Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s the Monday after sine die – which means the Legislature has just wrapped up a 60-day blitz of lawmaking. And let me tell you it was exciting, challenging and fast-paced! But the feeling I’m left with this week is gratitude. Gratitude to be able to do this work. Gratitude to be able to serve you. Gratitude to be part of building a better Washington. The work is far from over and the path ahead will take more resolve than ever. Today, I’m taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together.
- We invested in education: We secured funding to support schools, provide more nurses and counselors statewide, and expanded outdoor education to get kids out from behind screens and into nature.
- Took steps to address public safety: We worked with law enforcement and community leaders to clarify police reform laws, funded Basic Law Enforcement Academy classes, expanded domestic violence and sexual assault programs, and invested historic levels in behavioral health.
- Supported small business: Provided funding for small business disaster response, innovation and resiliency, $100 million for hospitality businesses to keep their doors open, lowered liquor license fees and expanded the small business B&O tax credit for the first time in over a decade.
- Created jobs and construction projects in our community: Secured an additional $22 million for Whatcom County including flooding mitigation projects and Nooksack school repair, affordable housing, behavioral health, renovation of the smelter and more.
I introduced nine bills this session and now four are on their way to the Governor’s desk! Some were even rolled into future work in the budget! There’s so much more to recap and so much more ahead. I’ll be reaching out in the next few weeks to talk about what we accomplished together and where we can go next. For now, I’m going to enjoy some time with my family before getting back to the grind! Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and our community. It is truly the honor of a lifetime.
Best wishes,
