Dear friends and neighbors,
Thank you for placing your trust in me to represent our community in Olympia for another term. I’m thrilled to share the hard work already underway this legislative session to address affordability, public safety, behavioral health, and public-school funding.
To better understand what matters most to you and your family, please fill out this short survey. Your feedback helps shape the work I do on your behalf. I look forward to sharing your responses in my next newsletter.
Making Progress Quickly
Supporting Public Safety: I introduced House Bill 1428 to appropriate $100 million directly back to our local communities for law enforcement funding. By working closely with Governor Ferguson’s team, I want to ensure our officers are well-trained, well-equipped, and focused on keeping everyone safe.
Promoting Affordability for Families: I’m working to ease financial burdens for families through House Bill 1318, which exempts diapers from sales tax. In my new role as Vice Chair for Healthcare and Wellness Committee, I am working to keep insurance companies accountable by introducing a bill to require maternity coverage. This bill is scheduled for a hearing next week, as well as another bill that mandates transparency in insurance contracts.
Investing in Education: As part of my commitment to fully funding public schools, I’ve co-sponsored a bill to increase funding for special education and prime-sponsored a bill to fund school librarians. These investments ensure every child has the resources they need to succeed.
Improving Behavioral Health Access: To address the critical shortage of behavioral health providers, I’ve introduced legislation to increase funding for training professionals and expand the number of school social workers. These steps will improve access to care and enhance the quality of services across the state.
Supporting Families with Complex Needs: As always, I am working hard for our most vulnerable Washingtonians by prime sponsoring House Bill 1521 to support caregivers of children with very complex needs. I met some of these families this week and their love and dedication for their children was both inspiring and mind blowing. Those children need 24-hour medical care and some of those parents have been doing the work for many years without a break. They need more support and I am committed to fighting for them.
Your Role in Democracy
During odd years like 2025, the House and Senate meet for 105 straight days, weekends included. In even-numbered years, the Legislature meets for 60 days. Here are the major deadlines and milestones for the 2025 session:
During this legislative session, it’s easier than ever to see what’s happening in the state House of Representative—and to share your thoughts.
- You can watch any committee hearing or floor debate on tvw.org, either live or after the event.
- To share your story, you can testify live in committees or sign up to testify remotely.
- And you can reach me by email, regular mail, or the toll-free Hotline (1-800-562-6000).
If you’re interested in an issue, or passionate about solving a problem, please speak out!
Become a Legislative Page!
Applications are open for the House Page Program – and I still have slots available! Legislative pages are youth aged 14 – 16 who serve in Olympia for one week during the legislative session. They receive daily civics education, participate in mock committee hearings, and more. Click here for more information – including a scholarship opportunity.
Stay in Touch
I am here to represent you. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I encourage you to contact me or my legislative assistant, Jessica. You can also follow me on Facebook and my website for the latest updates.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best wishes,
