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Legislative Update: Cutoffs, the budget, and a telephone town hall

Dear friends and neighbors,

We’re wrapping up the seventh week of this year’s legislative session and have reached the second big deadline for bills this year.

Today is fiscal cutoff, which means that any bill with a fiscal impact needs to pass out of a fiscal committee (like the House Appropriations Committee, on which I serve) or the Senate Ways & Means Committee by the end of the day to continue through the process. I’ve spent a lot of time this week working with my colleagues to closely consider each bill.

You may have heard about the budget deficit that we face in Washington this year. We’ve been working over the last couple months to identify places that we can reduce spending without hurting the people of our state. This week we rolled out a website to help show what would be at risk in an all-cuts budget. Some of these cuts are really painful, and very few are cuts that we would want to make. For example – $750 million in cuts to higher education; eliminating Medicaid coverage for kidney dialysis, pharmaceuticals, and family planning; cutting care for the elderly, people with developmental disabilities, and children; and reducing food assistance for low-income people.

That is why I believe we need a balanced approach to the state budget. We are focused on making the least harmful cuts possible and looking at asking certain wealthy people and businesses to pay their fair share. For example, there are no taxes collected on rental storage units in Washington or on gold bullion. Washington has one of the most regressive tax systems in the nation. As a percent of their income, the poorest Washingtonians pay significantly more than the billionaires in our state. We will seek to make budget choices that protect services Washingtonians rely on, like public education, public safety, and health care.

I have heard from many of you about bills that are important to you. A few bills that I am cosponsoring and that I have heard from constituents about that are moving forward:

• HB 1296, protecting the privacy of students in our public schools.
• HB 1483, making it easier and cheaper for Washingtonians to repair digital electronic products like smartphones and computers by providing options other than paying the original manufacturer for the repair work.
• HB 1837, laying out a plan to improve Amtrak passenger rail service to Portland and Vancouver.
• HB 1923, helping connect more Puget Sound communities with passenger ferries by authorizing more local governments to provide passenger ferry service.

Please continue to let me know about bills you are excited to see moving through the process as well as bills that give you concern.

I also want to invite you to join Sen. Alvarado, Rep. Thomas, and me for a telephone town hall on Monday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. If you don’t automatically receive a call, you can join by calling 855-756-7520 and entering extension 120781#. We’ll be on to provide updates about the session so far and take your questions live. I’m looking forward to it!

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Legislative Update: Session so far, media availabilities, legislator profiles

Dear friends and neighbors,

We’re wrapping up the fifth week of this year’s legislative session, and I wanted to pass along an update on what’s happening in the state House. Right now, most of our work is focused on committee hearings. These are the first stop for almost every single bill.

Hearings give legislators a chance to ask questions, propose amendments, or hear from people like you before moving a bill to the next step in the process. In order to organize our time, we also set deadlines for bills to pass out of committee. For policy committees, that deadline is next Friday, February 21^st.

My office receives a lot of emails from 34^th District constituents who write me to share their support or opposition to various bills. I want you to know I do read your feedback and my office does our best to respond to those who reach out to us. I thought I would share a few of the bills I’ve been receiving emails about lately:

• HB 1721 would allow zero-emission vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers. I’m a cosponsor of this legislation. It was heard earlier today and is scheduled to be voted on in the House Consumer Protection & Business committee next week. The emails I have received from constituents are supportive of this bill.
• HB 1584 would end our state’s universal vote by mail system. I am opposed to this legislation, as are the vast majority of emails my office has been getting on it. It’s not currently scheduled for a hearing or a vote in committee. Our House leadership (which includes me, as Majority Leader) is committed to expanding voting access for Washingtonians, not rolling it back. We are not the only state seeing attacks on voting rights, but we will stand strong against those attacks, and I hope that provides some reassurance.
• HB 1038 would prohibit gender-affirming care for minors. I am strongly opposed to this legislation. Gender-affirming care is life-saving, and we will continue to protect access to it here in Washington state. This is also something the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader in the Senate talked about at a media availability last week. My office is hearing from youth and parents who are extremely concerned that denying this care would cause great harm to those who need it. I want to reassure anyone who is worried that this bill will not receive a hearing and will not advance.

Media Availabilities

As Majority Leader, I occasionally represent the House Democratic Caucus at our weekly media availabilities with Senate leadership. This is time for us to answer questions from reporters, and it’s broadcast on TVW for everyone to watch. This week, we were asked about topics like rent stabilization, funding for cities and counties – especially related to public safety – budget development, school bonds, and more. You can watch the whole thing here.

Legislator Profiles

TVW also puts together profiles every year to help people learn more about their representatives. In mine, I talk a little bit about my role as Majority Leader, the kind of policies I focus on, and spending as much time as possible with my eight-month-old daughter (who has already tagged along to a few meetings with me). It’s a short video, only about a minute long, and you can watch it here.

Thanks for reading!

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Kicking off the 2025 Legislative Session & How to get Involved

Dear friends and neighbors, This week we kicked off the 2025 Legislative Session! What does that mean? We have a part-time state legislature that works on a two-year cycle, alternating between long and short sessions. This year is the first year of a new biennium, which means it’s a long session year. We’ll be down in Olympia for 105 days passing legislation and putting together our state’s biennial budget. I’m looking forward to the work and am grateful for the opportunity to serve you all again this year. In case you missed it, I also had a chance to join some of my colleagues for an interview with the Seattle Channel last week, we talked about how we’re thinking about the investments in our state budget, evaluating and expanding climate protections, and more. Check it out here.

There are a lot of different ways that you can be involved in the work down in Olympia. As always, you can reach out to my office by phone (360) 786-7952 or email. You can also watch committee hearings on TVW, comment on a bill, or testify either remotely or in-person. You can read about how a bill becomes a law, or you can watch a video about it instead (in English or Spanish). If you have questions, please reach out!

Thanks for reading!

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Legislative Update: Session kickoff, what we’re up to, and staying in touch

Dear friends and neighbors,

Earlier this month we kicked off the 2024 Legislative Session! Every year we alternate between a short session, which is 60 days, or a long session, which is 105 days. This year is a short session, and it’s off to a fast start. We were ready to pass bills off the floor starting day one, and we’ve been busy with committee hearings and more floor action since then. We’ve got more updates in our sections below. We’ve also added some (hopefully) helpful information for folks looking to get involved in our work. Like we said, this session will go fast, but we’re excited to work hard on your behalf.

Thanks for reading-

A Note from Emily

Helping the people of Washington have access to quality and affordable housing and childcare remains the focus of my second session in Olympia.

At a time when working families and older adults are facing real economic pressures, we can provide some stability in the single greatest cost in a household budget — housing costs. My HB 2114 will stabilize renters by stopping excessive rent increases, lowering the costs and fees associated with getting new housing, and providing greater predictability for millions of renters in the district and state.

Improving access to quality childcare is good for families and necessary for our economy. My HB 1945 will streamline access to quality childcare to families who qualify for food assistance. I am sponsoring HB 1969 to increase access to homecare for seniors and people with disabilities, by making it easier for family members to be home care providers.

I am also working with my colleagues to pass policies to prevent gun violence and prioritize investments in public education. As you can see, we’ve got a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and tell your stories so we can continue to pass legislation that will change lives.

 

A Note from Joe

There’s a lot of great work happening this session and I wanted to share more on some of the bills I’m particularly excited about.

We know that it’ll take a lot of different policies working together to address our housing crisis. One of the other ideas we’re working on is co-living housing, like small apartments with shared kitchen spaces, which create more flexible and affordable options for multi-family housing. HB 1998 by Rep. Gregerson would set standards for and legalize the development of co-living housing statewide, you can read more about it here.

We’re also working on public safety, similar to housing there’s a lot of different pieces that will come together to help create safer communities, one example is Rep. Ryu’s legislation to help address and prevent catalytic converter theft.

Rep. Riccelli has a bill that would help preserve access to preventative health care services without cost sharing. That includes things like immunizations, blood pressure screenings, lung cancer screenings, and more.

In the labor space, Rep. Fosse’s HB 1940 prevents employers from punishing workers that refuse to attend or participate in “captive audience” meetings. These are meetings held by employers explicitly to communicate religious or political matters, and aren’t related to the employee’s work, so we think employees should be able to choose if it’s the best use of their time.

Stay Engaged this Session

Stay Engaged this Session

• Learn — Curious about how the legislative process works? You can watch a start-to-finish overview by clicking here. If you prefer text instead, click here.
• Watch — TVW.org broadcasts all legislative debates, votes, committee hearings and other events in the House and Senate. There’s also an extensive archive of past events if you can’t watch it live. Check out TVW’s “Legislative Review” for a quick recap of everything that’s happened each day of session.
• Research — Find detailed information about legislation by lawmaker or topic by clicking here.
• Testify — Share your thoughts on legislation! This session, you’ll be able to testify in person, remotely or in writing based on what’s easiest for you. Click here for more information on how to testify.

