Jan. 12, 2022

Dear neighbors,

The 2022 legislative session started on Monday, and there is lots of excitement and energy at the Legislature as we get started! Below you’ll find information about our upcoming 30th Legislative District town hall, some of my legislation, my new committee leadership position, and how you can participate in the legislative process from the comfort of your own home.

You’re invited!

Announcement graphic for the 30th Legislative District Virtual Town Halll

You are invited to a virtual town hall I’m hosting with Rep. Jesse Johnson and Rep. Jamila Taylor on Jan. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We want to hear from you, so please join us!

Live interpretation in Spanish and ASL will be provided as well as professional live captioning, so please share this information with people in your network who may benefit from these services.

Please visit this link to sign up to join us. You can also submit your questions ahead of time here. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

My legislation this session

SB 5498 would allow school districts to issue a high school diploma to deceased students who died after completing eleventh grade if at the time of the student’s death they were on track to complete graduation requirements.

SB 5553 would require the STEM Education Report Card – which monitors progress in increasing learning opportunities to prepare students for STEM-related jobs and careers – to include data regarding early STEM metrics including childcare access and affordability, access to quality early learning, workforce development, and access to early learning interventions.

SB 5572 would implement the recommendations of the Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, closing some of the existing loopholes in our laws regarding crimes against children.

SB 5588 would require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to develop an individual discharge plan that connects the discharged person with community programs and services like government assistance programs and medical services, as well as housing, educational and employment opportunities. The bill would require DOC to develop the discharge plan and provide reentry linkage case management services.

SB 5687 would implement recommendations from the recent Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council 2021 Annual Report to ensure our students have safe routes to school and improve traffic safety statewide.

Sen. Wilson speaks at a Senate committee meeting in 2019.

For a complete list of my bills, click here.

New committee role

I was recently elected by my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee, a position vacated this fall when Sen. Jeannie Darneille retired from the Senate. I look forward to continuing her fight for the rights of those who are most marginalized in our communities, and I will draw on my long experience as an administrator and educator to continue to address the needs of youth and the root causes of problems facing our communities.

Collaboration with other South King County legislators

Over the last several months I have been meeting regularly with other legislators in South King County from the 11th, 33rd, and 47th legislative districts as well as those from my own district, the 30th, to discuss issues that impact the greater county area, such as transportation, childcare, behavioral health, housing and homelessness, and more.

By working together, we plan to address those collective needs in a more collaborative fashion in order to raise up specific policies and budget items. We are working to give a stronger voice to our constituents in order to elevate the needs of the South King County communities outside the city of Seattle.

Photo of a woman sitting on a couch with an open laptop, a mug in one hand.How you can participate

There are all kinds of ways you can participate in the legislative process. Fortunately, last year we started allowing constituents to testify remotely, and we’re continuing with that more accessible system this year! Here is a list of participation options:

  1. Testify remotely at Senate or House committee hearings. Find committee schedules and agendas here.
  2. Submit written testimony to a committee. Click here for more information.
  3. Get your position on a bill noted for the legislative record: The Committee Sign In – Remote Testimony​ page on the Legislature’s website allows you to select a chamber, committee, and bill, then indicate you wish to have your position noted for the archived legislative record​​.
  4. Send me an e-mail at Claire.Wilson@leg.wa.gov or call my office at 360-786-7658 to tell me about your position on issues that are important to you and your community.
  5. Track the progress of bills of interest here.

I want to hear what you think about issues discussed here and other issues affecting our community. My office will continue to welcome your thoughts and concerns, so please let us know what issues are important to you and your community. You can reach us at Claire.Wilson@leg.wa.gov.

Sincerely,

Sen. Claire Wilson's signature

 

 

Sen. Claire Wilson