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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Nobles named Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow
Olympia– State Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) was named one of 27 elected officials around the country in the newest cohort of the Hunt-Kean Leadership fellows program. The program vision is to help political leaders develop, improve and reform a vision for educational improvement by partnering with experts and connecting with bipartisan elected officials around the country. “As vice-chair on both the Senate Early Learning & K-12 and the College & Workforce Development committees, I continue focus strongly on education,” said Nobles. “The pandemic has highlighted where our students, families and communities need ...Read More
Olympia– State Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) has been selected as a 2022 NCSL Maternal and Child Health Fellow in a program designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders in maternal and child health. “I look forward to joining this program in hopes of re-examining health care models to find how we can improve our health care systems to better serve historically disenfranchised communities,” said Nobles. “Approximately 700 women die annually in the United States as a result of pregnancy or complications during pregnancy. By investing in healthy children and families, we strengthen communities and avoid ...
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In 2021, Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) was recognized with numerous awards her work on policies in early learning and childcare, as well as comprehensive sexual health education. Below is a brief description of each award. Golden Crayon Award from the Early Learning Action Alliance for Wilson’s outstanding leadership in early learning and her commitment to advancing early learning policies and funding over the last year, which has been crucial for Washington’s children and families. Crayon Awards acknowledge achievements policymakers who support investments critical to supporting children and families. The award credited Wilson as a steadfast advocate of championing critical ...
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Sen. Steve Hobbs, longtime chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the second longest-tenured member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, officially resigned from the Senate on Monday, Nov. 22 and will assume his duties as Washington’s 16th Secretary of State on Tuesday. “Being elected to the Senate was the greatest honor and thrill of my life,” Hobbs said. “I can say without hesitation that I gave this job everything I have and I hope I left my district and this institution in a better place than when I arrived.” Hobbs, 51, was first elected to the Senate in 2006. ...
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