You can find the contact info for our offices in the footer below 

Contact Rep. Emily Alvarado: 425 John L. O’Brien ● PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA
98504 ● Send me an email  ● (360) 786-7978

Contact Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon: 339A Legislative Building ● PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA
98504 ● Send me an email ● (360) 786-7952

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Legislative Update: Budget Proposals and Another Session Cutoff

Dear friends and neighbors,

We wanted to reach out with an update on our work as we approach the end of session. The House and Senate have both proposed their budgets (more details about the House proposals below!) and we’ve moved into negotiations on a final plan. We also just crossed one of the last major cutoffs for this session, where bills had to pass out of the opposite chamber. For the next week we’ll be focused on wrapping up bills that were changed in the Senate and passing our budget proposals.

Note from Emily Washington needs to build over a million homes in the next 20 years to keep up with demand—and 500,000 of those need to be affordable for our low-income family members, friends and neighbors. Not only do we need to make it easier to build modest housing options of all shapes and sizes to boost our supply of homes, we need to take purposeful action to ensure these options are actually affordable to the families that need them. I’ve spent my career focused on providing affordable housing to some of our state’s most vulnerable, and I’m proud to continue that work here in the Legislature. I recently had the opportunity to talk about the work we’re doing to solve Washington’s housing crisis on both KUOW and the Capitol Ideas podcast. Give them a listen! I’m also pleased to report that several of my sponsored bills have passed both chambers, including HB 1200 to improve union representation for workers; HB 1260 to end the practice of requiring seniors and those with work-limiting disabilities to repay state benefits when they transition to federal disability benefits; HB 1694 to strengthen our home care workforce; and HB 1695 to use surplus property for permanently affordable homeownership. But that’s not all we’re doing to support Washington’s seniors, working people and families. The House-passed operating budget includes over $9.4 million for childcare providers who operate during non-standard hours to provide better childcare access for parents who work outside of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. And we prioritized investments in early learning, behavioral health, and K-12 public education. I’m hopeful that these investments will remain in the final version of the budget we expect to pass this week!

Note from Joe As I mentioned in our first newsletter this session, my new role as Majority Leader has changed my approach to this job in a couple ways. As a part of our caucus’s leadership team I help shepherd all the bills we pass in the House through the Senate. I also help negotiate our operating budget, working with other members in the caucus to come up with a proposal (more on that below!) and then working with the Senate to come up with a final package. The trade-off for being involved in this work is that I have less time to focus on running bills of my own. This year I only sponsored one bill, HB 1216, to help ensure that we’re able to build the clean energy facilities we need to power our clean energy transition. I’m happy to say it’s passed out of the Senate and I’m looking forward to wrapping up work on it in the House before sending it to the Governor to sign.

This year, our proposed operating budget makes significant investments to support equity, improve access to vital services, protect the environment, reduce poverty and homelessness, promote public safety, and ensure that individuals and families have the support they need to thrive.

$1.3 billion investment for behavioral health: we’re supporting access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, including increased rates for providers and investments in behavioral health beds. This investment also prioritizes care for vulnerable populations, such as children with complex needs, and supports the workers who provide these critical services.

The House construction budget also supports families in here in the 34^th, including funding for the Evergreen Treatment Services substance use treatment center, SeaMar Community Health Centers, and Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon.

$1.9 billion for k-12 education: we’re providing fair and equal opportunities for all students, by ensuring educators are compensated and supported, supporting students with disabilities through special education funding, and providing free meals to help students focus and succeed.

$991 million for public health and healthcare: we are committed to equity, access to healthcare services, and the protection of public health during emergencies. By providing affordable healthcare options for low-income families and adequate compensation for healthcare providers, the state is working to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.

$608 million for childcare and early learning: we’re promoting equity and access to quality care for children, particularly those from low-income families and in kinship care. This investment supports ECEAP rates and slots, family care provider collective bargaining, and kinship caregivers, which can improve the availability and affordability of childcare, and help children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills, which are crucial for their future success.

$528 million for housing and homelessness: everyone needs a home. We’re providing comprehensive support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or financial hardship through increased funding for homeless and housing service contracts, providing housing and essential needs, expanding encampment response, and supporting local government planning for housing, children, and youth homelessness.

