Friends and neighbors,
Thank you for a fantastic telephone town hall on March 23. We had over 2,100 people join and covered a lot of topics. Specifically, we talked about firearm violence prevention, the need for affordable housing, how we can address the impacts of climate change, the fentanyl crisis, help for the hearing impaired, as well as just catching up with our neighbors.
If we didn’t get to your question, we will reach out with a response in the next few days. Thank you for staying engaged and as always feel free to reach out to my office by going to housedemocrats.wa.gov/walen, emailing us directly at amy.walen@leg.wa.gov or by phone at (425) 883-3366. You can also listen to a recording of the event at vekeo.com/whdc48.
Bills Working their way through the process.
This session I have been working on several important issues, many of which came up in the town hall. Including Senate companion legislation, 10 of my bills are still alive. However, I want to highlight three bills that I am proud are still working their way through the process.
Housing
House Bill 1042 helps developers build new housing within existing unused or underused buildings. By streamlining the conversion process and reducing red tape, we can help address the housing crisis by rapidly bringing on units, create affordable housing in our communities and save resources by preserving existing structures.
House Bill 1046 expands opportunities to finance affordable housing by allowing housing authorities to partner with more private developers. Authorities have resources, and private developers can build quickly.
Supporting families
House Bill 1262 closes a reporting loophole where back child support is due, by requiring employers to report lump sum payments like one-time bonuses to DSHS before they are paid. Millions of dollars in back child support are due to the custodial parents. It is deeply unfair that those who can pay, do not. Washington’s kids and custodial parents deserve better. They deserve the money they are owed, and I am working to make sure they get it.
House Bill 1088 allows arbitration as an avenue families can use to resolve nonfinancial matters, like custody agreements, without having to go to court. This means families have more flexibility as they work to meet the needs of all parties involved more quickly through a less formal process. I believe this will also ease the burden family courts already experience.
We still have a few weeks left in session and I am looking forward to updating you on the budget and other important bills I will be voting on. Until then, please reach out to me with any thoughts, questions, or concerns by calling 425-883-3366 or by going to housedemocrats.wa.gov/walen.
Thank you,
Rep. Amy Walen