During an election year, there are certain restrictions on my communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes. One of these restrictions is a freeze on this website, meaning no new content can be added beginning May 6, 2024 until after the general election in November. If you have questions or comments about legislative issues, please feel free to continue to contact me.
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Building a better future for Washington | February 24, 2022
Dear friends and neighbors, Thank you to all who were able to join Sen. Trudeau, Rep. Fey and me live this past Tuesday evening for our 27th LD virtual town…
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REMINDER: 27th Legislative District Town Hall TOMORROW, 2/22 | February 21, 2022
Dear friends and neighbors, Just a reminder that Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, Rep. Jake Fey and I will be hosting a virtual town hall online tomorrow evening, February 22nd, from 6-7…
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Join our virtual town hall on Feb. 22 | February 9, 2022
Dear friends and neighbors, We have officially reached the half-way point of the 2022 legislative session. The cutoff for policy and fiscal bills to get out of their respective committees…
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WA Cares improvements, bringing down costs for Washington families | January 28, 2022
Dear friends and neighbors, It is Week 3 of the 2022 legislative session, which means we are already over a quarter of the way through it. That’s how quickly things…
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Moving everyone forward | January 13, 2022
Dear friends and neighbors, Hello from Olympia, where the 2022 legislative session got underway on Monday! As one of the presiding members, I am one of a small handful of…
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Speaker Jinkins: 2022 legislative session is about ‘moving everyone forward’ | January 10, 2022
OLYMPIA – The state House of Representatives held opening day ceremonies for the 2022 legislative session today, with most legislators participating remotely — rather than on the House floor —…
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Statement from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins on the passing of Sen. Doug Ericksen | December 18, 2021
“The legislative community mourns the death of Sen. Doug Ericksen. He was a friend, colleague, and worthy adversary to many of us, and his voice will be missed in our…
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Statements from Governor Inslee, House and Senate Democratic Leadership on delaying the Washington Cares Fund premium assessment | December 17, 2021
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee, together with Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), released the following statements this morning on delaying the Washington Cares…
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Statement from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins on today’s Supreme Court order | December 3, 2021
“With today’s order, the Court has concluded that the bipartisan members of the Redistricting Commission complied with the requirements under the constitution. This provides certainty going forward for the people…
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Statement from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on lawsuit filed by House Republican members regarding House operations plans | November 23, 2021
“Once again, certain members of the House Republican Caucus are choosing to engage in performative stunts for media attention rather than modeling public health best practices to keep fellow lawmakers,…
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Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor on Rittenhouse verdict | November 19, 2021
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), together with Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), issued the following statements after Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty…
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Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on the outcome of the Washington State Redistricting Commission’s work | November 17, 2021
OLYMPIA – Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) released the following statement on the outcome of the Washington State Redistricting Commission’s work: “I want to thank Commissioner April Sims for living up…
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Supporting our veterans and their families | November 4, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Next week our nation observes Veterans Day, a federal and state holiday. With many veterans and their families calling Tacoma and greater Pierce County home, this…
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Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on Sen. Yasmin Trudeau’s appointment to the 27th Legislative District Senate seat | November 3, 2021
“Sen. Trudeau’s appointment is wonderful news for our district, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to the 27th LD delegation. With deep connections to our community through her lived history…
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Financial aid for college, share your input at the upcoming tax town hall | October 19, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, This newsletter begins on a somber note, as I want to acknowledge the recent suspected arson at the Islamic Center of Tacoma. While the Center is…
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Redistricting, vaccine boosters, and eviction protections | October 7, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, October is here (already!) and preparations for the 2022 legislative session continue in Olympia. That includes planning and preparing for the next cohort of legislative interns….
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Upcoming town hall: Rebalancing and modernizing our tax code | September 23, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, We officially entered fall this week, and it certainly feels like it. Leaves are changing colors and falling from the trees, the air more crisp, and…
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Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on Sen. Jeannie Darneille’s resignation from the Senate | September 21, 2021
“The people of the 27th Legislative District have had a dedicated, compassionate and tireless legislator in Sen. Jeannie Darneille since 2001. Her advocacy on behalf of our district’s and our…
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An Update on Changes to Insurance Rates | September 10, 2021
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently issued an emergency rule preventing credit scores from being used to determine insurance premiums. This might mean a change in your insurance rates,…
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Back to school | September 9, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Yesterday was the first day of school for Tacoma Public Schools. I have fond memories of my son’s first day of school throughout his K-12 journey….
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Vaccine requirements, long-term care, and park chats | August 26, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, My e-newsletter was on a brief summer hiatus, but hopefully you received the 27th Legislative District Update from Sen. Darneille, Rep. Fey and me that was…
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Statement by Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on today’s announcement by Governor Inslee regarding a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for some state employees and health care workers: | August 9, 2021
“Protecting the health and safety of people and communities in our state was a top priority of the legislature’s work this session, and the governor’s announcement today is an important…
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Join us at Franklin Park on Tuesday, July 27 | July 22, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Throughout the summer, Sen. Jeannie Darneille, Rep. Jake Fey and I are holding a series of constituent “park chats” – an outdoor version of our “coffee…
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Washington Recovery Budget kicks in, meet me for drop-in “park hours” this month | July 1, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, “Welcome back, Tacoma!” That was the theme of yesterday’s celebration in Wright Park, marking the reopening of our state and the end of most COVID restrictions….
