Dear friends and neighbors,

As we move through fall, I wanted to share some updates on the work happening across our state — from public safety and environmental protection to technology and data privacy. These topics all connect back to one goal: building a Washington that’s resilient, forward-looking, and centered on people.

Standing Up for Food Security in Washington

Nearly one million Washingtonians rely on SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — to help put food on the table. While the recent federal government shutdown has ended, it left many families anxious about how they’d afford groceries — and underscored just how vulnerable our nutrition safety net can be to political gridlock in D.C.

Even with the shutdown over, harmful provisions in the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) remain a serious threat. The bill would slash federal spending on nutrition programs by an estimated $186 billion over the next decade, shifting more costs onto states like Washington. That means our Legislature would have to spend more money for fewer benefits — even as families, seniors, and people with disabilities face rising food insecurity.

Here in Washington, we’ve stepped up to help. The Legislature included funding in the 2025–26 operating budget (SB 5167) that allows Governor Ferguson to transfer emergency funds to local food banks and the Emergency Food Assistance Program — ensuring that people continue to have access to food even when federal benefits are delayed or disrupted.

These proactive measures show that Washington is ready to protect families — but they shouldn’t have to be necessary. No one should have to worry about feeding their family because of political stalemates in the other Washington. I’ll continue working to safeguard food assistance and ensure that every Washingtonian has access to healthy, affordable food.

If you or someone you know needs help accessing food or benefits, here are some resources:

🍎 Find food assistance near you: agr.wa.gov/services/food-access/access-food-near-you

📞 Call 211 or 311 for local food and housing resources, or visit wa211.org

🏛️ SNAP updates and information: dshs.wa.gov/alert/partial-federal-government-shutdown

This Washington will always put people before politics — because food security is a basic right, not a privilege.

Building Resilience Together

October was Earthquake Preparedness Month in Washington, and communities across the state once again took part in the Great Washington ShakeOut—our annual statewide drill to practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” the best way to stay safe during an earthquake.

Here in our district, we know that emergency preparedness isn’t just a statewide concern—it’s local. Being ready for natural disasters helps keep our families and communities safe. This year, we successfully advocated for funding to add solar panels to the Northshore Senior Center, ensuring it remains a functioning community resource in the event of a widespread power outage or other disaster.

You can find excellent tips, printable checklists, and preparedness guides at mil.wa.gov/personal.

shakeout

🤖 Agricultural Innovation & Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration: Smart Tech for a Sustainable Future

This summer, I attended an Agricultural Innovation Demo Day highlighting how autonomous vehicle technology is being used in farming—part of my ongoing interest in Autonomous Vehicle Technology.

These technologies are more than just futuristic tools; they’re practical solutions that help farmers collect and analyze data on soil health, water use, and pesticide application. For Washington’s agricultural communities, this means greater efficiency, lower costs, and less environmental impact.

In Snohomish County, this technology is available for local farmers to borrow at no cost through the Agriculture Technology Program—a great resource helping farmers test and apply these innovations in real-world conditions.

Because of my work on both the Environment & Energy and Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committees, I’m particularly encouraged by how this innovation bridges sustainability with economic opportunity. Smarter farming means fewer chemicals in our soil and waterways, more efficient use of natural resources, and healthier ecosystems for everyone.

This work continues Washington’s leadership in both tech innovation and environmental stewardship—two areas where our state consistently sets the national standard.

🌿 National Conference of Environmental Legislators: Collaboration Across State Lines

In August, I joined lawmakers from across the country at the National Conference of Environmental Legislators (NCEL).

This conference is an opportunity to collaborate with legislators who are grappling with the same climate, conservation, and clean energy challenges we face here at home. We discussed strategies to protect biodiversity, transition to renewable energy, and strengthen community resilience.

Our region has a proud history of environmental leadership, and it’s important that we continue learning from others and sharing what’s working here. Whether it’s preserving salmon habitats, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, or modernizing our energy grid, these partnerships help ensure that Washington remains a model for sustainability nationwide.

Ribbon Cutting – Juanita Drive Safety Upgrades in Kirkland

I was thrilled to help cut the ribbon on long-awaited safety improvements along Juanita Drive in Kirkland. This project has been years in the making and reflects the kind of local, community-focused infrastructure investments that make daily life safer and more connected.

These upgrades include safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, improved lighting, and roadway design changes that help calm traffic—all essential for reducing accidents and supporting healthy, walkable neighborhoods.

As we continue to grow as a region, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace is critical. Projects like this don’t just improve mobility—they reflect our shared commitment to community well-being, accessibility, and safety for all road users.

ribbon cutting

Data Privacy: Putting People Before Profit

Finally, I’m continuing to work on one of my long-standing priorities: protecting your personal data. I’ll be reintroducing the People’s Privacy Act in the upcoming legislative session.

With recent federal rollbacks on data privacy protections, it’s never been more important for Washington to lead on this issue. Every time we use an app, make an online purchase, or interact with smart devices, companies collect data about us—often without meaningful consent or transparency.

Washingtonians deserve to have control over their own information. The People’s Privacy Act ensures that individuals—not corporations—decide how their data is used, shared, or sold. It’s about fairness, safety, and the basic right to privacy in a digital age.

By passing strong privacy protections, Washington can once again set a national example for responsible tech policy that balances innovation with individual rights.

Highlight: Autonomous Vehicle Testing and Workers’ Voices

I was pleased to speak with the team at KNKX Public Radio about Waymo’s autonomous vehicle testing in Seattle and Bellevue. The full story is here: Waymo takes autonomous cars for a spin in Seattle and Bellevue.

As your state representative, my priority is clear: innovation must be matched by accountability. While driverless taxi services hold immense promise for safety, access, and environmental benefit, we must ensure they are introduced with strong regulatory guardrails in place.

This means:

Clear safety requirements before commercial operations begin.
Protections for workers and communities impacted by rapid technological shifts.
Transparency and public trust built into every step of the deployment process.

Innovation isn’t just about what new technologies can do — it’s about how they should serve people.

Thank you for staying informed and engaged. I’m grateful to serve a district that cares deeply about community, innovation, and equity.

Sincerely,

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Rep. Shelley Kloba