38th District Newsletter: WELCOME TO THE 2025 SESSION!

Dear friends and neighbors,

The 2025 Legislative Session began this past Monday and we want to start with what’s important to our constituents in the 38^th district. Our democracy is strongest when everyone can participate, which is why we are seeking your input on some of the key challenges, priorities, and policies that we’ll be working on this year. Please click on the button below to fill out a very short survey on YOUR priorities. Gathering this information will help guide our decisions as we consider legislation and vote on bills.

First Day

The opening day ceremonies in the House have plenty of pomp and circumstance, but what makes them special and memorable is the way we honor and celebrate the cultural diversity of our people. This year, we were proud to see tribal members on the rostrum leading us in prayer and song.

We were also excited to elect our colleague, Rep. Chris Stearns, from the 47th district, as our Speaker Pro Tempore. In the history of our state, Rep. Stearns is one of a few Native Americans to serve in the Legislature. Click here for his remarks upon being sworn in.

The first day of session is also when the Speaker of the House delivers her inaugural address.

In her speech, Rep. Laurie Jinkins mentioned some of our legislative successes, such as historic investments to build more housing units across the state, increased access to affordable childcare for working parents, and new regional law enforcement training academies to train more officers.

She highlighted recent national rankings naming Washington state as having the best economy in the country, the best public education on the West Coast, and as the most energy-efficient state.

Our Speaker also described the challenges we will be facing, starting with a shortfall in the state budget due to decreased revenue, inflation, and increased needs. In closing, she reminded us that we have a responsibility to invest in what matters most – our people.

We agree and our work will focus on protecting the investments we’ve made to help working families and have a balanced budget.

Send us your teens for a week!

The Washington State Legislature has one of the best page programs in the country and applications are open! Legislative pages are youth aged 14 – 16, who are sponsored by legislators and serve in Olympia for one week during the legislative session. They receive daily civics education, participate in mock committee hearings, and help conduct legislative business. If you know any young people who may be interested, please click here for more information.

Keep up with what’s Happening in Olympia

Your participation is vital to the democratic process! We have made it easier than ever to be involved, whether you want to come to Olympia in person or stay home. We have options to watch and participate in committee hearings, contact your legislators, comment on a bill, or just learn more about what’s going on. Click here to review the many ways you can engage with us this session.

Don’t miss a beat

The legislature meets every year, but alternates between a short, 60-day session and a long 105-day session. The long sessions happen on odd-numbered years like this one. Here’s a quick look at some of the important dates during the next few months:

We are here to represent you and hearing from you on the issues you care about helps better inform our work in the Legislature, so please don’t forget to take our survey.

We are honored to serve you and committed to working on your behalf.

Yours in progress,