Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Over the last several weeks, I have been busy connecting with different people and organizations around Spokane to learn more about the pressing issues facing our community. The interim time between legislative sessions offers the opportunity to hear directly from you and plan legislation so I’m prepared to deliver solutions when I return to Olympia next January.
Out and About
Food is health: Last month I had the opportunity to attend and present at the Washington State Medical Association’s Leadership Development Conference. One of the key topics I focused on was how food insecurity affects patients’ overall health. I was thankful for the chance to share the story of my journey in the Legislature to make free school meals universal in Spokane and eventually for all of the nearly 1.1 million public school students. (Click here for information about Spokane Public Schools Summer Meal Program). It was also great to connect with Dr. Srivani Kanumuri and Dr. Alan Melnick, and local Spokane students Audrey Almeria (UW Spokane) and Esther Kerns (Gonzaga) at the conference (pictured above). Food is health!
The South Suspension Pedestrian Bridge at Riverfront Park is just one example of a community project funded with grants from the WWRP.
Supporting outdoor recreation: I joined an event organized by the Washington Wildlife Recreation Coalition to discuss how we can protect and improve our parks, wildlife habitat, recreation access, and community spaces. It was great to connect with partners, advocates, and community leaders who are helping shape the future of conservation and outdoor recreation across Washington. Since 1991, Spokane County has received funding for 74 Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) projects, totaling $94 million invested into the county. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, outdoor recreation now generates $796 million in annual spending at Spokane businesses. I will continue to work hard in Olympia to secure funding for these special projects.
Improving mental health: In April, I had the opportunity to join health providers, researchers, students, and community organizations at the Community Mental Health Summit at WSU Spokane. We discussed practical, community-based approaches to improving mental and behavioral health outcomes across the region. We focused on how we can better address housing and homelessness, substance use, culturally responsive care, youth mental health, and crisis response through new innovative clinical and community-based services.
Small business resiliency: I joined staff from the state Department of Commerce and local business leaders to discuss strategies that will build a stronger economy here in Spokane and across the state. I had a good conversation with representatives from the state’s Small Business Resiliency Network, which supports small businesses in communities that have been underserved. The group works with community leaders to provide access to economic opportunities, promote wealth-building and empower businesses.
Supporting youth in crisis: I recently visited the new Crosswalk Youth Shelter facility that opened last August. Over the past few years, I’ve been proud to help secure $7.2 million in state funding to support this project. This facility offers increased capacity and wraparound services for young people experiencing homelessness. I’m proud to help support an organization dedicated to hope, healing, and breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Protecting our environment: I met with the Spokane Environmental Priorities Coalition to discuss policy solutions to protect our community from a changing climate that is threatening our local ecosystems, regional water supplies, and human health. Key topics included the Waste-To-Energy Plant, renter protections in a changing climate, and the health and longevity of the Spokane River. I’m looking forward to advancing more legislation next year to protect and preserve the immense natural beauty of our state.
Strengthening public health: Earlier this month I spoke with local public health directors and state health officials about bridging the partisan divide in Olympia to create and implement policy that will ensure access to healthcare even in the most rural communities. I appreciated the discussion with leaders from across the state who are working everyday to advance community health.
Summer of Soccer
The FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off! As a player, coach and referee, I am excited for a summer celebrating soccer here in Spokane and across the country. Seeing our community embrace the Egyptian national team as they use Spokane as their base camp reminds why I love our city so much. I had the opportunity to watch the Pharaohs practice at Gonzaga before they started tournament play. I was proud to help secure state funding for improvements at Luger Field to help make it state-of-the-art facility worthy of some of the world’s best players. Last week I also had the opportunity to join elected officials from various levels of government in Washington State to play a friendly game against members of the Australian Parliament in West Seattle. It was a lot of fun to highlight our state and our love of the world’s sport. I was able to score the game winner in the match that ended 4-3. Let’s go USA!
Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov.
It is an honor to serve you!
Sen. Marcus Riccelli
