{"id":4117,"date":"2025-01-24T18:10:48","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T01:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/dhingra\/?p=4117"},"modified":"2025-01-29T16:04:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T23:04:26","slug":"2025-session-is-underway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/dhingra\/2025\/01\/24\/2025-session-is-underway\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2025 session is underway!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear neighbors: <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We just wrapped up our second week of the 2025 legislative session, and things are moving quickly. We\u2019ve had public hearings on many bills, including public school funding, housing, and public safety.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have many challenges ahead this session \u2013 ensuring our students and teachers have the resources needed to succeed, addressing our state\u2019s budget shortfall, and building on our progress to make housing more affordable. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our budget is our values statement, and while we have to navigate a difficult fiscal environment this year, we have an opportunity to build a responsible, sustainable plan \u2014 one that keeps moving Washington forward. We are not going to balance our budget on the backs of the most vulnerable in our communities. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

K-12 public school funding will be central to our work this session. While the state has increased school funding each year, we are not funding the true cost of educating our kids to make them ready for today’s job market, especially in special education. Meeting the state’s obligation will take tough conversations and tough votes on revenue. The Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee has already heard public testimony on several bills to improve school funding<\/span> in <\/span>areas such as transportation<\/span> (<\/span>SB 5187<\/a>)<\/span>, materials, supplies and operating costs (<\/span>SB 5192<\/a>)<\/span>, special education programs (<\/span>SB 5263<\/a>, SB 5307<\/a>)<\/span>,\u00a0and school construction (<\/span>SB 5095<\/span><\/a>).<\/span> A priority for our school districts is a bill I’m sponsoring (SB 5095<\/a>) that would provide more options for school construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meet the new 45<\/span><\/b>th<\/span><\/b> District team!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The work I do as your legislator takes more than just one person but a whole team. Whether you are emailing to give feedback on a bill, calling for help navigating state government, visiting the Capitol, or any of the other ways you interact with my office, you will encounter the talented and dedicated 45th Legislative District team (left to right: Daisy, Fiona, Dijla, and Angela).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Daisy has been a fabulous addition to my office since she joined in December. A social worker by training, she has already helped countless constituents. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiona, our session aide, is a recent graduate from the University of Denver, where she majored in international studies and minored in biology and English. During college, she studied abroad in France and Thailand, competed on the university\u2019s debate team, and was the cultural chair for the Native Students Alliance. Fun fact: She\u2019s canoed more than 600 miles in traditional dugout canoes in the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, and Columbia River! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dijla, our intern, is majoring in law, economics, and public policy and minoring in human rights at the University of Washington Bothell. She has always been passionate about social justice work and politics. She hopes to be a lawyer, either in international or family law. In her free time, she likes to read and spend time with her dog. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Angela, my communications specialist, helps us keep the public informed about the work we’re doing in Olympia. She loves visiting her family in Chicago, playing tennis with her friends in Yakima, skiing and exploring Washington.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get involved<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that session has begun, I hope you will get in touch with my office about the issues you care about. Many of the ideas for legislation I\u2019ve sponsored came from constituents \u2014 including some terrific high school students \u2014 and all the bills we pass benefit from public input. Your time and effort help me do the best job I can representing our communities in the 45th Legislative District. Here\u2019s how you can get involved:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n