Friends and neighbors,

I hope you have had a peaceful start to the Lunar New Year with loved ones. We celebrated the start of the year in the Legislature with a Lunar New Year Resolution on the Senate floor last week, sponsored by my colleague Sen. Joe Nguyen. I wish you and your family a season of prosperity in the new year.

As we’re moving our way through the 2023 session, keep reading to learn more about some of the exciting work happening in the Legislature this session – including our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the work of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Check out my legislative update videos

While we are in session, I try to keep you all updated on the legislative goings-on in Olympia, and that includes regular video updates every other week. Head to my website to watch videos from prior sessions or click the photo above to watch my latest update from this week!

Focusing on DEI in the work of the Senate Democratic Caucus this session

As your state senator in the 11th District, my mission has always been to fight for racial equity and economic justice for all the hard working families in our District and State. Our district is more than 50% people of color and includes so many diverse communities, so it is my duty to ensure you are represented well in the Legislature and that the issues that matter to you are being addressed.

In my role as Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, I have requested that all the committee chairs in the Senate consider three questions as they pass bills out of their committees:

  1. Who are the underrepresented groups affected by this policy, program, practice, or decision, and what are the potential impacts on these groups?
  2. Does this policy, program, practice, or decision worsen existing disparities or produce other unintended consequences?
  3. If ‘yes’ or ‘I don’t know’ to any of the above, how have you intentionally involved affected parties or the Members of Color Caucus?

From the drafting process to committee hearings to final passage, it’s crucial that we look at each law we are considering through a lens that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Stay in touch

As always, your feedback is a crucial part of the lawmaking process. You can reach out to me at Bob.Hasegawa@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7616 with feedback, and be sure to follow my official social media accounts on both Twitter and Facebook to stay in the loop (although I admit I’m really bad at maintaining my social media accounts). I look forward to hearing all your thoughtful ideas throughout the legislative session.

In solidarity,

Bob