OLYMPIA — A bill aimed at addressing displacement, particularly in historically marginalized communities, passed the Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 5138, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), allows counties with convention and trade centers and populations of 1.5 million or more — like in King County — to allocate a portion of short-term rental tax revenue not just for affordable housing but community-initiated equitable development projects. “Equitable development is about more than just creating housing — it’s about building spaces that are alive with the culture and needs of the people who call them home,” Saldaña said. “This bill makes sure short-term rental tax revenue goes toward community-driven projects that include not just affordable, ...
Read MoreAbout Rebecca
Sen. Rebecca Saldaña represents Washington state’s 37th Legislative District, which includes parts of South Seattle, Renton, Madrona, the Central District, Leschi, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, and Bryn Mawr-Skyway. A proud Chicana of Mexican and German heritage, Saldaña grew up in Seattle’s Delridge neighborhood. Her upbringing, shaped by economic and environmental challenges, instilled a deep commitment to conservation, resilience, and justice.
Her father, a Mexican immigrant and former farmworker who became a machinist, worked in Georgetown near one of Seattle’s largest polluters. Her mother, a social worker, came from a family of Midwest farmers. These experiences fueled Saldaña’s determination to advocate for communities disproportionately affected by environmental and social injustices.
Read Rebecca’s full biography here.