Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s hard to believe we’re in the last stretch of the legislative session. We have much to do before we adjourn April 27, including passing a balanced state budget that preserves essential services. The deficit we face has made this year’s budgeting process particularly difficult, but I’m focused on reaching a final agreement that meets Washingtonians’ needs and funds the supports communities in our district rely on.
Before we settle into session’s final weeks, I wanted to update you on my bills, share some information about an asthma program for children living in our community surrounding SeaTac airport, give a big shoutout to my incredible legislative team, and let you know about an upcoming town hall.
Bill update: Here’s what still in play
Many of the bills I introduced this session directly addressed some of the most pressing issues facing our communities. I was proud to sponsor bills that would’ve addressed environmental and health disparities for people living near SeaTac airport, made corporate ownership of single-family homes more transparent, restricted the use of artificial intelligence in making prior authorization determinations in health care, and improved protections for children. While these bills didn’t advance this year, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for them. I’m committed to bringing these priorities back to the Senate next session.
I’m happy to report my bills that passed the Senate are progressing through the House. This includes my bills to enhance safety on our college campuses and increase support for student survivors of sexual assault, expand protections to prevent injuries and deaths of children, provide more foreclosure protections for HOA/condo owners, improve movie theater captioning accessibility, and create a new certification requirement for memory care facilities, which the Washington State Standard recently covered.
My movie theater captioning and memory care facility certification bills are particularly special because they address concerns that two 33rd District residents, Karen Atwood and Teresa Matthews, brought to my attention. It’s been an honor to work with Karen and Teresa on these bills, and I appreciate that they turned to me to help deliver solutions. I hope you’ll do the same when something is on your mind.
Sen. Tina Orwall with Karen Atwood, president of the Washington State Association of the Deaf, during public testimony for Senate Bill 5486.
King County Community Health Worker Asthma Program
The health and well-being of everyone in our district is one of my top concerns. As an airport community, we have health disparities in diseases and some of the highest rates of asthma in King County. We’ve learned our air has high levels of ultrafine participles that come from aviation fuels as planes land and take off. These participles can cause inflammation in the lungs, making it more difficult for people to breathe, especially if they have asthma. To begin to address these disparities, we secured funds to help children in our community who have poorly controlled asthma.
If you or someone you know has uncontrolled asthma, consider enrolling in the free King County Community Health Worker Asthma Program. I’ve included a flyer — one in English and Spanish — with more information about what the program includes and how to enroll.
Any King County resident who is 5 years or older and has uncontrolled asthma is eligible for services. If you have any questions about the program, email RFPHAsthmaProgram@kingcounty.gov.
Thank you to my incredible staff
From left to right: Aaron Wheeler, Brooklynn Warner, Sen. Tina Orwall, Vanessa Faker, and Mary Soderlind.
None of the work I’ve achieved this session would’ve been possible without my legislative staff. My interns Aaron Wheeler and Brooklynn Warner, session aide Vanessa Faker, and my wonderful, long-standing legislative assistant Mary Soderlind have been an incredible team to work with. Over the past 13 weeks, they’ve done everything from coordinate meetings with community members and key representatives to research and track my bills and respond to constituent questions. Their work is integral to the legislative process, and I’m incredibly grateful for their service.
Mark your calendars: 33rd Legislative District town hall
I’m joining my seatmates, Reps. Mia Gregerson and Edwin Obras, for a telephone town hall Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We’ll place a call to constituents across the district, but if you don’t receive one, you can still participate by dialing (855) 756-7520 and using extension 122060#.
Keep in touch!
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office when you have feedback, questions, or concerns. You can reach me at Tina.Orwall@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7664. I hope to hear from you!
Sincerely,
