Dear friends and neighbors,
We’re back! Election year communications restrictions have now ended, so I’m finally able to resume sending out my regular e-newsletter again as we gear up for the next legislative session. In the coming months, be sure to stay tuned right here for the latest news from the Capitol and follow along in real-time on Facebook.
In this newsletter, I wanted to highlight a few important accomplishments from the last few months and provide a brief preview of where we’re headed next.
Caucus Leadership Election and Committee Assembly Days
Attending the House Finance Committee work session during our legislative Committee Assembly Days on Dec. 1
A few weeks ago, I was elected to serve as the House Majority Whip for the 2023-2024 legislative biennium. I am both honored and deeply humbled to receive the support of my colleagues for this important position and look forward to working closely with the rest of the leadership team to pass legislation that our community cares about most. I’ll have the privilege of continuing to serve on the House Environment & Energy, Transportation, Finance, and Rules Committees as well.
We also just held our legislative Committee Assembly Days, which gave legislators and staff the opportunity to come together again in person after nearly two years of working remote. I had the chance to meet with bill writers, stakeholders and committee staff about legislation I hope to introduce next session.
I’m excited to let you know that while the legislature will be meeting in person, we will retain the option for remote testimony at committee hearings. This is an important way that we can make process of making and amending laws more accessible to everyone.
You can check out recordings of all the committee meetings from Committee Assembly Days at TVW.org including Environment & Energy, Transportation and Finance.
State Building Code Council Update
Washington’s buildings are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas pollution and now account for 25% of our state’s total emissions. As a member of the Legislature and the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC), I’ve fought hard to push for the transition to clean and affordable electric solutions that prevent pollution and improve indoor air quality and health.
In November, the SBCC voted to pass a statewide heat pump standard, which would require builders to install safe and effective heat pumps for space and water heating in all new homes built after July 1, 2023. This is a huge step forward in the fight against climate change, and I’m confident that we will continue to find meaningful solutions to protect our families and our communities. You can read more about the new standard here.
Mount Vernon Library Commons and WA State Ferries Update
Attending the Mount Vernon Library Commons groundbreaking ceremony with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, state Sen. Liz Lovelett, and Reps. Debra Lekanoff, Dave Paul and Greg Gilday
Closer to home, I was thrilled to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mount Vernon Library Commons. The commons will host not just the library, but a community center, commercial kitchen, and solar array in downtown Mount Vernon. When it’s completed, it will be home to largest electric vehicle charging station in the country.
I also wanted to share that Washington State Ferries (WSF) released an update earlier this year on their new officer and pilotage credentialing programs. Service disruptions have plagued our communities over the past few years, due in part to the shortage of available Licensed Deck Officers. The licensing process takes time; and historically, crew looking to become licensed would have to do so on their own time and at their own expense.
I worked with my colleagues in the Legislature to dedicate funding in this year’s supplemental budget to allow WSF to offer their own licensing program at no additional cost to their crew candidates. With these programs coming online, WSF expects to have 43 candidates graduate before April 2024 and at least 96 through 2025. We still have work to do to fully restore stability and reliability to our ferry system, but these vital programs will help us get there.
For more updates from WSF, save the date for one of their upcoming winter outreach meetings and keep an eye out for registration information in the coming weeks on WSDOT’s website.
- Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 12:30 – 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 12 from 6 – 8 p.m.
In service,
Rep. Alex Ramel