Welcome to the 2018 Legislative Session!
 Greetings from Olympia! It’s been a busy start to a short 60 day legislative session. I greatly appreciate the honor of serving the 38th Legislative District and representing you here in Olympia.
Things have changed here in the Legislature. Senate Democrats recently regained a one-vote majority through a special election, while the House still holds a Democratic majority. We will be taking on some challenging issues this session and I am excited to get to work, along with my colleagues, to find positive and effective outcomes that will benefit the citizens of Washington State. I will also be introducing a new feature to my E-newsletter. I will be responding to some of the top issues you are contacting me about every week. I look forward to hearing from you in the weeks to come. |
My seatmate, Representative Mike Sells, and I work closely on many issues that are important to the communities we represent. As the chair of the House Labor and Workplace Standards committee, Mike helps to shepherd into law many great policies that help working families. I would encourage you to read Mike’s recent e-newsletter which includes information on the Gender Pay Equity Act and on the new changes as a result the voter-approved initiative to increase in minimum wage and require paid sick leave.
Some of the bills I am working on
HB 1541 – Addressing prescription drug cost transparency I introduced this bill in the 2017 Legislative Session. It is intended to shine a light on the black box of drug pricing. The bill would hold drug companies accountable, demand they explain the reasons for their outrageous prices, and help the state take steps to make drugs more affordable. It is currently awaiting a vote of the House.
HB 2436 – Defining community health workers and their roles This bill would provide a definition for “community health workers” and define their important role in our communities. Community Health Workers are members of the community who, with training, connect community members with the health care system and promote health within their communities.
HB 2437 – Encouraging investments in affordable and supportive housing This bill would allow counties and cities to use a portion of the state sales tax for affordable housing and homeless services. Communities throughout the 38th District and across the state are experiencing a crisis in homelessness and a lack of affordable housing and they need more tools, like this, to address this crisis.
You can read more about HB 2437 in this recent article in the Everett Herald, Proposed bill ties affordable housing with sales tax funds.
What I am hearing from you
 Many of you contacted my office in support of the the Washington Voting Rights Act, which would allow communities that are systemically disenfranchised in local government elections to work collaboratively with their local governing bodies to adjust local elections without going through costly and time-consuming federal litigation.
If this collaborative process fails after six months, a process that is not available under the Federal Voting Rights Act, communities can then seek relief in state court. Passing the Washington Voting Rights Act will result in an improved process for addressing systems that perpetually disenfranchise significant segments of local voting populations. I’m supporting this measure to give underrepresented voters a stronger, more meaningful voice in the government closest to them, and empower them to elect leaders that best reflect their community’s values and vision. |
Thanks again for taking the time to read about what is happening down here in Olympia. This is a short session and we have a lot of work ahead of us. I welcome your phone calls, letters and emails. Your valued input is critical in the decision making process and helps me to better represent you.
Representative June Robinson
38th Legislative District