Rep. Lisa Callan / E-News for January 11, 2021

January 10, 2021

Friends and neighbors,

As we transition into the new year, I’m eager and excited to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure our neighbors, businesses, and communities have what they need to fully recover. Your ability to thrive is my priority this year. On Friday, I was sworn into my second term as your state representative, and I’m so honored to continue to serve you in this way.

While the past year has been a trying – and for too many of us, tragic – time, the roll-out of the vaccine gives me hope that brighter days are ahead. Unfortunately, it’s not time to relax yet. This pandemic is still dangerous and a threat to our public health. So please keep socially distancing, limiting your gathering, washing your hands, and wearing those masks!

What to expect this session

With COVID-19 still actively spreading throughout the state, the Legislature has taken precautions to keep the public, lawmakers, and staff safe. For the first time ever, the Washington State House of Representatives will conduct its business remotely. While this may slow down the pace of the Legislature, it also means more opportunities for public engagement and participation. Committee testimony will now be done virtually, and every committee will be accepting written testimony. Now, instead of driving to Olympia to weigh in on legislation during the committee process, all you have to do is log on to your computer. All committee meetings, floor debates, and other public events will be broadcast live and recorded for later viewing at tvw.org. You can now participate from the comfort of your own living room.

Here are some of the ways you can continue to stay involved with the legislative process this year:

  • Watch – Visit org to view broadcasts of all the debates and votes that happen in the House and Senate, along with committee meetings and other events you may be interested in.
  • Research — Click hereto look up legislation by lawmaker or by topic.
  • Learn — Click here to learn all about the legislative process, from start to finish.
  • Testify — Click here for an overview of the process to testify. Written testimony is also an option, and you can always share your story with me.
  • Stay informed — Sign up for my legislative e-newsletter here. You can add your email address at the bottom of the page.
  • Get in touch — You can reach my office by telephone at (425) 651-2341 or email at Callan@leg.wa.gov. To schedule a virtual meeting, please contact my Legislative Assistant, Zach Hall, at Zach.Hall@leg.wa.gov.

In order for us to make these changes and conduct our business remotely, the legislature will be convening in-person for one day only on Monday, January 11, to adopt our new rules. We are doing everything we can to convene in a safe manner, and we’ll be following all DOH public health guidelines.

My committee assignments

After each election, the Legislature takes time to reevaluate and reimagine its committee structure. This biennium is no different. I will continue to serve as the vice chair of the Capital Budget Committee and as a member of the Education Committee. Last biennium, I served on the Human Services & Early Learning Committee, which has now been split into two focused groups – the Children, Youth & Families Committee and the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee. I’m thrilled to be joining the new Children, Youth & Families Committee.

The Capital Budget Committee is responsible for crafting the state’s capital budget, which approves funding for the construction and repair of public buildings and other long-term investments that benefit the entire state. I’m eager to see how we can use this budget as an economic stimulus to support our state’s pandemic recovery.

The new Children, Youth & Families Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Children, Youth & Families and engages in policy related to the foster care system, early learning system, and more.

The Education Committee is responsible for all legislation related to K-12 education in Washington State.

What I’ve been up to lately

The Legislature has been out of session since March 11, but I have still been hard at work. Lawmakers use this interim period to check in with constituents, work on new legislation, and participate in work groups and task forces that lead to future legislation.

Here are some of the things I’ve been up to this interim:

      • I chaired the bipartisan Children & Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, made up of legislators and advocates for youth from all across the state.
      • I chaired the bipartisan Improving Institutional Education Programs and Outcomes Task Force, made up of legislators, agency leaders, and advocates for youth from all across the state.
      • Along with my seatmates, I helped hundreds of constituents connect with Employment Security Department claim agents to resolve their unemployment claims.
      • I met frequently with local cities and school districts to offer support and learn what state support I could help provide them.
      • I met frequently with local chambers of commerce to share resources, listen to their stories, and connect them with other leaders in government.

All this work helps drive my priorities for how best to represent you in Olympia this session.

Washington’s new vaccine distribution timeline

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recently announced its new timeline for vaccine distribution. The push to get vaccines to frontline workers and vulnerable populations helped fill a huge need. Now, I’m eager to see the vaccine get out far and wide. This timeline lays out how they’re planning to accomplish the task. Along with federal guidance and in partnership with the governor’s office, this is the product of input from nearly 20,000 state residents.

You can check your eligibility by taking a short survey at findyourphasewa.org. Also, visit this DOH page for helpful information and videos that detail everything else you might want to know about the vaccines.

COVID-19 resources for those in need

Finding additional resources for families and businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 will a key legislative priority this session. If you need some help, please take a look at some of the resources below. And you can always get in touch with us if you’re trying to find the right resource for you or a loved one.

Statewide resources

Local resources

Additional resources

Thanks to everyone who connected in and engaged with me this interim. I hope you continue to share your opinions and lived experiences with me. They are the most important feedback I receive. My (virtual) door is always open.

Take good care,

Lisa Callan

 

 

Your neighbor