Dear Friends,
Last week we talked about Governor Inslee’s updated guidance and regulations for the Safe Start plan to reopen our businesses and economy. The new guidance and regulations reduce the number of people who may attend a social gathering, limit the number of occupants a restaurant can have inside at once, and require bars to close all indoor service.
Earlier this week, Governor Inslee issued an official memo covering the full extent of the updates to Phase 2 and Phase 3. New restrictions on social gatherings and restaurants are already in effect, indoor family entertainment and recreational centers (including miniature golf, bowling alleys, indoor go-karts, arcades, and similar activities) are prohibited, and movie theaters in Phase 3 are limited to 25% capacity.
Additionally, effective on August 10, Governor Inslee has issued the following changes to regulations of religious weddings and funerals:
- Indoor occupancy is limited to 20 percent or 30 people, whichever is less, if and only if six feet of physical distancing between households can be achieved. Outdoor ceremonies are limited to 30 people, and at least six feet of physical distancing between households is required.
- Consistent with existing guidance, indoor ceremonies are prohibited in Phase 1.
- Only ceremonies are permitted, and ceremonies must follow all other provisions of the “Religious and Faith-based Organization COVID-19 Requirements.”
- Receptions are prohibited.
Read Governor Inslee’s full memo here.
Combatting the COVID-19 pandemic is going to take a collaborative effort from all of us – we’ve done so much to address and slow the spread, and I’m confident that we can put our communities first for the sake of moving forward.
This is a constantly shifting and evolving situation, and as new updates come through, my team and I are keeping my website updated with the newest information for the 40th LD, and for Washington State.
Check back for new updates here.
Keep reading for more on this Fantastic Friday.
“Stay Safe, Stay Healthy”
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
Trivia!
Earlier this week, NASA launched their Perseverance Mars rover that is set to explore the red planet. There have been four Mars rovers to date, can you name them all?
The 40th LD’s Dream Team!
It has been such a pleasure serving in Olympia alongside Senator Liz Lovelett these past two years, and with Representative Alex Ramel this year. Together we have always worked to represent the 40th LD the right way, and have tried to honor the tremendous responsibility that you have entrusted us with.
Our goal as your representatives is simple: we want to make sure that you, the people of the 40th LD, have the impactful and coordinated team representing your interests that you deserve. We honor the responsibility you have given us, and together we are committed to always putting the 40th LD first as we work to create a better future.
From 6:30 P.M. to 7:15 P.M. tonight, I will be joining Senator Lovelett and Representative Ramel for “A Conversation with the 40th” – live streaming on Senator Lovelett’s Facebook page to talk to you about your home, update you on our work, and answer any questions that you may have.
We all hope you’ll join us and say hello – you can RSVP for the event here.
T’wina Nobles For 28th LD State Senate
We’re just days away from primary elections here in Washington, and it’s important that we think seriously about who we want to represent us in Olympia, and the kinds of voices we want to shape the future of Washington State.
T’wina Nobles brings nearly 15 years of experience in education as an instructor, PTA leader, and School Board member. She currently serves as the President and CEO of the Tacoma Urban League, and is running to represent the 28th LD in Washington’s State Senate.
I’m proud to endorse T’wina, and I know that she will bring an incredible, informed, and passionate voice to ongoing conversations in Olympia. She’ll bring with her decades of life experience, and a unique perspective that will be welcome as we move into 2021 and beyond.
To learn more about T’wina’s campaign, click here.
Don’t Forget To Fill Out The Census!
We’re now more than halfway through 2020, and the U.S. Census remains ongoing! It’s so important that all of us are counted this year, and if you haven’t already you can head over to the Census 2020 website and make sure you and your family are counted.
The Census isn’t just about getting an accurate count of the people in our country – that number goes on to inform how many Congressional Representatives each state gets, how funding is distributed across the country, and so much more.
Click on the image below to see my message on why it’s so important that all of us are enumerated in the 2020 Census.
Tanisha Harris For 17th LD Representative
Tanisha Harris has been a strong, passionate, and vocal member of the Democratic Party here in Washington State for years, and I am proud to endorse her current campaign to represent the 17th LD beside me in the people’s house.
Tanisha is not only a Democratic Precinct Committee Officer, 17th LD Democrats State Committeewoman, and Executive Board Member of the Washington State Democrats, but she also spent 10 years working for the Evergreen School District. She brings with her an incredible depth of knowledge and experience for supporting our schools and providing for our students.
