Greetings, friends and neighbors.

I am happy to say that we had a successful first week of the 2021 Legislative Session.

After a safe first day, my colleagues and I have been working remotely. I want to ensure that it has not slowed down our path of creating and passing equitable and inclusive legislation, leading to a better state for all Washingtonians.

 

My Committees

I believe that our budgeting needs to be inclusive to serve every Washingtonian, which is why I look forward to serving as the Appropriations Committee Vice-Chair. With State Government and Tribal Relations, I will address issues that concern disadvantaged and Native American communities in our state government. I am also proud to announce that the House Members of Color Caucus in 2021 will be the largest in state history, and I am honored that my peers chose me as its first vice-chair. We will work together to bridge disparities in resources to make Washington more equitable and inclusive for communities of color.

Helping Mobile and Manufactured Homeowners

Over 100 mobile and manufactured communities throughout the state are expected to close in the next year, forcing thousands of families to relocate and uncertain where they’re going to live next.

Many of these homeowners live on low or fixed incomes. They have also suffered from layoffs and financial loss due to the pandemic, adding another layer of stress to finding their next home. HB 1083 provides those homeowners low-barrier access to cash assistance from a fund to which they have already paid.

Removing the conditions for assistance allows mobile and manufactured homeowners access to their own money when they need it most and an equitable opportunity to find their next home.

The Right to Repair

For nearly a year, the pandemic has exposed many digital barriers, affecting Washingtonians across the state. The most recent data shows that 59 percent of Washington households in poverty, and 80 percent of Black Washington households rarely or never have a computer in their home.  Also, major tech companies have their licensed repair shops located in urban areas, requiring rural Washingtonians to travel far to get their devices fixed. 

During the interim, I worked with tech non-profits to overcome these obstacles, paving a road to access affordable digital electronic products that we rely on for our daily basic needs. We need a broader distribution of the products’ tools and information, lowering repair times and costs for consumers. 

 

HB 1212 would require tech companies to make their tools, parts, and repair information available to smaller independent repair shops, allowing them to fix the devices. It would also boost local economies, reduce tech waste, and increase access to appropriate and affordable electronic products.

 

Stay tuned for more information. 

 

 

Warm Regards,