E-news

End of Session Virtual Town Hall
May 17, 2021
Now that the dust has settled a bit, I want to reconnect with you one more time to review the 2021 legislative session. While we adjourned the 105-day slog on time, there was a flurry of activity in the final days that I think needs to be unpacked. So, I... Read More...
Attend our Joint Virtual Town Hall
March 09, 2021
In these physically-distant times, getting together to hold a town hall can be a challenge. So, my seatmates and I will be jointly holding a virtual one to provide an update on the 2021 legislative session and get your feedback. As I’ve noted before, the 10th District is just one... Read More...
Can We Reopen Washington?
January 18, 2021
Greetings Friends, The 2021 legislative session began last week and it’s already moving at break-neck speed with significant policy proposals being heard in committee and voted on the Senate floor. I’m writing today with a bit of urgent news on how you can stay connected with the process and lend... Read More...
Working for You in 2021
January 11, 2021
It’s the first day of the 2021 legislative session and what a wild journey it’s been since we spoke last! We have probably never looked forward to a new year as much as we have in 2021. With 2020 finally behind us, we can only hope a lot of what... Read More...
COVID-19 – Resources for our Community
March 18, 2020
Dear Friends, I’m back home in district now that the legislative session has concluded. I’ll be sure to send an update on our work in Olympia later, but I’d like to focus this newsletter on resources and assurances on what’s happening with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response in our state. This... Read More...
Listening to You – Town Hall Follow-up
March 02, 2020
Greetings from Olympia, The 2020 legislative session is scheduled to conclude March 12. Things are really picking up. We are now looking at legislation that the House has approved. Those bills will have to go through the committee process here in the Senate and then taken up on the floor.... Read More...
Update from Olympia – Halfway There
February 14, 2020
Greetings from Olympia, The 60-day legislative session is just over halfway finished. As a member of the Senate budget committee (Ways and Means), we worked late into the evening getting public input on bills that will have financial implications. The full Senate has begun working on approving (or voting against)... Read More...
Update from Olympia
January 31, 2020
Greetings from Olympia, We’re in the third week of the legislative session and the committees are working quickly to get public comment on legislation and voted out before the Feb. 7 deadline for policy committees. Things feel a bit frantic as the majority party doesn’t appear to have clear direction... Read More...
The 2020 Legislative Session Begins
January 20, 2020
  January 20, 2020 Greetings from Olympia, Happy New Year! The 2020 legislative session is underway, and it was a fast and eventful first week. After I was sworn in during the opening-day ceremonies, the Legislature got right to work, holding committee hearings and even voting on bills that were still... Read More...
Update from Olympia
November 26, 2019
Greetings Friends, The Senate convened briefly just a few days ago to begin looking at issues for the 2020 legislative session. I formally have been assigned to these Senate committees: Ways and Means (which deals with the operating budget); Health Care; and State Government, Tribal Relations and Elections. We covered... Read More...