Friends and neighbors, The first few weeks of the 2024 legislative session in Olympia have been busy, with dozens of public hearings and floor votes on legislation addressing critical issues facing ...
Read MoreE-Newsletter
![2024 legislative session reaches halfway point in Olympia](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/02/43rd_TownHall.png)
![New laws promote racial justice and opportunity for all](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/08/Featured-Image-2-1140x600.jpg)
Dear friends and neighbors, In recent years, our state has taken significant steps to extend justice and opportunity to all communities. We know that systemic inequities disproportionately affect communities of color ...
Read More![Legislature takes key steps to improve public safety](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/08/Featured-Image-2-1140x600.jpg)
Dear friends and neighbors, All people deserve to be safe and feel safe in their community. The Legislature made meaningful progress this year that will help prevent crimes, strengthen our support ...
Read More![Legislature increases public benefits and supportive services](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/08/Featured-Image-2-1140x600.jpg)
A decade ago, while our state was struggling to recover from the Great Recession, the Legislature was hamstrung by voter initiatives that blocked tax increases. I was proud to work ...
Read More![Celebrating freedom and democracy](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/07/Capitol_fireworks.jpg)
Dear friends and neighbors, Voting is the foundation of our democracy. As we celebrate Independence Day this week, I want to share good news about voting access here in Washington. Since 2018, ...
Read More![Legislature invests in behavioral health](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/UW.jpg)
Dear friends and neighbors, Like many other states, Washington has struggled to meet the needs of people with mental health or substance use disorders, now often referred to as behavioral health. ...
Read More![Legislature invests in community facilities](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/capital_projects.png)
Dear friends and neighbors, Each year the state makes hundreds of new investments to improve public spaces around the state. Thanks to persistent and effective advocacy by community members and nonprofits, ...
Read More![Expanding access to Washington’s Death with Dignity Act](https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/pedersen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2023/06/5179.png)
Dear friends and neighbors, We have learned much since voters in our state approved the Death with Dignity Act by initiative in 2008. The law allows terminally ill adults with less ...
Read More