Dear Friends,
In recent weeks, Governor Inslee has issued updated regulations and guidelines for the Safe Start program to reopen our businesses and economy. This week, new limits on restaurants and bars went into effect, limiting the total occupancy allowed and stopping all indoor service in bars. This coming Monday, August 10, new regulations for religious weddings and funerals will go into effect.
Read Governor Inslee’s full memo here.
Just a few days ago, Governor Inslee also announced his recommendations for resuming in-person instruction in public and private schools for the upcoming school year. The new plan follows a similar structure to the Safe Start plan that went on a county-by-county, phased approach, and allows local health departments and school districts to decide how and when to let children back into the classroom.
The recommendation creates a framework for judging the inherent risk of opening our schools, and provides a guide for our local officials to know when it’s time to shift to virtual learning instead. The plan breaks up counties into three categories – High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Low Risk – and gives recommendations based on infection rates.
- High Risk Counties:
- 75 new cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period.
- Governor recommends distance learning and cancelling all in person extracurricular activities.
- Moderate Risk Counties:
- 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period.
- Governor recommends distance learning for middle and high school, possible in-person learning options for elementary school, and cancelling all in person extracurricular activities.
- Low Risk Counties:
- Fewer than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period.
- Governor recommends hybrid in-person and distance learning for middle and high school, with full-time in person learning for elementary school.
Read Governor Inslee’s full recommendations here.
This is an incredibly delicate decision, and I’m grateful to all of the dedicated local officials who are working tirelessly to ensure that our students and children can receive the education they deserve while maintaining their health and safety.
Keep reading for more on this Fantastic Friday.
“Stay Safe, Stay Healthy”
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
Trivia!
The NHL recently announced the Seattle Krakens as the new team name for the expansion team joining the league in 2021. What was the name of the first professional hockey team to play in Seattle?
Your 40th LD
In our home, here in the 40th Legislative District, we represent some of the most diverse communities in Washington. Our towns, cities, friendships and families make up a diverse and passionate community that have shown a consistent desire to help one another and push Washington State in the right direction.
I am so grateful to have represented you in Olympia these past two years, and I know I speak for both Representative Alex Ramel and Senator Liz Lovelett when I say how excited we are to continue working on your behalf moving forward.
Last week, the three of us came together and held a virtual event with Representative Sharon Shewmake and Alicia Rule, who is running to join the state legislature in the 42nd LD where we had the chance to answer some of your questions and talk about our work for the 40th LD, and for Washington State. If you missed the event you can still watch the whole thing here.
Senator Lovelett, Representative Ramel, and I also teamed up to write an op-ed piece that was published in this week’s Cascadia Weekly! It was a great opportunity to communicate to you our goals and aspirations for the 40th, and to lay out our goal as your representatives: 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.
Make sure you pick one up soon, or check it out online here!
Debra’s Table Talk Podcast
Starting next weekend, I’m happy to announce the start of “Debra’s Table Talk Podcast!” Every other week I’ll be putting out a new episode covering issues that impact us right here in the 40th LD, and across Washington State.
Our first episode will launch next week, covering the issue of education and reopening our schools, examining how we can best serve our children and students, and what the future holds as we move forward into this uncertain school year.
For “Debra’s Table Talk Podcast,” we’re going to bring in experts from the public and private sectors and from the 40th LD and across the country. We’ll discuss issues ranging from public safety reform to labor and employment, from housing and homelessness to climate change and salmon recovery.
We also want to hear from you! What are the issues closest to your heart? Let me know some topics you’d like to hear me cover, and who you’d like to have on the podcast! Email me at [email protected].
Stay tuned to my social media this week for more information about when and where to listen!
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.
Washington State Primary Election
This past Tuesday was our primary election here in Washington! Over the past few weeks ballots were mailed out and votes were cast, and in total more than two million Washingtonians made their voices heard to help shape the future of Washington State.
Thank you to everyone who voted, and to everyone who ran for public office! We have seen a tremendous amount of support across the board for progressive candidates who are ready to do the hard work that needs to be done.
Click the image above to hear Rep. Lekanoff’s message to Tuesday’s candidates!
There is still long way to go between now and November, and I’m ready for the work ahead to help get our democratic candidates elected who will join me in Olympia. Click here to see the full results of Tuesday’s vote, and click here to see all of the candidates that I’ve endorsed so far!
Whatcom County Public Safety Roundtable
Recently it was my pleasure to host a Public Safety Roundtable with Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham. State Representatives and Senators, Mayors, Police Chiefs, Community Liason’s, and so many others sat down to discuss how we can work towards effective public safety reform in the 40th LD.
These conversations should always be inclusive, and it is my goal to spread my wingspan wide and welcome everyone to the table. It is only through conversation and compassion that we can create meaningful change, and this conversation was no different.
Our discussion was wide ranging and informative, and I’m so grateful to everyone who joined and contributed. This is an incredibly important conversation to have, and we must ensure that we address the concerns of our underrepresented communities and our communities of color.
We’ll need enhanced collaboration across all levels of government, and with members of the public. I’m grateful and optimistic for these first steps that we’ve taken, and I’m excited for the work ahead. Thank you again to all who attended!
Endorsement Shoutouts!
Thank you to the Skagit County Democrats for endorsing my re-election campaign! Your support means so much to me, and I am grateful for all the work you do supporting candidates and lifting up important ideals here in the 40th LD.
Those who work in public service do so much to keep our communities running and our families safe and happy. Thank you, to the Washington Federation of State Employees and your members, and thank you for endorsing my re-election campaign!
Thank you to John Stein, Laurel Ballew, and Harry Aivos 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.
Trivia Answer!
The Seattle Metropolitans first played in 1915, and in 1917 they became the first American hockey team to win the Stanley Cup!