Dear friends and neighbors,
This week we moved full speed ahead with policy work, committee hearings, stakeholder round tables, and constituent meetings. We started the week off with a beautiful celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during which I was honored to stand and speak to his legacy, as well as the legacy of hope and justice that was left by our district’s very own former-Senator Bill Smitherman and our beloved Bishop Larry Robertson. What a powerful way to begin a week of work for the people of Washington. Other highlights included: committee hearings on my bills to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage for brand new birth parents for a full year – instead of the current 60 days (SB 6128) – and my bill to pave the way for more school-based health clinics (SB 6279). Looking forward to continuing our work to expand access to health care this session.
Introducing my team
We have an awesome team who jumped right into session – even starting at our pre-session #townhalltour, setting up meetings with constituents, getting prepared for committee hearings, tracking important legislation, and doing everything possible to serve you in Olympia. I’m going to introduce them over the next couple weeks, starting with my session aide and intern!
Cameron Kockritz, my session aide, grew up in Kalama, Washington, right along the Columbia River. She graduated recently from The Evergreen State College – one of our state’s amazing institutions of higher education! – where she studied Political Science and Literature.
Something Cam loves about the legislature is that there’s always something to do: every day brings new and compelling challenges and opportunities. She says that “there is everything to love about working here in the legislature, but one of my absolute favorite parts is meeting and listening to everyone who visits Senator Randall and seeing how individual priorities weave together to highlight the larger intersecting issues, and how those issues then help guide the senator.”
Ultimately, she says that she loves the way our office is based in service, and appreciates how highly we value voices and populations often shut out from policy conversations. I’m so glad Cameron has joined us for the session – strengthening our team with her own voice and incredible commitment to service! Since she’s one of the first faces you see when you visit our office, I hope you’ll swing by and get a chance to meet her.
Ashley Rot, my wonderful intern, is originally from Naperville, IL, before she moved to Alta, WY, where her family still lives. She’s currently a junior at the University of Puget Sound – yet another amazing university I love to visit – and will graduate with the class of ’21. She’s passionate about policy and law, and I’m excited to follow her future career!
She says her favorite thing about the legislature has been “meeting so many different people, each with their own passion for a different issue. Every day I go home thinking about an issue I hadn’t previously considered, because the people of Washington brought it to us!” And something she loves about our office in particular is that she’s treated like a valuable member of the team – because she is! – and that together we fight to ensure that every voice is valued.
Ashley advises anyone considering working at the legislature to just apply! “Apply for any position, because people are so helpful and willing to work with you. Even if you don’t see yourself represented in the legislature, there’s someone rooting for you to apply so you can contribute your knowledge, your unique perspective, and your experiences.” Well said, Ashley!
My week in Olympia
I believe in transparency, and I want to keep you all informed about what I’m doing on behalf of the 26th District in Olympia. That’s why I’m making a practice of posting my calendar and a week-in-review video on Facebook every week. You can see last week’s calendar here, and last week’s video here.
Keep in touch
Thank you for taking the time to read my update. We are all eager to hear from you about your priorities. I hope you’ll follow me on Facebook so you can see what we’re up to. And please feel free to reach out anytime at 360-786-7560 or Emily.Randall@leg.wa.gov. The more we hear from you, the better our work in Olympia can reflect our shared values and goals.
All my best,
