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A good day for democracy
Thank you!
Because of your unwavering support, I am honored to win two more years to serve the 36th legislative district in the Washington State House of Representatives.
I am encouraged and excited about so many of this year’s election results. And while not every race went our way, I feel incredibly hopeful for our state and our country.
Tuesday was a good day for democracy, but our work is never done. Now it’s time to enjoy some down time with family and friends and prepare for the work ahead. I am grateful for your continued partnership in delivering on our shared progressive values in Washington State and beyond.
It’s about delivering on our vision
This November election, voters in the 36th legislative district will decide whether to put their trust in me again to represent them in the Washington State House of Representatives. I’m honored to appear on the ballot!
But November 8 is about so much more than my reelection. This election day, we have a chance to double down on the momentum of the last two years and elect more bold pragmatic progressives who are ready to lead.
Because of you, we’ve written and passed landmark legislation!
In the last two years, eight of my bills became law in the State of Washington, including banning homemade, untraceable ‘ghost guns’; cleaning up toxic PFAS chemicals in our products; first-in-the-nation legislation to give rideshare drivers minimum wage and benefits; and prohibiting the use of non-disclosure and settlement agreements that silence workers.
It’s simple; this election is about delivering on our vision of progressive, pragmatic leadership focused on getting things done for all Washingtonians.
What is missing? #36thSpots
Can you believe we are only ten weeks away from the November election?
You have heard me say what an honor it is to serve the 36th legislative district. Together, we are building a movement of progressive, pragmatic leadership – we know how to get things done!
We’ve passed 8 bills during the past two legislative sessions including banning homemade, untraceable ‘ghost guns’; expanding access to our state’s historic Paid Family & Medical Leave program; cleaning up toxic PFAS chemicals in our products; first-in-the-nation legislation to give rideshare drivers minimum wage and benefits; and prohibiting the use of non-disclosure and settlement agreements that silence workers.
Read MoreToday I reapplied for the job!
Almost two years ago, voters in the 36th Legislative District selected me to represent them in the Washington State Legislature. And this November, they will have another opportunity to make a choice.
That’s why I am thrilled to let you know that today I reapplied for the job!
This morning I filed the necessary paperwork to run for reelection to the State House of Representatives.
We have accomplished so much together in the last two years. In 2022 alone, the legislature passed almost 300 bills, including five of mine that protect workers, end gun violence in our communities, and ban toxic PFAS chemicals.
But there is so much more to do. The U.S. Supreme Court’s attack on Roe v Wade will be felt in every corner of the country, and our state is no exception. As a former board member of Pro-Choice Washington and lifelong reproductive justice advocate, this is personal to me. Access to abortion is a human right and we must do everythig we can to ensure that Washington remains a place where anyone can receive safe, secure abortion access.
As we prepare ourselves for a fight that will define our generation, I ask for your support. I will continue to be an outspoken leader in ensuring our state is a safe haven for those seeking an abortion.
I believe it’s my duty as a woman, as a mom, and as a Democrat.
Five laws in 60 days
This year’s short session was a sprint!
In just 60 days your Democratic legislature made historic investments to tackle our housing and homelessness crises and passed the Move WA Forward transportation package which will invest in infrastructure, transit, and alternatives to our dependency on oil and gas. We also increased funding for food and utility assistance programs and shored up our Paid Family and Medical Leave program, helping families hit hardest by the impacts of the pandemic and inflation.
Together, we passed almost 300 bills! And, I am so proud to have passed five (5!!) of my own bills to protect workers, end gun violence, and ban toxic chemicals. They are:
Read MoreYour top priorities
I am thrilled so many of you took the time to help me prioritize my legislative focus for the next session. 432 of you participated in the survey – wow and thank you! I read every comment, and I want to share what I heard:
- 63% of you want the legislature to close loopholes in the Safer Products Act to allow the Department of Ecology to urgently eliminate PFAS or “forever chemicals” from common household products like Teflon and Gore-Tex;
- 60% said it’s a top priority to hold companies accountable by requiring their plastic packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable; and
- 55% are concerned with gun violence in our communities and support updating the ghost gun law to include unfinished frames or receivers usually bought online and assembled at home.
In my service as Vice Chair of the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee and as a member of the Environment & Energy and Transportation committees, I am putting finishing touches on specific legislation to address the priorities above. However, I will continue to push for our shared progressive values to address homelessness and affordable housing, fix our upside down regressive tax code, and fully fund our paramount duty to education, among other issues. So it’s going to be a busy 60-day session!
Thank you again for all of your support. I am very grateful to have you in my corner.
Thankful
During this season of thanks,
I am grateful to serve our community in the
Washington State House of Representatives.
I’m so proud of all we have accomplished together in this first year.
From my family to yours, I wish you a very warm holiday season.
SURVEY: What legislation should I prioritize?
With the holiday season right around the corner, it won’t be long before the legislature is back in session.
This week my House colleagues and I are meeting (virtually!) to finalize our legislative priorities for the 2022 session. These annual Legislative Assembly Days are critical to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running, especially with a shorter 60-day session.
Will you help me prioritize my legislative focus by taking a short survey?
Read MoreWe can’t mask the virus of gun violence plaguing our communities
As an elected leader, it is my responsibility to speak out and lead on the most urgent and pressing issues of our time. Sadly, one of those issues is gun violence, which is why I wrote an op-ed, published today in the Seattle Times, sharing my personal story.
Anyone who knows me has heard me talk about when my former boss Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot in the head outside a Tucson grocery store. Six people were killed that day, including my friend and colleague Gabe Zimmerman, and thirteen others were wounded. I often tell the story because that day’s grief, confusion and anger have not left me. But, unfortunately, guns are responsible for more deaths today than ever before and 2021 is shaping up to be the worst year for gun violence in our nation’s history.
I know that an op-ed won’t fix the problem of gun violence in our communities. But I also know that standing by silently waiting for things to get better won’t work either. As a state representative, I have the power to make my voice heard, to lead on advocacy and legislation, and to do everything I can to ensure we pass common sense gun responsibility measures in Olympia. I genuinely believe that we can build a safer future together.
I hope you will take a moment to read my piece and join the movement.
Where should I visit next in #LD36?
Happy summer! I hope you and your family are staying safe during the most recent COVID surge and the unprecedented heatwave we have experienced.
Since the legislature adjourned in April, I have prioritized getting out and about in the 36th district. I’ve met with dozens of organizations and businesses from Ballard and Queen Anne to Magnolia and Belltown including the Port of Seattle at Fisherman’s Terminal, KEXP radio station, Interbay Tiny House Village, the National Guard Readiness Center and more. I can’t think of a better way to spend time out of session than meeting with constituents and hearing what’s on their mind.
And I’ve been keeping track of my visits using an online map – with pictures! See where I’ve been by clicking the map below.
Read More