Dear friends and neighbors,
Now that we’ve finished the legislative session—with the first on-time budget in a decade—I’m excited to report back to you on what we did and how it will affect our community.
Since I came to Olympia this January, I have made it my mission to fight every day to make the 26th District and our whole state a better place—to expand access to health care, to make it easier for kids to fulfill their dreams through higher education, and to ensure that our community is getting the investments we need and deserve.
Of the bills I introduced this year, five passed into law. These bills impact healthcare, homelessness, road safety, and efficiency in our court system. One bill creates pilot programs at six universities and community and technical colleges around the state to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness. Another of my bills prohibits discrimination in health care based on gender identity and extends care to college students who suffer from sexual assault. I also cosponsored a property tax exemption for veterans, seniors, and folks with disabilities.
At the same time, I worked hard to make sure the capital construction budget funds $29 million in infrastructure projects in communities across our district. A few highlights include:
• $1 million for the Mustard Seed senior living project on Key Peninsula.
• $4 million for construction at Retsil Washington Veterans Home.
• $1.2 million for new facilities in Kopachuck Beach State Park.
• $2 million for Peninsula Community Health Services to expand its behavioral health offerings and support its new mobile dental clinic.
It is an honor to be your voice in the Legislature. In the coming months, I will be attending events around the district and also holding regular coffee hours. You can see specific times, locations and other details on my official website.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out. The more I hear from you, the better I can ensure that our work in Olympia reflects our shared values.
All my best,
Senator Emily Randall