$491 million for poverty reduction: we’re prioritizing the values of economic justice and equity by providing support for low-income working families through the Working Families Tax Credit, access to nutritious food through food assistance, financial assistance for families facing hardship, and comprehensive support through changes to TANF.

$1.9 billion for long-term care and developmental disabilities: we’re increasing rates for nursing home and home care workers, supporting adult family homes, and facilitating transitions out of acute care hospitals can help to ensure that individuals with disabilities and those in need of long-term care receive high-quality, compassionate care and support.

The House construction budget also included funding for a couple arts programs in the 34^th district, including the Vashon Center for the Arts, Highland Park Improvement Club, and the Creative Youth Empowerment Hub in downtown Seattle, which is a BIPOC and Native-led youth arts space.

Thanks for reading!

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Legislative Update: Kicking off the 2023 Session

Dear friends and neighbors,

Last month we kicked off the 2023 Legislative Session. We wanted to send you a quick note to highlight some of our biggest priorities for the year, as well as some great ways to stay engaged along the way. It continues to be a privilege to represent all of you in the 34th district – never hesitate to reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to better support you or your family.

A Note from Emily

Washington needs strong reforms to dismantle systemic injustices so that every family has a chance to thrive. That starts with the basics: high-quality early learning and public education, economic justice for working people, and access to affordable, permanent housing for all. Without these essentials, far too many Washington families get trapped in a cycle of poverty that is almost impossible to escape.

I hope to use my time here in Olympia to change that.

This session, I’ll be serving as Vice Chair of both the Housing & Local Government Committees, as well as a member of the Capital Budget committee.

I believe we have the opportunity to make real progress this legislative session, but only if we have the courage to take bold action. I hope you’ll join us as we begin this new journey together.

 

A Note from Joe

With the 2023 Legislative Session under way I have an update to pass along-

My colleagues have trusted me to serve as the new House Majority Leader. This means I’ll help lead the House Democratic Caucus, including intensive work on our proposed budget and caucus-wide priorities.

Some of the biggest things on our agenda this year are housing, behavioral health, climate change, workforce growth and development, and criminal justice reform. I know these are broad categories, so expect more detailed information as we get further into session.

I’m also excited to have Rep. Alvarado joining our legislative delegation and look forward to working together for you.

Stay Engaged this Session

Thanks for reading!

– Emily and Joe

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Reducing greenhouse gas pollution & prioritizing transformative transportation investments

Dear friends and neighbors,

The 2021 legislative session was a landmark year in the fight against climate change. During the short 2022 session, we continued that work by passing legislation targeting greenhouse gas pollution from landfills & buildings. With the climate crisis upon us, we must do all we can to protect Washingtonians from the harms of climate change, air pollution, and environmental degradation.

Climate Commitment Act

Last year, we began Washington’s transition to a cleaner, greener energy future by enacting carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This session, we are accelerating implementation and ensuring Washington’s tribes have a larger role in charting the future. We’ve now built a model for our states and other countries to follow to reduce greenhouse gas pollution around the globe.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Pollution

This session, we invested over $714 million to help reduce emissions and promote climate resiliency throughout the state, including more than $100 million to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure and another $58 million for solar energy infrastructure projects that benefit low-income communities.

I was also proud to co-sponsor or champion several bills to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, fight climate change, and transition to a clean energy future:

• HB 1280 ensures we consider clean all-electric building options for new public facilities.
• HB 1619 expands energy efficiency standards to more household appliances to reduce pollution and energy costs for Washington households.
• HB 1663 requires large municipal landfills to reduce methane emissions by capturing it before it pollutes our atmosphere.
• HB 1799 reduces methane emissions by helping to redirect our surplus food to families who need it, while repurposing organic waste for composting at local farms and reducing plastic contamination in the compost stream.
• HB 1768 makes it easier to complete public energy conservation projects that pay for themselves with the energy savings.
• SB 5722 sponsored by our own Sen. Joe Nguyen, helps us reduce greenhouse gas pollution and energy costs for low-income families by improving energy efficiency & performance in existing buildings.
• SB 5910 speeds up the availability and use of renewable hydrogen.

Transformative Transportation Investments

This year, we also passed historic transportation investments to meet urgent transportation needs for the 34th district. Thanks to our federal and local partners, the West Seattle Bridge is on track to reopen later this year. New state transportation investments will complement this work by accelerating transit projects in our communities such as King County Metro’s upcoming RapidRide bus service on Ambaum, 16th, and Delridge.

