Friends and neighbors,
In case you missed it, I hosted a town hall on March 15 in Steilacoom. We had a great discussion on several pressing issues, including (but not the exhaustive list):
- Affordable Housing: Many of you asked how we can increase access to housing while keeping it affordable long-term. I shared updates on HB 1717, my bill creating a sales and use tax remittance program to fund affordable housing projects as well as address assistance for our homeless neighbors. I’ll keep fighting for solutions that make housing attainable for all Washingtonians.
- Veterans and military: Many were concerned about the federal government’s activities and the impact on veterans in Washington. I shared that we are monitoring closely to ensure we can offer support at the state level to veterans who need assistance as a result of federal actions. I also mentioned my co-sponsorship and work on HB 1106 to give disabled veterans expanded property tax relief.
- Support for Public Employees & Retirees: Many attendees expressed concerns about potential layoffs and about rising costs and economic instability. That’s why I’m pushing for HB 1292, which ensures cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Plan 1 of the Public Employees’ and Teachers’ Retirement Systems.
- Education: Several questions were centered around early learning and protecting ECEAP slots, the possibility of expanding or preserving free and reduced lunch programs, funding for libraries and essential support programs for students and families as well as potential federal funding cuts and impacts on education as a whole.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out: housedemocrats.wa.gov/leavitt/contact/. Follow along with these bills on the Legislature’s website as we race to the finish line of Sine Die (the end of session).
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the entire 28th district legislative delegation on April 2nd when we hold a telephone town hall. You can join us from 6:30 – 7:30 PM by calling 855-756-7520 ext. 120961#. We look forward to hearing from you then!
Remembering Andrea Smith Hudson, Buster Brown, Matilda Wilcoxson, and Eloise Wilcoxson.
Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the fatal collision that took the lives of Andrea Hudson, Buster Brown, Matilda Wilcoxson and Eloise Wilcoxson. Friends and family marked the anniversary with an “Acts of Kindness Day”, encouraging the community to do good things for each other. This is such a beautiful and profound way to remember these four lives taken too soon.
The truth is their deaths could have been prevented. The collision was caused by someone driving at excessive speeds. That driver had a history of reckless and dangerous driving. I have been working with Andrea’s father to pass legislation that uses speed limiter technology to prevent such drivers from driving over the speed limit.
My thoughts are with the families of Andrea, Buster, Matilda, and Eloise as they remember and mourn their loved ones. We all dread a phone call like the one their families received a year ago, and I remain committed to protecting Washington families from these tragedies and to getting House Bill 1596 across the finish line.
Honoring a Washington icon: Billy Frank Jr.
March 9 marked Billy Frank Jr. Day in Washington—a time to celebrate the life and legacy of one of our state’s greatest champions for tribal sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and civil rights.
This year, Representatives Stearns, Lekanoff, and I had the opportunity to take a celebratory photograph with living members of Billy Frank Jr.’s family including tribal leader, Willie Frank Jr. III (photo).
Billy Frank Jr., a member of the Nisqually Tribe, dedicated his life to protecting tribal fishing rights and preserving Washington’s natural resources. His activism, which began in the 1960s with the “fish wars,” led to the Boldt Decision of 1974, affirming tribal treaty rights and setting a national precedent for co-management of natural resources.
His work didn’t stop there. As chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Billy Frank Jr. continued to fight for clean water, sustainable fisheries, and tribal self-determination. His unwavering commitment earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
Billy Frank Jr. believed that taking care of our environment was a responsibility we all share. Today, we honor him by continuing the work to protect our rivers, salmon, and tribal rights. Here are a few ways we can uphold his legacy:
- Support environmental policies that protect Washington’s waterways and salmon habitats.
- Learn more about tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
- Advocate for climate action and sustainable resource management.
Billy Frank Jr. once said, “I don’t believe in magic. I believe in the sun and the stars, the water, the tides, the floods, the ocean, the fish, and the deer. You don’t have to believe in magic to know that all those things belong together.”
Let’s continue his fight for a better future—one where Washington’s land, waters, and people thrive together. I’m proud to have secured funding for a walking history tour of the Nisqually Tribe’s and Billy’s work at Ft. Steilacoom Park in Lakewood to be complete later this year.
Stay engaged
Together, we’re making progress on the issues that matter most. Thank you for your continued support and engagement—I’m honored to represent you. Here are some ways you can contact my office and follow along with progress on legislation:
Like my Facebook page.
Call me:
Olympia Phone:
360-786-7890
Toll-free Hotline:
1-800-562-6000
1-800-635-9993 (TTY)
I appreciate your support as we work together toward a future that is brighter and more inclusive for all.
It’s one of the highest honors to serve the beautiful 28th!
Sincerely,
Rep. Mari Leavitt