Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week is the “fiscal cutoff week” here in Olympia. Each year the Legislature sets itself a set of internal deadlines to keep the legislative process moving forward. Last week was “policy cutoff week.” Bills that had not been heard and passed by their respective policy committees by last Friday are dead for this year. Once a bill has been passed by a policy committee, it then goes to a fiscal committee if it spends money or raises revenue. If a bill has not been heard and passed by a fiscal committee by this Friday, it is dead. Next week we will transition to full time floor action, where we will consider and debate bills with the whole House. We will be in full time floor action until the “house of origin cutoff” on March 8th, after which we will start the process all over again with bills the Senate has passed!
Sentencing Reform Podcast
I was recently interviewed on a podcast called “Capitol Ideas” to discuss sentencing reform and the efforts of the Washington State Criminal Sentencing Task Force, where I serve as a Co-Chair. The goal of the task force is to reduce the complexity of our sentencing system and promote and improve public safety. Listen here to learn more: http://radiocuts.leg.wa.gov/2023/Podcasts/Capitol-Ideas-2308.mp3.
Childcare workforce and ECEAP Expansion
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a Washington State funded, comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to eligible children and their families. During the first five years of life, the brain develops faster than at any other stage. In these critical years, children need to be exposed to high-quality learning experiences and have positive relationships to maximize brain development and reduce the need for interventions later in life.
ECEAP provides early childhood care and enrichment to three- and four-year olds from families with an income at or below 36% of the state median income (SMI), or tribal children from a family with income at or below 100% SMI. It delivers kindergarten readiness outcomes for low-income children—and provides vital childcare to meet the needs of working families. Currently, this program serves about 11,000 children—and we’re working on expanding funding and eligibility. ECEAP is the state’s highest quality early learning program but costs the least in terms of ‘per child’ spending.
However, despite increasing enrollment, there are more children eligible for ECEAP than we have slots for—and a low slot rate leaves ECEAP providers susceptible to staff turnover and workforce shortage, reducing support and increasing costs. This year, we’re focused on innovative childcare workforce solutions and funding to expand entitlement to ECEAP, with the eventual goal of full entitlement.
Save the Date: Telephone Town Hall and In-Person Town Hall
Join us on Thursday, March 16th for a Telephone Town Hall with the 45th District delegation.
What: 45th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall
When: Thursday, March 16th at 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
Where: Your living room! You should get a phone call at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 16th if you live in district. All you need to do is stay on the line to participate. Press *3 at any time to ask a question. To be sure you are called, you can sign up ahead of time online by going to http://vekeo.com/WHDC45.
Join us on Saturday, March 18th for an in-person Town Hall with your 45th District delegation.
What: 45th Legislative District In-Person Town Hall
When: Saturday, March 18th from 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM
Where: Lake Washington Technical College, the Auditorium, West 401
11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
As always, please reach out if you have questions, comments, or ideas. Look forward to another legislative update from me soon.
All best wishes,
Roger Goodman
Representative, 45th District
Washington State Legislature