Happy Fantastic Friday!
We had an incredibly busy legislative session and truly put together a budget that puts the people of Washington first. I am proud of all the work we accomplished and ready for the path ahead of us.
Here are some session highlights.
Environmental Protection & Natural Resources
This week, Washington committed to a historical package of bills which take meaningful action to reduce Washington’s carbon footprint, mitigate climate change and protect our orca whales and Salish Sea. Among these are policies which commit to a 100-percent clean energy future from renewable and zero-emission sources like wind, hydro and solar power, electrifies our transportation infrastructure, creates incentives to build brand new efficient buildings, and much more.
Just this last Wednesday, one of my biggest priorities, House Bill 1578, which protects our mighty killer whales from oil spills in the Salish Sea was signed by Gov. Inslee. I am incredibly honored to walk with these climate champions and look forward continuing this work as a new member the the Southern Resident Orca Task Force and the Water Supply Commission.
Education and Workforce Development
This session, we changed the educational landscape for the generations of today and tomorrow with the Workforce Education Investment, which in part, renames the State Need Grant as the Washington College Grant. Under the leadership of Rep. Drew Hansen and support of Washington business leaders, including Microsoft President Brad Smith, Washington will make public college tuition free for families that make up to $50,000. We are also allocating over $100 million into career connection services for high-demand sectors that pay a living wage like nursing, engineering and technology. Another bill that is sure to help Washington’s workforce is Senate Bill 5438, which helps immigrants in the H-2A visa program by creating the Office of Agricultural and Seasonal Workforce Services within the Employment Security Department. This new service will help our immigrant workers who keep Washington’s agricultural sector running and food on our tables. |
Behavioral Health
Much work was done this session to address behavioral health and substance use disorder. The biggest push has been integrating behavioral health and physical health into the same system, because treating the mind should not be any different from treating the body when it comes to how to access care. Under the leadership of Rep. Frank Chopp, the Legislature passed House Bill 1593, which establishes a behavioral health innovation and integration campus with the University of Washington’s School of Medicine. This is key to tackling this growing crisis and developing the next generation of behavioral health professionals.
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Communities all over Washington are feeling squeezed by the lack of affordable housing, which is why we passed House Bill 1406. This creates up to $400 million in bonding capacity to fund affordable housing and permanent supportive housing at no cost to homeowners, renters, property owners or developers. |
Criminal Justice Reform
The Legislature took major strides in addressing criminal justice reform, because a criminal conviction can mean a lifetime of consequences – even after a person’s prison sentence is complete. These collateral consequences can affect employment, business opportunities, housing, and education opportunities making it hard to reenter society after a conviction. Families and communities suffer when formerly incarcerated individuals cannot successfully reintegrate and disproportionately impacts low income people and people of color, which is why are taking steps to fix it.
Thank you all for taking to the time to read this edition of Fantastic Friday.
Always feel free to reach out to me with any questions, inquiries, or concerns you may have.
I am here for you!
All best wishes,
Rep. Debra Lekanoff