Hi neighbors,
I’m honored to serve as your new Senator for the 34th Legislative District. I remain focused on making housing more affordable, expanding access to childcare and health care, and protecting consumers and working families. Public education is foundational to democracy; I am deeply committed to investing in high quality public schools!
I’ve also heard from many constituents who are concerned about attacks on our rights and the impacts federal decisions will have here in Washington State. I want you to know that I will always defend LGBTQ rights, civil rights and voting access and that I will continue to work for a state where everyone can thrive.
Bills
With the legislative session in full swing, I wanted to share some of the bills I have sponsored:
- SB 5463 Helps injured workers get the healthcare coverage and benefits they deserve.
- SB 5498 Requires insurance to allow a year’s worth of birth control at once.
- SB 5488 Supports financial stability by ending the practice of taking public benefits from children in foster care.
- SB 5651 Improves last dollar protections for families and seniors facing medical and consumer debt.
- SB 5500 Fixes child care subsidy rates to make childcare more affordable and available.
- SB 5539 Strengthens Washington’s Paid Family Medical Leave program.
- SB 5496 Bans large institutional investors from purchasing single family homes.
- SB 5600 Protects rideshare drivers and customers during surge pricing at large scale events.
- HB 1217 Prohibits excessive rent increases and provides predictability and stability for renters.
Committees
I serve as the Vice Chair of the Senate Housing Committee and sit on the Labor & Commerce and Transportation Committees. In my new role as a member of the Transportation Committee, I am sponsoring legislation to make it easier for cities to create vibrant, walkable shared streets and advocating for continued weekday water taxi service and new weekend water taxi service to Vashon. I especially welcome your input on any issues before these committees.
Contact
Your voice matters. Below you will find some tips on how you can share your priorities and perspectives on policies legislators will be considering this session.
Watch — TVW.org broadcasts all debates and votes that happen in the House or Senate, as well as all committee meetings in both chambers.
Testify — Go here for an overview of the process, here for instructions on how to testify remotely, and here to sign in for hearings in the House or Senate.
Stay Informed — Visit my website and sign up for the Hot Sheet, a weekly guide to what the House Democratic Caucus is working on in Olympia. The Hot Sheet compiles many of the legislative priorities scheduled for a hearing or a vote on each day, so it’s a great snapshot of what is happening each week.
Get in Touch — You can always reach my office by email or phone.
Phone: 360.786.7667
Telephone Relay Service: 1.800.833.6388 (TTY)
Legislative Hotline: 1.800.562-6000
Email me at Emily.Alvarado@leg.wa.gov.
Thank you again for trusting me in this role.
Sincerely,
Emily