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More than a holiday: Recognizing Juneteenth | June 17, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, This Saturday, June 19th is Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally freed – more than two…
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Congratulations, graduates! | June 3, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Recently, I was able to attend my niece’s high school graduation party. It was wonderful to see her and her classmates celebrate this exciting milestone. It…
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$6.3 billion for housing, broadband, and other essential infrastructure | May 20, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, In my last e-newsletter, I shared details about some of the key operating budget and policy wins of the 2021 legislative session. By focusing our work…
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Statement from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on today’s partial veto of E3SHB 1091, the clean fuel standard bill | May 17, 2021
Statement from House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on today’s partial veto of E3SHB 1091, the Clean Fuel Standard bill: “Washington Courts have consistently held that as a co-equal branch of…
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Meeting the challenge of these unprecedented times | May 6, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, This newsletter is devoted to sharing many of the big victories of the 2021 legislative session. When the Legislature adjourned “sine die” on April 25th, it…
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MEDIA ADVISORY: 27th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall on May 4 | April 28, 2021
WHAT: 27th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall with Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Rep. Jake Fey, and Sen. Jeannie Darneille WHEN: Tuesday, May 4 at 6:00 pm WHY: For 27th Legislative District…
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Last week of session and telephone town hall announcement | April 21, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, With just a few days left in the 2021 legislative session (April 25 is the last day), lawmakers are focused on finishing our work and passing…
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Vaccine eligibility expands, bills head to governor’s desk | April 9, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, We are in the final weeks of the 2021 legislative session. The end of this week marks another important cutoff date in the legislative calendar: Opposite…
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House rolls out “Washington Recovery Budget” | March 26, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Today, House Democrats rolled out our state operating budget proposal, the Washington Recovery Budget (en Español). I am so excited to share this budget with you,…
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Town hall recap and bills moving forward | March 11, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Thank you to all who joined us for our first-ever virtual town hall last night. Sen. Darneille, Rep. Fey and I were glad to see so…
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Do you have a question for your state lawmakers? | March 4, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, I wanted to remind you that our 27th Legislative District town hall is coming up next Wednesday, March 10th, at 5:30 p.m. Sen. Darneille, Rep. Fey…
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Town hall announcement, bills moving this week | February 25, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, One of the events I look forward to each year is our 27th Legislative District town hall, and this year’s event is coming up soon. In…
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Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and a COVID-19 relief package | February 11, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, February is Black History Month, a time for honoring the many achievements of Black and African Americans throughout history. It’s also a time for reflecting on…
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Update on vaccines, Step One for community and economic recovery | January 28, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, Last week Washington’s new Secretary of Health, Dr. Umair Shah, gave House Democrats an update on distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in our state. The good…
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Welcome to the 2021 Legislative Session | January 14, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors, While the 2021 session will be mostly remote, legislators convened in our state capitol on Monday in person as required by our state constitution so that…
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House convenes for 2021 legislative session; Jinkins re-elected Speaker | January 11, 2021
OLYMPIA – While the 2021 legislative session will be mostly remote, the state House convened in person today in order to adopt temporary rules to allow for remote proceedings. The…
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Happy holidays – we’re all in this together | December 23, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, As the year winds down, I’m guessing most of us are pretty ready to say goodbye to 2020. This has been a tough year for so…
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Doing the people’s work safely | December 10, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, These are challenging times for our families, our communities, and our state. We’re all in this together, but it’s important to acknowledge that each of…
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Sen. Billig and Speaker Jinkins issue statement on Senate Republican refusal to extend emergency domestic violence protections | May 9, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) issued the statement below following the refusal today of Senate Republican leadership to sign off on…
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Our final update for now, and resources going forward | May 7, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, By staying home and practicing social distancing, we slowed the spread of COVID-19 in our state. Last week, the governor announced a four-phased approach to reopening….
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More steps forward in reopening our state | April 30, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, Thank you to everyone who participated in our telephone town hall. It was so nice to hear your voices and to have a dialogue about how to…
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Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins on recent comments from Rep. Sutherland | April 23, 2020
Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) released the following statement today regarding recent comments made by state Rep. Robert Sutherland: “People’s lives are at stake, and this is no…
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Safely reopening our economy | April 23, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, On Tuesday evening, several thousand of you joined us for a telephone town hall – thank you! Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman and Tacoma-Pierce…
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Legislative update–and a personal invitation to our telephone town hall next week | April 16, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, Thank you for staying home and staying healthy during this pandemic. We know many of you have questions about what’s happening, and what’s next when it…
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Jinkins and Fey hosting telephone town hall for constituents during “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” | April 15, 2020
WHO: Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) and Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) of the 27th Legislative District, which covers most of the city of Tacoma as well as Ruston, Browns Point and Dash Point. Washington State Secretary…
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It’s working: Flattening the curve together | April 8, 2020
Dear friends and neighbors, Since our last e-newsletter to you, our state has taken several more steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and “flatten the curve.” This includes…
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