Hi neighbors,  

With another key legislative deadline behind us, here’s an update on bills that are still moving and what I’m hearing from you. 

What I’m saying on the Senate floor 

My office is receiving lots of feedback regarding the Millionaires Tax, which passed the Senate this Monday. Our existing tax structure is unbalanced and regressive. As part of the Millionaires Tax, we are doubling our small business tax credit and expanding eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit. This will help working families and small businesses thrive while ensuring everyone pays their fair share.

I’m proud to share that my bill that caps medical debt interest at 1% passed the Senate on February 6th. This legislation is a key step in addressing the healthcare affordability crisis. Here’s what I had to say on it: 

Protecting our democracy 

There is more we can and must do in Washington to safeguard our democracy and ensure that every vote counts, especially for historically disenfranchised communities. Several policies are moving through the House and Senate to protect our state and local elections: 

  • HB 1710 creates state-level ‘preclearance’ for jurisdictions with voting rights violations and prevents unjust voting systems before they happen.  
  • HB 1750 strengthens remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act when vote suppression or dilution has occurred.  
  • SB 5892 protects voter data and limits how voter rolls can be shared.  
  • SB 6035 ensures those that people with disabilities, those overseas, in the military, and on tribal reservations have voting access.  

Standing up for health care 

Federal cuts resulting from H.R. 1 will leave significant gaps in healthcare coverage for many Washingtonians. It is more important than ever that we step up to fill these gaps to ensure our communities can access essential health services.   

  • HB 2548 aims to create more transparency in healthcare by notifying the Attorney General when hospitals and provider organizations are acquired by private equity. In doing this, it creates a mechanism for awareness that can help limit market consolidation and combat rising healthcare costs. 
  • SB 5917 helps ensure patients can access the resources necessary to safely navigate an abortion or miscarriage.
  • SB 5947 establishes the Washington Health Care Board. I support universal health care, and this bill is the first step towards implementing a state-based universal health care system. The state must be ready if the option becomes available at the federal level. 
  • SB 5395 limits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in prior authorizations for Public Employee/School Employee Benefit Board health plans. This ensures coverage decisions remain in the hands of healthcare professionals. 

Responding to your concerns about the Triangle Route 

Reps. Fitzgibbon and Thomas and I sent a letter to Washington State Ferries to elevate the concerns of constituents, particularly how the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is identified as having the only relief vessel to support the entire system. We’ll continue to advocate for more equal distribution and watch for the revised Service Contingency Plan, which is due to be released in March.  

Town hall on Monday 

Reps. Fitzgibbon and Thomas and I are hosting a virtual town hall on Monday, Feb. 23rd at 6:00pm.  We’ll discuss what’s happening in Olympia and answer your questions. Feel free to submit questions in advance using this link. You can join via Facebook or YouTube. 

If you have any accessibility needs, please contact my office at Emily.Alvarado@leg.wa.gov with ‘Accessibility’ in the subject line. 

Contact 

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.   

In solidarity,  

Emily