Dear friends and neighbors, 

This week marks the beginning of the 2024 legislative session, and we’re ready to get things going and keep working for our communities in the 46th. I’m excited about the work ahead, and I encourage you to stay involved to make sure your needs and the needs of our communities are heard during this session. 

My Priorities 

In 2024, my goal remains to make Washington a safe place where everyone feels at home and protected. Right now, I’m focused on crafting meaningful legislation, including: 

  • SB 5427 to support people who have been targeted or affected by hate crimes and bias incidents by establishing a reporting hotline, tracking hate crimes and bias incidents, and creating a compensation program and assistance fund. 
  • SB 5444 to increase public safety by prohibiting the use of weapons in areas such as jails, courtrooms, libraries or parks.  
  • SB 5723 to give cities and towns the freedom to switch their general elections to even-numbered years to take advantage of higher and more diverse voter turnout. After record-low voter turnout, this bill will help increase voter engagement.  
  • SB 5890 reduce ballot rejection rates through updates to ballot curing, canvassing, reporting, and outreach processes. 
  • SB 5819 to bolster our economy by making financial education instruction a graduation prerequisite and a required component of public education. 

This legislative work is part of my ongoing effort to create a safer, prosperous, and equitable environment for all residents of Washington. 

Stay tuned for a more in-depth overview of all my upcoming legislation in future updates! 

Budget Request Process 

Every other year, we’re responsible for approving three different budgets—capital, operating, and transportation—to finance the state for the following two years. During even-numbered years, such as this one, we pass supplemental budgets, allowing us to make minor adjustments that adapt to unexpected changes or financial needs. 

The capital budget supports local and community infrastructure projects, while the operating budget focuses on state agencies and crucial programs and services. Funding requests can be submitted for both budgets. As this session lasts for 60 days, deadlines are fast approaching—January 26 for the capital budget and February 2 for the operating budget. If you need the budget request form, please reach out to our office as soon as possible. 

How to Participate 

Here are several useful resources to guide you through the legislative process, from start to finish. These tools will help you provide real-time testimony on a bill, submit written feedback, stay informed, and monitor the policies under consideration in Olympia. Additionally, you can sign up for committee notifications about a specific bill, ensuring you are informed as it progresses through the legislative stages. 

Senate Page Program 

Want to learn more about your state government? Apply to be a page! 

Pages are students aged 14 through 16 who serve for one week during the legislative session. During that week, they spend time in Page School learning about the legislative process while also distributing materials throughout the Capitol campus, assisting legislators, working on the Senate floor, and presenting the colors at the opening of each day’s legislative session. Pages receive pay during their week in Olympia. Scholarships are also available for pages from families with financial need, and housing is available with host families in Olympia. 

Thank You for Attending 

Thank you to everyone who attended our 46th Legislative District townhall last week. We had a great turnout and really enjoyed listening to your questions and concerns. We are ready to take your feedback and turn it into policies and measures that prioritize the needs of our community. Thank you for staying engaged in the legislative process. 

                                     

How to Reach Me 

Your input and concerns mean a lot, so please get in touch. You can send me an email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov, give my office a call at 360.786.7690, or stay updated on my activities in Olympia by visiting my website. You can also find regular updates on Facebook and Twitter. For immediate assistance, the Legislative Hotline is available at 1.800.562.6000. 

Sincerely, 

Javier Valdez | 46th LD