Happy Fantastic Friday!
Black History Month This Black History Month, I’m reflecting on the words of Ms. Amanda Gorman. The Legislature is working to create a Washington that is inclusive, fair, and representative for Black Americans. We’re considering bills to ensure safer police tactics, to restore voting rights to people who have served their time in prison, and to provide law enforcement with stronger tools to address hate crimes. And we are finally considering a bill to give Juneteenth the recognition it deserves as a state holiday. I am proud of the work we’ve done to write laws that are racially just. But we can’t move forward in progress unless we honor the untold history of Black America. Our work here as lawmakers is only possible because of the tireless labor and courageous activism of our predecessors. And while that work is unfinished, Ms. Gorman’s words bring me hope for our future with each step forward. Because a future that is fair and inclusive for Black Washingtonians is a future that is fair and inclusive for everyone. |
Delivering immediate COVID-19 relief
On Monday, House Democrats passed early action COVID-19 relief bills to invest $2.2 billion in our communities. The bills will immediately allocate federal funding toward the COVID-19 response, including relief for renters, small businesses, school districts, and child care providers, plus money for vaccine distribution. This package provides a needed shot in the arm to get our economy back on track.
The investments include:
- $618M for vaccine distribution, contact tracing, and testing;
- $365M for rental and foreclosure assistance and small landlords;
- $240M for struggling small businesses;
- $714M for schools to address learning loss, keep teachers on the payroll, and get ready to bring kids back to the classroom when it’s safe;
- $50M to help child care providers keep their doors open; and
- $70M for long-term care & developmental disabilities programs.
Democrats’ top priority is to get relief out to people who have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. This package is being fast tracked through the Senate.
The COVID-19 assistance hotline is here to help
If you or someone you know is having trouble booking an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, there’s a number you can call for help. To reach the state COVID-19 assistance hotline, dial 1-800-525-0127 and enter #. You can also call the state’s alternate number at 888-856-5816 (a Spanish option is available) if you can’t reach the hotline with the 1-800 number. The COVID-19 hotline is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Anacortes Small Business Stabilization Grant
The City of Anacortes has developed an emergency relief package for small businesses in jeopardy as a result of COVID-19 public safety measures. Businesses that have been open since 2020 and employ a maximum of 30 employees are encouraged to apply for this funding. The deadline to apply has been extended until February 12, 2021. Find more information and the application.
Unemployment Insurance Relief for Small Businesses and Workers
My office has received emails and calls on many different issues daily but this year, of course, the coronavirus and its consequences have taken center stage. I’ve heard from many business owners who are facing unprecedented hikes in their Unemployment Insurance premium tax bills, and from struggling workers whose unemployment benefits are just not enough to support their families.
The urgency of this matter could not be overstated, and something had to be done. So the first week of session, the chairs of the labor committees in both chambers introduced bipartisan identical bills (SB 5061 / HB 1098) to bring relief for both businesses and workers. Both the House and Senate passed the Senate vehicle this week and it is now heading to the Governor’s desk!
Business-owners will breathe more easily seeing the reductions in their UI tax bills due in April, and the state’s hardest-hit lowest-wage workers will see a 5 percent raise in their unemployment benefits. This means people who make between $21,000 and $27,800 annually will receive a larger share of their weekly wages in benefits.
Business and Economic Recovery Roundtable
This week it was an honor to focus my Terrific Tuesday roundtable on business and economic recovery, where we heard updates from Rep. Larry Springer, Joe Timmons from the Governor’s office, and our partners from the 40th District ports, chambers, and business and economic development associations. We discussed the devastating impacts COVID-19 has had on our local economy and our commitment to finding safe ways to recover. As one participant noted, vaccine deployment equals economic recovery; the way we recover our businesses and economy is by making vaccine distribution accessible and equitable to all communities as quickly as possible. In meeting with our local health care providers this week, we know the systems are in place and they are ready.
