Dear friends and neighbors,

As we reach the end of the third week of this very fast-paced 60-day session, I’d like to give you a quick update on some of what is happening in virtual Olympia.

I continue to work on our transportation needs, particularly those in our district, such as the I-5 Bridge. We are in the process of writing the supplemental transportation budget with clear goals in mind: ensuring our transportation system works for everyone, is set for the future, continues to support high paying jobs, and connects our communities. Finding the money to do this while our economy recovers from the pandemic is critical, especially as the federal assistance to businesses and families ends. We must do our utmost to support and protect the people of our state because, while some people have managed to weather the pandemic well, many continue to struggle.

We are all very tired of the impacts and length of this pandemic, but the only way we will get through this is by coming together to address the complex problems we face. Let’s continue working toward shared goals, focusing on what is important and valuing our friends and families more than ever.

Watch my latest Video Update!

Honoring James Lee Hansen & discussing the WA Cares Reforms

Reforms to make WA Cares better for your family

Most people don’t have a plan for how they can age in place in their own homes or handle basic long term care needs. This leads to people spending down their savings to qualify for Medicaid, which is paid for by the state through your tax dollars. Some people rely on unpaid family members for basic needs, or just go without care at all. We cannot accept this broken system that bankrupts people and leaves seniors and individuals with disabilities without the care they need.

The solution is WA Cares, the next step for a true social safety net that protects working families like yours.

Over the last two weeks, both chambers passed a couple of bills to improve the WA Cares Fund, and they were signed into law by the governor this past Thursday.

House Bill 1733 enables military spouses, disabled veterans, border state residents, and non-immigrant visa holders to voluntarily exempt themselves from premiums for the WA Cares program. Active-duty service members were never subject to the premiums, so it just makes sense to give their spouses the option of exempting themselves as well.

House Bill 1732 extends the rollout of the Long-Term Care Trust program by 18 months. During this extension, businesses will not have to collect premiums. This additional time will allow lawmakers to expand the program, allowing people closer to retirement to collect the benefits. It also allows for the refunding of prematurely collected premiums.

We need to face the reality that no matter how young we are today, we may eventually need some long-term care or changes to our homes so we can age in place. These reforms give those nearing retirement a chance to qualify for the program and get the care they need, when they need it.

Feeding Kids Can’t Wait

Food is health. Consistent access to nutritious foods is part of how we protect kids from getting sick while ensuring they have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and play. Free breakfast and lunch at school is the most effective way to ensure all kids are getting the food they need to thrive.

Fortunately, the USDA has a program that can help us expand the availability of free lunch and breakfast for students. The Community Eligibility Program (CEP) allows schools with a certain percentage of students from households receiving assistance from programs like SNAP or Medicaid, or who are in foster care placements, or who struggle with housing stability, to apply for funding to serve free meals to all of the students at that school. By removing lunch co-pays and the stigma of free and reduced lunch we can more effectively provide students with the nutrition they need to succeed. In 2020, the Legislature required all schools that are eligible for CEP to participate in the program if it costs the same amount to provide free meals for the entire school as it did to just serve those who qualified for free and reduced lunch. Currently, 491 schools in Washington operate CEP and serve free meals to around 204,000 students, with nine more schools serving 3,300 students coming online soon. Clearly, this works, which is why I support House Bill 1878. This legislation would require all schools to participate in CEP if they are eligible under USDA rules. The bill also requires the state to cover the excess costs of implementing the program. Without increasing costs on schools, we can expand free school meals to an additional 626 schools and 92,000 students (possibly more). We have the opportunity right now to take serious action toward ending childhood hunger, let’s do it.

One-time Holiday from Sales Tax

Whether your kids need back-to-school clothes, or you need a new dishwasher, a proposed law would exempt such purchases from sales taxes for three days in September. House Bill 2018 is about helping our friends, neighbors, and beloved small businesses on Main Street. It will give people a break and stimulate local economies throughout the state.

Under the legislation, there would be no sales tax this year on September 3, 4 and 5 for certain items priced $1,000 or less, including clothing, school supplies, computers, durable medical goods, and energy efficient appliances.

The bill does not include tobacco or marijuana products, alcoholic beverages, utilities, travel, meals, motor vehicles, boats, services, or construction goods. 

Keep in Touch

Thank you for reading my newsletter, please be sure to contact my office if you have feedback or questions. I am looking forward to connecting with you, my community, and making your government work for you.

                                        Sincerely,