Dear friends and neighbors,
I hope you’re well and enjoying the sunny weather sprinkled between cloudy spring days. The last few months have flown by since the legislative session ended on March 7, and I’m back in the district meeting with constituents and stakeholders and working on legislation for next year.
It’s exciting to see the work we do in Olympia come to life in our district. One of the new projects that I’m really excited about is the proposed Public Market District: a Pike Place Market-style area that blends commerce and community space. The funding will explore the feasibility of bringing this market to our area.
Because this is an election year there are restrictions on what communications I can send out from the first day of filing week (May 6) until the election is certified in November. However, if you have any questions relating to my work as a legislator you can always reach out to my office.
Read the 2024 Session Recap
Attached to this newsletter you’ll find the printed mailer that went out to folks in the district. If you didn’t get a copy and would like one please let me know, otherwise you’ll find the same content in digital form that you can read here.
Autism Awareness in April
Healthy communities have resources and access to care for all people, including those with developmental disabilities or conditions like autism. That’s why I sponsored HB 2184 that gives parents the financial resources they need to take care of their kids with developmental disabilities. This bill didn’t pass during the 2024 session, but sometimes it takes multiple tries to get a bill across the finish line.
Sexual Assault Awareness
More than 53% of women and 29% of men report experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetime. People of color, particularly American Indian and Alaska Native women, and transgender people face even higher risk of experiencing sexual assault and violence.
This session we passed Rep. Farivar’s HB 1618 that addresses the impact of childhood sexual abuse and empowers survivors to seek justice by eliminating the statute of limitations for recovery of damages because of childhood sexual abuse.
You can support survivors and prevent future violence by having conversations with folks in your community and raising awareness around this issue. Learn more at https://www.nsvrc.org/saam.
Covenant Homeownership Program study released
In 2023 the legislature passed the Covenant Homeownership Act to identify people who were harmed by discriminatory and racist practices like redlining. The initial study to determine who was impacted through a study of housing discrimination in Washington was completed in March (read it here) and the findings reported to the legislature.
Now the second component of the law, the Covenant Homeownership Program, is in development and set to launch this summer. When it goes live in July, the program will provide downpayment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers who were denied the opportunity through racially restrictive covenants.
You can learn more about who qualifies and how to access the program here.