Riccelli Bills Go to the Governor

 

With just a few days left of the 2014 session, I am working hard to advance our community’s shared values of healthy families, economic security, and opportunity for all. Three of the bills I prime-sponsored have already passed out of the Legislature: the newborn screenings bill passed out on Wednesday, and my bills on individual care provider gloves and athletic trainer licensure passed on Friday.

Each of these bills received overwhelming bipartisan support. The newborn screenings bill passed 92-5 in the House and 49-0 in the Senate, and the gloves bill passed out unanimously in both chambers. My seatmate Senator Andy Billig was instrumental in bringing them to the Floor, and they are now on their way to the Governor’s desk for a signature.

The passage of these bills will result in changes that address serious public health concerns facing our community. Severe delays in newborn screenings results have been common in Spokane, throughout the state, and across the country, as outlined in a series of articles in the Spokesman Review. Far too often, parents do not find out that their newborn has a rare disorder until it is too late for many treatments. The newborn screenings bill will establish standards for the time it takes samples to reach the lab–a strong step toward correcting this problem.

My legislation ensuring individual home care providers have sterile gloves will help better protect workers and those they care for in our community. This is not a glamorous job, and gloves protect against exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. This legislation will move our state toward assuring care providers the same access to these universal protections as other workers.

House Budgets Invest in Kids

 

Last week, the House passed the three supplemental budgets for additional public investment in transportation, infrastructure and public services. Public infrastructure creates jobs and lays the foundation for thriving communities.

The supplemental House capital budget prioritized school construction to help our local school districts provide smaller class sizes for grades K-3. It also included $1 million for the “Apple a Day” kitchen equipment grant that I developed with local stakeholders. This grant will make it easier for schools to prepare healthy food for children.

The House operating budget would close tax loopholes to invest in education and protect vital services like mental health and basic assistance for families in a tough spot. A foundational support system to help families get back on their feet is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House holds the line on TANF, but the Senate budget under-funds it by $27 million. Our children deserve a fair shot and the opportunity for a bright future, which is why I remain committed to protecting the core services that keep our community strong.

In these final days of session, our focus is on reconciling the differences between the House and Senate budgets. I continue to work hard to ensure our community’s values are at the table. It is an honor to serve you.

Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane

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Contact

 
In Olympia:
327 John L. O’Brien
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360)786-7888

In Spokane:
25 West Main
Spokane, WA 99201
(509)456-2760

Email: Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov

Legislative Assistant:
Michaela Williams
Michaela.Williams@leg.wa.gov