Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY: Rep. Taylor and Sen. Wilson to host 30th LD virtual town hall on Saturday, Feb 17 | February 13, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY – Sen. Claire Wilson and Rep. Jamila Taylor host 30th LD virtual townhall on Saturday February 17 WHO: Sen. Claire Wilson and Rep. Jamila Taylor WHAT: Sen. Wilson and… READ MORE

Rep. Taylor’s bill to maximize Office of Public Defense staffing passes House | February 6, 2024

OLYMPIA—Staffing shortages and increased demand for services have made it difficult for the Office of Public Defense to provide adequate resources. House Bill 1911, sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-30th… READ MORE

The 2024 Legislative Session has started! Here’s what we did on day 1. | January 9, 2024

Dear neighbors, The 2024 legislative session kicked yesterday. We got busy on day one, passing three bills including HB 1455, a bill to end child marriage in Washington State. I’m… READ MORE

Taylor Appointed Chair of House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee | November 13, 2023

OLYMPIA – Representative Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) has been appointed as the new Chair of the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee in the Washington State Legislature. This prestigious role follows the departure of former Representative… READ MORE

Legislature passes special session compromise bill on drug possession and addiction treatment | May 16, 2023

OLYMPIA— On Tuesday, the first day of a special session called by Governor Jay Inslee, the Washington House of Representatives passed a compromise version of Senate Bill 5536 after extensive… READ MORE

Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Continuity of Developmental Disability Services for Children | April 12, 2023

OLYMPIA — If a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability at a young age, the diagnosis is usually indefinite and lifelong, yet we continue to put up barriers to… READ MORE

House Passes Bill to Address Addiction Crisis and Update Possession Statute | April 12, 2023

OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 on Tuesday evening, updating Washington’s statute for possession of controlled substances and creating a… READ MORE

Taylor bill establishing homeownership program to address the history of housing discrimination passes House | March 2, 2023

OLYMPIA – Earlier today, the Washington State House of Representatives passed legislation seeking to address the direct harms caused by racially restrictive real estate covenants. House Bill 1474, sponsored by… READ MORE

Taylor Bill Maintaining Eligibility for DD Services Passes Unanimously in the House | February 28, 2023

OLYMPIA – House Bill 1407, sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), maintaining eligibility for developmental disability services, passed unanimously in the House on February 28. If a child is… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: Media availability on bill establishing a homeownership program to address the history of housing discrimination (HB 1474) | February 3, 2023

Who: Rep. Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, sponsor of HB 1474 Rep. Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, co-sponsor of HB 1474 Lt. Gov. Denny Heck Patience Malaba, Executive Director, Housing Development… READ MORE

Washington State Legislative Black Caucus Chair releases statement on the death of Tyre Nichols | January 30, 2023

OLYMPIA – Today, the Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. David Hackney, D-Tukwila, released the following statement on the death of Tyre Nichols, who was beaten by officers of the Memphis… READ MORE

Taylor introduces homeownership program to address the history of housing discrimination | January 26, 2023

OLYMPIA – Democratic lawmakers seek to address the direct harms caused by racially restrictive real estate covenants. Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) introduced House Bill 1474 to establish a covenant… READ MORE

Rep. Taylor Elected Majority Caucus Vice Chair | January 12, 2023

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) elected Majority Caucus Vice Chair, ascending into House Leadership early in her legislative career. She was sworn in January 9, 2023, for… READ MORE

LBC statement on the Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe v. Wade | May 4, 2022

OLYMPIA, WASH. – Legislative Black Caucus Chair Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court draft opinion suggesting the court may be preparing… READ MORE

LBC statement on Rep. Harris-Talley’s announcement she will not seek re-election | April 4, 2022

OLYMPIA, WASH. – State Rep. Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, released the following statement after LBC vice chair Kirsten Harris-Talley, D-Seattle, announced that she will… READ MORE

Bill boosting access to community-based behavioral health treatment signed into law | March 31, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Yesterday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law legislation to improve access to community-based treatment for people with serious behavioral health issues and make it easier for families… READ MORE

Support for people with developmental disabilities becomes law | March 24, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1980 into law to allow Developmental Disabilities Administration clients to participate in both employment services and community access services. The bill,… READ MORE

LBC statement on Rep. Johnson’s announcement that he will not seek re-election | March 10, 2022

OLYMPIA, WASH. – Legislative Black Caucus Chair Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, released the following statement after Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way, announced his decision not to run for re-election in… READ MORE

House passes bills supporting people with developmental disabilities | February 14, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, the state House unanimously passed HB 1980 from Rep. Jamila Taylor, D-Federal Way, to remove the ban on Developmental Disabilities Administration clients participating in both employment… READ MORE

BMC statement on historic Lovick and Donaghy appointments | December 16, 2021

OLYMPIA, WASH. – The chair of the Black Members Caucus, Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), released the following statement after former Rep. John Lovick was appointed to the state Senate… READ MORE

BMC statement honoring former Sen. George Fleming | December 9, 2021

OLYMPIA, WASH. – Today, Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) released the following statement honoring the life of former Washington state Senator and Representative George Fleming. Fleming,… READ MORE

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor on Rittenhouse verdict | November 19, 2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Today, Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), together with Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), issued the following statements after Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty… READ MORE

BMC statement honoring former Sen. Bill Smitherman | November 19, 2021

OLYMPIA, WASH. – Today, Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) released the following statement honoring the life of former Washington state Senator and Representative Bill Smitherman. Smitherman,… READ MORE

Washington State Black Members Caucus Statement Honoring Former Rep. Vivian L. Caver | September 14, 2021

Olympia – Today, the Washington state Legislature’s Black Members Caucus Chair Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) and Vice-Chair Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley (D-Seattle) released the following statements to honor the life… READ MORE

Black Members Caucus Urges Governor to Extend Eviction Moratorium | June 17, 2021

OLYMPIA – In a letter sent to Gov. Jay Inslee today, state Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), Chair of the Black Members Caucus, called for extending the eviction moratorium that… READ MORE

Washington State Black Members Caucus Statement on Manny Ellis Decision | May 27, 2021

OLYMPIA, Wash.-Today, the Black Members Caucus released this statement after the State Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, announced his charging decision in the death of Tacoma resident Manny Ellis. For the… READ MORE

Expanded scholarship program signed into law | April 27, 2021

OLYMPIA – A bill to expand the Career and Technical Scholarship program that was sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) was signed into law yesterday by Governor Inslee. The bill, House Bill 1425, supports training… READ MORE

House Passes Bill to Address State v. Blake Ruling | April 24, 2021

OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 5476 in response to the Washington State Supreme Court’s State v. Blake ruling today with a vote of 80-18…. READ MORE

Governor signs Taylor’s expanded respiratory care bill into law | April 22, 2021

OLYMPIA – Expanded need for respiratory therapy practitioners may soon see some relief thanks to a new law sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) that was signed into law by Governor… READ MORE

Washington State Black Members Caucus Statement on Chauvin Verdict | April 20, 2021

OLYMPIA – Today, the Black Members Caucus released the following statement after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. “While communities in Washington state and around the country… READ MORE

Legislature approves Taylor bill to increase access to state carpool program | April 13, 2021

OLYMPIA – The legislature approved new legislation from Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) that will increase access to the state van pool (or rideshare) program. HB 1514 will lower program… READ MORE

House Capital Budget includes $3 million for Federal Way Workforce Housing | March 30, 2021

OLYMPIA – There is an increased demand for affordable housing in the South King County area, which has led to projects seeking support from the state government. In the proposed House Capital Budget,… READ MORE

Taylor Bill to Expand Scholarship Program Passes House | March 10, 2021

OLYMPIA – The Washington House of Representatives unanimously approved new legislation to expand the Career and Technical Scholarship program February 25. House Bill 1425 allows more people to apply for the scholarship, removing restrictions that… READ MORE

Taylor bill to increase access to ride shares passes House | March 5, 2021

OLYMPIA – Today, the state House passed a bill from Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) to lower requirements for the state ride share program so more people can access the… READ MORE

Taylor’s Passes First Bill Out of House to Provide More Respiratory Care During Pandemic | February 24, 2021

OLYMPIA – Strain on the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic has show how valuable respiratory therapy practitioners are to treating the disease and how desperately they are needed in Washington communities. That is… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: 30th Legislative District to Host Virtual Town Hall | February 10, 2021

WHO: State Sen. Claire Wilson and Reps. Jesse Johnson and Jamila Taylor WHAT: Virtual town hall with 30th District residents WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. WHERE: Streamed live on the House Democratic… READ MORE

Statement from Rep. Jamila Taylor, chair of the Black Members Caucus, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | January 18, 2021

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or… READ MORE

Taylor elected to chair Black Members Caucus | January 13, 2021

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) has been elected chair of the Black Members Caucus. She was sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 10 for her first term. Taylor… READ MORE