Virtual Town Hall Video, Films in WA, and Video Update

Dear friends and neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Virtual Town Hall last night. It is an honor to represent such an informed and passionate district. I enjoyed getting the chance to hear directly from you and to answer the questions that are important to you. If you were not able to attend last night, you can watch the video below.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our Virtual Town Hall last night! It is an honor to represent such an informed and passionate district. I enjoyed getting the chance to hear directly from you and to answer the questions that are important to you.


Keeping Motion Pictures in Washington

Zombies
Zombie extras on the set of Z Nation, a TV show that was actually filmed in WA

At this point, it is a common occurrence. You are watching a show set right here in Washington, and while looking in the background for things you might recognize, something seems not quite right. You look at the filming locations and see that it was filmed in Vancouver BC.

It seems like British Columbia and Oregon score all of the movie shoots, but Washington is a scenic wonderland full of talented professionals. We should also be benefiting from the film economy. That is why this year I am partnering with Washington Filmworks to introduce HB 1914. This bill will give Washington Filmworks the authority to expand its diversity, equity, and inclusion program and to revamp its current board. Crucially, it will also increase funding for the Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) to $20 million. The MCPC was created by the Legislature in 2006 to attract and retain film industry investment in Washington. Sadly, it has never been sufficiently funded and we have fallen behind our neighbors to the north and south.

Increasing the funding for the MPCP will make Washington a more competitive location to shoot films. Bringing more films and their corresponding economic benefits to our state will help take our creative economy to the next level.

Video Update: Safe Staffing and Feeding Kids

In this video update, I describe my two most important bills this session. HB 1868 requires safe staffing standards in hospitals to protect healthcare workers and patients and HB 1878 expands free school lunches so that more kids can get the fuel they need to grow. Both bills have been passed out of their respective policy committees with HB 1878 receiving a rare unanimous vote. Learn more about the policies below.


As always, it’s an honor to serve our community.

Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli