|
Dear friends and neighbors,
I hope you were able to safely spend the holiday weekend with your loved ones and enjoy family.
December 1st marks the start of state election-year restrictions around legislative communications, so this is my last e-newsletter until session begins in January.
You’ll find information on housing and what we’re doing to address homelessness, a brief outlook on my priorities for next session, and an update on this year’s wildfire season. I am also including a reminder about tomorrow’s Long Term Care Webinar.
So let’s get to it!
Historic housing and homelessness investments are making a difference
This last session, we made historic investments to reduce homelessness and keep people housed as loss of employment and financial devastation from the pandemic made it impossible for many Washingtonians to keep up with their housing costs.
I was proud to support these investments and want to give you an update on how new rental assistance programs and tenant protection policies are making a real difference in communities across our state. I also know these record investments are not enough to solve the housing affordability and homelessness crises facing every community in our state. I am committed to continuing this work and I will be a strong housing advocate in the upcoming 2022 session and beyond.
Rental assistance is available
While I was very happy to help secure over $1 billion in new rental assistance funding, I recognize that problems with implementation in many parts of the state drastically slowed down the availability of these funds. Funding is beginning to flow to landlords to help collect back rent and keep renters in their homes. I encourage anyone who needs help keeping up with rent to visit this website to find your local rental assistance provider.
“Right to Counsel” in eviction court for low-income renters
We also enacted the nation’s first guarantee of legal representation in eviction court for low-income renters. Few renters can afford a lawyer to represent them in eviction court, but landlords almost always have a legal team with them. This has contributed to an eviction-to-homelessness pipeline in our state.
Now, 17 counties have begun enacting their Right to Counsel program, and I am hopeful that every Superior Court in the state will soon follow.
As part of this new program, the state’s Office of Civil Legal Aid has established an Eviction Screening Line. Renters throughout the state should call 855-657-8387 if they have received court papers, or believe they are about to be evicted.
More information about how to be screened and apply for appointed counsel can be found on the Northwest Justice Project’s legal help application page. A self-guided Eviction Defense Helper can be found here. Materials are available in multiple languages.
|
2022: Focusing priorities in a short session
The 2022 legislative session convenes January 10. With only 60 days for state lawmakers to get our work done on behalf of the people of Washington, it’s important to focus on policies addressing our state’s most urgent needs.
In the months since the 2021 session adjourned, my colleagues and I have been hearing from our constituents about the struggles and challenges individuals, families, and communities are facing.
Like last session, you can expect to see legislation advancing racial equity, and I have been focused on ensuring equitable and diverse staffing, recruiting, and retention at the Department of Natural Resources, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation, which includes Washington State Ferries. I have held meetings with leadership in these agencies and am working to secure funding for more apprenticeship and training programs to help mitigate staffing issues. We will also continue efforts to address the climate crisis we all face together. These themes will remain as priorities in future sessions as well because they are complex issues requiring ongoing commitment and work.
Additionally, as we move forward and continue reopening from pandemic-related shutdowns – while supporting public health measures like vaccines and masking – I will be championing bills that strengthen economic well-being for people and communities, and ensure our state serves its residents better.
2021 Wildfire Season update
This year’s wildfire season started early, with the Department of Natural Resources responding to more than 200 fires before the end of April.
Record setting heat and drought this summer only added to the risk, with more than 659,000 acres burning this season alone. We need to address wildfires, and the smoke that comes with them, so these don’t continue to be a normal part of spring, summer, and fall in Washington.
That’s why last session we passed HB 1168, which gave the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) more tools and funding to fight and prevent wildfires. This includes increased air resources, like helicopters and water scoopers, to help suppress fires or fight them in difficult terrain. Importantly, this legislation allocated funding for communities at high risk for wildfires, helping those most impacted be better prepared, safer, and more resilient. We are also expanding resources to include targeted outreach for non-English speaking communities.
DNR recently reported back to the Legislature on how that bill has already made a difference. They’ve sped up forest restoration treatment for some of our most at-risk forests in need of active management and have now treated 25 percent of their targeted lands. You can keep track of the projects they’re working on at their Forest Health Tracker.
This year, 94 percent of fires on DNR lands were stopped before they reached ten acres, showing that early suppression is critical as our state becomes warmer and drier.
The last decade has demonstrated again and again just how devastating wildfires can be. I’m proud of the work we did last session to strengthen our forests, prevent wildfires, and protect communities and public lands across the state.
|
WA Cares Long Term Care Webinar TOMORROW at 6 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent us questions for our event tomorrow evening. My seatmate, Rep. Lisa Callan, and I are looking forward to getting you answers from the two experts who will be joining us, and also to discussing the concerns that we’ll address this coming session to improve the program.
It’s clear that misinformation has been running rampant on this issue, so this webinar is necessary and timely. If you haven’t already done so, please submit your questions here, and register for the event here.
Ways to connect with me
As mentioned earlier, starting tomorrow and until session begins, legislators are restricted on how we communicate with constituents. While you won’t be hearing from me through newsletters, you can reach me anytime by emailing me or my Legislative Assistant, Erika, or giving us a call at 425-654-4402.
Because election year restrictions don’t apply to Facebook, I will continue posting updates, so I hope you’ll stop by my page. You can also take a look at my website, where you’ll find all my press releases, videos, and newsletters.
Happy holidays and may the new year bring us all joy, health, and peace.
See you in 2022!
|
