Thank you for coming to our town hall!
Dear friends and neighbors,
Thank you so much to all those who attended the recent 1st legislative district town hall. Your engagement and participation were truly appreciated, and it was great to see so many engaged and involved community members in attendance.
Our representation depends on the active participation of our constituents, and your feedback, questions, and suggestions will inform our work and help us to better serve our district.
I was battling a bad cold, so my apologies for not being able to stay after the event and answer individual questions or meet people individually. Once again, thank you for attending the town hall and for your continued involvement in our community.
Bold, creative, and compassionate housing action
Addressing our state’s housing crisis is a top priority, with a projected need of 1.1 million new homes for every kind of community. Our shared vision aims to expand our housing supply, stabilize costs for families, and provide support for affordable housing and first-time homebuyers.
An important aspect of this vision is increasing the middle housing supply. House Bill 1110 removes restrictions on multi-family housing units, allowing for more diverse housing options in residential neighborhoods, depending on city size. However, it does not require multi-family housing or ban single-family housing: it simply makes the development of diverse housing options more accessible. The changes will focus on neighborhoods near amenities and frequent transit, providing more opportunities for individuals and families to find affordable housing options.
Another bill addressing the housing crisis is Senate Bill 5466, which focuses on Transit-Oriented Development. This bill provides development targets within ¾ of a mile around light rail and bus rapid transit station areas, giving local jurisdictions flexible tools to meet these targets in ways that reflect the unique characteristics of their communities.
Washington’s housing crisis deserves bold, creative, and compassionate action: together, we can create more affordable housing options and build stronger communities.
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month! Problem gambling and gambling disorder contribute to family disintegration, criminal activity, and financial insolvencies. People experiencing problem gambling are at significantly increased risk for other disorders, such as substances use disorder and other behavioral health concerns. I’m proud to support House Bill 1681, which would double the funding for our state’s problem gambling program, create a permanent problem gambling advisory body that can track advances in research and recovery, and will lead to an increase in the availability of treatment services.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a gambling problem, a great resource for help and healing is Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. https://www.evergreencpg.org/help-and-hope/
Funding our community’s priorities
Washington’s economy is strong. The March 20 state revenue forecast shows that our careful approach was correct – and now we must take deliberate, thoughtful, and purposeful decisions to fund our community priorities, and protect our most vulnerable community members. We’re focused on a responsible and sustainable budget that best supports those most affected. Here are some of our community’s priorities that I am strongly advocating for in the Capital Budget:
- Funding to improve the infrastructure of the Bothell Everett Highway to accommodate cars, bus rapid transit, pedestrians, and bikes
- An increase in funding for Safe Routes to School, allowing for the construction of a sidewalk and crossing on 224th SW. This would enhance safety for students traveling to and from school
- $235,250 for Canyon Park transit-oriented development funding to improve transportation options and increase economic development in the Canyon Park area, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole
- $5 million for the Plymouth Affordable Housing Project on Hwy 522 in Kenmore to support affordable housing in the community. The development will include 100 units, a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments, to serve residents at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI)
- $3.5 million for the 61st Ave NE Sidewalk project
- Funding for the Lyon Creek Culvert Replacement – this will alleviate flooding along Bothell Way and within the city, and will restore the stream in urban areas. The funding for this project will allow the culvert to be replaced at the same time as a nearby one on State Route 104, leveraging these two projects for maximum efficiency and benefit
- State Route 104 Roundabout- $900,000 to complete the construction of this project
Thank you very much for taking the time to read, and for your interest in following along with our progress. Please reach out with any questions, inquiries, concerns, or stories that you’d like to share—I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Shelley Kloba