Thank you to everyone who came out for our student mobile office, and to Spokane Community College for allowing us to set up shop in the Lair Student Center and for getting the word out to students in our area.
Serving as your voice in the state House is an honor. Representing the best interests of the people of Spokane would not be possible without crucial conversations with folks in our community and boots-on-the-ground advocates. Mobile offices provide a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one in a causal setting, hear varied perspectives, and talk solutions. Still, too often our youth aren’t given a louder voice when having these impactful discussions. That is why hosting a student mobile office was so important.
On Monday, I spoke with several students about their experiences, hopes, and ideas. Unsurprisingly, education was a recurring topic.
I heard about the value of Running Start for families in Spokane, which allows high school students to take college classes for credit. Not only does Running Start put kids on the fast-track to a degree, it saves students and families from crippling student loan debt.
One dental student spoke about the need for more dental residencies, how they will enrich her program, and the importance of hands-on learning.
Hearing from both students and parents, the message was loud and clear: opportunities today pay off in spades throughout a lifetime.
The conversation didn’t stop at education though. Students in our community are laser-focused on what waits for them after graduation. From nursing and dental assisting students, to high school student advocates for career and technical education, the younger generation is paying close attention to the fields they are hoping to enter and how public policy will affect them.
I will continue to look for chances to engage with students and young people in our district, making sure their voices are heard. A healthy democracy only works with active and robust participation.
It’s an honor to serve you. This will be my last e-newsletter to you in 2019. State ethics laws around election year activity prohibit me from sending newsletters in the period between December 1 and the start of the 2020 legislative session, which is January 13. But in the meantime, I can still respond to your questions, feedback, or concerns, so please don’t hesitate to email me.
Best regards,
