Happy Fantastic Friday!
It has been another exciting week representing our beautiful 40th Legislative District in Olympia. Here is what we have been up to.
House Democrats’ budget helps our struggling orcas
Over the past two weeks, House Democrats passed proposals for Washington’s operating, transportation and capital budgets. Our plans are a strong reflection of our values that put people first and invest in our statewide communities.
One thing that I am particularly proud of is that our between all three budgets, our plan invests $739 million into saving our killer whales. This includes legislation I sponsored, House Bill 1578, to prevent oil spills in our Salish Sea waters.
We are putting major funding into fixing roadside culverts, so that salmon may more easily pass through our waters and increase food supply for our orcas, which only number 75. Repairing culverts will also improve water quality statewide.
I want to extend thank yous to Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien, and Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, for working to pass a bi-partisan amendment to fund $13 million for salmon hatchery production over the next two years, which will also help increase food supply.
Edgar Martinez visits Olympia
the House honored seven-time All-Star Major League Baseball legend Edgar Martinez with House Resolution 4609. Edgar grew up in Puerto Rico and was signed to the Seattle Mariners in 1983, where he stayed for his 18-year career. He is widely known for his game changing hit “The Double”, in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The play is still widely known as, “the biggest hit in [MLB] history.” In addition to his athletic achievements, Edgar has embodied the spirit of the American Dream, and used his personal success to give back to the communities of Washington and Puerto Rico. |
Legislature honors our Navy
This week we honored our Navy service members and veterans on the House floor. These brave members of our community secure our seas every single day, and we graciously thank them for this service.
Network advocacy bill, to help prevent suicide, signed into law
A grieving mother’s mission to make sure her family’s heartbreak doesn’t happen to other families in our state got a big boost when Governor Inslee signed House Bill 1099 into law this week. Rachel Smith’s son Brennen had been a vibrant and outgoing college student, until he suffered a behavioral health crisis. The family’s health care plan provided excellent coverage for behavioral health treatment, so Rachel felt confident her son would get the care he needed. Unfortunately, it took too long to access that care. Four days before the first available appointment, Brennen died by suicide.
HB 1099 will provide consumers more transparency about the availability of care in their health plan’s network, including complaints filed against the insurer related to access issues. Watch Rachel’s moving testimony before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee here.
Counting everyone in for Census 2020
With less than a year until Census Day, communities all over Washington are mobilizing for the 2020 Census. For the first time ever, you can submit your information online, by mail or phone.
It’s crucial EVERYONE in Washington is counted. Data collected during the census shapes the future of our communities, which is why House Democrats have proposed a budget that includes $12 million to count everyone.
The information gathered by the census guides how all levels of government fund vital services, including schools and health care facilities, over the next ten years. The census also determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Visit www.census.gov for more information.
Thank you all for taking to the time to read this week’s Fantastic Friday, and for taking an interest in our progress at the House of Representatives. I will be sending out a Fantastic Friday letter each week throughout the legislative session.
Please feel free to reach out to me using the information below, with any questions, inquiries, or concerns you may have.
I am here for you!
All best wishes,
Rep. Debra Lekanoff