We prioritized improving the reliability of the ferry system, constructing new ferries, and enabling them to run on electricity instead of diesel fuel that pollutes our air and our climate. We invested in improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in communities that have historically seen underinvestment, such as White Center, and significantly increased grant programs to fund safe infrastructure such as safe walking and biking routes for kids to get to school. Finally, we took big steps forward in planning for a future high speed rail system connecting Seattle with Portland and Vancouver, BC.

Election Year Communication Restrictions

Each election year, there are certain restrictions on legislator communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes. These restrictions include a freeze on my legislative Facebook account and my legislative webpage, meaning these pages cannot be updated beginning May 16, 2022, until after the general election in November.

But I’m still here to help! Please continue to reach out to me or my office directly by clicking here or (564) 888-2362 if there’s anything I can do to assist you or your family. You’ll also be able to find loads of information and access to state & local resources on my website → housedemocrats.wa.gov/fitzgibbon.

Thanks for reading!

Joe Fitzgibbon

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Protecting Family & Community Health

Dear friends and neighbors,

As hard as it is to believe, we’ve already reached the first major legislative cutoff of the 2022 session! With over 2,000 bills introduced in the House—and over 1,000 more in the Senate—since this biennium began, these legislative cutoffs help ensure any bills we pass are given the attention and careful consideration they deserve.

Over the next few days, we turn our attention to legislation in House fiscal committees, like Appropriations, Transportation, Finance, and Capital Budget before the next cutoff on Feb. 7. And after that, we head to the House Floor for action all day, every day, until the house of origin cutoff Feb. 15. Make sure to follow along at home on TVW.org.

As strongly as we may feel about passing our top priorities, we always want to make sure that we’re making good policy—even if that means we have to continue the fight next session.

Note from Eileen:

As the Chair of the Healthcare & Wellness Committee, passing equitable and sustainable laws that lead to quality care is at the top of my priorities. This session, I have been focused on our healthcare staff shortage and improving our long-term care plan. Washington families deserve a healthcare system that provides high-quality medical care.

We CARE about your concerns: reforms to make WA Cares work for your family

In 2019, I helped pass the WA Cares program to provide long-term services and support benefits for our seniors and people with disabilities. Unlike private, corporate long-term care insurance, our long-term care program won’t cancel your coverage for no reason or deny you access due to pre-existing conditions. WA Cares is so important because it provides a social safety net that protects our families. We have to keep working to make sure WA Cares is the best it can be, which is why I worked with fellow lawmakers on some reforms and updates. Already signed by Governor Inslee, House Bills 1732 & 1733 address changes to our long-term care programs that meet the needs of Washington residents.

HB 1732 extends the program rollout by 18 months and delays collecting premiums from workers during that time. By allowing this extension, access to long-term care becomes more accessible to individuals who are closer to retirement. If someone is going to retire before they reach the original threshold (10 years), they can work 500 hours in a year and get 10% of the benefit for each year they work that amount. My goal for this bill is to ensure that any individual that meets the criteria for the program can qualify for long-term care and receive the long term care they need.

HB 1733 establishes voluntary exemptions from paying into the WA Cares Fund. Although WA Cares is a great program for families who do not have a plan for their long-term care, I acknowledge that some residents may not be able to access the benefits later and should be able to opt out of the payment premiums should they choose. These residents include military spouses that may only be in the state for a limited time period, disabled veterans who already receive benefits from the federal government, and border state residents who work in Washington but reside elsewhere. While I want everyone to have access to long-term care, these exceptions make logical sense.

Investing in future care by addressing the healthcare staffing shortage

Every state is facing a health care staffing crisis. Our healthcare workers are essential, and we must support them as they provide essential labor and public service for our communities. To address this shortage, I am working on HBs 1664 & 2007 to assist in increasing the healthcare workforce.

HB 1664, sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule, increases the minimum allocations for school nurses and behavioral health professionals present in school districts. The bill amended in committee also requires public schools to always have one school nurse and one school counselor on site. This bill promotes a larger incentive for qualified individuals to go into this field and for schools to hire these essential workers. Not only does this bill address our present staffing shortage, but also provides an incentive to prioritize behavioral health resources within school districts.

