Small Business Grant Applications Open Now
The Department of Commerce launched a new round of Working Washington small business grants on Monday, March 29th. This new round of grants is focused on brick-and-mortar businesses that have been most directly impacted by public health measures. To see if your business may be eligible, please go to commercegrants.com.
Commerce’s technical support center is currently open to answer any questions and starting on March 29th they will be providing assistance in multiple languages. You can contact them by calling (855) 602-2722 or emailing commercegrants@submittable.com. Trusted community organizations are also providing translation and individualized guidance and their contact information is available through this directory.
This round of Working Washington grants is possible because we approved $240 million in January as part of an early action bill. That bill also included hundreds of millions of dollars to boost public health, keep people in their homes, get students caught up, keep food on the table, and a whole host of other things. It was step one in our plan for community and economic recovery and we are now focused on the next steps in our plan to ensure we recover together.
Help for Renters and Small Landlords
The pandemic has been hard on renters and small landlords (those who own four or fewer rental units or properties and makes less than the Median Family Income for their area). Many renters lost their primary source of income and the eviction moratorium kept a roof over their head. On the other hand, many small landlords lost a crucial revenue stream. House Democrats are committed to making sure that no one loses their home through no fault of their own. Earlier this year, the House passed $325 million in early action rental relief. With Washingtonians still struggling with unpaid rent, the House Democrats budget allocates another $1 billion in rental relief. As we transition away from the eviction moratorium, this money will keep small landlords and renters whole. Check out these resources if you are a tenant or small landlord and need assistance.
Small Landlords: The Legislature passed a COVID-19 relief package last month that includes funding for small landlords most impacted by unpaid rent. Visit this link for more information about Washington state’s Limited Landlord Relief Program and how to apply for relief: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/homelessness/landlord-fund-programs/landlord-relief-program/?fbclid=IwAR0OHtSlHi9GGRhBva-NilZ88e9kpRunWEBeuWqEBNbWTfc5l6IGqhOKbPo
Renters: For more information about rental assistance, check out this link if you’re a King County resident: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/COVID/eviction-prevention-rent-assistance.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1wCeeSWZsGqK771JMdjcvlBGwEjWvLdd4T6djFZ2x5fKM8mNCmvkFW2No
Meet My Legislative Assistant
Each State Representative in our State has one full time staffer dedicated to their Office. Legislative Assistants, as they are known, are responsible for a variety of tasks including managing the daily operations of the office, conducting research, tracking bills, and being the first point of contact for constituents and stakeholders.
This year I have a new Legislative Assistant, Derek Loville. Derek graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Central Washington University. He was previously a Legislative Assistant for former State Representative and current State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. Outside of work, Derek enjoys staying active, watching NBA basketball, and grilling. Raised in Issaquah, Washington, Derek keeps our office running smoothly.
If you have questions about the status of a bill, or are experiencing difficulty with an agency, please feel free to reach out to Derek via email at derek.loville@leg.wa.gov or via phone at (253) 330- 5504.
Capital Budget Highlights
The 2021-2023 House Capital Budget was released last week, and I am excited to share there are appropriations for a variety of projects and services in the 47th Legislative District. Below are some project highlights for our community:
Sound Enhanced Services Facility in Auburn: Enhanced Services Facilities in Washington State serve residents who have complex personal care and behavioral health needs. Funding will allow these facilities to continue promoting behavioral health in our communities.
HealthPoint in Auburn: HealthPoint hopes to expand access to dental care for underserved, low-income populations in our community. Ensuring that everyone has proper access to necessary dental care is crucial in promoting public health within our community.
Panther Lake Community Park in Kent: Kent Parks and Recreation is working to develop Panther Lake’s first community park. Access to community parks promotes a wide variety of benefits to residents, including positive mental and physical health and greater cognitive function, as well as additional recreational areas for children.
Green River Community College: Community and Technical Colleges are very important parts of our community, as they provide more accessible opportunities for higher education. The House Capital Budget includes funding for maintenance and preservation at Green River Community College.
Soos Creek Hatchery Renovation: The Soos Creek Hatchery is a vital facility for providing salmon for tribal treaty and commercial salmon harvests. It is also an aging facility that is frequently damaged by flooding events. Funding the necessary renovations will enhance the survival of incubating eggs and fry and help Washington maintain strong salmon harvests.