Dear friends and neighbors,
As colder temperatures blanket our communities, it is a brisk reminder that summer is coming to an end and the next legislative session will be upon us in fifteen weeks. September is an important time of year for my colleagues and me to take inventory of the most pressing issues in our community. Your feedback helps inform legislation for the upcoming session, so it’s more important than ever to share your perspectives and remain civically engaged. Please consider filling out a two-minute survey about the issues you care most about!
Recent & Upcoming Events
To those who could join Rep. Bronoske and me for coffee last Thursday at the University Place Library, thank you for sharing your thoughts on issues including community safety, workforce shortages, child care and housing affordability, and the economic resiliency of our community. Your thoughts are rooted in firsthand experience with these issues and provide an important perspective. If you couldn’t attend this event, you can join us Tuesday, October 10th at Burs for coffee. I hope to see you there!
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Approximately twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide and the military suicide rate is fifty percent higher than that of civilians according to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. During last session, we made important progress to expand Veteran Peer-to-Peer programs and the Veteran Service Officer Program, but we must continue making progress on this issue. Military personnel and veterans selflessly put their physical and mental wellbeing at risk for our safety, it’s time Washington fully committed to serving them.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Suicide Think Tank and meet with the Veterans Benefits Administration, Seattle Seahawks, University of Washington, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, AMVETS, Operation Military Family, NineLine Veteran Services and Washington Cohen Veterans Network leadership along with three members of Congress – Reps. Larsen and Delbene, and Rep. Jayapal. Our conversation centered on future efforts to address veteran suicide, and understanding the factors that contribute to mental health crises among military personnel and veterans.
If you are interested in learning more about supporting members of the armed forces and what is happening in Washington, please consider attending the next meeting of the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs (JCVMA). It is scheduled for October 18th, at 10 am at Pierce College (Cascade Building Room #421, Performance Lounge, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98498). Co-Chaired by myself, the JCVMA will be providing an overview of 2023 military and veterans’ legislative affairs, updates from public sector partners, and discussions about military spouse and veteran credentialing and veteran suicide.
Out in Our Community
Over the last few months, I’ve had the honor of visiting community partners in and around our district. They’ve helped provide invaluable feedback about the work we’ve achieved together, as well as opportunities for future improvements in our community. One such visit was with the Bethel School District. Since pedestrian safety is a top priority for me, especially for our children walking to and from school, Transportation Chair Fey and I toured areas in our district where there are needed improvements. In fact, as we were looking at one of the sites, a family walked down the side of the road with a stroller in the road as there wasn’t enough room.
In 2022, Rep. Bronoske and I also advocated for the Woodland Park Zoo turtle restoration program located in Lakewood. In partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we secured funding to be included in the final budget that year. A little over one year later, this funding has helped improve the turtle habitat at this zoo and support moving the turtle exhibit to a new home in Lakewood. It was an honor to tour the Woodland Park Zoo and see the incubator program as well as the Lynx exhibit that is being used to provide the species with protection from extinction.
This summer, I had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking of Fort Steilacoom Park, which received legislative funding to update turf, field lighting, dugouts, spectator seating, fencing, press boxes, scoreboards, and storage areas. Once completed, the park’s baseball fields will meet National Collegiate Athletic Association standards and be able to host an increased volume of youth sports.
One of the last of many impactful visits was at the Criminal Justice Training Commission in Burien. Washington continues to record one of the lowest numbers of officers per capita – at 1.36 per 1000 residents, so the legislature took action last session to support several new law enforcement cadet classes to increase the numbers of trained and ready-to-serve police officers in our communities. Additional efforts included establishing regional training academies to help local police departments recruit non-traditional candidates, who have been unable to attend training in Burien due to personal obligations.
Stay Involved
As the legislative interim winds down, I look forward to continuing visiting with community partners and our neighbors. The policies and funding the 28th legislative district receive are only possible because of your commitment to improving our community. As we move forward, I encourage you to stay involved, stay informed, and continue advocating for the issues that matter to you. Never hesitate to email our office with ideas and suggestions.
Always at your service,
State Representative Mari Leavitt
28th Legislative District