Session is here and there’s a lot to do!

January 20, 2022

Friends and neighbors,

There’s no denying that things are tough right now. Tough for families, for kids, for healthcare workers, for small business owners, for everyone just trying to get by. I hear and feel that. And I want to share with you why I have hope.

Last year, I came to the Legislature with a commitment to keep our most vulnerable community members front and center in every decision, and already more kids are learning outside because of the provisos we fought for to encourage outdoor education, new Main Street programs are being set up to support small rural businesses, and $38 million is being put to work in Whatcom County to build housing, sidewalks, parks, and trails. And just this week, the Port of Bellingham received $4 million to build out broadband in our community!

My priority for this session is to make sure that we recover, together. I was proud last year to vote for major investments in small business assistance, childcare and support for working families. This year our work continues to make sure everyone is brought along. My priorities have always been focused on most our most vulnerable neighbors, and to that end I have introduced bills to:

  • Give more kids the opportunity to learn outdoors (HB 2078)
  • Lower costs for working families and small businesses (HB 2018)
  • Secure funding for flood relief projects and create programs to support small businesses and farmers recovering from disasters (HB 1957/HB 2051)

This is just one slice of the work I’ll be doing to ensure your voices are represented in Olympia. Please see below for community resources how you can stay involved in our work this session.

We want to hear from you!

Session is virtual again this year, which means there are more ways for you to participate in the legislative process without making the long drive to Olympia. Below is your guide to navigating virtual session. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our democracy only works when we hear from you!

FEMA Flooding Assistance

On January 5, President Biden approved Washington state’s request for FEMA assistance to recover from flooding and mudslides that occurred between November 13 and November 15, 2021. This assistance is available to affected individuals and businesses in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties and Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Quileute Tribe.

If you are a resident or business owner who sustained damages in the November floods, you can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.

 

Asistencia de FEMA para inundaciones

El 5 de enero, el presidente Biden aprobó la solicitud del estado de Washington de asistencia de FEMA para recuperarse de las inundaciones y deslizamientos de tierra que ocurrieron entre el 13 y el 15 de noviembre de 2021. Esta asistencia está disponible para las personas y empresas afectadas en los condados de Clallam, Skagit y Whatcom, y las Tribus Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian, y Quileute.

Si usted es residente o dueño de un negocio que sufrió daños en las inundaciones de noviembre, puede comenzar a solicitar asistencia registrándose en línea en www.DisasterAssistance.gov/es o llamando al 1-800-621-3362. La asistencia puede incluir ayuda para vivienda temporal y reparaciones en el hogar, préstamos de bajo costo para cubrir pérdidas de propiedad no aseguradas y otros programas para ayudar a personas y empresarios a recuperarse.

 

Thank you,

Alicia Rule