Dear friends and neighbors,
As we start week 5 of this session, I want to take a moment to update you on the work we are doing to support working people, strengthen families, and create safer communities.
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UPDATE ON SOME OF MY BILLS
HB 1181: Currently, many people are working long hours and multiple jobs and still can’t keep up with inflation. It’s time to pay workers a living wage, and require paid vacation and bereavement days. People deserve a break to spend time with their families and grieve loved ones. My bill would establish a new minimum wage schedule that will increase from $17.50 in 2026 to $25.00 by 2032 and require employers to provide paid vacation and bereavement leave starting January 1, 2027.
HB 1209: This legislation prohibits the sale or transfer of sodium nitrite in concentrations greater than 10 percent. This substance, easily available to anyone, is lethal in high concentrations and has been linked to at least 30 suicides nationwide. My bill, known as Tyler’s Law, is named after Tyler Schmidt, who used sodium nitrite that he purchased online to end his life. We passed it off the House floor last Thursday on an almost unanimous vote. You can watch my floor remarks here or by clicking on the image below, and read the press release here.
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HB 1759: SEAHAWKS! This bill will designate December 12 as the Day of the 12s. It’s a simple measure that will give 12/12 legislative recognition. It is not an official, paid holiday, it merely aims to bring us together. We had some fun at the hearing (watch it here), and I was proud to see my mom, a huge Seahawks fan, delivering testimony in support (watch her here).
You can also read a couple of stories about my bill on the Seahawks website, and in the Washington State Standard.
I discuss both, HB 1181 and HB 1759 in my latest video update:
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EVERYONE DESERVES SAFETY AND PROTECTION
Recent federal decisions have generated fear and uncertainty among vulnerable communities. We’ve seen attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and the LGBTQ+ community and, alarmingly, the ramp up of deportations and anti-immigrant policies.
These actions strike at the very core of our values. We are doing everything we can to protect all Washingtonians. Here are some of the ways we are already supporting vulnerable communities:
- Expanded healthcare access for undocumented adults
- Protected immigrant workers from local enforcement overreach (Keep Washington Working Act)
- Opened professional licensing to all, regardless of status
- Funded dual language & tribal language education programs
- Invested in civil legal aid for undocumented workers
In response to the growing fears in our communities, we are taking new action to help families navigate these challenging times. 📢 Governor Ferguson signed an executive order creating a rapid response team to support children facing family separation. I was designated to serve on this team as one of the legislators and am looking forward to working on solutions. 🏛️ The Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs has a rapid response hub to assist undocumented immigrants with essential legal, financial, and social service information. 📌 Know someone impacted by immigration policy changes? Share this DSHS resource link. Every child in Washington deserves access to education regardless of immigration status. Public schools have both a constitutional and moral obligation to serve all students. ✔️ Undocumented children have the legal right to attend public school under Plyler v. Doe (1982). ✔️ Schools cannot deny admission based on immigration status or require Social Security numbers. The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) at DSHS provides vital services, including: ✅ Immigration & naturalization assistance ✅ Employment & job training programs ✅ Healthcare & legal aid resources Local law enforcement agencies cannot use public funds or personnel to enforce federal immigration laws; they cannot ask about immigration status, detain individuals based on immigration status, or share non-public personal information with immigration authorities without a warrant. We will not stand by while families are forced to make impossible choices between safety and survival. I joined the chair and other members of the Latino Democratic Caucus in a recent statement to stand up for immigrants. I believe in a community where everyone belongs, where different cultures are celebrated, and where we stand up for our values of love, inclusion, and justice. |
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Give my office a call or drop me a line with your thoughts on any of the issues discussed in this newsletter. As always, I am honored to serve you in Olympia.
Warmly,
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