E-Newsletters

Climate change threatens us all. In the past decades, we’ve seen increased flooding, catastrophic wildfires, droughts, habitat destruction, salmon depletion, and other existential threats to our way of life in Washington. These are not abstract problems to be dealt with in a far-off future. We are seeing the damage of climate change right now in our communities. The Quinault Indian Nation village of Taholah, a low-lying community near the Pacific Coast, has had to plan for complete relocation due to rising ...

Dear neighbors, Our behavioral health crisis is one of the most widespread and personal issues now facing Washington state. So many families have had to grapple with the reality of serious mental health conditions. Few communities are unaffected by the housing instability and addiction epidemics that result from untreated behavioral health issues. We’ve learned a lot in the last few years. As Democrats, we’ve come together to build a new, stronger behavioral health system. By using innovative approaches, support for our workforce, ...

Dear neighbors, I spend a lot of time working on ensuring we have more affordable housing in our communities. Last week, a public hearing was held on a bill I introduced, SB 5901, and its House companion, HB 1998. This bill will make it possible to build co-living housing – high quality apartments that share a communal kitchen. The testimony I heard during the hearing was truly eye-opening. AARP testified that, according to census data, senior homelessness is rising ...

Saving our Salmon! I am excited to announce that a bill I introduced, SB 5931, had its public hearing today. This bill will protect salmon from a toxic chemical known as 6ppd. Although few are aware, 6ppd is a chemical found in vehicle tires and it’s the second deadliest aquatic toxin ever studied! The substance makes its way into our waterways through road runoff and can kill our coho salmon after only a few hours of exposure. This is ...

Dear friends and neighbors, As we embrace the arrival of fall and draw closer to the 2024 legislative session, I'm excited to provide an update on the activities of this busy interim, particularly from my recent visit to the Yakama Nation earlier this month. As a member of the Local Government, Land Use, & Tribal Affairs Committee in the Washington State Senate, this visit offered me insights into tribal governance and the significant role of local government in our beautiful state. During ...

Dear friends and neighbors, It's been quite a busy interim. Since the legislative session ended, I have been hard at work meeting with community members and stakeholders — learning, traveling, and road-mapping the upcoming year. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Colville Tribe's reservation and the Roslyn area last week, focusing on the crucial issue of fire hazard mitigation. In light of this, I want to share with you some insights from my trip and the latest developments on this ...

Dear friends and neighbors, I hope you've been enjoying your summer and making the most of the sunny days. I have had the pleasure of spending the past few months visiting members of our district, attending community events, and meeting with stakeholders as we prepare for next year’s legislative session. I want to share with you something that's close to our hearts – the stories of the families who will benefit from an important housing initiative right here in our district, the ...

Dear friends and neighbors, We cannot ignore the fact that Washington state’s communities, economy, and natural systems are being affected by climate change. Heat waves, flooding, wildfires, and drought continue to wreak havoc in our state. This legislative session we passed several new bills and made historic investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding our water resources, forests, infrastructure, agriculture, and human health. Taking Action on Climate Change In 2021, Washington became the ...