Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who came to our town hall at Clover Park Technical College on March 18th. It was great to hear from our community about the issues that matter most to you. We answered questions on everything from housing affordability to mental health access. Hearing directly from our constituents helps us to truly represent you in Olympia.
If you were unable to make it to the town hall, we still want to hear from you. Always feel free to share your thoughts with me via email here. We also hope to have more events out in the district once the legislative session ends.
We want to extend a special thank you to our moderators DuPont Mayor Ron Frederick and Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss. They did a phenomenal job of keeping the event moving.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Non-Invasive Screening Tests
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. One in 24 people will be diagnosed with CRC in their lifetime. However, screenings can detect colorectal cancer early, making treatment much more effective. If you are over 45, talk to your doctor and get screened for CRC.
In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the House passed my bill, HB 1626, to allow Washington’s medical assistance programs to cover non-invasive colorectal cancer screenings. Currently, colonoscopies are the only form of screening covered. While a colonoscopy is the gold standard to screen for CRC, it is a highly invasive procedure. We now have non-invasive screening tests that can be done at home. Getting more people earlier screenings allows for more early detections. Catching CRC early increases the effectiveness of treatment greatly. It is an honor to help move this important policy forward during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This bill will save lives.
Washington Hospitality Grants are Open
In the 2022 supplemental budget, the Legislature invested in our state’s recovery, including strategic investments in small businesses struggling in the wake of the pandemic. One such investment is the Washington Hospitality Grant, which offers financial relief for the hospitality industry through one-time grants for eligible restaurants, hotels, motels, and other small hospitality industry businesses in WA.
Those grants are now open, so apply today! Head to wahospitalitygrants.com to see if you’re eligible.
A New Page
Our office hosted another page from the 28th District! Killian Farooqi is a student at Steilacoom High School. You can read more about his experience in The Suburban Times.
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!
