Dear friends and neighbors,
After two years of remote policy making, I am excited to be back in Olympia for the 2023 Legislative Session and to welcome you back to in-person engagement in our democratic process!
The most important legislation that lawmakers are required to adopt are the 2023–2025 biennial capital budget, operating budget, and transportation budget bills. The way we choose to fund the interests and needs of our communities is a statement of our values and I am committed to infusing these documents with our collective desire for equity, shared prosperity, and sustainability.
I believe we must prioritize policies that expand educational pathways for every student, to increase equitable economic opportunity for marginalized members of our community, and to preserve and protect the diverse historical communities that helped build our great state. I look forward to working with my colleagues to accomplish these goals.
How You Can Engage In The Legislative Process
There are several ways to stay informed and involved during the 2023 legislative session.
- Learn — Are you curious about how the legislative process works? You can watch a start-to-finish overview by clicking here. If you prefer to read text instead, follow this link.
- Watch — TVW.org broadcasts all legislative debates, votes, public committee hearings, and other events in both the House and Senate. TVW also links to an extensive archive of past events if you are unable to watch them live. Check out TVW’s “Legislative Review” for a quick recap of everything that happens each day of session.
- Research — Find detailed information about legislation by lawmaker or topic by clicking here.
- Testify — Share your thoughts on legislation! This session, you’ll be able to testify in person, remotely or in writing based on what’s easiest for you. Click here for more information on how to testify in Olympia or at home in the 37th district.
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No matter how you choose to engage, your participation matters and your input informs our legislative work. I welcome your thoughts and appreciate your civic participation.
Legislative Page Program Is Back
With the Legislature returning to in-person meetings in Olympia, the legislative page program is back and accepting applications! The page program gives young Washington residents the chance to learn and participate in the legislative process by attending page school, assisting legislative offices, delivering messages and working on the House and Senate floors.
This unique opportunity is open to Washington residents who are at least 14 years old but have not reached their 17th birthday. This year only, the House is allowing 17- and 18-year-olds to participate during two specific weeks since the program was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please note that we have a scholarship program available to students interested in the page program. The goal of the scholarship is to encourage all students – regardless of income level – to participate in the page program by helping to offset the expense of travel to and staying in Olympia during their week of service. By reducing the financial burden for families, the legislature hopes to make participation of this great educational opportunity economically feasible for students across Washington. For more information, please visit the page program’s website by clicking here. For more information about the Gina Grant Bull Memorial Legislative Page Scholarship Program, please follow this link.
In Service,
State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos
37th Legislative District