Dear Neighbors,
As we move deeper into this year’s legislative session, I want to take a moment to connect with you about the work we’re doing for Spokane. Every day, I get to bring your voices, your stories, and your needs to Olympia. Whether it’s expanding economic opportunity, protecting voting rights, or ensuring that every Washingtonian—regardless of background—has access to the resources they need to thrive, my focus remains clear: we need a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
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Black History Month – We are not going back!
American History is Black History. Our country was built on stolen land, with stolen labor and native and black culture is integrally woven into the fabric of this nation-state. Black culture shines bright in America today and throughout history, whether its music, food, celebrations, or education.
Washington state made history this year with the largest Black Legislative Caucus in the Western United States. So, please know, in this Washington, we are actively celebrating Black History all month long!
You can learn more about our Black Caucus members at our House Democratic Caucus Facebook page as well as my page.
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Our Legislative Focus: Championing Spokane’s Future
A First for Our Office!
This week, we reached a milestone—our first bill hearing! I had the honor of presenting House Bill 1361, with the support of the Secretary of State and the Chair of the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jamila Taylor. This bill aligns service of process statutes for consistency. I’m deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to making government more accessible and transparent for all Washington.
Rent stabilization is on its way!
HB 1217 – (long title warning!) “Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.”
We have moved this bill out of our House Housing Committee and it is now in House Appropriations Committee. We are feeling confident about passing this bill this session and giving real relief to tenants and certainty to both tenants and housing providers.
We are also prioritizing supply!
HB 1516 – Conducting a study of insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units.
This bill directs the Insurance Commissioner to explore ways to lower insurance costs for affordable housing projects. As prime sponsor for this bill, I will be testifying in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on Friday February 7 at 8:00 a.m. Watch live!
Strengthening protections for Voters!
HB 1750 – Creating guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims under the Washington voting rights act.
This bill will strengthen the Washington Voting Rights Act to ensure equitable representation and access to the electoral process and help prevent against voter suppression and voter dilution. Prohibits certain political subdivisions from implementing and enforcing any election policy or practice, or to take any action or fail to take any action, that results in, is likely to result in, or is intended to result in a material disparate burden on the ability or opportunity of members of a protected class to vote or participate in any state of the political process.
This bill was heard in State Government Committee this week on February 5. You can watch online here!
Your engagement and support in this process are invaluable as we work together to advance these initiatives.
- Watch: Join me on TVW.org for live broadcasts of committee meetings, debates, and votes.
- Testify: Share your voice on legislation (virtually or in writing)
- Follow: Get the latest news by following me on Facebook.
- Contact our office if you’d like to visit Olympia! We’d love to see you!
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The OneAmerica Rally! This powerful event uplifts and empowers immigrants, refugees, and communities of color—working toward a just immigration system, equitable education for all, and a truly representative democracy that serves the people, with the people, and by the people.
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Stay tuned for updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback. Working together is how we ensure Spokane’s priorities are best represented in our state legislature.
Let’s go!
Rep. Natasha Hill