Friends,
I like to immerse myself in my work and absorb as much information as possible to be an effective legislator. It’s the approach I took as a computer engineer and a school board director. Now, it’s the same approach I take as your representative.
This interim session was no different. I’m busy speaking with community members like you, learning more about important issues, and discussing ways to improve the lives of residents in our region and all across our state. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been up to over the 250+ meetings I’ve had so far:
Working in our communities
During the interim, I met with many of you, one-on-one, to discuss your challenges and your priorities. We covered topics including traffic, supports for our seniors, challenges facing our small businesses. We discussed education delivery hurdles for special education needs, comprehensive high schools, and institutional settings like hospitals or rehabilitation centers. Many of you had concerns and comments about issues like recreational floating on the Snoqualmie River, watersheds and water districts, nursing home closures, supporting families and people with developmental disabilities, youth substance use and recovery, access to mental and behavioral health, homeless prevention, traumatic brain injury, and land use policy.
To supplement these one-on-one meetings, I also:
- Co-hosted community coffees with Rep. Ramos in Fall City, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Carnation, North Bend, Black Diamond, Snoqualmie, and the East Renton Highlands.
- Spoke and answered questions at local Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, and chambers of commerce with Rep. Ramos and Sen. Mullet.
In addition to meeting with you, I also toured various facilities and infrastructure needs around our region. I am always seeking to better familiarize myself with these projects. These tours and visits help me better serve the communities of eastern King County.
- I joined the staff at several childcare and early learning centers across the state to discuss what we can do to make quality childcare more affordable and accessible for all.
- I visited the SR 18/ I-90 interchange site with transportation and fish and wildlife officials to examine the site and a nearby fish barrier.
- Along with my colleagues on the House Capital Budget Committee, I toured the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center to learn more about what we can do to support our most vulnerable through care and opportunity.
Learning more about the important issues
I also had various legislative and educational meetings during the interim. These meetings help inform how I work on legislation and solve problems for the people in my district and throughout Washington.
- I was honored to join the Early Learning Advisory Council, the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, and a subcommittee of the Children’s Behavioral Health Work Group. As a member of these groups, I listen to experts and advocate for the education, well-being, and safety of our early and at-risk youth.
- I hosted meetings with state agency directors and other legislators to discuss our state’s composting industry. I’m committed to finding solutions that protect and support our communities, promote a successful green industry, and more broadly reduce waste in our society.
- I attended many conferences to learn more about the important issues playing out here in Washington State, like youth mental health, racial equity, housing and homelessness, opioid use, the impacts of dental care on overall health outcomes, food and farming, and supports for newborns and toddlers.
The conversations, coffees, and visits I’ve had this interim highlight one very important thing – there’s a lot of work to do. I can’t wait to get back to Olympia to fight for our community, our families, and you.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please reach out!
Thanks,
Rep. Lisa Callan
(425) 295-2945