Author Archives: akerndl

15 Oct
0

Improving access to democracy

Dear friends and neighbors,   I was honored to recently receive the Washington Association of County Auditors’ “Legislator of the Century” award! I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together over the years to make our election system a model ...

Read More
18 Jul
0

Legislative lookback: how it started

Dear friends and neighbors,  As my time in the Legislature winds down, let’s look back on what shaped my early life and career before I ran for the state House and some of the biggest accomplishments during my 24 years ...

Read More
04 Apr
0

Inside Olympia: OSPI Chris Reykdal, Senator Sam Hunt

This week on Inside Olympia, an update on the state of schools, student well being and school funding from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Plus, after nearly a quarter century in the Legislature, State Senator Sam Hunt is ...

Read More
27 Mar
0

The Seattle Times: WA passes bill to protect libraries, as other states target them

Washington has passed legislation intended to safeguard its public libraries, after a small city in the southeastern corner of the state nearly became the first community in the nation to shutter its library over the book battles that have engulfed ...

Read More
26 Mar
0

Hunt bill to protect libraries signed into law

OLYMPIA — A bill to protect libraries was signed into law Tuesday.   In 2023, petitioners in Columbia County gathered enough signatures to put a measure on the ballot to dissolve the Columbia County Rural Library District in Dayton. State statute ...

Read More
19 Mar
0

Bill requiring AEDs in fitness centers signed into law

Olympia — A bill requiring fitness centers to carry at least one semiautomatic external defibrillator (AED) was signed into law Tuesday.   Senate Bill 5592, sponsored by Sen. Sam Hunt (D-Olympia), was brought forward by constituents, Kim and Karli Reiter. Rep. ...

Read More
12 Mar
0

KING 5: Widow pushes lawmakers to pass law requiring AEDs in Washington gyms

OLYMPIA, Wash. — When Kim Reiter’s husband died from a cardiac arrest while working out at the gym, she was shocked to find out fitness centers are not required to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs). So Reiter contacted her state ...

Read More
11 Mar
0

Important investments in the 22nd District

Dear friends and neighbors,   The 2024 legislative session has officially come to an end! During the last week, we passed our supplemental capital, operating and transportation budgets.   I’m happy to share that the capital budget funds important projects Reps. ...

Read More
06 Mar
0

KING 5: Several Washington lawmakers to retire, campaign for other political positions

The end of Washington state’s 2024 legislative session Thursday will mark the end of several careers of longtime lawmakers. On March 6, Republican Sen. Lynda Wilson added her name to the growing list of legislators announcing they won’t seek re-election in 2024. ...

Read More
01 Mar
0

Protecting important investments in education

Dear friends and neighbors,   Some of the most important issues before the Legislature this year are the initiatives that were submitted to us. Some of these initiatives would have a massive negative effect on the positive progress we’ve made together ...

Read More
123