Dear neighbors,
Things are moving fast here in Olympia.
I’d like to tell you about two major developments for COVID relief along with a quick update on vaccinations.
COVID relief: Help is on the way
In my role as the Majority Floor Leader, I worked with other leaders to prioritize important relief and was proud to vote for $2.2 billion in relief to help Washington families and businesses hurt most by the COVID-19 pandemic.
House Bill 1367 and House Bill 1368 use federal funding to ease the financial hardship of struggling renters and landlords, small restaurants and other neighborhood businesses, school districts, uninsured and underinsured individuals, and Black and Brown communities, which have been disproportionately hurt during the pandemic.
Here are the details:
- $618 million for a state Department of Health fund for vaccine administration, contact tracing, and testing.
- $365 million for rental assistance and foreclosure assistance, and for small landlords to stay on top of their mortgages. The plan also includes $52 million for food and cash assistance, and TANF extension.
- $240 million for grants for small businesses and non-profits to maintain operations and help with reopening.
- $714 million for schools to address learning loss, keep teachers on the payroll and get ready to bring kids back to the classroom when it’s safe to do so. The plan also includes $50 million for grants for childcare providers.
- $70 million for long-term care and developmental disabilities programs and $6 million for health care for those who are underinsured and uninsured. The plan also includes $65 million for immigrant relief assistance and $5 million for grants to provide emergency financial aid for undocumented college students.
This is just the first step in making sure we support those most impacted by the pandemic so that we can recover, together.
Unemployment Insurance relief for businesses and workers
If lawmakers don’t take action, business owners would face up to 500 percent hikes in their unemployment insurance rates. That’s something our small businesses can’t afford in the middle of this pandemic.
To give help, I voted for Senate Bill 5061, which will bring relief for both businesses and workers.
The House and Senate have both passed the bill on strong bipartisan votes, and now the governor has signed it into law.
Business-owners will breathe more easily with reductions in their UI tax bills due in April.
Workers will also see relief, with the state’s hardest-hit lowest-wage workers getting a 5 percent raise in their unemployment benefits. This means people who make between $21,000 and $27,800 annually will receive a larger share of their weekly wages in benefits.
Winning the fight against COVID-19
I’m happy to see the number of infections in Clark County trend downward.
We are starting to win the fight against this virus because people like you are wearing masks in public, social distancing, and getting vaccinations.
Although this threat to all of our health is not over, I am hopeful that we will win and return to normal soon.
I’m pushing Gov. Jay Inslee to allow some flexibility in the rules to let Clark County re-open safely, but quickly.
There’s also help for those trying to get vaccinated.
If you or someone you know is having trouble booking an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, there’s a number you can call for help. To reach the state COVID-19 assistance hotline, dial 1-800-525-0127 and enter #. You can also call the state’s alternate number at 888-856-5816 (a Spanish option is available) if you can’t reach the hotline with the 1-800 number. The COVID-19 hotline is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and to everyone who participated in our 49th District town hall meeting.
Please get in touch with me to share your comments, questions, and ideas. I hope to hear from you soon!
