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…
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…
OLYMPIA – A bill to reform Washington’s Legal Financial Obligation (LFOs) system passed the Washington House of Representatives Tuesday evening with a vote of 56-41. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons…
Dear Friends and Neighbors, “Cutoffs” are internal deadlines that the Legislature sets for itself to focus our work and keep the legislative process moving forward. Last week was policy cutoff…
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Two issues that I have heard from you the most about are how we can protect our reproductive freedom and what are we doing to make…
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Bringing a perspective of lived experience to the Legislature is one of the most important things that a citizen legislator can do. While I often speak…
Olympia- The Real Labor, Real Wages Act, which would mandate that incarcerated workers are paid state minimum wage, cleared its first legislative hurdle today when it was voted out of…
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thank you so much for returning me to serve as your voice in Olympia. It has been wonderful getting to meet with so many of you…
OLYMPIA – Innocent until proven guilty. That is the basis of the American criminal legal system. The majority of people incarcerated in county jails have not yet been convicted of…
OLYMPIA – Today, Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton) introduced the Real Labor, Real Wages Act to require that incarcerated workers in Washington prisons be paid minimum wage. Currently, people incarcerated in…
