Friends and Neighbors,
As the 2021-2022 biennium chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, it is my honor to welcome Rep. David Hackney (D-Tukwila) as our new chair and Rep. Elect Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way) as our vice chair for the 2023-24 biennium. We are excited for Chair Hackney and Vice Chair Reeves’ leadership in our continued mission to ensure Black individuals, families and communities throughout Washington have the opportunities and resources they need to have true equity and thrive.
New and Returning Members
Click on a members’ name to head to their legislative website and click on their picture to head to their legislative Facebook page.
Legislative Black Caucus Chair – Rep. David Hackney (D-Tukwila) 11th LD
Rep. Hackney’s Committees
- Capital Budget (Vice Chair)
- Consumer Protection & Business
- Transportation
Legislative Black Caucus Vice Chair – Rep. Elect Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way) 30th LD
[Picture/website/Facebook Coming Soon]
Rep. Elect Reeves’ Committees
- Agriculture & Natural Resources (Vice Chair)
- Consumer Protection & Business (Vice Chair)
- Regulated Substances & Gaming
Rep. April Berg (D-Mill Creek) 44th LD
Rep. Berg’s Committees
- Finance (Chair) *
- Appropriations
- Local Government
* Rep. Berg is the first Black woman to chair a fiscal committee in the Washington State Legislature.
Rep. Brandy Donaghy (D-Everett) 44th LD
Rep. Donaghy’s Committees
- Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans (Vice Chair)
- Transportation (Vice Chair)
- Consumer Protection & Business
Rep. Debra Entenman (D-Kent) 47th LD
Rep. Entenman’s Committees
- Postsecondary Education & Workforce (Vice Chair)
- Civil Rights & Judiciary
- Housing
- Transportation
Rep. Melanie Morgan (D-Parkland) 29th LD
Rep. Morgan’s Committees
- Agriculture & Natural Resources (Vice Chair)
- Capital Budget
- Regulated Substances & Gaming
- Rules
Rep. Elect Julia Reed (D-Seattle) 36th LD
[Picture/website/Facebook Coming Soon]
- Postsecondary Education & Workforce (Vice Chair)
- Capital Budget
- Housing
Rep. Elect Chipalo Street (D-Seattle) 37th LD
[Picture/website/Facebook Coming Soon]
Rep. Elect Street’s Committees
- Finance (Vice Chair)
- Environment & Energy
- Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans
Congratulations to following LBC members elected to 2023-2024 Majority Caucus Leadership roles in both the House and Senate.
Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) 30th LD
House Majority Caucus Vice Chair
Rep. Taylor’s Committees
- Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning (Vice Chair)
- Housing
- Transportation
Sen. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) 44th LD
Senate Vice President Pro Tempore
Sen. Lovick’s Committees
- Transportation (Vice Chair) Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade
- Environment, Energy & Technology
- Rules
Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) 28th LD
Senate Majority Whip
Sen. Nobles’ Committees
- Early Learning & K-12 Education (Vice Chair)
- Higher Education & Workforce Development (Vice Chair)
- Transportation
Outgoing Members
I want to acknowledge and thank our outgoing LBC members, Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley (D-Seattle) and Rep. Jesse Johnson (D-Federal Way) for their tireless service to this caucus, their constituents, and Black Washingtonians across the state. Rep. Harris-Talley served as vice chair of the LBC, and I’m honored to have helped lead alongside her as we work to ensure the experience, needs and solutions of Black people throughout our state are represented, prioritized and made real in our legislative process and policies.
During his tenure, Rep. Johnson worked diligently to not only pass historic police accountability legislation, but to center victims of police violence in discussions to ensure laws matched the goal of rebuilding trust between communities and law enforcement. His commitment to working with all sides of an issue while championing the voices of those most affected is an example for all of us. Both Rep. Harris-Talley’s and Rep. Johnson’s contributions have been critical to our mission, and the LBC will miss their leadership.
Past Successes
As we move into the new legislative session, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on some of our successes from the 2021-2022 biennium. Two major areas of focus and success for the LBC were legislation on police reform in 2021 and efforts on health care and wellness in 2022.
In 2021, improving policing in Washington state was a priority with a package of bills that work together to establish clear expectations for officer behavior; set a baseline for the acceptable use of force, tactics, and equipment; and put systems of accountability and transparency in place.
In 2022, The LBC led efforts to fund the African American Health Board and the Harriet Tubman Community Health Center. We helped families struggling with rising costs by providing a monthly diaper subsidy for families with kids under the age of three who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. And we created a birth doula certification that makes doulas accessible for the 52% of Washington state births covered by Medicaid.
Other LBC wins during the past two sessions include expanded access to: renter protections and rental/utility assistance; College-Bound scholarship opportunities; the Working Families Tax Credit; school lunch without co-pays; diversity, equity and inclusion training for school staff and other industries; affordable childcare options; and more inclusive economic recovery options for BIPOC-owned small businesses.
The progress we are making directly impacts the lives of Black people in communities across Washington state. Thank you to our members and partners who have supported our goals. We’ll publish our bill and budget priorities during the 2023 session. Your partnership will continue to help us break barriers in the 2023 session and beyond!
Save the Date
Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Be well.
Rep. Jamila Taylor
Legislative Black Caucus Chair