HB 2007, from Rep. Vandana Slatter, also addresses our shortage of nursing staff. This bill establishes a nurse educator loan repayment program under the Washington Health Corps. Currently, there are 6,000 fewer nurses in the state than we desperately need, but colleges that teach nursing cannot enroll enough new students to close the gap due to the lack of nurse educators available to teach them. Nurse educators must receive an advanced degree which can include a massive amount of student loan debt. This loan repayment program encourages more nurses to go into education without being discouraged by the financial weight included in pursuing this degree.

From my experience working within healthcare, I understand how crucial it is to meet this need and will continue to work for high-quality healthcare on behalf of the 34th District.

Note from Joe:

As the Chair of the Environment & Energy Committee, my top priority is passing legislation to fight climate change and create a cleaner, greener future for Washington. We’ve seen some exciting bills in the Environment & Energy Committee this session that work to address greenhouse gas emissions.

Tackling our climate crisis with building decarbonization

One of my goals this session is to continue the great work we started last year to tackle one of the root causes of our climate crisis: burning fossil fuels in our homes and buildings. Our homes and buildings now generate nearly a quarter of our state’s climate pollution; and with the devastation of climate change at our doorstep, we simply can’t wait to get serious about addressing one of the last frontiers in our shared fight.

I’m proud to co-sponsor four bills my colleagues have introduced (House Bills 1766, 1767, 1770, 1774) to significantly reduce fossil fuel pollution from our homes and buildings—which are responsible for 25% of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions—while creating a path to a clean energy future that ensures everyone has access to efficient, affordable, reliable energy.

Policy & Fiscal Committee cutoffs

Thursday, Feb. 3, marked the House Policy Committee cutoff, moving us into three and a half days of fiscal committee focused work. I serve on the Appropriations Committee where we consider the operating budget bill and related legislation, budget processes, and fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation. We also consider bills with operating budget fiscal impacts. I’ve sponsored multiple projects to be considered as part of the Capital and Operating budgets this year.

One project I’ve sponsored is with Mary’s Place, located in Burien. This is a project for shelter replacement that will provide permanent affordable housing for families with children that are experiencing homelessness. While Mary’s Place currently offers emergency housing to families in need through the former hospital building located on their property, now they will be donating part of their 4.3-acre property in a partnership with Mercy Housing Northwest to develop 96 units for families, as well as making repairs to the hospital structure. Construction for this project is to begin in 2022/2023 and be completed in 2024/2025.

Another project I’m sponsoring is the Boulevard Park Sanitary Sewer Extension. This project is also located in Burien and will alleviate health and safety concerns caused by failing septic systems. This project is located in a long developed, lower-income, single family residential neighborhood, where most of the septic systems have already exceeded their 50-year life expectancy. Property owners in this area have informed the district that septic systems fail on a yearly basis due to storm water flooding. Additionally, many of the failing septic systems are located in wetland and wetland buffer areas. Untreated sewage from these failing septic systems flows into the wetland area, creating a public health and safety concern for local residents, plants, and animals alike. This project aims to create a sanitary sewer main that will result in a safer and more dependable sewage system. This project is scheduled to start in March 2022 and be completed in January 2024.

Thanks for reading!

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Legislative Priorities and Staying Engaged in 2022

Dear friends and neighbors,

Just like last session, we’ll be doing most of our work virtually to help keep the public, staff, and lawmakers safe during the 2022 legislative session. This fast-paced, 60-day session will go fast, but here are some of the ways you can stay informed and engaged throughout the process:

• Learn — You can find a guide to the whole legislative process, from start to finish, on the Legislature’s website by clicking here.
• Watch — Go to TVW.org for broadcasts of debates, votes, committee meetings, and other events in the House and Senate. Can’t watch live? Check out TVW’s “Legislative Review” recap of what happened each day of session. It’s a quick and easy way to learn how the legislature works and you can stream or download it on your mobile device!
• Research — To look up legislation by lawmaker or topic, just click here.
• Testify — The 2021 Legislative Session proved that remote testimony is a great way for everyone to have a chance to share their voice without having to make the long drive (or ferry ride!) to Olympia. Learn how to testify or submit written testimony remotely by clicking here.

Note from Eileen:

As we begin the 2022 Legislative Session, we’re continuing the push for affordable and accessible healthcare by focusing on ways to relieve extreme medical debt and bankruptcy, as well as expanding access to healthcare so our low-income and uninsured residents receive the quality care everyone deserves.

