Friends, and Neighbors, This week the Senate carved out a budget that puts Washingtonians first and we’re working around the clock to pass it. We know Washington State is ranked #1 with the most regressive tax code in the nation and that our tax code is disproportionately burdening our working families who in many cases are barely getting by.
Honoring Black leaders, honoring history.
February is the month where we call special attention to Black leaders both here in Washington State,
and across the nation. It is my hope that while this month serves as a calibration point for all of us to center Black voices, it also serves as a springboard for year-round, day-to-day intentionality. I see it as a reminder to work to continually center Black voices, with particular focus on Black Women who disproportionately shoulder the burden of systemic and institutional racism. It’s particularly important that those of us, honored by ...
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The 2022 Legislative Session is off to a strong start, and we’ve already seen some landmark legislation hit the floor. I’m proud of the progress we made in 2021 and I am eager to continue expanding upon some of the work we had to leave unfinished. Though we passed the Fair Start for Kids Act, seeing a $430 million increase into Childcare and Early Learning Services, we have rolled up our sleeves and hit the ground running for this short session. As your champion for Schools and Students, my job is to act as a ...
Read MoreFriends and neighbors, Our economy will continue to grow and change, and, to answer the needs of tomorrow we need our education system to be responsive now to the 21st century’s digital economy. At the state level, we are building on the preparatory work already accomplished; establishing pathways for graduation, setting standards for computer science in K-12 and requiring computer science to be offered as an elective in every high school. On the horizon are additional innovative policies for the future of Washington’s public education system that will allow our students to thrive and reach their full potential. ...
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This interim, I resumed my annual tradition of visiting each educational service district (ESD) around the state, a tradition that took a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic. I heard from each ESD about the massive pressure placed upon students, educators, families, staff, and the districts themselves to respond to and adapt to new, pandemic-related needs. When visiting each school, I asked them about:
As the second to last week of session draws to a close, many bills are undergoing the last step of the legislative process – attaining the governor’s signature. After the legislative chambers complete the reconciliation and concurrence processes, outlined in my last newsletter, and have agreed to the final form of the bill, it must be signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President. Once Speaker Jinkins and Lieutenant Governor Heck sign the bill, they deliver it to Governor Inslee’s office. These days it’s all electronic, but it can still take a bit of time. Bills that are ...
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This Sunday was the final major legislative deadline in this session: the opposite chamber cutoff. For the next two weeks until the end of session, the House and Senate will focus on debating and passing the operating, capital, and transportation budgets, bills necessary to implement the budget (NTIB), and bills that require concurrence (explained below). This is always an exciting week, as it means more of my bills complete the legislative process. On Monday, my bill allowing students to substitute a computer science course for a 3rd year math or science credit passed the House with bipartisan support. ...
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