Dear friends and neighbors,
The 2020 legislative session is off to a quick and great start, and I’ve been hard at work as Chair of the Housing, Community Development, and Veterans Committee. We’re focused on reducing homelessness and giving cities and counties more tools to respond to the homelessness and housing affordability crises in their communities.
We have many additional priorities in front of us this year too, like reducing the high cost of child care, protecting the environment, and keeping the Shoreline Community College Dental Hygiene program open.
We’ll only be in session for 60 days this year, so please get in touch with me and let me know your priorities.
Yours in service,
Saving the Shoreline Community College Dental Hygiene Program
One of my top priorities this year is to save the Shoreline Community College Dental Hygiene program.
You may be aware that there’s a proposal to demolish the building housing the program. SCC has had a dental hygiene program since the 1970s and has served many thousands of low-income patients.
Displacing the program would be extremely challenging for students, staff and patients.
Before the holidays, Rep. Davis, Sen. Salomon, and I sent this letter to SCC leadership outlining our concerns.
The Seattle Times has also written about the issue.
I’ll continue to share updates as our work on this important issue continues.
House Approves Nation’s First ‘Office of Equity’ on MLK Day
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, House Democrats voted in equality for ALL people by passing legislation to create the nation’s first ‘Office of Equity’ (House Bill 1783) to help reduce systemic disparities in Washington state.
Since Dr. King voiced his dream for a more just America, we have come far. However systemic inequalities still exist. Too many people are being left behind.
I am proud to say that Washington is leading the nation in bringing Dr. King’s vision of equality, opportunity and fairness for ALL people to reality.
Read more in the Kent Reporter.