Dear friends and neighbors,
As February ends, here is a quick update on what’s happening in Olympia. In this issue, I’ll provide an exciting update on the first piece of legislation I passed, discuss one bill helping keep people in their homes, share some of the work being done to turn the tide on climate change, and invite you to my first townhall of 2023. I hope you will find it useful!
Scenic Bikeways Update
The first bill I ever passed is going into effect soon. House Bill 2587, from 2020, directs the Parks and Recreation Commission to establish a scenic bikeways program to promote bicycle tourism. After a pause on this project during the pandemic, WA Parks will start accepting nominations for bikeways at the end of this year.
I’m excited to see how scenic bikeways can connect people to our communities, cultural amenities, and natural world. Giving a little boost to this healthy form of tourism will help local economies along the routes!
Tax Justice for Seniors and Veterans
As you may know from my past e-newsletters, doing more to help people stay in their homes has been a large priority for me this year. Those with a fixed income like seniors and veterans, are especially vulnerable. Did you know that 1 in 25 disabled veterans in our state face housing instability? Homelessness among older adults in the U.S. is increasing, and half of single homeless adults are over 50.
To help address this issue, I am supporting my colleague, Representative Wylie, in passing House Bill 1355. Her plan will protect those who count on Social Security income from being unintentionally disqualified from the property tax credit they currently benefit from. There is a pending social security adjustment for cost of living that will increase income just past the threshold. This smart bill protects people from what’s been called a social security “cliff” and it will avoid the problem in the future by making adjustments every three years. These are the kinds of smart, targeted improvements our upside-down tax code really needs.
Turning the Tide on the Climate Crisis
Many of our communities have been devastated by wildfires, floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events fueled by climate change. We know the scale of the problem, but we also know how to solve it, and Washington is leading the way. To learn more about my work to decarbonize buildings and incentivize clean energy, click here!
Save the Date!
Join your 40th District legislators for a live town hall on Saturday, March 18th from 11 am – 12 pm. Sen. Liz Lovelett, Rep. Debra Lekanoff, and I will share our legislative priorities and answer your questions on the issues important to you. If you’re unable to join us, please submit questions ahead of time by scanning the QR code or clicking here.
Since our last newsletter, I met with our local elected officials and city/county staff. We talked a lot about housing policy, climate policy, public safety and transportation. These conversations are important to guide me as a touchstone for the needs of the communities across the 40th district.
We also met with SEIU constituents who discussed their lived experiences in behavioral health services, especially for our senior citizens and children. Teachers, para-educators, high school students, and adjunct faculty from our local community college shared their concerns around supporting all levels of our educational system. I also got to meet with multiple groups that brought up environmental legislation that I’ve signed on to co-sponsor – like the WRAP act, and other bills to improve salmon habitat and climate resiliency. Affordable housing was a topic threaded through almost every visit, and I’m thankful for everyone’s willingness to share their stories.
If you come down to Olympia, please schedule a time for us to meet by emailing our office, so you can share your priorities with me. My staff and I are also happy to meet remotely.
In service,
Rep. Alex Ramel
State Representative