Friends, neighbors –

I have some news for you!

👉🏽 First up: I’m having the first of several Virtual Town Halls coming up on Saturday, January 29, at 11am!

  • Join me on Facebook on Saturday at 11am – click here!
  • Pre-submit your thoughts and questions – click here!

If you can’t make it, don’t stress. I’ll continue to have more virtual town halls so that we can keep connecting in real time over our neighbors’ shared questions, ideas, and feedback. The next one is scheduled for February 19th at 11am. Read to the end for more ways to connect! 👇🏽

Here’s a link to another one of my recent town halls if you want to get caught up!

  • Click here to tune in to the Virtual Town Hall that was all about ferry funding with Sen. Rolfes, Rep. Simmons, Rep. Hansen, and two experts from Washington State Ferries.

👉🏽 Second: Last week I filed a bill that would strengthen our state’s system of checks and balances in times of emergency. Right now, the executive branch has a lot of emergency powers that the Legislature doesn’t have any opportunity to weigh in on. After hearing from over a thousand people in our community that this is a concern of theirs, I’m sponsoring SB 5909 to add some legislative oversight to executive emergency powers. Read more about it here.

👉🏽 Third: I also recently filed a bill that would establish a sales and use tax deferral program that would help revitalize economic recovery in rural areas like ours. We know that the pandemic put the brakes on our economy, worsened disparities, and put a spotlight on the way small businesses and their workers are hit hardest. This bill would act as a strong, targeted investment to help our businesses recover more quickly. Read more about it here.

Both of these ideas are bold solutions to big problems, and they’re driven by the feedback and the input that I get from you and all our neighbors. I hope I’ll hear more of them at my town hall this Saturday, Jan. 29! ⇨ Forward this email to at least three other people in your network so they know they’re invited too. ⇦

Want other ways to get ahold of me? Easy ways to reach me include Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – where you can shoot me a message and follow along to see what we’re up to. You can also reach out anytime at 360-786-7650 or Emily.Randall@leg.wa.gov. The more I hear from you, the more my work in Olympia can reflect our shared values and goals.

-Emily