Prohibiting balance billing has been one of my top priorities, and I am proudly sponsoring House Bill 1688 to guarantee that no surprise medical bills pop up after an emergency hospital visit. While we have passed balanced billing legislation in the past, there is more work to do. Mirroring the best aspects of the federal No Surprise Act, HB 1688 also covers medical bills from emergency behavioral health treatment. In the past, specific behavioral health crises services and centers were not included under this coverage, leaving Washingtonians to seek mental health support at locations unspecialized for these specific emergencies. HB 1688 ensures that every citizen can receive proper and appropriate treatment for any healthcare emergency without having to worry about receiving a hefty bill in their mailboxes. I have high hopes for the swift passage of this bill to ensure that money does not affect access to proper healthcare treatment for Washington families.

This session we are also prioritizing the passage of Representative Simmons’ HB 1616, a major update to our charity care laws. Charity care currently provides healthcare coverage to people below 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and partial coverage for those below 200%. The passage of HB 1616 will expand full coverage to people up to 200% of the FPL and coverage on a sliding scale for those up to 400%. Taking this step will cement our state’s place as a leader in charity care nationwide. Although charity care is not a replacement to insurance, this bill will help people who are low-income and uninsured have access to healthcare without driving anyone into bankruptcy from severe medical debt.

In addition to those bills, the Legislature is also taking action to improve the Long-Term Care Act, also known as WA Cares, based on your feedback. House Bills 1732 and 1733 will result in a stronger policy that supports the right to access long-term care services when and where you need it. As a district we will continue to listen to our constituents’ voices and fight for every person’s right to affordable and accessible healthcare.

Note from Joe:

As the Chair of the House Environment & Energy Committee, I am dedicated to creating a greener future for Washington. This session, I am working hard to pass important legislation that will bring us closer to this goal. Here is a look into some of my current priority legislation for the fight for a cleaner environment.

HB 1799 Organic Materials Management

Since 2019, Washington has had a goal of reducing our annual food waste generation by 50% before 2030. Recently in December of 2021, the Department of Ecology adopted the “Use Food Well Washington Plan” that formally established the food waste reduction goals. In order to achieve these goals, Washington must develop plans to manage food donations and composting.

My HB 1799 will establish programs and plans to help us reach our goal of sustainable food management, and improve funding for programs that expand materials management. This bill will also create the Washington Center for Sustainable Food Management within the Department of Ecology. And finally, it will set clear goals for food waste care. By connecting plans for organic materials management at the local and state levels, we will make a huge difference in how Washington tackles the problem of food waste.

HB 1619 Energy Efficiency Standards

Washington and federal law currently set energy efficiency standards for a small selection of appliances like portable electric spas, commercial hot food cabinets, and residential ventilating fans. If we want to get serious about reducing our impact on the environment and be smarter in the way we use energy, we need to expand the categories of appliances covered by these standards.

My HB 1619 expands the list of appliances to include air purifiers, commercial ovens, and equipment for electric vehicles. This bill will also update energy efficiency standards for some current appliances as well. The steps we take to be more conscious of our energy use will help us achieve our goal of a safer, cleaner, and healthier future for all Washington families.

Thanks for reading!

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Legislative Update: Telephone Town Hall, Vaccine Update, and Police Accountability Bills

Telephone Town Hall

We’re excited to announce our upcoming telephone town hall this coming Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 pm. Sen Joe Nguyen will be joining Reps. Cody and Fitzgibbon to update you on the work we’re doing on your behalf in virtual Olympia, the status of bills in the Legislature, and hearing what your priorities are for us as we enter the final stretch of the legislative session. 

What: 34th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall

When: Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 PM

Call In: (877) 229-8493 PIN: 116287

You can sign up to join the telephone town hall or ask questions and listen live by clicking here. 

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Note from Eileen:

An Update from the CDC and Washington’s Vaccine Distribution  

We have new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Here’s what you should know: 

• If you have been fully vaccinated (meaning it has been two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccina or two weeks after receive the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), you can gather indoors with other FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE without wearing a mask. 

• You can also gather with unvaccinated people from ONE other household without masks as long as they are not at high risk from serious illness. 

• Even fully vaccinated, you should take precautions in public and keep doing what we are doing now. Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoid crows or poorly ventilated areas. 

The governor has announced updates to the vaccine distribution plan, including adding teachers into the current phase. With President Biden’s announcement of more vaccine acquisition and the American Rescue Plan providing billions to states for vaccine distribution, we expect more people will be able to access vaccines through March and April. We have started meeting the governor’s goal of 45,000 vaccinations each day, and the mass vaccination site at Lumen Field will serve up to 150,000 people every week when fully operating and vaccine availability increases. The City of Seattle has also opened a vaccination site at the Southwest Athletic Complex at 2600 SW Thistle St across from Chief Sealth International High School.  

