Happy Fantastic Friday!
It’s an honor to once again represent the 40th Legislative District in our People’s House. Now that the election year activity restrictions are lifted, I’ll be back to sending out regular updates on my work for you, our district, and our state!
Have a question or concern for me? Please note that the upcoming 2021 session will be remote, so while my office in Olympia will be closed, you can still reach out via the contact information below. I welcome your input and look forward to continuing our work together.
Debra.Lekanoff@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7800
housedemocrats.wa.gov/lekanoff/
Legislative Assistant – Kaylee.Galloway@leg.wa.gov
Remote Testimony
In order to ensure public participation in the upcoming session, the House will be expanding remote testimony. Now, anyone who wishes to participate in a committee hearing will be able to sign up and virtually provide testimony. Not only does this address the need for safety in the era of COVID-19, it will also make it easier for those with mobility issues, those in rural areas, and those far from Olympia to participate in their government.
Learn more about remote testimony and sign up to testify in upcoming committee meetings on the Legislature’s website, leg.wa.gov.
Updates on the COVID-19 pandemic
New round of help for small businesses
We have been hearing from many businesses throughout the 40th LD who are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses are eligible and encouraged to apply for a new round of state grants starting December 2 through December 11. A total of $70 million was announced by Gov. Jay Inslee, with $50 million going to Working Washington business grants and the rest headed for qualified businesses that applied during the earlier two rounds for the state’s resiliency grant program. Those who applied for resiliency grants before will not need to do anything to qualify for funding during this round. These funds are not first come, first served, so all eligible businesses who apply by December 11 will receive priority consideration.
Who can apply?
Small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 who are in the sectors most affected by public health measures to fight the COVID virus. Those include restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys, and musical venues.
Nonprofits may be eligible if they have a primary activity that’s similar.
Applicants with revenues in excess of $5 million may receive funding if the Department of Commerce has leftover funds after giving grants to all the smaller businesses and nonprofits who applied and qualified.
What is the grant?
The maximum grant is $20,000, which can only be used to cover costs due to the pandemic which were necessary to continue operating, such as rent.
How can you apply?
Fill out an application online at commerce.wa/bizgrants. All applications received by Dec. 11 will get priority. There’s a checklist of information you should gather before filling out the application. Check the website for the full list.
Now your phone can help stop the spread of COVID-19!
The state of Washington recently unveiled a new statewide COVID-19 exposure tool for iPhone and Android users called WA Notify. The tool is free to use, anonymous, and protects your privacy. It works by alerting you whenever you are around another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. BUT—you have to take a few manual steps to turn on the notification system on your phone.
Were you one of the 700,000 Washingtonians to activate WA Notify in the first 24 hours it was available? If so, THANK YOU!
If not, join today as another tool to help stop the spread and protect yourself and your community. It’s a small step, but one that will play a big role along with mask wearing, handwashing, and staying home as much as possible.
Source: Washington State Department of Health
We just wrapped up Committee Assembly Days
Every year, generally in the first week of December, we schedule Committee Assembly Days where we all convene in Olympia to hold work sessions in every committee and get updates from agencies or discuss pressing issues. This year, due to the pandemic, we did it remotely. This process is still new to all of us and we need to work out a few glitches but, overall, it worked out pretty well.
Soon I’ll know if there’ll be changes to my committee lineup for the 2021 session, for now, though, here are the Assembly Days agendas for the committees in which I currently serve with links to the TVW video files for you to watch. Also, clicking on the committee name will take you directly to that committee’s website.
- School Construction Assistance Program.
- COVID-19 impacts to K-12 buildings.
- School seismic safety.
- Broadband connectivity for K-12 access.
- Impacts to air quality related to COVID-19 and wildfires.
- Growth Management Act update.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE, & NATURAL RESOURCES
- COVID-19 impacts to agriculture.
- Water policy update.
- Fish passage barrier removal on state, local, and forest lands.
Policing Policy Leadership Team
This year’s historic protests against police brutality have awakened the public to the need for racial equity and justice system reforms. Where the law hasn’t offered clear pathways to justice for victims of police misconduct, community trust in the police has eroded, as has the reputation of law enforcement.
Recognizing the complex problems of police accountability and police-community relations, House Public Safety Committee Chair Rep. Roger Goodman assembled a Policing Policy Leadership Team this interim to examine current policies and devise a plan to rebuild communities’ trust in law enforcement. I, along with colleagues from the Black Members Caucus and the Members of Color Caucus, serve on this team and will continue to work toward delivering the change that our communities have been demanding.
Learn more in this recent release on the work of the Policing Policy Leadership Team, and watch the recent House Public Safety Committee work session for a review of the current legislative proposals.
Economic recovery and climate resiliency in the news
One of my main priorities for the upcoming session will be legislation to stimulate economic recovery while also addressing our state’s need to address the impacts of climate change. This policy idea, which will be introduced as legislation in the coming weeks, would allow for additional financing capacity for climate and economic resilience investments throughout the state. By issuing “green” bonds using the revenue from a price on carbon, the state would open up much needed investment that will stimulate the economy and create jobs, help build a more climate-resilient infrastructure, and improve health outcomes for our communities, all while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in our state.
Keep an eye out for more information on this ambitious economic and environmental recovery plan soon! In the meantime, check out these recent Bloomberg and Sightline articles that discuss the policy.
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.
Although the upcoming legislative session will be remote, I will still be sending out a Fantastic Friday letter each week throughout. Please also 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