Friends and neighbors,
Welcome back to my newsletter! While I’ve taken a break on sending out these updates, I haven’t taken a break from my work for the 28th Legislative District.
I’ve spent the summer meeting with constituents, advocates, businesses groups, chambers of commerce, Nisqually Delta specialists and policy experts in all parts of the country in order to develop policies that will serve all of us.
I’ve also been holding coffee and conversation events with Rep. Dan Bronoske. Thank you to all those who have joined so far! Our next online event is tomorrow for University Place residents. But if you don’t live in University Place, feel free to attend an upcoming event that fits your schedule. You can check out the full list here.
But that’s not all! Here’s other upcoming events I want to put on your radar:
-The Tax Structure Work Group is holding virtual town halls for residents and business owners to weigh in on changes to our state’s tax code. The event for South/East Puget Sound residents is coming up on Nov. 3. Click here for more information.
-We’re planning on holding a virtual town hall in the coming months, before the 2022 Legislative Session kicks off. Stay tuned for more details!
Housing stability bridge extended
Renters and landlords in our state have suffered greatly during the pandemic. But more than a year and half into this crisis, it remains clear that far too many people still face an imminent risk of eviction, displacement and homelessness. That’s why I’ve been meeting with landlords and renters to understand how we can keep as many people in their homes and as many small businesses afloat as possible.
Gov. Jay Inslee has extended the housing proclamation in part to allow more time for protections the Legislature enacted to get up and running. Many programs like tenants’ right to counsel and dispute resolution are brand new and need to be established.
If you need assistance or anticipate not being able to pay rent, apply now to ensure you’re protected through the duration of this proclamation — even if your application isn’t processed before Oct. 31. Information and applications are available in 28 languages.
There are resources available if you need help with bills and other costs. Visit the state Commerce Department’s website for more information. And, if you’re a landlord who lost rent or have property damage caused by tenants, you can access funding through this program.
Public safety in our community
I have one last update to share before I sign off. As you may have heard, I worked with Rep. Bronoske and Sen. T’wina Nobles to ensure a level three sex offender from Eastern State Hospital wasn’t released into an adult family home in Lakewood. Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe, and making sure state hospital patients aren’t released in unfamiliar communities is one way I’ll continue to serve our district. Read more here.
Thanks for reading! It’s an honor to serve the 28th.
Mari Leavitt