Friends and Neighbors,
We’ve officially made it halfway through the legislative session, and have recently passed some important deadlines: policy and fiscal cut off. That means bills that did not make it out of their committees will no longer be considered this session, unless they have a budgetary impact (those bills get a little extra time!).
This week, we‘ve started full-time floor action, debating bills and passing them out of the House for consideration in the Senate.
In this newsletter, I’ll share an update on my bills, the results from our survey, and an update on how we’re protecting immigrant communities.
A quick update on my bills
Here’s the current status of several of my priority bills.
Moving forward – bills that passed out of committee
HB 2266 – creating more opportunities for STEP (shelters, transitional, emergency, and permanent supportive) housing to be built in urban areas.
HB 1904 – bans the declawing of cats except for therapeutic purposes.
HB 1608 – bans the sale of farmed octopus.
HB 2590 – helps build and maintain affordable housing by allowing limited equity cooperatives to be exempt from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act
HB 1592 – a bi-partisan effort which establishes the framework, funding formula, and data collection and accountability mechanisms for funding public defenders
Gone, but not forgotten – bills that did not pass out of committee
HB 1137 – establishes guidelines and requirements for placing incarcerated people in solitary confinement so fewer people are subjected to the devastating impacts of the isolation.
HB 2512 – opening up more home ownership opportunities by prohibiting real estate agents from marketing residential properties to an exclusive group of prospective buyers or real estate brokers.
HB 2595 – provides more time, and representation for poor adults and youth to bring a petition or motion for a certain type of postconviction review.
Immigrants are valued in Washington. Here’s how we’re continuing to protect them.
I’ve heard from so many in our community who are living in fear and under extreme anxiety because of the tactics federal agents are using. Seeing what’s happening across the country is deeply disturbing. In a recent video, I sat down with my seatmate, Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, to talk about all the ways Washington has worked to ensure this is a state where our immigrant communities feel safe, valued, and can thrive. We also talk about what we’re doing now to respond to federal action. Check it out here.
A legislative page in my office
I was proud to sponsor Gemma Hoag, a 10th grader at Leadership Education Academy for Families, in my office recently as a legislative page.
Pages do real work and get a front-row seat to civics in action, with daily instruction, mock committee hearings, and even the chance to draft their own bills. Gemma was a huge help to my office by helping deliver messages on the House floor, and keep things moving across the Capitol campus.
Gemma, thank you for bringing such great energy to our state Capitol. Our community is better because we have young leaders like you.
Survey says …
Thank you to everyone who filled out our 21st LD survey. Here’s what you said:
- The top three issue areas in our district are community safety and well-being; housing affordability and homelessness; and a more sustainable tax system.
- When it comes to availability and affordability of housing, just 17% said it is good or very good, while 45% said it is poor or very poor, and the remaining 38% of respondents said it is fair. We definitely have work to do here.
- The top three public services that need the most improvement are mental health and addiction treatment; public safety resources; and support for small businesses.
- Since our safety net is being impacted by federal cuts, most of you said the state should prioritize resources mainly in health care (Medicaid & Medicare) and food assistance (SNAP, WIC).
These results help me figure out where I should focus my efforts and how best to represent your interests and priorities. I will keep these in mind as we continue through the session.
Join our telephone town hall Feb. 18
Please mark your calendars for an upcoming telephone town hall on Feb. 18. This is just another opportunity for us to hear from you and for you to hear from us. I hope you’ll join!
CALL IN: 855-756-7520 | PIN: 129391#
That’s all for now. Keep an eye out for my next legislative update. As always, reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Rep. Strom Peterson