Dear friends and neighbors,
January 9th kicked off the 105-day legislative session! Ahead of us is nearly four months of work that is critical to ensuring the health of our community, the success of students in our schools, the economic well-being of our state, and the question of how we reverse the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Rena Priest, Washington State Poet Laureate, and member of the Lummi Tribe offered an insightful poem that shares our vision for this legislative session. Click on the picture below or here to view it.
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As we tackle these and numerous other issues, I encourage you to stay engaged and participate! 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 the process of making and amending laws more accessible to everyone. Below are some fantastic ways of following the legislative session:
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Legislative Priorities
Addressing the Housing Crisis: It’s no surprise, the cost of housing has been increasing faster than people can keep up. People are being driven out of communities where their families grew up and into homelessness. This year brings crucial legislation to address supply, affordability, and stabilization of housing. By addressing these three root issues, communities that have been overburdened by a lack of renter protections can return to a market that prioritizes housing and homeownership over rapidly rising rents and housing instability.
School Funding: Supporting educators and students is the paramount duty of the state. Last year, we worked to address declining school enrollment, counseling, and student nutritional issues. Yet, one major issue continues to be apparent: the disparity in resources for children between smaller and larger school districts. All children deserve the same opportunity to learn. This year, I’ll be focusing to make funding for districts fairer. I’ve introduced House Bill 1244, which will add parity to this funding gap progressively.
Reducing Building Emissions: Buildings account for a quarter of statewide emissions and remain the fastest growing major source of greenhouse gas pollution. The good news is that there are numerous resources that are becoming available to us in retrofitting existing homes and small businesses. A Building Energy Upgrade Navigator can serve as a convenient resource to learn about targeted improvements that can be made to buildings. Not only is it convenient, but it will also create opportunities in the clean energy sector for the future, including by ensuring that our efforts to improve buildings don’t leave low-income folks or tenants behind. To create a robust and clean energy economy for the future, it is vital to grow the skilled workforce that can engage in climate action.
We’re looking for Legislative Pages
The Washington State Legislature has one of the best page programs in the country for students between 14 and 16 years old. Because we are operating in-person again, our page program is back, and I invite you to apply and spread the word to students who are eligible.
Pages are sponsored by legislators and serve for one week during the legislative session, learning about the legislative process while distributing materials throughout the Capitol, assisting offices, delivering messages, and presenting colors at the opening of the day’s legislative session.
This year, the legislature is making a one-time exception for students who are 17-18 years old and were unable to previously participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find out more about the page program by clicking here!
In service,
Rep. Alex Ramel
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