Photo credit: LSS
House votes unanimously on a code of conduct
My first recorded vote of the 2019 legislative session was in favor of passing a code of conduct for the state legislature. House Concurrent Resolution 4401 creates acceptable workplace behavior standards that will apply to all of the legislative community, including legislators, staff and lobbyists. The measure received unanimous support and passed off the House floor on Thursday, January 24.
Having a code of conduct keeps our staff, guests and fellow legislators safe and ensures that all people feel comfortable participating in the legislative process. A healthy democracy only works with an active and engaged citizenry. I am proud to have voted in favor of this important resolution.
A prescription for food insecurity
This session I am proposing legislation to help address a health epidemic disproportionately affecting those facing food insecurity. House Bill 1587 aims to combat rising obesity rates, heart disease and diabetes by expanding access to fresh produce for people on food assistance. The Spokesman Review covered the proposal in a column published on January 23.
Through increasing fruit and vegetable benefits in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and expanding the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would have greater access to healthy food options. Too often, families struggling financially live in ‘food deserts’ where access to healthy foods is either limited or unaffordable. My bill would allow health care providers to write prescriptions for fresh produce, let SNAP recipients shop at farmer’s markets, and get extra funds for fruits and vegetables in grocery stores. It had a public hearing in the House Committee on Human Services and Early Learning, and will hopefully advance out of that committee by the end of this week.
#DitchTheSwitch
One bill I’m bringing forth this session is already generating a lot of attention, as well as bipartisan support. House Bill 1196 would put Washington state on permanent Daylight Savings Time. I came to this idea after seeing a health impact review from the state Department of Health on the effects that “falling back” has on our body’s natural rhythms. In this video, I talk about why I think our state would be better off if we #DitchTheSwitch, and how my bill lets the people of Washington weigh in. This week I also went on Q13 News, where reporter Travis Mayfield interviewed me live on the morning show about the bill. Let me know what you think about this idea.
Sign up for the Feb. 12 telephone town hall
Together with Rep. Timm Ormsby and Sen. Andy Billig, I’m hosting a one hour telephone town hall for constituents of the 3rd Legislative District on Tuesday, February 12 beginning at 6:00 p.m. It’s a chance for you to ask us questions about the issues we’re working on. We will be calling households in the district that evening and inviting you to stay on the line to listen in and ask your questions. However, we are only permitted to call landlines, which leaves out many of you who only have a mobile phone number. If you want to sign up to receive a call from us on February 12, please click here. Thank you, and we’re looking forward to listening to you and answering your questions.
It’s an honor to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have questions, feedback, or concerns.
Best regards,
