Friends and neighbors,
Rep. Fosse and I appreciate you joining our legislative townhall! We heard your concerns about housing, youth homelessness, safety, and education. We’re working on these issues and others to build a prosperous future for our community. While challenges remain, our work together demonstrate a shared commitment to building a prosperous future for our community.
Bill Update
There are only 15 days left in the session! My bills supporting young adults & families are moving through the Senate. House Bill 1929, 2415, and 2217 were heard in the Senate Human Services Committee last week and voted out of committee this week. You can watch my Senate committee testimony for HB 1929 here, HB 2416 here, and House Bill 2217 here.
Learn more about all three bills in my most recent video update or by clicking the image below.
I’m also proud to share progress on other bills I sponsored including HB 1530, which champions wider inclusion in law enforcement and prosecutorial employment. Last week, the bill passed the Senate Law & Justice Committee and awaits a full Senate vote. Additionally, companion bills SB 5908 and 5974 bolster my efforts for young adults by offering extended foster care and reducing legal financial barriers. Learn more here or watch the video below.
Seeking Funding for Our Community
Last year’s ‘Resilient Washington’ budget laid a strong foundation for Washington to address key priorities emerging from the pandemic. But new challenges call for new solutions. That’s why I’m proposing targeted investments in impactful community projects through supplemental budget proposals. These investments address critical needs from the fentanyl crisis and behavioral healthcare services to increased access for childcare and supports for working families.
I believe we can build on the responsible and sustainable approach of the previous budget. Once our budgets are finalized and released publicly, I look forward to sharing a full update with you. In the meantime, here are some specific projects I’m championing for our community:
- $7.27 million to establish a new training facility for the Latino Educational Training institute (LETI). This facility will serve as an incubator for family success, strengthen relationships between Latinos and the wider community, and provide an array of community services.
- $10.56 million to modernize existing stadium infrastructure for the 2025 Seattle FIFA World Cup.
- $8 million to support statewide initiatives to attract global tourism and support local businesses during the FIFA World Cup.
- $200,000 to establish a community leadership team to develop an early learning report with recommendations for improved access and quality of programs in Snohomish County.
Staying In Touch
As we approach the last day of the 2024 legislative session, I strongly encourage you to stay in touch with me, follow me on Facebook, and share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Our district derives its strength from the collective voice of diverse communities and experiences.
Looking ahead, I am excited to share a full 2024 legislative update with you in an upcoming mailed newsletter. I hope you find it informative and an accurate reflection of our community values.
Thank you for all you do!
Sincerely/Atentamente,
State Representative Julio Cortes
Representante Estatal Julio Cortés