I can’t believe a month has already gone by. Things are moving fast as bills are circulating. It has been wonderful to hear from many of the residents in the 21st Legislative District. There are so many caring people who take a day off of work and travel many hours to have their voices heard, or who send emails and letters. For those who can’t, I want to assure you I will fight hard to make sure I represent, to the best of my ability, the voices of our children and families.
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Remote testimony for child victims
The emotional and lasting trauma children endure when they have to testify in open court against an adult who abused them is immeasurable. As if that were not enough, oftentimes their entire ordeal doesn’t even help lock up the perpetrator because children are so nervous and afraid in the courtroom that their testimony ends up not being credible. A law that allows remote testimony for child victims of sexual abuse has been in the books for over two decades but is seldom used. This past Wednesday, in a Judiciary Committee hearing, I testified on my bill (House Bill 1898), which brings awareness that the option is available. Click on the image below to watch the testimony.
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Support for students before it’s too late
On Monday, in the Education Committee, I testified on House Bill 1900, which asks schools to allow school counselors, social workers and school psychologists the time to identify and intervene with students who are going through troubling situations, instead of waiting until a tragedy occurs. My bill also allows for collaboration with mental health professionals to understand how to better access resources and services for our students. We need to address the needs of the whole child, but we can’t do it alone, community partnerships are essential.
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Ask Lillian
In this episode I respond to constituent emails on questions about my remote testimony for child victims’ legislation, and the need for improvements in transit services in the 21st Legislative District. 
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NYT: Closing the Opportunity Gap Good for the Economy
It is critical that we provide equal opportunities for ALL students to learn. That’s not happening right now. A growing opportunity gap in Washington state is leaving too many kids behind.
A new study highlighted by the New York Times shows how opportunity gaps hurt everybody by slowing the economy. The United States ranks 24th out of 33 advanced industrial countries in math and science scores. The study determined that if we made enough investments to be in line with Canada, our Gross Domestic Product will increase $10 TRILLION (adjusted for inflation) by 2050. Closing the gap to ensure all students have an opportunity to grow and prosper is a high priority for the House this year and it is why I co-sponsored House Bill 1541, which addresses policy to assist in closing the opportunity gap.
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The Case for Universal Pre-K
Investing in high quality early learning is not only great for kids, it’s good for taxpayers too. Emily Badger of the Washington Post lays out a great argument for why conservatives should support universal Pre-K. In a nutshell, it provides an excellent return on investment as the graph below shows. Spending money in the early years reduces the need to provide assistance in the future. I am happy that we passed the Early Start Act, aimed at improving the quality of early learning in our state and championed by Rep. Ruth Kagi, out of committee last week. I will continue to work toward a seamless early childhood to higher-ed spectrum.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Please keep your emails, letters and phone calls coming. The more I hear from you, the better I can serve you.
Sincerely,
