OLYMPIA -- Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) this week pre-filed two bills that would dismantle barriers to accessible housing in Washington. SB 5755 would establish a tax incentive program to foster development of affordable multifamily housing in urban areas. SB 5749 would ensure that landlords accept non-electronic forms of rental payments, like checks and money orders. “Our state is resilient, and we are both rebuilding and re-envisioning a stronger future for all of us,” said Trudeau. “These bills are part of that process. SB 5755 in particular will stimulate growth in urban areas, make it easier for working Washingtonians to ...
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Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) announced that she will be sponsoring two policies during the 2022 legislative session that will protect and strengthen Washington state’s democratic systems. SB 5584 would allow local jurisdictions to use a system of ranked choice voting in local elections, which would help increase participation and representation. SB 5583 would end local jurisdictions’ use of “prison gerrymandering,” or the practice of counting incarcerated individuals as residents of the district in which they are imprisoned rather than at their last known residential address. These are the first bills Trudeau has filed since her tenure as state senator ...
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OLYMPIA - Gov. Jay Inslee, together with Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma), released the following statements this morning on delaying the Washington Cares Fund premium assessment: “I have been in ongoing discussions with legislators about the long-term care bill, which is set to begin collecting funds in January. This bill will help provide much-needed care and coverage for Washingtonians as they age. However, legislators have identified some areas that need adjustments and I agree. We need to give legislators the opportunity to make refinements to the bill. Therefore, I am taking ...
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OLYMPIA – Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) has been chosen to chair the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee in the 2022 legislative session. “I’m honored to assume this new position,” said Wilson. “I will draw on my long experience as an educator to continue to address the root causes of the challenges facing our communities, including ensuring that the needs of our youth are met.” Wilson has served on the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee since 2018. The chair position became open earlier this fall when then-Sen. Jeannie Darneille retired from the Senate. “I look forward to ...
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REDMOND – Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) has been chosen to chair the Senate Law & Justice Committee. “I’m honored to have the trust of my colleagues to lead our efforts to ensure the effective and equitable administration of justice in our state’s court system,” said Dhingra, who previously served as vice chair of the committee. During Dhingra’s tenure as vice chair, the Legislature passed legislation strengthening protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, lengthening the statute of limitations for rape, reducing firearm violence, and cracking down on financial fraud and identity theft. In the 2021 session, ...
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OLYMPIA – The Senate Democratic Caucus today voted to confirm committee membership and leadership positions for the 2022 Legislative session. “I am so proud of all that’s been accomplished on behalf of all Washingtonians in recent years,” Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig said. “We’re leading on issues such as jobs, climate, voting rights, healthcare and much more. “We have more work to do, and this is the team that will help keep Washington on a path of prosperity.” Key changes to committees include:
- Sen. Manka Dhingra becomes chair of the Law & Justice Committee.
- Sen. Claire Wilson becomes chair of ...Read More
The Snohomish County Council today voted unanimously to appoint John Lovick to the open Senate seat in the 44th Legislative District. Lovick, who has served in the House for nearly 15 years, is filling the vacancy left following Steve Hobbs’ appointment as Secretary of State. “I’m excited to get to work,” Lovick said. “We’ve overcome so much as a state, but hard work remains. There’s no problem we can’t solve if we do it together, and I’m excited to get started in this new role.” Lovick’s first foray into elected service was in 1993 when he won election to the ...
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Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) previews what is in the works for education in Washington state in a recent video. “We’ve been making changes to our education system to respond to the 21st century’s growing, digital economy,” said Wellman. “We have committed to ensuring that every student who comes through our K-12 system is prepared to move into the next phase of their lives with the knowledge and skills to succeed. We have done the preparatory work, establishing pathways for graduation and setting standards for computer science in K-12. Now we are building on that work. I ...
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OLYMPIA – Sen. Marko Liias (D- Everett) was chosen to chair the Senate Transportation Committee in an internal vote today by the Senate Democratic Caucus. “It is an honor that my colleagues trust me with this responsibility and have selected me for this position,” said Liias. “As we face dramatic changes to transportation revenue and mobility options, this is our moment to write a visionary, equitable, climate-focused transportation package that invests in our shared priorities while respecting our real and unique local needs.” The position became open last month following the appointment of the prior chair, former Sen. Steve Hobbs, to lead the Secretary of State’s office. Liias had served as Vice Chair of the House ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 7, 2021 Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) announced she will be sponsoring legislation to remove all tolls from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in under two years. The bill would transfer $772 million from the state’s general fund to pay off remaining debts on the bridge. “This proposal is bold but the demand is simple: our community here on the peninsula should get the infrastructure investments we need and deserve,” Randall said. “We have long raised our voices together about the problems with the way this bridge was financed, and the inequity of leaving toll payers responsible ...
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