Friends and neighbors,
I’m holding my first virtual town hall on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. with Sen. Claire Wilson and Rep. Jesse Johnson. We’ll be giving update on the Legislature and taking your questions, which you can submit ahead of time at this link or in the chat box during the event. The town hall will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. I hope to see you there!
Celebrating Black History Month
Earlier this week, the House adopted my resolution celebrating Black History Month and recognizing the legacy and innumerable contributions of Black Americans.
This month, and every month, we must recognize Black Americans’ achievements, from G. Helen Whitener, the first Black woman to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, and William Owen Bush, the first Black person to serve in the Legislature, to warriors for justice and equality Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others. Check out my resolution here.
The latest on my bills
One in seven Washingtonians have unclaimed money from old utility deposits, bank accounts, refunds and more in the state treasury. We need to get the word out about these lost funds, especially to those who are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why I introduced HB 1352 to raise public awareness about this unclaimed money. You can be part of the solution. Visit this link to see if you have any unclaimed money, and share the website with your friends and family.
I also introduced a bill to make it easier for respiratory therapists to practice in Washington state. Respiratory therapists provide crucial, lifesaving care to COVID-19 patients. This bill, HB 1383, would expand our health care work force and get rid of barriers respiratory therapists are facing. Tune in Monday at 1:30 p.m. on TVW to hear more about the bill.
Another one of my bills, HB 1425, would expand access to scholarships for community and technical college students. Check out my testimony at the 36:50 mark.
Here’s some of the other bills I’m supporting:
–HB 1297: Expands a tax credit for working families to provide vital assistance for low-income Washingtonians. Read more in the Seattle Times.
–HB 1140: Ensures young people have access to an attorney before waiving their constitutional rights. It was voted out of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee this morning.
–HB 1236: Provides added protections for renters by giving tenants more notice when they’re being evicted and asking landlords to come up with a payment plan for those who can’t pay rent because of the pandemic. However, it doesn’t stop landlords from taking action against tenants who break the law, destroy property, are a nuisance or don’t pay rent. HB 1236 was voted out of the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee earlier today.
–HB 1460: Helps close the digital divide by expanding broadband access to struggling families, schools, nonprofits and rural areas.
Relief to help our community
The House passed COVID-19 relief earlier this week that allocates $2.2 billion in federal dollars to help families and small business owners most impacted by the pandemic, including renters, small restaurants, neighborhood businesses, school districts, uninsured and underinsured people, and Black and Brown communities.
This package is the first step in the House and Senate plan for community and economic recovery. Here’s the plan’s highlights:
–Boosting public health: $618 million for vaccine administration, contact tracing and testing.
–Keeping people in their homes and fed: $365 million for housing and rental assistance. The proposal also includes $52 million for food and cash assistance.
–Investing in small businesses: $240 million for small businesses and non-profits.
–Getting students caught up: $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 measure also includes $50 million for child care providers.
–Supporting all Washingtonians: $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 emergency financial aid for undocumented college students.
The measure goes to the Senate next, and you can track its progress here. Our community needs help now. That’s why I was proud to vote for this first step towards recovery.
Thanks for reading! Please don’t hesitate to reach out at 360-786-7898 or Jamila.Taylor@leg.wa.gov. It’s an honor to represent the 30th District.
Jamila Taylor