Dear friends and neighbors,
I hope you’re enjoying spring sunshine and rain showers. Time has flown by since the legislative session ended on March 7, and I’m back in Kitsap meeting neighbors, touring the shipyard and visiting schools, hosting town halls, and talking to folks across the district about what we can do to make Kitsap a better place to live, work, and play.
I grew up in Kitsap so it’s a special honor representing our community as State Rep. Since taking office, I’ve heard your concerns – the lack of affordable childcare, healthcare workforce shortages, unsafe roads – and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in Olympia.
- I sponsored legislation to clarify and streamline eligibility for Working Connections Child Care (HB 2110) so more hardworking families can get the affordable childcare they need.
- My bill to cut red tape so we can more efficiently certify our healthcare workforce passed unanimously (HB 2355) and I helped deliver $204,000 for Olympic College Healthcare Pathways to support students pursuing healthcare degrees. Working with Senator Hansen and Rep. Simmons, we also secured $4.5 million for the Suquamish Health Center.
- As a member of the House Transportation Committee, I helped secure $5.9 million for “Safe Routes to School” at View Ridge Elementary and $1.6 million for the Warren Avenue Bridge. Both projects will help kids and neighbors walk and bike safely, better connecting our community.
But the biggest concern I hear is unreliable ferry service, which led to 3,500 cancelled sailings last year. My top priority in Olympia has been building a bipartisan coalition to Fix our Ferries. The ferry legislation I sponsored had 27 co-sponsors, including leadership from both parties. We worked across the aisle to secure $80 million in new ferry funding ($1.3 billion total) for vessel construction, maintenance, and workforce expansion.
What’s the path ahead? You can read my Seattle Times editorial that details how we can restore reliable service.
Take this survey to help Rep. Nance Fix our Ferries!
I’m grateful to the folks who shared suggestions at one of the 7 Fix our Ferries town halls around Kitsap. I’d love to hear from you too – please take this short survey to offer your ideas on how we can turn the tide and Fix our Ferries!
Election year communications restrictions
There are certain restrictions on legislator communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes every election year. These restrictions include a freeze on my legislative Facebook account and my legislative webpage beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, until after the general election in November.
However, our office is still here to help you! Even during the election year freeze, you can still reach out to my Legislative Assistant Shelby Williams or email me if there’s anything I can do to assist you or your family. You’ll also be able to find loads of information and access to state & local resources on my website → housedemocrats.wa.gov/nance
It’s truly an honor to serve Kitsap… look forward to seeing you around the peninsula soon!
