Fantastic Friday

May 17, 2019

Happy Fantastic Friday!

Protecting and expanding choice in Washington

Choice

Over the past weeks and days, there have been a series of headlines regarding anti-abortion laws passed by other states. Some have gone as far as outlawing abortion at any stage of pregnancy, including in cases of rape an incest. Others seek to criminalize doctors and patients who seek or perform this health care right.

I stand strongly behind the right to choose, and I stand proudly with my sisters in other states working to address their personal health care needs.

Here in Washington state, there are strong laws protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, and our Legislature has taken steps to bolster those protections.

In 2018, we passed the Reproductive Parity Act to improve access to contraceptives and require health plans that cover maternity care services to cover abortions. This session, we took further steps to ensure that all Washingtonians have access to reproductive health care, by passing the Reproductive Health Access for All Act.

Read more about which states are blocking or protecting these vital health care needs.

Local project funding for the 40th Legislative District

NW Straits

The 40th Legislative District had some big wins this session for local projects. Read more below for what got funded in the 2019 – 2020 budget.

  • The Northwest Straights Initiative (pictured right) received funding to help restore our local marine environment and Salish Sea.
  • The Lummi Nations received funding to aid hatchery restoration. This will help restore the salmon food supply for our 75 remaining Southern Resident orcas.
  • Access to clean water is a bipartisan issue, which is why I worked with Democratic and Republican lawmakers to secure $1.3 million to expand the Skagit Public Utility district’s water network. With this funding, we are working to ensure current and future homes in Skagit have access to clean running water while building future water sources throughout the region.
  • With the collaboration of Mount Vernon Major Jill Boudreau and Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki, the City of Mount Vernon received $1 million to help build a combined library, community center and parking garage project. This improved center will serve as a central hub for community members to gather.
  • $720,000 in funds were granted to the La Conner Regional Library, getting the project one step closer to breaking ground.
  • Through bipartisan collaboration communities across Skagit County are receiving major funding increases for behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatment. This includes construction of a behavioral health evaluation and treatment facility.

Thank you all for taking to the time to read this edition of Fantastic Friday.

Always feel welcome to reach out to me with your questions and concerns.

I am here for you!

All best wishes,

Lekanoff sig

Rep. Debra Lekanoff