Dear Friends and Neighbors:
Welcome to my first legislative e-newsletter! Words cannot express how honored I feel to be your representative. I can’t wait to get to work building a Washington where reproductive rights are respected, housing is affordable, tenants are protected, working people have jobs which support their families, all children have excellent schools, we feel safe in our communities, our environment is preserved for future generations, and a lens of equity is used to guide our path to implementing this future.
My committee assignments position me to advance our priorities immediately. As Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, I will work towards a progressive tax code where wealthy individuals, and large businesses, pay their fair share. I will steward important environmental justice, energy, and conservation policy through the Environment and Energy Committee. On the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, I can help ensure that the small businesses that compose the vibrant tapestry of the 37th bounce back from the pandemic.
The issues affecting our communities reach far beyond these three committees, so in the first week I have already co-sponsored legislation to: enshrine reproductive rights in our constitution (HJR 4201), protect healthcare data in the wake of the Dobbs decision (HB 1155), increase housing supply and protect tenants (HB 1110, HB 1111, HB 1124), expand apprenticeships that support good jobs (HB 1013, HB 1050), curb gun violence (HB 1143, HB 1240), center justice in our criminal justice system (HB 1042, HB 1025, HB 1087), and pilot universal basic income (HB 1045).
Please read on to learn how best to get in touch with me and ways to stay involved in the legislative process.
Staying Informed and Getting In Touch
Part of crafting legislation that reflects our shared values is having open lines of communication. That starts with hearing from you! I look forward to hosting you in Olympia, meeting virtually, and connecting in the district. You can email me here. If you would like to comment on specific legislation, you can sign up to testify for a committee hearing or submit written testimony here. If you would like to simply register your position, you can also sign in as in support or opposed to a bill without providing testimony. All committees in the Legislature offer remote testimony, so you do not have to come down to Olympia to testify.
To learn more about the legislative process from start to finish, visit the Legislature’s homepage. You can also look up bills by topic or lawmaker. Tune into TVW.org for broadcasts of debates, votes, committee meetings, and other events in the House and Senate. There’s also an extensive archive of past events if you missed watching a live show.
I will also proactively keep you informed of activity in Olympia through these newsletters, my website (housedemocrats.wa.gov/street), and my legislative Facebook, (facebook.com/RepChipaloStreet).
Legislative Page Program
With the Legislature returning to in person session in Olympia, the legislative page program is back and accepting applications! The page program gives young Washington residents the chance to learn and participate in the legislative process by attending page school, assisting offices, delivering messages and working on the House & Senate floors.
This unique opportunity is open to Washington residents who are at least 14 years old but have not reached their 17th birthday. We’re making a one-time exception this session to allow 17 & 18-year-olds to participate during two specific weeks since the program was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, visit the page program’s website by clicking here.
Climate Resiliency
Washington seems to have added a new season to its calendar, smoke season. Climate fires continue to worsen, atmospheric rivers create abnormal flooding, and cold snaps blanket our region in ice. We have not done enough to prevent climate change, and now we’re suffering the consequences. That is why one of the first bills I introduced was a bill to increase Washington’s climate resiliency and coordination.
HB 1170 requires the Washington Department of Ecology to update the Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy every four years in coordination with the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group. By continuously evaluating the latest science and adapting our plans for dealing with climate events, we can minimize the impacts on our communities. Washington is a state of scientists and innovators. We should utilize our talent to plan for the future.
Thank you for reading my first e-newsletter. Hearing from you is the most important part of representing you. I hope you will share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions with me.
Sincerely,
Chipalo Street
State Representative
37th District