Happy Fantastic Friday!
Join us for a 40th District Legislative Preview
You’re invited to join me, Rep. Alex Ramel, and Sen. Liz Lovelett this Sunday from 2-3pm for a preview of the upcoming legislative session! Learn more about what we’ll be focused on as we head into our first ever virtual session – including bill priorities, committee assignments, and more. An RSVP is required to participate, so please take a moment to register in advance. And don’t forget your ugly, silly holiday sweater! To learn more, check out our event information on Facebook. |
You’re invited! Watch my video to learn more about the 40th LD Legislative Preview.
New guidance released to bring more kids back into classrooms safely
This week, Governor Inslee and State Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced updated guidance for getting students back into classrooms in a phased approach. The guidance includes state Department of Health suggested categories for re-introducing in-person learning: one approach for counties with a “low” number of COVID-19 cases, another for counties with a “moderate” number of cases, and a third for counties with a “high” number of cases. This guidance reflects the latest research indicating in-person learning can be phased in while also protecting the health and safety of students, staff, and their communities.
As always, the decision to begin or expand in-person learning will be made by the school districts themselves. In addition to announcing the new guidance, Governor Inslee also announced that $3 million will be directed to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to support health and safety work in our state’s schools.
With careful planning, preparation, and precautions, in-person learning can happen safely. The new guidance and directed funds will hopefully help more districts start to transition kids back into classrooms.
Source: Washington State Department of Health
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The Washington STRONG Act
The Washington STRONG Act would give our state a new tool to not only stimulate the economy, create new jobs and fund needed infrastructure investments, but to also aid in transitioning Washington to a clean energy economy. The bill 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 investment in infrastructure projects that must have measurable climate and environmental impacts.
For example, a green bond could be used to invest in building a clean and energy-efficient school. This investment will in turn provide local jobs and increase economic activity throughout the community, all while helping our state meet our climate goals.
Learn more in my recent video update.
Notable Meetings
This week, I met with:
Staff from the offices of Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and the Washington Secretary of State to discuss The National Archives and Records Sand Point Facility
- We discussed the importance of preserving our archives and keeping them accessible. The congressional delegation has been working with bipartisan support to secure federal funding, while I worked last session on a budget proviso to explore options to keep the National Archives in Seattle open and accessible.
Reps. Jake Fey, Vandana Slatter, and Sharon Shewmake to discuss transportation priorities
- We discussed various proposals being considered to move toward a green transportation system and infrastructure. This included investments in green transportation that would be possible under my recently announced Washington STRONG Act. In addition, we discussed my work with Sen. Liz Lovelett on the Evergreen Transportation Work Group.
Congressman Rick Larsen and staff
- We discussed the Washington STRONG Act strong and the way state legislators and our federal counterparts can collaborate on meeting climate goals while investing in critical infrastructure.
Legislative Roundtables with Tribal Leaders
- We discussed legislation that is intertwined with our state, local and tribal governments, including bills on native mascots, urban native organizations, a statue for Billy Frank, Jr., broadband expansion, felony bar reform and an overview of other police accountability reforms, as well as the HEAL Act, the Washington STRONG Act, and my bill to move to a net-ecological gain standard.
Seattle Indian Health Board and American Indian Health Commission
- We discussed the budget proviso that enables the Washington State Office of the Attorney General to facilitate a taskforce to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the systemic causes of violence against Native people, as well as analyze the root causes of the MMIWG crisis.
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities
- We discussed our shared climate goals and priorities. This included a discussion of legislation I’m sponsoring to move to a net-ecological gain standard, my bill to include salmon recovery in the Growth Management Act (GMA), and the Washington STRONG Act, as well as issues around water.
Representatives from the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County and the Skagit / Island Counties Builders Association
- We discussed their legislative priorities, including how construction and housing can help fuel an economic recovery.
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