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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 ...

OLYMPIA - Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, shared the following statement regarding a transportation package today:

 "As we begin the 2022 session, I want to be clear that any transportation package I introduce in the Senate this year will not include a new gas tax. As our state continues to confront and recover from the pandemic, working class families still face the brunt of the economic burden. In light of these challenging times, it is imperative that we put people first to invest in communities and projects across the state without ...

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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 ...

  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 ...

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, ...