We need people like Tanisha in our Legislature who will stand up for what is right, work for the benefit of all Washingtonians, and help us create a better tomorrow. Learn more about Tanisha’s campaign here.
Get Out The Vote!
With our primary election coming up this Tuesday, August 4, and our general election in November, it has truly never been more important to make sure you are registered to vote, and to cast your vote. When Democrats vote, we listen to our workers, follow the science, and elect people who bring diverse and new voices to the table.
When Democrats vote, we win on the issues we care most about. We make sure that everyone has an affordable, quality place to live, and we protect our salmon, Orcas, and the Salish Sea.
I’m looking forward getting in touch with Washingtonians across the state and helping make sure that everyone who can vote, does. You can join us at 5 P.M. tonight for a brief live video training before we begin dialing and chatting with Washington voters!
The Washington State Democrats have also created a Tribal Organizer webpage where tribal members can check their voter registration status, register to vote, and volunteer to help get out the vote! Check it out here.
Jamila Taylor For 30th LD Representative!
We’re coming up on an extremely important election this November. We have an opportunity to elect strong, compassionate leaders into Congress and into our Legislature right here in Washington. Jamila Taylor is one of those leaders who will help shape a Washington we can all be proud to call home.
I’m happy to endorse Jamila’s campaign to Represent the 30th LD in our State House. She has devoted countless hours of her life to community service and public interest, always putting the needs of others first as she works to help as many people as she possibly can.
Jamila will be an incredible colleague in Olympia, and I look forward to working side-by-side with her as we move into 2021, and beyond. Learn more about Jamila’s campaign here.
Council Of State Governments West Virtual Meeting
The Council of State Governments (CSG) is the only organization in our country that brings together all three branches of state governments with their counterparts in other states. They provide a forum to exchange insights and ideas that can help state officials like my colleagues and myself to shape public policy.
This week, it was great to virtually attend the Council of State Governments West 73rd Annual Meeting. Legislators from all across the western United States came together across our screens to share our successes and pass along ideas for how we can help our states.
COVID-19 has changed so much about how we operate as states and state legislatures – particularly as we collaborate and move resources and people across state lines to bring help. Sitting down and discussing the logistics of how something like fighting forest fires while protecting those on the front lines from COVID-19 is incredibly important. I’m grateful to everyone at CSG and all who attended the conference this week for the hard work and dedication you continue to show.
It is always wonderful to be around those who are passionate about public service, and hearing the diverse perspectives from so many people left me feeling optimistic and excited about the work ahead.
Endorsements For Our Primary Election!
There are so many incredible people running for office this year, and I’m thankful for each and every person that stands up and does their part to help improve this place we all call home.
I’m proud to endorse a number of women and men who I know will be incredible leaders in Olympia, and Washington D.C. They deserve our support, and I hope they can count on you this Tuesday for our primary election.
Here’s who I am endorsing:
Suzan DelBene for the 1st Congressional District
Beth Doglio for the 10th Congressional District
Suzanne Woodard for the 10th Legislative District State Representative
Helen Price Johnson for the 10th Legislative District State Senator
Tanisha Harris for the 17th Legislative District State Representative
Mari Leavitt for the 28th Legislative District State Representative
T’wina Nobles for the 28th Legislative District State Senator
Jamila Taylor for the 30th Legislative District State Representative
Alicia Rule for the 42nd Legislative District State Representative
Sharon Shewmake for the 42nd Legislative District State Representative
Mike Pellicciotti for State Treasurer
Heather Shand Perkins for Skagit County Superior Court Judge
Christine Grant for Whatcom Public Utility District
Davey Whitener Jr. for Squaxin Tribal Council
Thank you to Mike Sato, Lisa Wilson, and Henry Pollet for endorsing my campaign! Individual endorsements are an incredibly important part of my campaign. You can put your name next to mine and support my re-election by heading over to my website and filling out this form.
These endorsements mean so much to me – they show that this is a campaign focused on people, and I would be honored to have your name added along with mine.
I also want to thank Whatcom County Council Member Todd Donovan, Bellingham City Council Member Dan Hammill, and Bellingham School Board Member Kelly Bashaw for endorsing my campaign! I’m so grateful for your support and proud that we have people like you working right here in the 40th LD.
Trivia Answer!
The Mars rovers have been called Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. Bonus points if you knew that Curiosity is still operating today, eight years after landing!