Dear Friends and Family,
As I revisit every part of our district, I’ve been meeting one-on-one with community members over coffee. Your thoughts and experiences are critical to ensuring that I best represent you!
In between our meetings, I continue to regularly volunteer at Mount Vernon’s Skagit Friendship House community kitchen. It is fulfilling to be part of the cooking team for Skagit County’s only no-cost meal service to people who are homeless.
As interim enters its final months before the 2024 legislative session, I’d like to share just two of many priorities:
Environmental Protection
As we experience record-breaking summer temperatures, increased coastal flooding, and extreme drought, the environment is my top priority. My office is tackling this crisis in two ways.
First, the agricultural community plays an important role in environmental sustainability. From healthy, sustainable farming practices to protecting water sources, farmers can be our greatest environmental allies.
I will be reintroducing House Bill 1412 that bans foreign governments and entities from purchasing our farmland. Farmers are stewards of the land and use the best local farming practices to care for our communities. Looking at environmental resiliency from the long-term perspective, it is evident that foreign ownership puts our community’s food security, water availability, and overall resiliency at risk.
I am also working with farmers and farmworkers on House Bill 1857 which gives a tax credit for cover crops, biochar, and other sustainable practices. Farmers work hard to protect and improve our environment, and I’m committed to working with them to make it easier for sustainable and healthy farming practices. It’s a win-win for our farmers and nature.
Second, I believe that investment in new technologies is critical for a clean future. As one of the youngest legislators, I am always looking to the future – and green hydrogen and fusion must be part of the renewable energy equation.
I will be reintroducing House Bill 1768 that encourages the deployment of green hydrogen by utility providers. Last week, I went to Copenhagen to attend “Decarbonizing the Gas Grid: The Role of Renewable Fuels in Denmark’s Path to Carbon Neutrality.” During the 2023 legislative session, the legislature was successful in obtaining funding as part of the push for the hydrogen hub program. Now is the time to fully commit as we move towards decarbonizing our transportation and utility sector.
Moreover, as chair of the Nuclear Energy Caucus, I will be visiting fusion companies in Puget Sound. As we see breakthrough-after-breakthrough, the reality of an entirely clean future is no longer an impossible goal. I am dedicated to remaining on the forefront of this energy revolution.
Supporting Our Military and Veterans
As one of just a handful of veterans serving in the WA House of Representatives, I led on numerous veteran priorities during the 2023 legislative session.
We passed House Bill 1346 which recognizes schools that support our military-connected students. As they face frequent moves and parental deployments, this program is critical to ensuring social-emotional and academic resources. With the Purple Star Award, military families can feel relieved knowing that their child is supported at school.
Working with Rep. Sharon Wylie, we expanded property tax relief for veterans. Many of them face housing instability and are at risk of homelessness. The legislation we passed expands eligibility for a property tax exemption, so they don’t lose their home. It is simply unacceptable that we have homeless and struggling veterans who swore an oath to protect our country, and it’s past time to do something.
I also fought for continued funding of a veteran service officer (VSO) in Island County. VSOs are critical towards helping veterans receive benefits including housing, utility, and food assistance. Veterans sacrificed to keep us safe, and I’m making sure they receive the benefits they deserve.
Because of the importance of these VSOs, I will be fighting to ensure that every county in our state has a VSO. We will soon be speaking with the Veteran Legislative Coalition along with other veteran service organizations so that every veteran receives the resources they deserve.
Finally, I am working with my colleagues to find policy solutions to provide childcare for our military families. Last week, I attended an event for Blue Star Families, an organization that was founded by military spouses for military families.
As always, thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my life-long dedication to public service. As a veteran having attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School, trained at a naval nuclear reactor plant, and served in the Middle East and Southeast Asia as a public affairs officer, I am honored to serve you here in the Washington State Legislature.
Always at Your Service,
State Representative Clyde Shavers
10th Legislative District