-
E-newsletter: That’s a wrap on the 2019 legislative session | May 3, 2019
Whew… The 2019 Session ended late last Sunday night after a marathon of long days and nights over the last week. Democratic majorities in the House and Senate allowed us…
READ MORE
-
Bill to increase development of affordable condos passes legislature | April 22, 2019
OLYMPIA – A bill to encourage development of affordable condos passed its final hurdle on Friday, April 19, and is now heading to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 5334 will…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: Investing in our State’s Infrastructure | April 15, 2019
This week we are highlighting two budgets: the transportation budget and the capital budget. You can read more about the operating budget in this earlier e-newsletter. Next steps? Negotiations with…
READ MORE
-
Video update: Washington’s foster care system | April 15, 2019
Check out my latest video update on the crisis in Washington’s foster care system and what the legislature is doing to make things better for the young people who are…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: Town hall Saturday, climate change and more | March 21, 2019
Climate bills moving forward Thousands of kids staged a walkout last week to demand adults address climate change now. They know, I know, we are seeing the dramatic impact humans…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Advocating for early learning | March 5, 2019
Check out this video I recently filmed with some of my colleagues about the importance of early learning and childcare for kids, parents, and the economy. I am happy to…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: Upcoming Town Hall, bills on the move…and in the news | February 27, 2019
Policy Cutoff Last week was policy committee cutoff at the Legislature. With over 2000 bills introduced this session, it is a challenge to make sure that everything keeps moving…
READ MORE
-
Video update: Arming teachers with tools to support mental health | February 25, 2019
Check out my latest video update about increasing school safety by giving teachers, staff and students the tools they need to support student mental health and well-being. The bill I…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: Taking care of the care workers | February 12, 2019
I hope you stayed warm and safe during the snowstorm this week. The Legislature was closed Monday, for the first time in anyone’s recent memory. But we are back, doing…
READ MORE
-
Video update: Helping struggling families | February 7, 2019
Check out my latest video update about helping struggling families, including heart wrenching testimony on the need to reform some of the requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: Keeping schools safe and people housed | January 30, 2019
Affordable housing In my most recent legislative video update I discussed the affordable housing crisis and a bill I am working on to help address the lack of affordable housing…
READ MORE
-
E-newsletter: 2019 Legislative session is off and running | January 15, 2019
Happy New Year First and foremost, thank you for the opportunity to once again serve you in the Washington House of Representatives. As we usher in the New Year, I…
READ MORE
-
Rep. Tana Senn elected as chair of the Human Services and Early Learning Committee | December 17, 2018
OLYMPIA – The Washington House Democrats just announced that Rep. Tana Senn, D – Mercer Island, will chair the Human Services and Early Learning Committee beginning in the 2019 legislative…
READ MORE
-
2018 End of Session Newsletter from Rep. Senn | May 7, 2018
Click here to read Rep. Tana Senn’s end of session newsletter for the 2018 legislative session.
-
Senn Receives 2018 Champion for Children and Youth Award | May 3, 2018
OLYMPIA – State Representative Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, was recently honored for her work advocating for policies and investments to promote positive outcomes for children and youth. On Tuesday, April…
READ MORE
-
Exciting Wins in Housing, Education & Construction | March 30, 2018
In a quick session, it is difficult to get everything done that you want to. I’m proud to share that despite time limitations, I was able to ensure unique and…
READ MORE
-
Governor signs Equal Pay & Children’s mental health legislation! | March 23, 2018
A good week to be a woman in Washington On Wednesday, Governor Inslee signed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act into law! I am beyond proud that this historic legislation passed…
READ MORE
-
Governor signs Equal Pay Opportunity Act | March 21, 2018
OLYMPIA—This morning, in his conference room packed with lawmakers, advocates and supporters, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act into law. Washington was one the first states in…
READ MORE
-
MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor Inslee to sign Equal Pay Opportunity Act Wednesday | March 19, 2018
Governor Jay Inslee will sign House Bill 1506, the Equal Pay Opportunity Act, this Wednesday, March 21st, at 10:30 a.m. The bill signing ceremony will be held in the Governor’s…
READ MORE
-
School Walkouts & Foster Youth | March 19, 2018
Students walk out in protest of gun violence Kids across America—including students from schools in our district—walked out in protest on Wednesday, demanding that their leaders take steps to ensure their…
READ MORE
-
Washington minds the gap: Legislature passes Equal Pay Opportunity Act | March 7, 2018
OLYMPIA—It was 1943 when Washington passed a law making it illegal to pay a woman less than a man for similar work. Three-quarters of a century later, a white woman…
READ MORE
-
My statement on transparency and Senate Bill 6617 | March 2, 2018
Transparency and Senate Bill 6617 Thank you to those who reached out to engage with me on the issue of public records. Overwhelmingly, people expressed concern about the lack of…
READ MORE
-
Guns, Government Transparency & the Paris Climate Agreement | February 28, 2018
Now is the time for common-sense gun legislation In the wake of so many mass shootings nationwide – in schools, in churches, in workplaces – Washingtonians are calling on lawmakers…
READ MORE
-
Senn hails passage of legislation banning bump stocks | February 23, 2018
OLYMPIA—Earlier today, the House of Representatives approved legislation to ban bump-fire stocks. Senate Bill 5992, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, passed the House on a bipartisan vote…
READ MORE
-
House passes Senn legislation on children’s mental health | February 16, 2018
OLYMPIA—Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed legislation to improve access to mental health services for children and youth on a strong, bipartisan vote of 84-14. House Bill 2779,…
READ MORE
-
Putting People First | February 15, 2018
Taking Action to Put People First Last week, Democrats in Olympia shone a light on how we are fighting for the families of Washington state. From empowering women with the Equal Pay Opportunity…
READ MORE
-
House approves Senn legislation to extend health care benefits for former foster youth | February 9, 2018
OLYMPIA—Last night, the House of Representatives approved legislation to extend health care benefits for former foster youth during the transition from foster care back into the home. House Bill 2530,…
READ MORE
-
Our 41st District Town Hall & Policy News | February 8, 2018
SAVE THE DATE: District Town Hall Please join me, along with Senator Lisa Wellman and Representative Judy Clibborn, at the 41st Legislative District Town Hall on Saturday, February 17, from 10…
READ MORE
-
Senn legislation increasing housing for individuals with developmental disabilities passes House | February 1, 2018
OLYMPIA—Earlier today, the House of Representatives approved legislation to increase the availability of housing for people with developmental disabilities. House Bill 2448, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, passed…
READ MORE
-
Net Neutrality, Car Tabs & State Patrol Guns | February 1, 2018
Protecting our Communities from Gun Violence There is no simple solution to preventing gun violence, but here in the Legislature, we’ve been working to find common sense measures that will…
READ MORE
-
Building a better Washington | January 25, 2018
The capital budget signed into law The new $4.18 billion capital budget, which has now been signed into law, will create thousands of jobs in every corner of the state—and…
READ MORE
-
Clibborn and Senn cheer passage of $4 billion construction budget | January 19, 2018
OLYMPIA—Construction projects across the state of Washington and the 41st District now have the funding they need after the House and Senate passed the state’s $4 billion construction budget. “This…
READ MORE
-
Equal Pay Passes the House! | January 18, 2018
Yesterday, the House passed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act for the fourth year in a row! I am so proud to be sponsoring this strong legislation for working women and…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: The Equal Pay Opportunity Act | January 17, 2018
-
Fourth time could be the charm for Equal Pay in Washington | January 17, 2018
OLYMPIA—After active negotiations between the business and labor communities, the Washington House of Representatives passed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act this morning on a 69-28 vote. This is the fourth year…
READ MORE
-
Senn sponsors resolution calling for appropriate funding for the 2020 Census | January 16, 2018
OLYMPIA – On Monday, January 15, Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, introduced a bipartisan joint resolution calling on the federal government to fund the 2020 Census adequately. In addition, the…
READ MORE
-
Welcome to the 2018 Session | January 8, 2018
