The budgets approved by the Legislature this year brought significant investments to the 30th Legislative District, which includes Federal Way, Algona, Pacific, Milton, Des Moines and Auburn. “I’m proud to have supported and advocated for investments that will make life in our district better, from improving programs that increase equity and support our youth, to fostering community development and addressing the unique transportation struggles we experience in our district,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn). Highlights of the investments that affect the district communities in each budget are listed below. The operating budget pays for the day-to-day operations of state government ...
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Several provisions of the Fair Start for Kids Act, the system overhaul the Legislature passed this year in response to the state’s childcare crisis, take effect today. “In Washington, over half a million children do not have access to licensed childcare,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), who sponsored the act. “Even where there is childcare available, the cost is so high that it remains out of reach for most families. The Fair Start for Kids Act will help parents keep their jobs and the salaries they need to take care of their families by increasing access to affordable, ...
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Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig released the statement below Wednesday in response to Republican Rep. Jim Walsh’s comparison of Washington’s COVID public health rules to the Nazi persecution of Jews and a Supreme Court ruling that upheld Jim Crow laws: “Rep. Walsh's comments and actions were deeply offensive and demonstrated either extreme ignorance or a willful effort to lie about historical facts for perceived political benefit. “Before Rep. Walsh makes another clumsy attempt to equate life-saving vaccines with the murder of six million men, women and children, I’d invite him to visit the Holocaust Center for Humanity in ...
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Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and Chair of the Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee Sen. Kevin Van De Wege issued the statements below following the passing of former Senator and Representative Mark Doumit. Doumit represented the 19th Legislative District from 1996 until 2006. He passed away June 21 at the age of 59. "Mark had a reputation as a person that brought instant credibility to an issue. He spent his entire life in public service, first working on behalf of his community and then as a champion for Washington’s forests. Even years after he had left ...
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The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus today issued the following statement in response to the Attorney General's most recent action in the case of Manuel Ellis' death. “As the Members of Color Caucus of the Washington State Senate, we send love and solidarity to Manuel Ellis’ loved ones and community. The Attorney General’s decision to charge two of the involved law enforcement officers with murder and one other with manslaughter may be meaningful progress toward justice, but we know the process to get here was a long and painful one for Manny’s friends and family, ...
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OLYMPIA — Today the governor signed legislation into law that will establish an advisory group to assist with the design, development, and implementation of a statewide database for police use of force. This database will enable use of force data to be collected and made available to the public, policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement. Senate Bill 5259, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), maintained strong bipartisan support through the legislative process. Prior to enactment, Washington state operated without a centralized database use-of-force data. “This is a first step toward collecting data on police uses of force and other ...
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OLYMPIA – A package of law enforcement accountability legislation was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee today, increasing state oversight of police conduct, banning dangerous and unnecessary police practices, and raising standards for police conduct. “The public outcry over a series of high-profile deaths of members of Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities has now led to the most significant new accountability measures in our state’s history,” said Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle), chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee and bill sponsor. “The killing of George Floyd, Manuel Ellis, Charleena Lyles, John T. Williams and many ...
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OLYMPIA – Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation that will reduce environmental health disparities and improve the health of all people in Washington state using principles of environmental justice. Senate Bill 5141, the Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act), addresses the disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards suffered by Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, along with low-income communities in neighborhoods across Washington state, putting them at higher risk of adverse health outcomes. This risk is further amplified for communities with pre-existing economic barriers and environmental risks. The HEAL Act, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), ...
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OLYMPIA – Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault will gain crucial protections and supports, and abusers will be held more accountable, under legislation signed into law by the governor. “This year, we made our justice system more responsive to the trauma of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra, chair of the Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee and vice chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee. “We have a continual duty to help survivors reclaim their lives and move forward in a positive way, to understand that trauma exerts itself as a ...
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OLYMPIA – Legislation signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee will help kids in foster care stay with family members and in their communities where possible. Senate Bill 5151, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), also waives licensing fees for childcare providers until 2023 and establishes a permanent program for outdoor, nature-based early learning. Help for kinship caregivers Consistent with the state’s goal of enabling family reunification wherever possible within the foster care system, SB 5151 allows DCYF to issue a child-specific license to a relative or other suitable person to provide foster care. This will help the ...
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