Dear friends and neighbors, 

The 2025 legislative session is in full swing, and it’s off to a busy start! Over the past weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of you, listening to your concerns, discussing the challenges we face, and exploring solutions together. 

The national political landscape has created a storm of fear and division, but I want to assure you in these uncertain times that I hear you, I see you, and I stand with you. I am committed to protecting the core values that connect us. I will fight to ensure our communities remain safe, our rights remain protected, and our future remains bright. 

Senate Democratic Caucus priorities 

This session, we are focused on key priorities reflecting our shared values and commitment to building a better future for everyone: 

  • Education: Ensuring our public schools are fully funded and every student has access to a high-quality education remains a top priority. This session, we are focusing on policies that secure funding for K-12 education, expand access to early childhood education, and improve support for our teachers and school staff. Education is the foundation for future success, and we must ensure all students have the resources needed to thrive. 
  • Housing: Housing affordability and availability continue to be critical issues in our state. This session, we are advancing legislation to expand affordable housing, strengthen renter protections, and support housing for working families. SB 5222, for example, includes thoughtful measures to enhance housing stability for renters. These measures focus on ensuring predictability and fairness in rental practices, such as providing advance notice for significant rent adjustments and establishing reasonable guidelines for move-in fees. 
  • Behavioral health: Mental health services are essential to ensuring the well-being of our communities. This session, we are advocating for increased investments in behavioral health programs, improved access to care, and a focus on prevention and early intervention. 

Updates on my bills 

I’m pleased to share the bills I’ve introduced so far are making good progress. Here are updates on some of them: 

  • SB 5098 — Prohibits weapons in public spaces, like government buildings, parks and fairgrounds, to ensure safety for everyone. It has passed out of the Law & Justice Committee and is now referred to the Ways & Means Committee. 
  • SB 5115 — Establishes grants and work-study opportunities for students, including DACA recipients, who are ineligible for federal aid but have demonstrated community or volunteer service. This bill had a public hearing in the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. 
  • SB 5101 — Expands workplace leave and safety for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents. It had a public hearing in the Labor & Commerce Committee. 
  • SB 5077 — Expands access to automatic voter registration through more government agencies and online platforms. It had a public hearing in the State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. 
  • SB 5069 — Mandates a voter’s pamphlet for primaries and general elections every year, ensuring voters have access to accurate election information. It passed out of the State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee and was referred to the Ways & Means Committee. 

Meet the team 

(From left to right) Daniela Roys-Romero, intern; Hope Swenland, session aide; Johana Guerrero, legislative assistant; Christian Lamas, public information officer. 

I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication of my amazing team. These are the folks who answer your calls, respond to your emails, manage legislative priorities, and support me in countless ways to ensure we stay connected to our district’s needs. When you reach out to my office, you are connecting with a team who genuinely cares about making a difference. 

Stay in touch 

As always, I encourage you to stay engaged and share your thoughts. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov or by calling my office at 360-786-7690. You can also stay informed about my activities by visiting my  website or following me on  Facebook, X and Instagram for regular updates.    

Sincerely, 

 

Sen. Javier Valdez