Dear friends and neighbors,
We have reached the 50th day of the 105 day legislative session. I hope that you are doing as well as you can in these trying times. Please know that our office is here as a resource for you. We cannot fix everything, but we can try.
Vaccines Update
Vaccination supply and predictability continue to be problematic. Last month, I met with hospital leaders, clinic directors, doctors, teachers, school district board members, and grocers. My legislative assistant and I have been hearing heartbreaking stories about those most vulnerable, who have been unable to receive the vaccine.
Clinics are being told they will receive 200 doses and receive 50, or none at all and many of their appointments are showing up – exposing themselves to risk. I am strongly advocating with the Governor’s office and the Department of Health to improve communication about the plan, with predictability for the community. I know they are limited by supply and the distribution being managed by the federal agencies, but we can and should do better. More vaccine is coming, but it is still not enough each week.
We have received phone calls from constituents who do not have access to the internet and have been unable to schedule a vaccination appointment. The Washington State Department of Health operates a COVID hotline that you can call to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. The hotline specialists can assist with scheduling vaccination appointments and may provide you with a list of phone numbers for the locations in your area that are currently offering the vaccine. I am deeply concerned that those who need the vaccine most have been struggling to receive it due to technological barriers. If someone you know does not have access to the internet or is not comfortable navigating websites or apps to schedule an appointment, please call:
Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Assistance Hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (if first number is busy)
- 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday
- 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays
COVID Economic Relief
On February 19, Governor Inslee signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID emergency. Our focus this year is relief, recovery, and resilience. The pandemic has brought significant emotional and economic costs. The bill provides immediate funding for our local communities:
- $714 million in assistance for K-12 schools
- $618 million for public health’s response to COVID, including testing, investigation and contact tracing; and funding for vaccination efforts
- $365 million for emergency eviction, rental and utility assistance
- $240 million for business assistance grants
- $50 million for child care
- $26 million for food banks and other food programs
- $91 million for income assistance, including $65 million for relief for the state’s immigrant population
This bill is only the beginning of the budgeting process, and the legislature will continue to focus on supporting those that are struggling most in our state.
Making Progress on Police Reform and Accountability
Last week, I voted to pass three police accountability bills that are part of the package proposed by the House Democrats’ Policing Policy Leadership Team.
The first, HB 1088, changes state law on police officer impeachment disclosures, creates best practices and online training, and requires that law enforcement agencies must inquire about past impeachment disclosures before hiring an officer.
An impeachment disclosure is an official determination that an officer engaged in conduct affecting their credibility as a witness. Prosecutors are required to provide this information and any other exculpatory evidence to the defense before a trial. Truth and witness credibility are critical to ensuring justice. Hard evidence, reliable testimony from witnesses, and high ethical standards for attorneys and law enforcement officers make up the bedrock foundation of our legal system.
The second, HB 1089, would provide transparency about investigations and charging decisions made after deadly force is used by police. These investigations are required under Initiative 940, passed by Washington voters in 2018.
This legislation authorizes the State Auditor to review a deadly force investigation to determine whether the involved law enforcement agencies complied with all applicable rules and procedures.
The third, HB 1054, sets a standard policy for police tactics that currently vary widely between different jurisdictions and limits dangerous and unacceptable police tactics that lead to loss of life.
The bill would ban no-knock warrants, chokeholds, neck restraints and certain military equipment. It also establishes restrictions on tear gas, vehicular pursuits and shooting at moving vehicles. This legislation aims to minimize aggressive tactics used during low-level infractions, and change police behavior and culture. This is a priority for the people of our state who expect us to lead in righting wrongs and standing for justice for all.
Highlights from the House Floor
Here is a short summary of a few bills that have recently passed the House Floor, that I was proud to support:
- HB 1078: automatically restores voting rights to persons who have been released from full incarceration by the Department of Corrections.
I believe in honoring second chances and treating all people with dignity so they can become whole again. After someone has served their sentence, they deserve to fully participate in society and democracy without further punishment. This bill was introduced by Rep. Tarra Simmons, an attorney and registered nurse who was previously incarcerated.
- HB 1090: bans private, for-profit detention facilities.
Private prisons have no place in our state. It is horrendous to hear about the conditions human beings in our state and across the country have been subjected to at these private detention facilities. The Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma is the only private prison in Washington, and it has had numerous accounts of abuse and poor conditions. We must stand up for the rights of people detained here. Families belong together, and every person in our state—no matter their immigration status—deserves safety, adequate nutrition, and access to health care.
- HB 1031: allows a person who gives birth to a stillborn baby to request and receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
The experience of a stillbirth is a trauma made worse by having only a death and never a birth acknowledged. Being able to receive a certificate of stillbirth is a small yet meaningful way to acknowledge those that have lost their child and to help heal from trauma. This bill was brought to me by a constituent and is one of the bills that I have prime sponsored. You can watch my floor speech on the bill here.
- HB 1109: delivers long-delayed justice for sexual assault survivors by advancing critical reform in the way law enforcement and prosecutors investigate and prosecutors sexual assault cases and advances the Survivors’’ Bill of Rights.
This bill is a continuation of efforts in Washington state to test and process all outstanding sexual assault test kits, which began in 2015. The full scope of this piece of legislation represents a concerted effort to pursue justice for survivors and correct any previous failings within the current system.
Each of these bills now go to the Senate for consideration. As you can imagine, we see a lot of bills! Hundreds of bills are introduced each session. Bills go through different committees and many involve complex issues. I appreciate your calls and emails to our office advocating for policies. Our district is diverse in every way – and I respect every point of view that is expressed. On some issues we are deeply divided, and in the process of building trust in government and elected leaders.
Watch for our next e-newsletter where I share the work we are doing to restructure our regressive tax code and reach a compromise regarding the eviction moratorium. I will also provide an update on the progress of my priority bills, including my passion project: The Humane Pet Sales bill.
The people of this district and in our state are in my heart at every moment during this legislative session. We hear you – your concerns about vaccines, kids returning to school, evictions, job loss, worker protections, the environment, and justice for all people. We keep these values at the center of our work in our office every day. Thank you for your grace with our office and with each other.
Yours in Service,
Representative Amy Walen