Welcome to the 2018 Session Today marks the beginning of the 2018 Legislative Session. I am excited to be back in Olympia, and I look forward to continuing to advocate…
READ MORE
-
Senn Receives 2017 Child Health Advocate Award | November 20, 2017
OLYMPIA – State Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) was recently honored for her legislative work advocating for children’s mental health in Washington state. On Wednesday, November 15, Senn received the…
READ MORE
-
An Education Update: State and Local Changes | September 11, 2017
The Impact of the New Education Funding Plan Now that the school year has started across the district, I wanted to share my latest video update on the new education…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: The Impact of the New Education Funding Plan | August 31, 2017
-
No Capital Budget is Bad News | July 31, 2017
Lack of capital budget hurts Washington’s kids, infrastructure, economy While we made great strides in funding public education this session, it’s disappointing that the Senate failed to pass a construction…
READ MORE
-
A victory for paid family leave and passing the state budget | July 7, 2017
Washington state makes history with new paid family leave program Earlier this week, Governor Inslee signed Senate Bill 5975 into law, and Washington became the fifth state in the nation to…
READ MORE
-
Eastside lawmakers vote against Republican $4 billion statewide property tax increase to pay for schools | July 5, 2017
OLYMPIA — Sen. Lisa Wellman, Rep. Tana Senn, and Rep. Judy Clibborn, Democrats from Mercer Island, voted against a Republican proposal to increase property taxes statewide by $4 billion over…
READ MORE
-
Policy Issues Still in the Mix | June 26, 2017
Policy Issues Still in the Mix I hope you had a great weekend enjoying the hot days, Pride celebrations, high school and university graduations, Eid al-Fitr and more! Back in…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Implications of a state government shutdown | June 23, 2017
-
Practical New Laws that May Fly Under the Radar | May 22, 2017
Practical Benefits of Laws We Just Passed Although work continues in Olympia to find a solution to fully fund education, we did pass some important legislation during the regular session. Working across the…
READ MORE
-
State Republicans’ tax plan could hit Eastside property owners hard. | May 18, 2017
OLYMPIA – Households along much of the I-405 corridor would see a sharp property tax increase as a result of the state Republicans’ K-12 education funding plan. The Senate Republican…
READ MORE
-
Transportation, Community Safety, and our Legislative Pages! | May 9, 2017
Investing in transportation Having passed both chambers, the bipartisan transportation budget has been delivered to Governor Inslee and is awaiting his signature. The budget allocates approximately $8.7 billion in much…
READ MORE
-
Stalled Negotiations and the End of Regular Session | April 21, 2017
Senate Republicans refuse to negotiate It has become clear that the legislature will need to go into overtime in order to get our work done this year. While making decisions…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Investing in Washington | April 18, 2017
-
Children’s mental health passes! | April 13, 2017
Children’s mental health passes! I am so proud to say that yesterday, the Senate passed my children’s mental health bill, HB 1713! On the same day, my op-ed on the…
READ MORE
-
House budget invests in Washington’s families | March 31, 2017
OLYMPIA – The “Families First” budget passed by House Democrats on Friday, March 31, includes critical investments in programs and services that benefit the children and families of Washington state….
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Putting ‘Families First’ | March 31, 2017
-
The Senate Republican Budget and Town Hall Update | March 24, 2017
Why the Senate Republican budget will not work for Washington House Democrats knew the Senate Republican budget proposal would rely on cuts that harm our children, families and our state…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Transportation and ST3 | March 17, 2017
-
‘Levy cliff’ fix passes! | March 10, 2017
Levy cliff update: It passed and is on to the Governor’s desk! Wednesday night, the Senate finally passed their version of the “levy cliff bill,” sponsored by our own 41st…
READ MORE
-
House passes Equal Pay, Supporting working women and the Upcoming Town Hall! | March 9, 2017
Equal Pay Passes! Last night, on International Women’s Day, the House passed my Equal Pay Opportunity Act! I am so proud to be sponsoring this strong bill for women and families. This…
READ MORE
-
House approves Equal Pay Opportunity Act | March 8, 2017
OLYMPIA—The Equal Pay Opportunity Act was the last bill considered on the House floor this evening. It passed on a 61-36 vote and is on its way to the Senate….
