{"id":7154,"date":"2021-03-10T08:42:21","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T16:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/nobles\/?p=7154"},"modified":"2021-09-15T15:47:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T22:47:08","slug":"half-way-update-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/nobles\/2021\/03\/10\/half-way-update-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislative Session Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Friends and Neighbors,<\/h3>\n

New Resource: Rental and Utilities Assistance for Pierce County Residents (Renters AND Landlords)<\/h3>\n

I am thrilled to share a new resource: rental and utilities assistance for Pierce County residents overdue on rent and\/or utility bills. Eligible utilities include electric, water, sewer, gas, garbage pickup, fuel oil and internet.<\/p>\n

Renters could be eligible for up to 12-months of rental assistance based on need. To be eligible, applicants must fall under 80% Area Median Income (AMI), have been impacted by COVID-19, have overdue rent and\/or utilities, and live in Pierce County, including the City of Tacoma.<\/p>\n

To read more information, click here<\/a>. To access the application, click the image below or the link here<\/a>. Applicants without internet access are encouraged to call 2-1-1. Please note that both tenants AND landlords can apply.<\/p>\n

Recovery from the pandemic remains one of my top priorities. As we continue to pursue solutions for economic recovery and housing, I am ecstatic that this local resource is available today.<\/p>\n

If you need any assistance navigating this resource, please reach my office at T\u2019wina.Nobles@leg.wa.gov<\/a>, or by calling 360-786-7654<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Half-way Update<\/h3>\n

With the legislative session halfway through,\u202fit\u202fhas been an eventful February. Last week, we\u202fwere hard\u202fat work voting on bills that have made it out of committee. In preparation for floor action, I have been talking with\u202fconstituents\u202ffrom the 28th about the community’s concerns and I am confident that we\u2019re making progress towards strengthening our district. I remain committed to serving the 28th in the best\u202fway\u202fI know how:\u202fthrough\u202flearning, listening, and\u202famplifying the needs and concerns of the community.<\/p>\n

Join me on Facebook — Live!<\/h3>\n

Please tune in on March 23rd at 6:30 PM on Facebook LIVE as I share How to Track a Bill. Understanding the process by which legislation is created and ultimately passed is not inherently intuitive. That\u2019s why I\u2019m excited to share what I have learned about the bill process. Click the image below to follow me on Facebook so you can get notified when I go LIVE!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My bills are moving through the Legislative process<\/h3>\n

Several\u00a0bills\u00a0that\u00a0I have sponsored\u00a0will be moving to the House for consideration:<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5184<\/strong><\/a>
\nEstablishing an on-site point of contact in all K-12 public schools for youth experiencing foster care<\/strong><\/p>\n

Twenty-five years ago, I was placed in foster care. Now as a state Senator, I am championing a bill to help youth experiencing foster care by centering their needs as students.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Senate Bill 5259<\/strong><\/a>
\nLaw Enforcement Data<\/strong><\/p>\n

With this bi-partisan and law enforcement supported legislation, we have an opportunity to increase transparency and build trust by providing public access to information about the use of force. This can help us develop vital collaborative solutions to reduce crime and assess the effectiveness of training and critical reforms that the legislature has been working on this session.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/a>Senate Bill 5293<\/strong><\/a>
\nCreating a Mental Health Sentencing Alternative<\/strong><\/p>\n

This bill allows a sentencing court discretion and victim input on whether a mental health sentencing alternative should be imposed. It provides treatment instead of criminalizing people for having a mental illness, thus making our communities safer by addressing the underlying cause of some crime.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5321<\/b><\/a>
\nExpanding access to the College Bound Scholarship.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5321 eliminates a pledge requirement for the College Bound scholarship and auto-enrolls qualifying students who are eligible. This bill strikes the balance between upholding our promise and increasing access for students.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5183<\/a><\/strong>
\nConcerning victims of nonfatal strangulation<\/strong><\/p>\n

