Dear Friends and Neighbors,
More women are serving in the Legislature than ever before, with more women of color representing their communities. We recently had a chance to celebrate by taking a group photo. Walking around the halls of the Capitol and seeing photos from past Legislatures is a stark reminder of how far we have come in building a representative democracy.
I am proud to work side by side with these great women in the House Members of Color Caucus who are leading the way on addressing the structural barriers that hold back people of color, making Washington a place where systemic racism is rejected, and working to ensure every community can thrive.
Rental stability and housing support
We’ve heard from you that more affordable housing, stabilized rental rates, and more subsidized housing for low-income families would have the greatest impact on the state this year. That’s why I am advocating for a multifaceted approach that increases the housing supply, strengthens tenant protections, and increases investments in workforce housing options.
HB 1343 provides local governments with options to grant relief and preserve affordable housing in their communities. This creates affordable, healthy, high-quality rental housing opportunities for very low-income households when there are insufficient options available.
HB 1110, which I cosponsored, specifically addresses the missing middle housing supply. Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and sixplexes.
HB 1388 and HB 1389, which I also cosponsored, stop excessive rent hikes, give renters stability, and empower the Attorney General to go after unscrupulous landlords who use rent increases as a mechanism to deny tenants of their legal rights. We all need a home to meet our most basic needs. Excessive rent is forcing renters from their homes, and displacing families. Renters deserve stability and legal protection.
Preventing utility shutoffs during extreme heat events
In June of 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a “heat dome.” This extreme heat event shattered heat records across the region with the temperature rising to 108 degrees. One radio station in Maple Valley recorded a temperature of 118 degrees. The Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington set the state’s all-time heat record at 120 degrees. Sadly, in a region where most homes do not have air conditioning, these temperatures turned deadly. It is estimated that 450 people died of heat-related causes in Washington during the heat dome, although only 157 deaths are confirmed. In British Columbia, 685 people died, making it the deadliest weather event in Canadian history.
In a weather event such as the heat dome, access to electricity and water are vital to life. Washington has laws that prevent utility companies from terminating utility services during extreme cold weather events but does not prevent shutting off utilities during arguably more deadly extreme heat events. That is why I have partnered with Attorney General Bob Ferguson to introduce HB 1329 to prevent utilities or landlords from shutting off utilities during extreme heat events. Extreme weather events already disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. We should not be taking away a vital lifeline just because someone missed paying a utility bill.
HB 1329 was passed out of the House Environment & Energy Committee on Thursday with bipartisan support and will now be debated on the House floor. Learn more about the bill in this segment from KING 5 news.
Ask Sharlett
Check out my latest video below. In the Ask Sharlett series, I will respond to constituent emails on tape. This week I discuss combatting plastic pollution and dual language programs.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. Hearing from you is the most important part of my job. Please do not hesitate to reach out with your thoughts and ideas.
Sincerely,
Sharlett Mena
State Representative
29th District