Dear friends and neighbors,

 

Last Thursday was the final day of the 2022 legislative session. I’m pleased to report that we finished on a high note – enacting three historic budgets that provide real relief and comfort for families and communities across our state. I’m eager to see our three historic budgets implemented and bring much-needed and long-overdue investments to the 38th District and to communities around the state.

Three Historic Budgets

This session we proposed and passed historic transportation, capital, and operating budgets. Each of these transformational budgets strengthens our state and places Washington in a strong position to lead the country in many sectors from transportation to housing security to behavioral health resources.

Two specific investments I am thrilled to see included in the supplemental operating budget are:

  • $90 million to add nurses and counselors in schools to meet the physical and social-emotional needs of students.
  • $100 million to address behavioral health workforce shortages and improve Washingtonians’ access to behavioral health services, paired with a significant increase in reimbursement rates for community behavioral health services that will stabilize provider organizations such as Compass Health into the future.

The supplemental capital budget will continue to reinvest in our community where it is needed most. I am excited to share four additional projects in our district that I advocated for and am thrilled to see included in this budget.

  • $3.4 million for a homeless youth facility through the Communities of Color Coalition.
  • $2 million for terminal and warehouse upgrades at the Port of Everett.
  • $300,000 for capital improvements at Volunteers of America to prepare for the new 988 crisis system.
  • $250,000 for Imagine Children’s Museum in downtown Everett.

The Legislature unanimously passed the capital budget and it now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. These investments and projects will deliver significant results and resources for our communities as we move beyond this pandemic and look optimistically toward the future.

The Legislature also passed a transportation package that is designed to significantly improve and expand the way we travel in our state and community. Some of investments directed to the 38th District that I am excited to see included this transformational package include:

  • $210 million to fund planning and engineering work that will lead to improved capacity for the US 2 trestle.
  • $206 million for transportation access distribution for Community and Everett Transit.
  • $30.5 million for I-5 improvements from NB Marine View Dr. to SR 529.

Legislative Successes

Great news: five of my bills have all passed the Legislature and now await the governor’s signature.

  • SB 5589 measures and reports spending on primary care. A robust primary care system is best for patients and payers, resulting in better outcomes, reduced health disparities, and less in overall cost.
  • SB 5649 improves the Paid Family and Medical Leave program to operate more effectively and ensures the program’s stability.
  • SB 5753 updates the membership requirements and operating procedures for various boards, commissions, and advisory committees that oversee health professions.
  • SB 5799 exempts provider clinics and affiliated organizations from the workforce education investment surcharge.
  • SB 5866 allows Washington’s sovereign Tribes to perform their case management duties for Medicaid long-term services and supports clients.

Stay Updated

I will take this opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone in our community who advocated for legislation this year. Your involvement is, and always has been, vital to the functioning of state government.

 

My office is as available to you as ever. Send me an email at June.Robinson@leg.wa.gov, or give me a call at (360) 786-7674. Let’s set up a Zoom meeting or connect in writing. I’d love to hear from you, and I look forward to learning more about your priorities in this upcoming year. You can also follow me on Facebook for regular updates.

 

My work in Olympia is always informed by the voices of my neighbors, and I’m eager to hear yours.

 

Sincerely,

June