Nearing the End

Last Wednesday marked the final day for the House to pass Senate bills, and for the Senate to pass legislation from the House.

I was pleased that several of my priority bills have passed out of the Senate and await the Governor’s signature.

• House Bill 1285 will save lives by ensuring that every newborn in Washington is screened for critical congenital heart defects.
• House Bill 2021 will help people access the medicine they need by expanding eligibility for the Prescription Drug Assistance Foundation.

I was frustrated that the Senate held up legislation I prime-sponsored to help people with a mental health crisis. While the House prioritized fixing our broken mental health system, Senate Republicans decided not to give Sheena and Chris Henderson’s law a straight up or down vote.

But it was a significant achievement–and a shared victory for our community–when my legislation paving the way for a new WSU Medical School in Spokane was signed by the Governor on April 1st.

It has been a privilege to champion these pieces of legislation, which will promote healthy families and communities in Washington state.

Transportation Investments Create Jobs and Mobility

The House Transportation revenue package passed out of the Transportation Committee last week. The projects funded in this proposal will improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase transportation options in our region while creating family-wage jobs.

I serve on the Transportation chair’s revenue cabinet, and I have worked to ensure that our community’s priorities are represented in the proposal.

Specifically, the House proposal includes:

• $750 Million to connect the North Spokane Corridor to I-90
• $18.025 Million to kick-start the Central City Line rapid transit system
• $8.8 Million: U-District Gateway Bridge

These projects will lay the foundation for the 21st century transportation infrastructure our community needs.

Capital Improvements Help Build Communities

 

The House Capital Budget was voted out of our chamber last week. Capital projects create family wage jobs and provide needed infrastructure like schools, mental health facilities, and community buildings.

Our proposal brings a number of investments home to our community, including improvements at NEWTECH Skill Center, Spokane Community College, EWU, and Riverside State Park.

It also provides important infrastructure funding for these excellent community programs:

• $300,000 for the Women & Children’s Free Restaurant
• $238,000 for an adaptive baseball field at Mission Park
• $85,000 for the MLK Jr. Family Outreach Center Expansion
• $18,000 for the Spokane Children’s Theater’s new home

 

The House Capital Budget also invests in projects to foster the Healthiest Next Generation, including $5 Million for school play equipment, water bottle filling stations, and the Apple a Day school nutrition grant, which is based on my legislation.

Many schools would love to provide healthier food for kids, but they lack the infrastructure and equipment to make more nutritious meals. The Apple a Day grant would help schools access the tools they need to fix the healthy meals that help kids thrive.

As we approach the final days of session, I will continue to advocate for our community’s shared priorities, including family-wage jobs, quality schools, and support for seniors, veterans, and our most vulnerable.

Our community is stronger when none of us are left behind. I look forward to working with you to promote opportunity and economic security for all of us in Washington state.

It is an honor to serve you.

Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane