Dear neighbors,
This e-newsletter is about early learning and the local effects of the federal government shutdown.
Early learning grants
As chair of the House Capital Budget Committee, it’s been my honor to push for more funding for early learning and childcare construction.
Working parents can’t work if they don’t have a place for their babies and young children. And local businesses can’t run the way they should when too many people can’t enter the workforce due to lack of available, affordable childcare.
This year, we passed a capital budget that funds early learning facilities along with a reform, House Bill 1314, that makes it easier to build those structures.
I want to make sure people know about state grants for Early Learning Facilities because the deadline is Oct. 31 at 5 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Federal government shutdown
I know all of you are affected by the federal government shutdown. Folks who work for the federal government are working without pay. Veterans, seniors, and others can’t access the services they need.
Here is a bit about what’s happening, though things might change fast:
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—These should continue to be issued.
Food assistance—The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides food and nutrition support for more than 212,000 Washingtonians every year. We may be able to sustain those benefits for about two weeks after a shutdown. The Department of Health had to cut the hours of 50 state workers starting Dec. 6 because their funding was fully or partially federal. Most of those workers were in the Office of Nutrition Services, which manages WIC.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—These payments will continue though recipients could see their benefits delayed depending on the length of the shutdown.
Find out more at the Washington State Department of Health website.
Veterans—During the shutdown the State Veterans Homes, State Veterans Cemetary, Transitional Housing Program, Counseling Program and all other WDVA programs remain open and ready to serve Veterans and families.
Some services that are immediately impacted include the Veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities, the closure of the GI Bill hotline, and the closure of regional benefits offices.
Find out more at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Federal workers (76,000 in WA)—Check to see if you are eligible for unemployment benefits by clicking here: Employee financial assistance for furloughed employees
Military personnel—Paychecks for active-duty military will stop on Oct. 15, but because they are considered essential, military personnel are still required to report for duty.
Mail—The United States Postal Service will continue operating during the shutdown because it is an independent agency, funded through sales of its services and products, such as stamps and not dependent on federal funding.
Public schools—Schools will continue operating as normal during the shutdown, although some programs may see delayed funding, such as child nutrition programs.
Head Start—This is a federally funded program for kids ages 3 to 5 that serves about 20,000 kids in Washington. It will continue to run for now. The state is waiting on guidance from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to any program changes or suspensions during the shutdown.
Learn more at the Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP website.
National parks—National parks, though remaining open to some degree, will be minimally staffed, meaning visitors and park resources face higher risk.
Air travel—Air-traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff at Sea-Tac Airport are required to continue working without pay. Expect longer wait times and delays if you are traveling due to projected shutdown-related staffing shortages.
During the shutdown essential services like certification and oversight of commercial airplanes and engines will continue, although the hiring and field training of air traffic controllers, facility security inspections, and support for law enforcement has been suspended.
Keep in touch
Please contact my office if you have ideas, stories to share, or comments. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative here in the beautiful 24th District!
