zz – News Releases

OLYMPIA – Today the Senate voted to prohibit Washington state from contracting with private prisons. Senate Bill 6442, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), would prohibit the state from sending people to for-profit prisons outside the state. The prohibition does not apply to facilities for involuntary placement for mental health, substance use rehabilitation, juvenile rehabilitation and similar services. It also does ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 17, 2020 WHO:  Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), state senator from the 37^th legislative district which includes part of Seattle, Renton, Madrona, Central District, Leschi, Mt. Baker, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, and Bryn Mawr-Skyway. WHAT: Town hall meeting with 37^th District constituents WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 WHERE: New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32^nd Ave. South, Seattle WHY: Sen. ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate unanimously passed legislation today to provide access to public assistance to certain victims of human trafficking by expanding eligibility for state food assistance, family assistance, and medical care services programs. Under Senate Bill 5164, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), noncitizens would be able to access these programs if they have taken steps to obtain status ...

OLYMPIA – Daniel Zipperer, 14, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of February 14. Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) sponsored Zipperer’s week in the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate today voted 40-6 to explore giving access to unemployment benefits to those who become unemployed due to family caregiving responsibilities. Currently, unemployment insurance law does not allow individuals to collect unemployment benefits if they leave work voluntarily without “good cause.” The definition of what qualifies as “good cause” is too narrow and denies these essential benefits to ...

OLYMPIA – Senator Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) dropped a bill today that would require certain counties, cities and towns to secure prior approval for proposed changes in electoral practices that would dilute the voting power of racial and/or ethnic groups. Senate Bill 6688 would require jurisdictions with a large population from a single racial, ethnic, or language minority group to submit ...