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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 18, 2022 Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) today introduced a bill to strengthen Washington state’s checks and balances on gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency. Senate Bill 5909 would add legislative oversight to declarations of states of emergency and prohibitive emergency orders during Legislative interim, adding to the oversight already in place regarding the governor’s power to waive or suspend statutes during a declared state of emergency. “The pandemic made it clear – to my neighbors and to Washingtonians in every corner of our state – that our current system of government gives a ...

OLYMPIA – It has been a week of firsts in the Washington State Legislature. The swearing in of Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) on Monday, joining Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), marked the first time in American history that Muslim, Sikh and Hindu lawmakers have served together in any state or federal legislative body. Tuesday saw Dhingra and Trudeau presiding over the Senate Law & Justice Committee as chair and vice chair, the first time two South Asian women have served in such roles together in Washington state history. “When I joined the Senate ...

OLYMPIA – Survivors of domestic violence in Washington state could be protected against severe emotional abuse through the civil protection order system through the passage of legislation sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland). SB 5845 and its companion HB 1901 would allow victims to file for protection against coercive control, which is a pattern of behavior that attempts to control a victim through the threat of physical, emotional or psychological harm. It includes manipulation through isolation, intimidation, threats, online stalking or economic control, among other tactics. “Research has shown that ...

OLYMPIA — Workers in Washington state would benefit from new apprenticeship programs in growing fields, reinvigorated support for existing apprenticeships, and significantly increased state funding for apprentices at public colleges, under two bills scheduled for committee hearings on Thursday. “The ‘earn-while-you-learn’ approach, with both classroom instruction and supervised on-the-job training, makes apprenticeships accessible to many—especially women and people of color—who can’t take time off work or afford to go to a traditional college or university,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee. “We can build a more diverse and expanded apprenticeship system that opens the door to a ...

Olympia– State Sen. T’wina Nobles has sponsored legislation to provide financial education and support to youth experiencing foster care. Senate Bill 5824, the Fostering Finances Act, will address a gap in financial preparedness for youth who are aging out of foster care by providing an opportunity for all youth experiencing foster care to open a bank account. “When I experienced foster care, I participated in transitional and independent living programs which taught me how to budget and encouraged my growth in financial independence,” said Nobles. “The similar learning environment provided in this bill was how I truly learned ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), vice chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, will work the initial days of the 2022 legislative session from home after testing positive for COVID-19. “I’m grateful that I can isolate at home with my family to minimize the possibility of spread, and I’m especially glad that my husband and I were vaccinated against this virus,” said Trudeau. “It’s scary to have COVID when we have a little one here at home who’s too young to be vaccinated, but we’re monitoring all of our symptoms extremely closely and know that we ...

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig announced Saturday he has tested positive for Covid-19. Billig, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, said he has virtually no symptoms and has been quarantining since Tuesday after he thought he may have been exposed. “I am grateful to have been vaccinated and boosted, which I know has prevented me from having any significant symptoms.” said Billig, 53. “I also appreciate that we have the technology in place to facilitate a hybrid legislative session so Senators can fully participate in legislative activities even while they quarantine. I do not expect this positive test ...

Sen. John Lovick announced Friday that he has tested positive for Covid-19. Lovick described his symptoms as “very mild” and expressed relief that he had previously been vaccinated and also received his booster shot. “I’m fine, I have a bit of a cold but other than that I feel OK,” said Lovick, 70. “One thing is for sure – I’m relieved that I’m both vaccinated and boosted. “I wear my mask, I wash my hands about 20 times a day and I still got it. This virus is nothing to mess around with and we all have to do ...