Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2023 legislative session has begun, and we are back in Olympia! After operating mostly remotely for two years, the Legislature is fully back in person. Last week, we had the traditional opening ceremony and swearing in. This time was a little different because it included a speech by Chairman of the Nisqually Tribal Council Willie Frank as well as a performance by the Nisqually Canoe Family. On Tuesday we held a joint session of the Legislature with the Senate for Gov. Inslee’s State of the State address. The next day, we held another joint session, this time in the Senate, for Chief Justice Stephen Gonzalez’s State of the Judiciary speech.
This will be my first session full time in Olympia and I am excited to get to meet many of my colleagues in person for the first time. My most important meetings however are with you, my constituents. If you come down to Olympia, please schedule a time for us to meet so you can share your concerns with me. I am also happy to meet remotely if you are not quite comfortable in a public setting or simply don’t have time to make it to Olympia. My priority is hearing from you however you are most comfortable, whether remotely or in person.
In-person testimony will be allowed for the first time since 2020, AND remote testimony will remain an option. That way those people who do not have the time or resources to travel to Olympia can still make their voices heard. You can sign up to testify on a bill remotely or in person here. You can also submit written testimony on a bill or indicate your position without providing testimony. This is an easy way for you to weigh in on bills before they make it to the House floor.
Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore
During the opening day, I was also re-elected by my colleagues to be the Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore. The Deputy Speaker Pro Tem (as it is known around the House) helps the Speaker Pro Tem presides over the House when it is in session: enforcing rules, ensuring debate is respectful, and keeping the process moving forward.
Respectful debate and the free exchange of ideas are vital parts of our democracy and it is an honor to be able to wield the gavel to facilitate those values in the House. You can read more about the role in The Suburban Times.
How to Get Involved in the Lawmaking Process
- Learn—The whole legislative process, from start to finish, is explained at leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Overview.aspx
- Watch—Go to TVW.org for broadcasts of debates, votes, committee meetings, and other events in the House and Senate. There’s also an extensive archive of past events, if you couldn’t watch it live.
- Research—To look up legislation by lawmaker or topic, visit app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
- Testify—The 2021 Legislative Session proved that remote testimony is a great way for everyone to have a chance to share their voice. The remote committee testimony system will continue to be in use for all testimony for all bills.
Legislative Page Program
With the Legislature returning to in person session in Olympia, the legislative page program is back and accepting applications! The page program gives young Washington residents the chance to learn and participate in the legislative process by attending page school, assisting offices, delivering messages and working on the House & Senate floors.
This unique opportunity is open to Washington residents who are at least 14 years old but have not reached their 17th birthday. We’re making a one-time exception this session to allow 17 & 18-year-olds to participate during two specific weeks since the program was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, visit the page program’s website by clicking here.
If you have comments, questions, or ideas, please contact my office. I hope to hear from you soon!