READ MORE
-
MEDIA ADVISORY- Passage of Equal Pay Opportunity Act anticipated today | March 8, 2017
Passage of the Equal Pay Opportunity Act is anticipated later today. Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), the bill’s sponsor, will be available for questions from reporters in the wings of…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Saying No to Hate | March 8, 2017
-
Podcast: Saying no to hate, with Rep. Tana Senn and Rabbi Daniel Weiner | March 8, 2017
Rep. Tana Senn and Rabbi Daniel Weiner discuss the rise in anti-Semitism and acts of hate across the nation, and what’s being done about it here in Washington state. Click the play…
READ MORE
-
41st Legislative District Town Hall | March 6, 2017
Who: State Rep. Tana Senn, State Rep. Judy Clibborn, and State Sen. Lisa Wellman What: Town hall meeting When: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017 Where: Somerset Elementary School,…
READ MORE
-
Video Update: Student Loans | March 1, 2017
-
Statement Condemning Bomb Threat at Mercer Island JCC | February 28, 2017
In response to the bomb threat at the Jewish Community Center in their own community of Mercer Island, Rep. Tana Senn, Rep. Judy Clibborn and Senator Lisa Wellman, issued the…
READ MORE
-
Day of Remembrance, Preventing Gun Violence and Civics for Kids | February 24, 2017
Day of Remembrance and standing up to federal executive orders On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. That order resulted in 120,000 Japanese-Americans and people of…
READ MORE
-
House passes strong education proposal | February 22, 2017
Keeping our promise to one million school kids The House of Representatives voted today to approve HB 1843, a bill that would ensure our schools are fully funded and that…
READ MORE
-
Day of Remembrance Video | February 15, 2017
-
Immigration Executive Order, Education Funding & Childcare | February 10, 2017
Washington v. Trump’s Executive Order President Trump’s executive order that restricted all refugees and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries was a shock. As the granddaughter of Holocaust refugees, and…
READ MORE
-
VIDEO UPDATE: Children’s Mental Health | February 3, 2017
-
MEDIA ADVISORY: Individuals touched by children’s mental health issues available after bill hearing | January 31, 2017
WHO: Rep. Tana Senn (41st Legislative District) Mary Richards Roseann Martinez WHAT: Hearing on House Bill 1713, related to children’s mental health and media availability with affected individuals WHERE: Olympia,…
READ MORE
-
Labor Committee approves Equal Pay, Salary History, and Fair Chance measures | January 30, 2017
Labor Committee approves Equal Pay, Salary History, and Fair Chance measures The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee passed three bills Monday that could help close the gender wage gap…
READ MORE
-
Levy Cliff, Social Emotional Learning & Equal Pay | January 26, 2017
Extending the Levy Cliff Passes the House! The House passed its first bill of the 2017 Legislative session on Monday—extending the levy lid lift! (Also known as the “Levy Cliff”…
READ MORE
-
Senn pushes for equal pay again | January 24, 2017
This afternoon, the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard compelling testimony from advocates, workers and business owners in support of HB 1506, the Equal Pay Opportunity Act aimed at…
READ MORE
-
MEDIA ADVISORY: Equal Pay and Salary History to be heard today at 1:30 PM | January 24, 2017
Today at 1:30 PM, the House Labor and Workforce Standards Committee will hear public testimony on two bills that would support Washington families by improving economic conditions for working women:…
READ MORE
-
Rep. Tana Senn introduces legislation to help students gain social and emotional skills, reduce summer learning loss | January 20, 2017
OLYMPIA – Rep. Tana Senn is looking out for kids who need a little extra help with the bill she introduced today (HB1518) to increase the availability of social emotional…
READ MORE
-
Welcome to the 2017 Legislative Session | January 16, 2017
Greetings from Olympia! During the first week of the 2017 legislative session, I was officially sworn in to serve the constituents of the 41st District for my second full term….
READ MORE
-
Legislative update from Rep. Tana Senn | December 1, 2016
Dear Neighbor, I’m happy to report that the 41st Legislative District voted overwhelmingly to send me back to Olympia as their State Representative. It has been an honor to serve…
READ MORE
-
Election year restrictions in effect | June 30, 2016
Because this is an election year, certain restrictions on my external communications are currently in effect, to avoid even the appearance of using state resources for election purposes. Those restrictions…
READ MORE
-
Senn Elected Chair of Children’s Mental Health Work Group | June 27, 2016
Children’s mental health is a burgeoning field with more and more research focused on the importance of brain development in the first six years of life and the negative and…
READ MORE
-
Representative Tana Senn gets Crayon Award for her advocacy on behalf of young children | June 2, 2016
June 2, 2016 Legislative news from Rep. Tana Senn Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) has been selected by the Early Learning Action Alliance as a Crayon Award recipient for 2016….
