Happy Fantastic Friday!
The Washington State legislative session begins next Monday, January 11. It’s never been more important for us to work together to improve the lives of people in Washington. In the 2019 and 2020 sessions, we made historic progress by enacting laws and budget investments that put people first. Now, we will continue to work together to recover from the pandemic and build a better future for us all.
2021 Legislative Priorities
This year, with the restrictions of remote session and the compounding crises around COVID-19, the Legislature may not be able to get as much done as we would normally be able to in a session. That means we will need to work as efficiently as possible and limit our considerations to bills that help address our top priorities.
My top priorities this session will be:
- Economic Recovery: Recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic means not only adequately supporting public health efforts and aiding those in urgent need, such as small businesses and low-income families, but also working on long-term solutions for economic recovery. To stimulate our local economies and protect those hit hardest by the pandemic, closures, and restrictions, I’ve worked with my colleagues to develop the Washington STRONG Act. Washington STRONG authorizes a 10-year series of “green” bonds, which could unlock more than $16 billion for direct investment and has the potential to create upwards of 150,000 jobs by providing much-needed local stimulus. Washington is facing an economic crisis, and we have the choice to use progressive revenue to grow our economy by investing in green infrastructure and clean transportation projects that put people to work and build a climate-resilient future. This economic policy is based on our state’s needs right now, one that puts our frontline communities and environmental justice first, instead of increasing inequity and placing the burden on our most impacted communities.
- Environmental Justice: Climate change is among the most imminent threats to our local communities. But climate change is not just an environmental issue. We need to start thinking about it holistically, considering the impacts to our health, education, housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economy. This session, I’ll continue my work to institute a community development standard of net ecological gain, or a “leave it better than you found it” standard. This means development projects would contribute to habitat restoration and help achieve a healthier environment for current and future generations. I’ll also continue my work to modernize the Growth Management Act to include salmon recovery, and to pass the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act. The HEAL Act will help Washington address environmental health disparities, because who you are and where you live should not impact your health and well-being.
- Criminal Justice Reform: This year’s historic protests have awakened the public to the need for racial equity and justice system reforms. Recognizing the complex problems of police accountability and police-community relations, legislators assembled the Policing Policy Leadership Team, on which I serve, to examine current policies and devise a plan to rebuild communities’ trust in law enforcement. Public safety intertwines local, tribal, state, and federal government across Washington state. I am committed to ensuring we work together with our federally recognized tribes to develop policy, training and regulations that reflect one Washington, protecting one people. In addition to my work on the Policing Policy Leadership Team, I plan to champion a budget proviso to begin addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in our state. I’m proud of the strong leadership and clear focus on addressing racial equity and criminal just reform so far, and I will continue to work toward delivering the change that our communities have been demanding.
Washington’s COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline: Find Your Phase!
This week, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced a clear timeline for vaccine distribution. Their extensive work to get vaccines to frontline workers and vulnerable populations is monumental. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are being distributed in Washington state after rigorous testing, authorization for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and additional approval by the Scientific Safety Review Workgroup of our Western States Pact.
This timeline lays out a clear explanation of when people will be eligible for vaccination. In addition to federal guidance and partnership with Governor’s office, it was developed with input from nearly 20,000 people around the state through surveys, focus group, and interviews. You can find out when you might be vaccinated by taking a short survey at FindYourPhaseWA.org.
As we consider vaccination phases, we must take into account those who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and prioritize their health as central to recovering together.
Check out this DOH page for helpful information and videos that describe everything from vaccine fact vs. fiction to how vaccines are made.
Source: Washington State Department of Health
Ways to participate in your democracy during the 2021 session
Protecting the health and wellbeing of loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic means limiting our exposure to people outside our bubble, social distancing, and wearing masks. In order to protect the public, our staff, and our families, the Legislature will hold the 2021 session remotely.
Although lawmakers will not physically be in Olympia this year, you can still stay in contact and up-to-date with the Legislature. You can still watch committee meetings, contact your lawmakers, and participate in your democracy! In fact, with remote session, it’ll be easier than ever for YOUR voice to be heard by your lawmakers. Below are some of the ways you can continue to stay involved with the legislative process this year:
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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