Join me each week for my Constituent Coffee
Thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s Constituent Coffee! These events are an opportunity for you to hear from me about what’s going on in the Legislature and to ask questions or make comments on current legislation. I’ll be hosting these events each week throughout session, so pre-register today for next week and check back in for more details on future events.
Please also note that due to the ever evolving nature of legislative session, we may need to cancel or reschedule this meeting. If you have any questions, please contact my Legislative Assistant, Kaylee, at kaylee.galloway@leg.wa.gov.
An Update on My Bills
Public Hearing for Billy Frank Jr. Statue Bill
House Bill 1372, which would put a statue of Billy Frank Jr. as one of Washington’s two statues in the National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C., had a public hearing on Monday, which included some very powerful testimony.
“It’s a great bill because Billy Frank was a great man. Don’t take my word for it. It’s no accident that he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest reward, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, won the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award and countless others.” – Lt. Governor Denny Heck in his testimony
“He touched many lives…and had a great commitment as a human being to his culture and spirituality, to his people, and took on the responsibility of representing people from all over the Northwest and beyond.” – Leonard Forsman, Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians President, in his testimony
“I’m a graduate of Whitman College and was trained as a historian…and two years ago I spoke against a bill…to take down the Whitman statue without an alternative…and I want to personally thank Rep. Lekanoff for showing respect to Dr. Whitman as she raises up Billy Frank Jr. That it’s time for a changing of the guard.” – Rowland Thompson, concerned citizen in his testimony
Banning Native American Mascots at Public Schools
House Bill 1356 bans the inappropriate use of Native American symbols, names, and images as school mascots, logos, or team names. This practice is antithetical to the mission of providing an equal education to all, and contrary to the goal of making schools safe and respectful learning environments. The bill had a public hearing in the Education Committee this morning!
“This legislation calls for a time of healing. This proposal is past due. Native students have been disregarded and marginalized for far too long. It is time to truly honor our indigenous students and staff by finally removing these offensive mascots from our school system. It is time for us to heal.” – Bill S. Kallappa II, Education Liaison for the Nisqually Tribe and a member of the State Board of Education
Read more about why this bill is so important for Washington’s students and the generations to come.
Why Washington Needs Public Broadband
My colleague, Rep. Drew Hansen, has introduced a bill I want to tell you about. It’s called the Public Broadband Act and it removes the statewide restrictions that currently exist on some public utilities that stops them from offering public broadband directly to consumers. A successful model is Access, the Anacortes Fiber Internet project, this bill would allow smaller cities to do what Anacortes is doing: providing public assistance to help get internet to the home. This is a big deal because many Public Utility Districts, ports, and municipalities want to offer broadband services to their residents. When you only have one internet service provider in your region, and reliability and quality suffer, you’re left without a service that everyone needs in the 21st century. Now, during the pandemic, it has become even more clear that we need every tool in the toolbox to solve the digital divide. I’m very excited about the Public Broadband Act and was inspired by the testimony I saw from those supporting the bill. Watch some of that testimony.
In the News
The Washington STRONG Act, which authorizes a 10-year series of “green” bonds, new financing tools that will stimulate the economy, create jobs, and transition Washington to a clean economy.
“I think the strength in this policy is the fact that we can utilize it to be both an adaptation measure for mitigating climate change over time as well as an economic recovery tool coming out of COVID.” – Sen. Liz Lovelett, sponsor of the Senate bill as quoted in this recent article from KNKX
My bill to put a statue of Billy Frank Jr. in the Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. was included in a discussion around the often poorly understood history of the Whitman ‘massacre.’
“Another bill that might be in the offing is said to propose substituting the Whitman statue with one of Billy Frank Jr. (Nisqually), the late, much respected Native treaty activist who did so much to advocate for and restore tribal rights.” – Knute Berger in his recent opinion piece in Crosscut
Additional stories include:
- Washington may replace statue at US Capitol with one of Native American activist – via KING 5
- Bill would replace Marcus Whitman statue at U.S. Capitol with one of environmental leader Billy Frank Jr. – via The Seattle Times
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