Dear friends and neighbors,
This e-newsletter is a quick look at what’s happening in Olympia and how it might affect all our communities. In this issue, I’ll discuss addressing the root causes of homelessness and the Working Families Tax Credit. Lastly, I encourage you to stay engaged in our democratic process this year. Please consider clicking here or on the image below to view my video on staying engaged this session. I hope you will find it useful!
Legislative Focus: Addressing Homelessness
Homelessness is the result of multiple systemic issues converging. As of December 2022, only California, New York, and Florida had larger total homeless populations. The bottom line is we all need a home that we can rely on to meet our most basic human needs and to feel like we belong in our communities.
But the high cost of housing – to rent and to purchase – are limiting choice and forcing too many people from their homes. People are moving further from their communities and jobs, and for some even becoming homeless. My colleagues and I are working to make housing a top priority this session. Through a comprehensive package of bills, we hope to create more affordable housing, stabilize rental rates, and build more government-subsidized housing to support our neighbors in need. In the end, it’s more fiscally responsible to help individuals stay housed than to provide services to get them back on their feet.
For more information on my work to address the housing shortage, click here or on the image below.
For those not only struggling with the cost of housing, but also behavioral health disorders, the shortage of trained therapists, counselors, social workers, and mental and substance use workers means that it’s difficult to find care. As Vice Chair of the House Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee, I will be committed to streamlining and expanding access to these services. One area of particular concern is youth homelessness. To address this issue, I’ve sponsored HB 1406 and HB 1326 to make it easier to access support services and for non-profits to provide these desperately needed services to our community. As we emerge from the behavioral impacts of the last two years, it is critical to not let youth fall through the cracks and into the vicious cycle of poverty.
A New Tax Credit for Washington Workers Starts in 2023!
The Working Families Tax Credit is a new program that will provide payments of up to $1,200 to low-to-moderate income individuals and families. The amounts are based on income level and the number of qualifying children (if any). Help us spread the word and make sure everyone who qualifies can receive this tax credit.
This program will help us stimulate local economies, promote racial equity, and provide the financial stability Washington families need right now. To find more information in several available languages, visit WorkingFamiliesCredit.wa.gov.
Share Your Thoughts With Me
I’m so excited to welcome constituents back to Olympia! If you come down to Olympia, please schedule a time for us to meet by emailing our office, so you can share your priorities with me. My staff and I are 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.
It’s an honor to represent the 38th Legislative District. I look forward to hearing your continued advocacy, feedback, and engagement throughout the 2023 Legislative Session.
In Service,
State Representative Julio Cortes
38th Legislative District