Dear friends and neighbors, We’re now in week two of the 2024 Legislative Session. This year is a short session, lasting just 60 days, with our work here in Olympia…
Category: GD-TEST
23rd District Update: Hood Canal Salmon Tour, Norwegian Prisons, and the New Hope Act
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The leaves are changing and fall is in the air! Since I last wrote, there have been some big changes to the 23rd District delegation. This…
23rd District Update: Prison Visits and Apple Health
Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope you have been having a fantastic summer! It has been wonderful to be back at home from Olympia. This interim I have been keeping…
Years long journey leads to the elimination of mandatory LFOs
OLYMPIA—Yesterday, in the state reception room, Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1169, a bill to eliminate mandatory Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs), with State Supreme Court Justices looking…
23rd Legislative District Update: Session Wrap-Up and Bills Passed!
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The Legislature has ended its 2023 legislative session, but we are not finished. This year, after major progress on housing, gun violence prevention, and reproductive rights,…
23rd District Legislative Update: Ferry Funding, LFOs, and Addressing the Nurse Shortage
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The last week of the legislative session is upon us! The Legislature adjourns “Sine Die” (without end) this Sunday. Last week, we passed the “Opposite House”…
Simmons bill to improve patient access to care passes Senate unanimously
OLYMPIA—A bill to improve patient access to care passed the Senate unanimously yesterday. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, House Bill 1357 modernizes the prior authorization process. Before a healthcare…
House Passes Bill to Address Addiction Crisis and Update Possession Statute
OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 on Tuesday evening, updating Washington’s statute for possession of controlled substances and creating a…
23rd District Legislative Update: Resilient Washington Budget, Projects in the District, and Ferry Investments
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The budgets have finally been released! Serving on the House Appropriations Committee this year has given me a new perspective and opportunity to impact our state…
House Committee Amends Senate Bill to Create Comprehensive System for Drug Treatment and Possession
The House Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee passed an amended version of SB 5536, a bill ensuring access to pre-trial diversion, funding treatment and recovery services, and creating a…