Dear neighbors,
As we head into autumn, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month from Sep. 15 (the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries) to Oct. 15 each year. As a member of the newly formed Latino Democratic Caucus, I am working to ensure Washington is fair, safe, and representative. Latino representation in the Washington Legislature has steadily grown and we are using our collective voice to bring issues that matter to underserved communities to the table.
Please click here or on the image below for a video from the members of the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus (LDC) providing a quick review of some of the policy and budget wins achieved in the 2023 session.
Out in the Community
This month, I had the honor of visiting with our neighbors, the Latino Community, and stakeholders to learn about issues affecting our state. Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, I’d like to share some of those impactful visits with you.
At the end of September, I met with the Washington Hospitality Association and workers within the hospitality industry. We had a great discussion regarding industry operations, their impact on the local economy, the economic opportunities ahead, worker protections, and potential legislation for 2024.
Earlier this month, I joined the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund and a cohort of 42 Latino state legislators for a workshop on addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. From Artificial Intelligence to increasing mis- and disinformation in the digital world, it is important for us to have robust conversations to inform how we can continue to govern effectively within a fast-changing world.
On October 7th, I also had the pleasure of attending a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. This was a meaningful opportunity to share my background with attendees, learn more about the lived experience of other Hispanic individuals in our community, and learn how legislation can improve the Latino and Hispanic experience in Washington.
Bringing Danish Solutions to Washington
Inspired by remarkable progress in Denmark, I had the pleasure of meeting with Danish colleagues to learn about how Washington can increase the sustainability and economic value of our agricultural sector through industrial symbiosis principles.
During the 2022 session, the legislature passed a proviso directing WSU to partner with the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) to develop recommendations and build on our success of converting energy, water, and organic wastes into valuable products. The results of this study have been recently released and demonstrate exciting opportunities for local farmers and food producers to reduce costs and find new revenue sources from agricultural byproducts or waste.
The practice of Agriculture Symbiosis, where waste can be exchanged and repurposed for profit, offers important benefits for improving the economics of food production and our environmental quality. Local dairy, potato processors, and produce businesses featured in the study have already seen benefits from adapting their operations. For more information on the study, technologies used in the projects, or general questions related to agriculture symbiosis, please contact my office or visit: https://www.sustaininfrastructure.org/ag-symbiosis.
Share Your Priorities with Me
In my last couple of e-newsletters, I shared a survey to hear from you about how we can improve our community. Thank you to everyone who took 1-minute to fill it out and help inform me about the issues that matter most to you. So far, I’ve heard your concerns regarding behavioral health, community safety, affordable and accessible housing, and a host of other issues.
When asked what specific issue the legislature could focus on to make the biggest impact to your household, you shared that reducing the cost of living will be critical in helping those living on low and fixed incomes. As a result, next session, I will work with my colleagues to share your experiences and address the confluence of issues causing increased costs for goods and services.
If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to fill out this survey and stay engaged with me on Facebook, my website, and sending me an email. Thank you for all you do!
In Service,
State Representative Julio Cortes