Dear Neighbors,

Short sessions fly by, and this one is no exception. As of tomorrow, we’re already 10% of the way through. Our first policy deadline is in less than three weeks, and there’s lots to get done before then.

My bill creating the Washington state public bank, SB 5754, had a really great work session and hearing in the Ways & Means Committee yesterday. Progress has been years in the making, and this is a huge step forward for public banking in Washington! The bill is now awaiting executive action in Ways & Means. Thank you for all of your support over the years as we fight for a financial system that benefits everyone in Washington state, not Wall Street.

Don Morgan, the president and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota (BND), the only publicly owned state bank in the United States, testified in front of the Ways & Means Committee and answered members’ questions. You can watch his testimony and the entire work session and hearing here to learn more about public banking and SB 5754.

Other bills

I’m sponsoring more than 20 bills this session, and all can still pass into law. Here are some highlights:

  • A suite of transition bills that, when combined, move our state closer toward a universal health care model. The bill texts are full of medical, insurance, and legal jargon, but provide a clear outline as to how we can make real progress on this issue.
    • SB 5946: Expanding the income eligibility for the medical assistance program.
    • SB 5947: Establishing the Washington health care board.
    • SB 5948: Establishing deadlines for the universal health care commission.
    • SB 5955: Concerning the Medicaid derivatization act.
    • SJR 8206: Amending the Constitution to establish a right to affordable health care.
  • SB 5753, originally filed last year, creates a public housing task force. The task force would look at creating public housing to meet our housing demand and benefit our communities with mixed-income housing. This model is on display in Seattle, where voters approved and funded Seattle Social Housing through a series of ballot measures. There’s a need — and an appetite — for organizations like this, and I’m excited to champion this mission in the Senate. The state economic development strategic plan calls for 1 million new housing units by 2040 — public housing is the only way to reach that goal.

Visitors

I met with some amazing groups in the last few weeks, including representatives from community and technical colleges, labor interests, health care, and more.

Notably, I met with Consul General Makoto Iyori of Japan and Director General of Taiwan May Lin, who was in Olympia for the governor’s State of the State address.

Meet the staff

These are the first folks you’ll speak with or hear from when you reach out to me.

Sarah Ellerbrock is returning as my executive legislative office manager this session. Sarah has broad experience in international affairs and community engagement.

Two Sarahs can get confusing pretty fast, so Sarah Reuben, my legislative assistant, goes by Reuben. She has previously worked two sessions in the Legislature. She’s excited to join my office for her third session and now serve the people of the 11th Legislative District.

Hannah Waterman rounds out my year-round staff as my public information officer. She fields press inquiries, manages my website and social media, and can typically be found either writing, taking photos, finding a coffee, or scouring the Mariners’ upcoming schedule. In keeping with the theme, she has a sister named Sarah.

Last, but not least, we have a session intern, also named Sara. She’s exited to join the office and have a front-row seat to the legislative process!

Contact

Below are some great ways to contact and keep in touch with my office — chances you’ll reach a Sarah are very good!

Phone: 360-786-7616 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through session).

Email me!

If you’d like me to speak with your organization to talk about my important initiatives on public banking, social housing, universal health care, or other issues, please schedule something with my executive legislative office manager and scheduler, Sarah Ellerbrock, at sarah.ellerbrock@leg.wa.gov.

Thank you for reading and following along this session and trusting me in this role to represent our 11th District.

Talk to you soon,
Bob