E-Newsletters

Dear friends and neighbors,  As a parent of a child in public school, and as a legislator, I am deeply concerned to see our schools without adequate resources. In Olympia, it is our duty to support every one of the 1.1 million K-12 students in Washington state and the educators who prepare them for a happy and successful life. Despite our budget shortfall, we worked to avoid cuts to education funding that would affect students in the classroom. In fact, we made $1.4 billion available in last ...

YOU’RE INVITED! With the 2026 Legislative Session over, we want to hear from you. Do you have thoughts or questions about this past legislative session? Do you have great ideas to improve our communities next biennium? Would you just like to hear a bit about the tremendous things we accomplished this year? Then we hope you’ll attend our 32^nd District In-Person Town Hall on May 3^rd at the Shoreline City Hall. Who: Sen. Jesse Salomon & Rep. Lauren Davis What: 32^nd District In-Person ...

Friends and neighbors, I'd like to tell you about passing the millionaire's tax. Out of control economic inequality undermines something that every state and nation needs to stay strong: a united sense of identity. An understanding, real and felt, that we are all in this together. As it says on every dollar bill, E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. So, when those dollars flow directly to the top while hard-working people see their wages stagnate and costs and inflation skyrocket, something is wrong. ...

Dear Friends and Neighbors,  The 2026 Legislative Session began at the start of the month, and we are already making incredible progress on several bills to make life in Washington safer, healthier, and more affordable. My approach to legislating this year is to craft well-considered policies that make housing more affordable, protect communities in this unprecedented political climate, support our schools, our district, and our state.  Much of the time, I do that through my efforts as ...

Dear Friends and Neighbors,  The ongoing federal government shutdown is having impacts across Washington state. Our government isn’t designed to go without a budget for an extended period, and I know there is a lot of concern and uncertainty, especially among the hardworking federal employees in our state and among Washingtonians who rely on federally funded programs.  Here is the most up-to-date information we have on what is, and is not, affected.  Federal Workers and Federal Programs Essential ...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, The 2025 Legislature has adjourned. We accomplished a lot this session — addressing our state budget deficit, increasing investments in education by $1 billion, especially special education and materials and operating costs, continuing our clean energy transition, protecting reproductive rights, shielding renters from extreme rent hikes, and cutting red tape to build more homes, especially near public transit. I want to highlight one important change I was proud to make in our state budget: sponsoring SB 5794, ...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Washington state has one of the most country’s most expensive rental markets. Our state has grown quickly in recent years, but rental supply has not kept pace. That mismatch between supply and demand drives up costs for renters across the state. Nearly half of Washington renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Excessive rent increases put an intolerable strain on household budgets, forcing people to choose between paying for housing and paying for necessities like ...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Washington state is the country’s eighth-fastest growing state. Unfortunately, our housing has not kept pace. Too few homes and too many renters and prospective buyers have led to an affordable housing crisis.  The housing supply shortage is driving up costs, straining Washingtonians financially, and forcing some from their homes. I am always working on new ways to help create more housing options, make our housing laws more efficient, and ensure Washingtonians are treated fairly. This often means re-imagining ...