READ MORE
-
End of session newsletter from Rep. Tana Senn | May 4, 2016
It’s been an exciting year in the Legislature and wanted to share with you a few policies that effect our community, our kids, and our economy. OUR ECONOMY Bellevue College:…
READ MORE
-
A look at our 2016 budgets | April 28, 2016
Budget Overview In our closing e-newsletter of the 2016 session, I want to share with you a little about the operating and capital budgets and how they work together to…
READ MORE
-
Statement by Representative Tana Senn Recognizing April 12 as Equal Pay Day | April 12, 2016
OLYMPIA – Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), the lead sponsor of Washington State’s equal pay bill, released the following statement today in recognition of Equal Pay Day – which marks…
READ MORE
-
How did your priorities fare this session? | April 7, 2016
With special session wrapped up, and the supplemental budget on its way to the Governor’s desk, I want to respond to YOUR questions. Below is a quick update on the…
READ MORE
-
An Update from the Legislative Session | March 16, 2016
Today is the final day of the 2016 regular legislative session. However, with agreement on a supplemental budget still in the works, it seems likely that we still have a…
READ MORE
-
Fairness, funding and families | March 3, 2016
We’re heading into the home stretch of the 2016 legislative session with each chamber considering bills passed by the other. The heavy lifting around the three budgets (operating, capital and…
READ MORE
-
Senate budget hurts, House budget invests in Washington’s local government priorities | February 29, 2016
OLYMPIA – The state House and Senate budgets offer vastly different approaches to the problems facing Washington’s cities, counties and other local governments. Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), who chairs…
READ MORE
-
Rep. Senn’s floor statement on Holocaust | February 26, 2016
The following remarks were made on February 25, 2016 in support of an amendment to the House Supplemental Operating Budget. Amendment 826 provides $250,000 to Western Washington University for the endowment…
READ MORE
-
Teachers, traffic, town hall, and more | February 18, 2016
We are halfway through this year’s legislative session. Bills that have been passed by the House or the Senate now are sent to the other body for consideration. Other bills…
READ MORE
-
Safer buildings, safer communities through a cooperative approach | February 16, 2016
OLYMPIA – The organization charged with creating codes to ensure safety of the buildings within which Washingtonians live, work and play would continue operating, under a bill approved by the…
READ MORE
-
Bellevue College, others may soon be able to provide full four-year degrees | February 15, 2016
OLYMPIA – Washington students may soon have more higher-education options. The state House today passed HB 2769, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), to create a pilot program for…
READ MORE
-
Vulnerable kids to get needed stability under measure passed by the House | February 12, 2016
OLYMPIA – Providing stability for Washington’s most vulnerable children is the intent of a bill passed today by the state House. HB 2716, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island),…
READ MORE
-
Rep. Senn named Legislator of the Week by Fuse Washington | February 8, 2016
Rep. Tana Senn earns “Legislator of the Week” Award for work on equal pay Fuse Washington named Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) as the “Legislator of the Week” for her…
READ MORE
-
Women, K-12 education and community colleges | February 5, 2016
A great week for women I am thrilled to announce that this week the House passed my equal pay legislation, HB 1646. This bill, known as the Equal Pay Opportunity…
READ MORE
-
Rep Senn’s floor statement on passage of HR 1646 – Equal Pay | February 5, 2016
Approved by the Washington House of Representatives on February 3, 2016 America is a nation founded on the ideal that all of us are created equal. That should hold…
READ MORE
-
State House approves equal pay legislation | February 3, 2016
OLYMPIA – Washington State took a major step toward pay equity today with the passage of the Equal Pay Opportunity Act. HB 1646, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island),…
READ MORE
-
Shortages, savings, and sentencing | February 1, 2016
Greetings from Olympia! I’m honored to represent you in the state House of Representatives as we continue to work on addressing Washington’s pressing needs. Teacher Shortage at a Crisis Point…
READ MORE
-
Equal pay for equal work – just not in Washington State | January 28, 2016
OLYMPIA – Friday, January 29 marks the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, reaffirming the rights of individuals who have suffered from…
READ MORE