Will 2017 (finally) be the year for Paid Family and Medical Leave?
To get the ball rolling early, Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) and Rep. June Robinson (D-Everett) introduced bills on the second day of session allowing workers to take time off in the face of a serious illness or to care for a new baby.
Under the bills (SB 5032 & HB 1116), employees would be able to use extended paid leave for the birth of a child, a personal health emergency, or to take care of an ill family member. It’s a comprehensive, practical and affordable plan for both workers and businesses that will promote stronger families and a secure middle class.
Get more details here.
Safe storage of guns
Keeping guns out of dangerous hands is one of the most effective things we can do to keep our communities safe. Guns taken from the home have been at the heart of some of the most tragic gun violence incidents in our state, including the Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting and the Burlington mall shooting. Over a 25-year period, more than two out of three school shooters obtained the firearm at their home or that of a relative.
One study found that more than 75 percent of guns used in youth suicide attempts and unintentional injuries were stored in the residence of the victim, relative or friend. We have all heard stories of young children finding an unsecured gun in their home, at a family member’s or neighbor’s house, and accidentally shooting themselves or others.
I am supporting a bill to help make sure that firearms are safely and responsibly stored. The bill would not mandate how a firearm should be stored, but would make it possible to hold a person criminally liable if their unsafely stored firearm is taken by a child or anyone prohibited by law from possessing a gun.
Making Oil Train Awareness a Priority for Public Safety
As residents of Edmonds and Mukilteo, we see oil trains run through our communities frequently. If an oil train accident occurred near your home or workplace, would you know what to do? If a train accident happened near your child’s school, would they know what to do? Very little information exists or is available from reliable state government resources.
I’m proud to support my colleague, Rep. Christine Kilduff, who has introduced legislation that will require the state to create emergency preparedness guidelines. State Department of Health officials will work with local city and county officials, first responders, and public health authorities to develop plans and information for us all to be a little safer and more knowledgeable.
While the discussion about oil trains may be controversial, informing the public about what to do in event of an explosion, fire or oil spill certainly isn’t something we should be fighting about.
Sincerely,
Rep. Strom Peterson