I joined Senators Manka Dhingra and Annette Cleveland to work on passing a package of bills that would provide justice to survivors of sexual assault. My bill is Senate Bill 5183<\/a>, which provides victims of domestic violence strangulation the medical assistance and justice they need.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m excited to say that all four bills unanimously passed the Senate. We took important steps to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. You can click here to read\u00a0more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 5292<\/strong><\/a>
\nCreating a Parks Rx, or Parks Prescription, Pilot Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

This bill is about opening the door to the outdoors for communities that need healing, both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sponsoring Budget Items<\/h3>\n

Thank you to community members who have asked me to sponsor budget provisos that focus on mental and behavioral health, transportation needs, housing (especially for unhoused youth), critical infrastructure, education, and environmental issues.<\/p>\n

I have also signed on to\u00a0letters\u00a0supporting the Working Families Tax Credit, greater police accountability, and funding for education. One particularly close to my heart is a letter urging capital construction funding\u00a0for Bridges to Home, which will be the first pediatric skilled nursing facility in Washington State.<\/p>\n

Car Tab Work\u00a0Group<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve heard from community members who have been struggling to pay their annual vehicle registration. Too often, community members must choose between paying registration fees or other essential bills, and this can lead to driving with expired tabs. Some community members have even chosen not to continue using their vehicle.<\/p>\n

I have been working with community members, budget chairs, and stakeholders\u202fto consider solutions that address this issue. Our district wants to fund transportation, yet we need to do it in a way that is affordable. What we know right now is that we need to study potential solutions so that we can propose the best possible legislation going forward. That is why we are\u202fcreating\u202fa work group that will incorporate community feedback so that when we return to this issue, we return with the ideas that will make a difference.<\/p>\n

Town\u00a0Hall<\/h3>\n

Thank you\u202fto those who joined\u202f<\/span>me, Rep. Leavitt, and Rep. Bronoske<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>at our virtual Town Hall\u202fon Saturday, February 20th. If you\u202fwere not able to virtually join,\u202fyou can watch the event on Facebook here<\/a><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And\u202fthank you all for working with us\u202fto\u202fcreate\u202fa space that honors our community\u2019s needs. As a resident of the 28th\u202fLegislative District, I understand how critical it is for us to stabilize and protect our community, small businesses, and educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u202f<\/span>As your t<\/span>eam of legislators,<\/span>\u202f<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>will continue\u00a0<\/span>to advocate for our community\u2019s needs beyond the pandemic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The constituents of the 28th\u202fLegislative District have been\u202fincredible\u202fabout making sure their voices\u202fare\u202fheard.\u202fI am grateful for the opportunity to hear from you, and<\/span>\u202fI urge you to continue reaching out to our\u202foffices and sharing insight on how we can best serve the needs of our community. Moving forward,\u00a0<\/span>I will<\/span>\u00a0continue\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>host<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>opportunities\u202fthat\u202f<\/span>allow for amplification of\u00a0<\/span>voices and involvement of 28th\u202fLD\u202fresidents<\/span>.<\/span> If you missed our January listening session, you can read about it here<\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Appointment to the Joint Committee on Veterans\u2019 and Military Affairs<\/h3>\n

I am pleased to announce my appointment\u00a0to the Joint Committee on Veterans\u2019 and Military Affairs<\/a>.\u00a0Like many in our district,\u00a0I grew up in a military family. I\u00a0was born on a base in Frankfurt, Germany, and\u00a0moved with my family to the 28th\u00a0legislative district\u00a020\u00a0years ago. I am inspired to represent\u00a0our community in this body and\u00a0bring forward the many\u00a0challenges\u00a0military families face. I am looking forward to working on how to give back to the servicemembers in our community who have given so much\u00a0to our country.<\/p>\n

Appointment to the Opioid\u00a0Crisis Team<\/h3>\n

As a member of the Senate Behavioral Health Committee, I am honored to be selected for\u00a0an\u00a0opportunity with the\u00a0National Conference of State Legislatures<\/a>\u00a0to expand my knowledge and learn from peers across the country in the Opioid Policy Fellows Program.<\/p>\n

Ways to Get Connected<\/h3>\n

Get involved in the process<\/p>\n