Make sure to use the Phase Finder tool to see if you’re eligible for the vaccine. You can also find a list of vaccine locations across Washington state by clicking here. More information about the next vaccine phases is also available in English at this link and in Spanish (para español) at this link. 

I also wanted to update you on a bill that is going to strengthen and improve our foundational public health system. HB 1152 will create regional shared service centers that will coordinate public health between local health jurisdictions. This is especially important for rural areas that lack certain services or staff that are needed during an outbreak or a pandemic, such as an epidemiologist. The bill also would double the state’s investment in public health funding and removes politics from local public health boards through the requirement that non-elected members balance out the number of elected officials. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained us all but as more people get vaccinated and focus on the end goal, the sooner we will be back to a version of normal that allows us to spend time with friends and family, visit our favorite restaurants, and travel again. We’re on the right track and we just need to keep at it a little longer.  

House Passes the Working Families Tax Exemption 

For years, we’ve had the Working Families Tax Exemption in state law, but never funded it. While we always wanted to, the Great Recession, the various court cases around behavioral health and school funding, along with a Republican State Senate majority for many years kept us from funding all of our priorities. This year, that could change. 

Despite the pandemic, the House voted to update and improve the working Families Tax Exemption, and treat it like any other tax exemption—meaning, it must be implemented. If it’s approved by the Senate, we will finally begin providing this important rebate program to working families who make the least and pay the most in taxes. This will be a lifeline for our low-income workers, people of color, immigrants, refugees, and families. 

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Note from Joe:

Modernizing Sound Transit’s Fare Enforcement

In 2019, King County Metro adopted a new system for resolving fare enforcement violations. With an eye toward racial equity, they moved their fare enforcement out of the court system and towards an administrative process. This change has led to a decline in fare evasion and increased resolution of fare evasion fines.

Sound Transit is prevented by state law from adopting this model. My bill, HB 1301, would allow Sound Transit to adopt the best practices exemplified by King County Metro. HB 1301 was passed the House on March 3rd with a 96-1 vote. I am hopeful that it will be approved by the Senate and will improve the equity and effectiveness of Sound Transit’s fare enforcement.

Protecting communities with safer police tactics

“Justice is just us coming together to make public policy for infinite impact.” -Rep. Jesse Johnson (HB 1054 prime sponsor)⁠⁠

⁠⁠On February 27th, House Democrats passed legislation establishing baselines for police tactics that truly uphold just, equitable public safety.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠HB 1054 is a call to end unnecessary police violence, and it represents our commitment to stand for justice and the preservation of human life. Dangerous and unacceptable police tactics such as chokeholds, neck restraints, and no knock warrants are banned by the bill, and other risky tactics are curtailed. Shooting at a moving vehicle is banned except if the vehicle is being used as a weapon, tear gas is prohibited except for very specific circumstances, and hot pursuits which are extremely dangerous for police, the suspect, and the community are limited. This bill helps us begin the process of building trust between communities of color and law enforcement.⁠⁠

⁠⁠Too many families have suffered unimaginable loss. We’re grateful for their willingness to share their stories, and we’re grateful for the organizers, advocates, and law enforcement who helped craft this legislation. Together, we’re shaping a Washington that is safer for Black and Brown communities.⁠⁠

Establishing the Office of Independent Investigation

On the first anniversary of the death of Manuel Ellis at the hands of the Tacoma Police, House Democrats passed HB 1267 to establish an independent agency to investigate police uses of deadly force. The Office of Independent Investigation will be a new independent agency housed within the Governor’s office. It was recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on Independent Investigations of Police Use of Force which was formed after the revelation that the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office had failed to comply with the independent investigation requirements set out in Initiative 940.

The new agency would create regional teams that could respond to a deadly use of force within one hour to secure the scene and process evidence. Staff at the new agency will be trained in the history of racism in policing, tribal sovereignty, implicit and explicit bias, intercultural competency, a racial equity lens, anti-racism, and undoing institutional racism. The Office of Independent Investigations would also have a strong focus on communicating with the community and the family of the person killed. By ensuring truly independent investigations into police deadly uses of force we can begin to build trust between the community and law enforcement. Nothing we do will repair the loss and trauma suffered by the Ellis family, but this is one more step toward accountability, transparency, and justice.⁠⁠

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