Dear friends and neighbors,
Today is the last day of the legislative session, and since my last update, the governor signed into law my bill to expand assistance programs for college students experiencing homelessness and those who were previously in foster care.
The bill expands programs at community and technical colleges and four-year institutions that help students with essential needs like access to housing, laundry facilities, locker rooms, showers, technology, reduced-priced meals and case management services. I’m grateful the governor signed my bill to support students so they can focus on finishing their programs, landing a good-paying job and providing for themselves and their families.
The Legislature also sent three other bills I sponsored to the governor’s desk for his approval. The first extends a tax credit for businesses working with students in employment training programs, which help small businesses stay competitive and workers expand their skills by partnering with community and technical colleges. The second extends a customized training program that gives businesses a leg up and workers critical training. The third creates pathways from prison to postsecondary and apprenticeship education, a proven way to lower recidivism and improve public safety — all while saving taxpayer dollars in the criminal justice system. And the I haven’t even started to tell you about all the money we secured in the budgets for our community, like rail safety and governance to ensure our railroads are safe for passengers and communities alike. See below for more information!
Meanwhile, I’ve been focused on helping our economy recover by voting for funding for small business grants and reducing the unemployment insurance tax increase many businesses are facing. Please check out my latest Tuesdays for the 28th video update for more.
Passing budgets for families, businesses and communities
I’m proud to have voted for a budget to help families and small businesses recover from COVID-19. It’s been a tough year, and this Washington Recovery Budget makes big investments in our communities to help those hurt most by the pandemic. Here’s a look at some of those investments to build a better, stronger Washington state:
- $658 million for paying off the back rent accrued to landlords during the pandemic
- $500 million for unemployment insurance tax rate relief for businesses. And, $50 million for small business grants, in addition to the $240 million we passed earlier this year
- $124 million for food assistance to help ensure families don’t go hungry
- $827 million for expanded child care and early learning programs
- $520 million to address behavioral health needs by helping families and their loved ones who are struggling with mental health and substance use disorders
But that’s not all! The Legislature also passed the capital budget this weekend, which includes millions of dollars for projects in the 28th Legislative District, including (but not exhaustive):
- $12 million approximately for building new water treatment plants to remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water in DuPont and Lakewood.
- $3 million for a Center for Innovative Learning and Engagement at Tacoma Community College to help students apply learning across a variety of disciplines.
- $1.6 million for the Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood. The only state-run psychiatric hospital for youth in Washington state, the center ensures some of our most vulnerable young people get the services they need.
- $508,000 for estuary restoration on McNeil Island
This budget also includes $443 million for community and technical colleges. I’m proud to have led the charge in pushing for this funding. Here’s what I said in a letter with many of my colleagues to the leaders of the House Budget Committee:
“Community and Technical Colleges (CTC’s) have been serving our state for more than 100 years, with a mission to provide an affordable education to anyone who seeks it. That mission has proved critical to the economic health and vitality of our state and has provided social and economic advancement opportunities to traditionally marginalized students and their families. Simply put, CTC’s are an essential component of the Washington state education system”
Mark your calendars for our upcoming virtual town hall
I hope you’ll join me, Sen. T’wina Nobles and Rep. Dan Bronoske on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. for our virtual town hall, where we’ll be talking about the bills that passed this session and answering your questions. You can submit questions live during the event or ahead of time at this link. To request translation services, please contact my legislative assistant, Barbara, at Barbara.Gilchrist@leg.wa.gov or 253-256-0302 by May 11.
And don’t forget, everyone 16 and older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. For help finding an appointment, visit this link or call 1-800-525-0127. Please continue to mask up and do all you can to stay healthy and keep your neighbors healthy.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out at 253-256-0302 or Mari.Leavitt@leg.wa.gov. You can also follow me on Facebook for the latest. It’s an honor to serve the beautiful 28th.
Mari Leavitt