Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Before I get into the latest on what’s happening at the legislature, I want to invite you to the 33rd Legislative District Town Hall happening on March 15 at Highline College from 11am – 12pm. I’ll be there with the rest of the district delegation including Rep. Mia Gregerson and Sen. Tina Orwall.
This will be live and in-person so it’s a great opportunity to connect. We’ll share more about what’s happening down in Olympia, and we’d love to hear directly from you about what concerns you have. I hope to see you there!
This week, we’ve been on the House Floor non-stop debating bills and passing legislation out of the House. Our Senate colleagues are going through a similar process.
I’m excited to share I passed my first few bills off the House floor this week including HB 1524 to protect isolated workers! It’s now on to the next part of the legislative process.
Any bill that passes out of the House goes over to the Senate for consideration and the Senate will send us their bills. Then we’ll start the process of committee review and debate all over again. We have about 50 days left in the session to not only pass bills, but we also have to pass the state’s budgets. Things will move quickly – you can stay informed by tracking bills and by tuning in to TVW to watch the action live.
Make Sure Your ID is REAL ID Compliant – You Can’t Fly Without It!
On May 7, 2025, the federal REAL ID Act goes into effect nationwide. Beginning on that date, if you don’t have a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, you won’t be able to fly in the U.S. or enter a restricted federal facility. Click here to learn more and click here to see if you’re ready for this change.
REAL ID is a federal law, though Washington state has worked hard to help people get the ID they need to comply and fly.
Of course, you still need a passport to fly overseas. That hasn’t changed. These new requirements are for flying domestically. The days of showing your driver’s license and getting through security are over.
Here’s what you can use:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- U.S. Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Foreign Passport
Before you buy a plane ticket, please make sure your passport is current—or that you have another form of acceptable identification.
For more information, visit the state Department of Licensing page about REAL ID or the federal Homeland Security FAQ.
Working Families Tax Credit could add more than $1,000 to your refund
In 2023, less than half of Washington residents who were eligible for a tax credit claimed it. There’s no downside to checking to see if you’re eligible and the upside could be great! You could receive a refund up to $1,290 depending on income level and the number of qualifying children your household. Here’s how:
- Do you have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number?
- Did you live in Washington for at least 183 days in 2024?
- Are you between 25 and 65 years old or do you have a qualifying child?
- Did you file a federal tax return for 2024?
If your answers are YES, you may qualify to receive the Washington Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC)!
Since it was first launched, in 2023, the WFTC has provided over 359,000 refunds totaling more than $263.4 million. This is real money that can make a real difference for many working families across our state. Check your eligibility now!
Visiting with Mia!
I had a blast chatting with my seatmate Rep. Mia Gregerson. We talked about my background and my journey to the legislature. I’m grateful for the opportunity share a little bit more about where I come from and how that’s shaped who I am. Check out our video here!
That’s all for now. Please keep an eye out for my next legislative update. And, don’t forget, I hope to see you at our upcoming town hall!
Sincerely,
Rep. Edwin Obras