News
We made history!
It’s been just over a week since the 2021 Legislative Session concluded, and many are saying it was historic. We passed landmark legislation, including the Climate Commitment Act, the low carbon fuel standard, childcare for working families, police accountability, and a capital gains tax on extraordinary profits.
Democrats have been fighting for some of these laws for decades, and this year, we got it done!
I want to take a moment to reflect on all we achieved in the 105-day session and make sure I don’t forget to thank those who helped make all of this happen.
Read MoreProgress
Here we are, over half-way through my first legislative – and virtual! – session. It’s been a little over two months but I already have so much to share with you.
First, legislative progress. I was the prime sponsor of nine bills and a co-sponsor of seventy five. Four of the bills I sponsored were voted out of the House and are now working their way through the Senate. I am hoping it won’t be long until my first bill arrives on the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Wow!
Second, Caucus progress. I was very proud to help relaunch the House Democrats Moms’ Caucus. It wasn’t that long ago that a mom of young children serving in the legislature was rare. Now there are eleven of us and last week we delivered our legislative priorities to Leadership that included affordable childcare, expanded Paid Family & Medical Leave, quality health care, racial justice, and a healthy environment. These are policies that aren’t just good for moms, they are good for all of our families.
Read MoreOne month as a State Representative
It’s been one month since the start of the legislative session when I began my new role as a Washington State Representative. I thought it might be fun to share a little of what has been keeping me busy – very, very busy!
I am the proud prime sponsor of nine bills. And I am a cosponsor of 173! This seems like a lot, but many bills have dozens of cosponsors. For example, my bill that will expand Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program has 23 cosponsors. Cosponsoring legislation demonstrates support (often bipartisan) and increases the likelihood of its passage.
Read MoreFirst week
Last Saturday morning was foggy and chilly at Kerry Park in the heart of the 36th legislative district, but the weather did not dampen my spirits or the significance of taking the oath of office in a short ceremony with my family performed by my friend Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu.
Monday was the first day of the 2021 Legislative Session and I was in Olympia to vote on rules that will allow us to keep everyone safe while conducting the people’s business remotely. We also elected the Speaker of the House.
I am very proud to have introduced my first bills that will support working families during the COVID crisis, help combat climate change, and reduce gun violence in our communities.
- HB 1073 – expand our state’s first in the nation Paid Family & Medical Leave program to make it more equitable and accessible to all working families in Washington
- HB 1075 – regulate greenhouse gas emissions from on-demand transportation services like Uber and Lyft
- HB 1133 – require that firearms that are lost or stolen be reported to authorities within five days
Please stay up to date with my legislative work by “liking” my official Facebook page.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and encouragement. I could not do any of this without you.
From my family to yours
Happy New Year! I know we are all welcoming 2021 with open arms and a massive sigh of relief that 2020 is finally over. But I still count the blessings of the past year.
My family was grateful to remain healthy, and after nine months of lockdown, we even still like each other!
I had the privilege of running for office during one of the most trying times in our nation’s history. Our campaign and the ideas and voices of thousands of new friends we made along the way have taught me more than I could have imagined.
As I prepare to be sworn into office on January 11, my eyes and heart are squarely set on the future of our state. I’m ready to get to work on rebuilding an economy that works for all of us, fighting against climate change, and ensuring we put Washingtonians to work building vital infrastructure that is equitable, safe, and green.
My family and I wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year.
Results are certified. Now what?
Earlier this week the Secretary of State certified all of our state’s election results. Washington voter turnout was 84.1%, and in the 36th legislative district, it was a whopping 91.13% – wow!
In less than six weeks, I will be sworn in as the 38th person to hold this office (the 36th district was formed in 1891). This would not be possible without your unwavering support.
The work as State Representative-Elect has already begun. Our days have been filled with virtual trainings and meetings to prepare before the session officially begins in January.
Read MoreYou made this happen
Thank you!
I am ecstatic to tell you we came out on top with 58% of the vote. We won!
We campaigned on the issues, we called 106,000 voters, and more than 1,300 people supported the campaign financially. We could not have done any of this without you and your support.
There was a lot at stake in this election, and it may be days or weeks until we know the outcome of some critical races. But all politics is local, so we should celebrate hard-fought victories at home and remind ourselves that winning at the ballot box is just the beginning. Now the real work begins.
You made tonight possible. I am beyond humbled by your dedication to this campaign. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Now, let’s go and celebrate!
Two bumblebees
Happy Halloween! I hope you and your family have found a fun and safe way to celebrate. In our house, George will be going as the Transformer Bumblebee and Eleanor as the insect bumblebee. Michael and I really had no choice but to dress as beekeepers!
As we walk around our neighborhood for some socially distanced trick-or-treating, I am taking a moment to reflect on the past ten months. I am so very proud of the campaign we have run together. Thank you for being such an important part of this journey.
With only 3 days until Election Day, 74.2% of voters in the 36th District have returned their ballots – the highest of all legislative districts in King County. There are only 31,133 ballots left to be cast!
So, if you haven’t had a chance to vote, don’t delay in filling out your ballot today and returning it to a dropbox. Click here to locate the dropbox nearest you.
Happy Halloween!
Taking a deep breath
It’s been a tough week on the campaign, and many times in the last 96 hours, I have had to pause, take a deep breath, and recenter myself on the reasons I decided to run for office.
It would have been a much tougher week had it not been for your support. Thank you!
On Wednesday, my Democratic opponent sent a false and misleading mailpiece to tens of thousands of families in the 36th District accusing me of supporting a domestic terrorist. I pledged not to respond with a return attack, and I am sticking to that pledge. That is why it is so meaningful that hundreds of friends, leaders, and progressive organizations have spoken out.
And I am honored to tell you that State Representative Noel Frame, and my future seat-mate (fingers-crossed), has announced her support of our campaign!
Read MoreTalk about voting
Ballots are being mailed in Washington today. That means two things: 1) it’s time to VOTE! and 2) it’s time to get serious and talk about your plan to vote.
When I say, “Talk about voting,” I mean, we should be talking about voting to everyone! Here are some excellent voting conversation openers:
“Have you received your ballot?”
“Will you promise to vote in this election?”
“Are you registered to vote?”
“Do you know where your closest ballot dropbox is?
“Do you know the last day we can register to vote?”
We have the answers to these and numerous other voting-related details on our website: It’s Time to VOTE!
Read More