Office of Rep. Mari Leavitt, 28th Legislative District press release.
In case you missed it, I hosted a town hall on March 15 in Steilacoom. We had a great discussion on several pressing issues, including (but not the exhaustive list):
- Affordable Housing: Many of you asked how we can increase access to housing while keeping it affordable long-term. I shared updates on HB 1717, my bill creating a sales and use tax remittance program to fund affordable housing projects as well as address assistance for our homeless neighbors. I’ll keep fighting for solutions that make housing attainable for all Washingtonians.
- Veterans and military: Many were concerned about the federal government’s activities and the impact on veterans in Washington. I shared that we are monitoring closely to ensure we can offer support at the state level to veterans who need assistance as a result of federal actions. I also mentioned my co-sponsorship and work on HB 1106 to give disabled veterans expanded property tax relief.
- Support for Public Employees & Retirees: Many attendees expressed concerns about potential layoffs and about rising costs and economic instability. That’s why I’m pushing for HB 1292, which ensures cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in Plan 1 of the Public Employees’ and Teachers’ Retirement Systems.
- Education: Several questions were centered around early learning and protecting ECEAP slots, the possibility of expanding or preserving free and reduced lunch programs, funding for libraries and essential support programs for students and families as well as potential federal funding cuts and impacts on education as a whole.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out: housedemocrats.wa.gov/leavitt/contact/. Follow along with these bills on the Legislature’s website as we race to the finish line of Sine Die (the end of session).
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the entire 28th district legislative delegation on April 2nd when we hold a telephone town hall. You can join us from 6:30 – 7:30 PM by calling 855-756-7520 ext. 120961#. We look forward to hearing from you then!
None of those things are protected under the US Constitution but you give them your full attention, while not only ignoring actual Constitutional rights, but voting against them.
With “Act Blue” and “USAID” and others being exposed for what they are/were, and a multi-billion dollar democrat-created debt in this state, where will you get the money for your pet projects?
Do I understand correctly that the democrats passed a law giving some select people each $120,000.00 of our tax dollars for the down payment on a house? Money that they do not have to pay back?
Is that what you call just and sound fiscal policy? Is that Constitutional?
All of your advocacy seems to be for government, bureaucracy, special interest groups, and NGOs.
You join the fear-mongers who are trying to scare veterans into believing their care and benefits will be cut. Well, I spoke with a friend who currently works at the VA. He said with DOGE paying attention, people at the VA are showing up and getting their jobs done in a much more expedient manner, to the point where they are looking for things to do. That is a far cry from past performance – coming from an insider.
State House democrats in Olympia, have passed HB1163 which will require law-abiding citizens to purchase a permit and pay for training in order to gain permission to exercise their Constitutional right to purchase a firearm. That bill is before Senate committee today, and will most likely pass since that body is also democrat controlled. You make no mention of that since it is going as you wish.
Imagine if you will, having to do that for all your Constitutional rights: speech, religion, voting, etc….. Well, what’s stopping you?
When you have to pay for and get a permit for a right, it is no longer a right
It is a very dangerous game you democrats are playing, just to get some free stuff and to stay in power, but it is being exposed.
When you finally have to explain to “The People” who are not in your bubble, what you have done with our actual rights, what will you say?
Excellent comments. Thank you.