future education, funds from private sources and investments would help provide financial incentive to help. Other states have passed similar laws to help ease the cost of college and other forms of higher education, like technical and vocational schools. I’m hopeful we can make this a reality in Washington for our working families.
Keep in touch
I’ll keep you updated as things progress in Olympia. In the meantime, please call, write, or email my office with any questions, concerns, or ideas you have for our government.
Thanks,
Christine