To my community –
We’re closing out week 2 of session and we really have hit the ground running! I remain honored to represent you in the Legislature and want to give you some updates from my first two weeks. Between my bills’ first public hearings, my first vote on the Senate floor, and countless wonderful meetings with constituents and colleagues about our community’s priorities – it’s been a whirlwind and a great start to the 2022 session. Please scroll down for the highlight reel!
Monday, Jan. 10: The legislature convened for the 60-day session! I was officially welcomed to my new role as your state senator here in LD 27 with a shout out from the Governor.
Tuesday, Jan. 11: I sat in my first committee hearings – in Housing & Local Government, Law & Justice (which I now vice chair!), and Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation. I also presented my first bill for public hearing, SB 5609, which would make our juvenile justice system more humane and rehabilitative and increase court efficiency by ending the outdated practice of requiring physical fingerprints at final dispositions in court.
Wednesday, Jan. 12: I took my first votes on the Senate floor (remotely)!
Thursday, Jan. 13: My bill to establish the Washington Future Fund had its first public hearing! This bill would give young Washingtonians born with the least the basic capital needed to start their journey toward financial security and a path out of poverty. Read more about why this bill is a big deal here.
Friday, Jan. 14: I had my hearing on SB 5596, a bill that makes the work of mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers easier by streamlining disclosure processes.
Monday, Jan. 17: I spoke to my first resolution on the Senate floor in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was an honor to raise my voice in recognition of his legacy. You can catch my speech here.
Tuesday, Jan. 18: I had two hearings this day! The first was on SB 5755, establishing a tax incentive program to encourage affordable housing development on vacant lands in urban areas, a policy that will increase affordable housing right here in the 27th. The second was on SB 5776, creating an integrated data-sharing system to improve our criminal justice system and allow for better investigations of violent death.
Wednesday, Jan. 19: This was another two-hearing day. I got to introduce SB 5583, eliminating the harmful and disenfranchising process of prison gerrymandering in local redistricting processes. I also spoke to SB 5584, which gives local governments the option of implementing Ranked Choice Voting in their communities. Read about why these bills make our democracy stronger here!
Friday, Jan. 21: I had another two important hearings today to close out the week! I introduced SB 5702, my bill to require health coverage of donor breast milk. This bill’s a personal one, and one that so many new parents in our community have advocated for. Hear our stories here. I also introduced a bill, SB 5884, establishing certifications for bachelor’s degree level behavioral health support specialists.
Questions or thoughts about any of the above? You can reach me any time (I’ve made as many channels available as possible) so that we can put our heads together and fight for our neighbors’ priorities. I want to hear from you! This work can’t happen without you. Click here to visit my website or follow/contact me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or by email (Yasmin.Trudeau@leg.wa.gov) or phone (360-786-7652). I can’t wait to meet you. Let’s get to work.
In service and solidarity,
Yasmin
