Dear Friends and Neighbors, I am honored to announce I have been named chair of the Local Government Committee. With my colleague Sen. Sharon Shewmake taking over as chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, I am excited to turn my attention toward this new position. Thanks to our welcoming communities, robust economy, and exceptional quality of life, Washington is the eighth fastest-growing state in the country. As we grow, we are faced with the need to build more affordable housing ...
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Dear Friends and Neighbors, I am honored to announce I have been named interim chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. Washington state has unparalleled natural beauty, and our economy relies on the responsible management of our natural resources. My priority is — and always will be — building the best possible future for all Washingtonians. The committee’s main goal is to oversee bills that address our state’s water, forest, and soil resources. ...
Read MoreDear Friends and Neighbors, For most of our young people, the internet is where they socialize, find new music, and learn strange words they use to confuse their parents. It’s a normal part of growing up in a digital generation, but technology can be a source of stress. Children need occasional breaks to ground themselves in the world around them. That is why I support the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) recent recommendation schools in our ...
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In Danny Westneat’s Aug. 17 column, “Seattle, the liberal city, just ‘book-banned’ a cultural exhibit,” he rightfully reflected on the meaning of the word “liberal.” Of the many definitions he found, his favorite is “a commitment to freedom of personal belief and expression.” After the cancellation of the Wing Luke exhibit on fighting hate, specifically the part about fighting antisemitism, he stated that he’s not sure Seattle is deserving of the term “liberal” anymore...
Read MoreClimate change is affecting the way we live. We’re seeing more frequent wildfires, drought and extreme weather. To avert its worst effects, we must transition to clean energy sources. My goal is to make that transition easy and affordable for Washingtonians. That’s why I’m excited to announce the implementation of our recently funded utility rebate program. Now, over 670,000 homes in Washingtonian are eligible for utility bill assistance. Some homes will have to apply to receive assistance, so I urge ...
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Dear Friends and Neighbors, We all know that the lack of affordable housing in Washington is putting a strain on homeowners, but not everyone is aware of the new laws and programs that can help. Last session, we passed HB 1355 to expand our property tax relief program to better help seniors, disabled individuals, and disabled veterans. Homeowners can save up to 60% on state property taxes, offering a critical lifeline to those facing rising ...
Read MoreDear Friends and Neighbors, I’ve lived in Washington state my whole life — it’s where I chose to raise my family — and share your concern about crime in our communities. I want to ensure people are safe in their homes and neighborhoods. In past years, we’ve worked diligently to address the increase in crime that spiked as we came out of the pandemic. Thankfully, most cities and states have seen violent crime rates plummet. For some time, Seattle remained a ...
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Dear friends and neighbors, I wanted to send one more reminder about tomorrow’s In-Person Town Hall in Mountlake Terrace at 7:00pm. This is your opportunity to hear our post-session updates, ask us questions, and share your thoughts on what we should focus on during interim. Good legislation comes when you share your voice with your legislators. We need to know what is working, what isn’t and how we can make your life – and the lives of all Washingtonians – better! You’re ...
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