Dear Friends,
Last week, Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for indoor fitness and training facilities as part of the ongoing Safe Start reopening plan. It’s important that we all continue to take the necessary precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 as we slowly phase in more and more of our businesses.
Under the updated guidance, Modified Phase 1 counties can now operate under Phase 2 guidance for indoor fitness and training facilities. This means that facilities like gyms, yoga studios, and indoor sports facilities can open for personal fitness and training, group fitness classes, and practice for certain low- and medium-contact sports.
Occupancy is limited to ensure that social distancing practices are in effect, and face masks are required at all time in the facilities.
“As the seasons change and outdoor options for fitness and training becomes less accessible, it is important for Washingtonians across our state to have access to facilities where they can safely exercise indoors,” Inslee said. “I want to thank the many facilities around the state, and the fitness instructors that have been operating and teaching safely under this guidance.”
Thank you to everyone who has continued to act in the best interest of everyone by social distancing and wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to move through this unprecedented time together, side by side.
Keep reading for more on this Fantastic Friday.
“Stay Safe, Stay Healthy”
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
Trivia!
In 2020, how many states will automatically mail ballots to all their voters?
Re-Elect Climate Champions
Next Wednesday, September 23, I’m thrilled to co-host a Re-Elect Climate Champions event hosted by Carbon WA Action! I’ll be joining Representative Sharon Shewmake over Zoom from 5:00 P.M. to 5:45 P.M. to help raise funds and support climate champions who are running for office in Washington!
Keeping the climate at the center of a strong recovery for Washington is incredibly important, and I’m excited to get to work during the next legislative session to address climate change and the environment. This is a great opportunity for you to help show your support and make your voice heard!
If you’re interested in joining next Wednesday, click here for more information.
Addressing Native Mascots
It was my pleasure to sit down with Spokane Public Radio yesterday to discuss the important issue of Native mascots for our sports teams, and for our schools. We have worked over recent months to address the issue through the legislature, and I remain committed to resolving this issue at the statewide level.
Currently, we’re working through the details of a new legislative proposal that would restrict the ability for teams to have Native mascots or names – including whether to make exceptions for mascots and team names that have approval from the nearest tribe.
This is an issue deeply personal to countless Native people right here in Washington, and across the country. We’re being portrayed as no different than a token and no different than a tiger or a duck. In 15 to 20, 50 or 100 years, when they look back at our bills and how we treated one another, they’ll look at this bill and say, ‘It was just a little bill, but it brought some hope and respect for all.’
We must never stop working to bring hope and respect to everyone that we can.
To read more about my interview, click here.
Make Sure You Are Heard
There are still a few weeks left for you to fill out the Census and make sure that you and your family are counted! We only do this enumeration once every ten years, and it is so very important that everyone fills it out. The number of people living in each state helps decide Congressional Representatives, how funding is allocated, and so much more.
Click here to fill out the 2020 Census.
This November will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes. So much is at stake, and voting is the most direct way that you can influence our country. Unfortunately, so many people don’t cast their ballots every election – and I don’t want that to include you! Please register to vote, and vote as soon as you get your ballot!
Click here to check your voter registration status.
Washington State Women’s Commission
It was an honor to sit down (virtually!) with the new Director of Washington State Women’s Commission, Regina Malveaux! Regina was appointed last month to Governor Inslee’s cabinet, and has already made a tremendous impact in her new role.
It was great to sit down with Regina discuss the work that we are doing, the work that the Women’s Commission is doing, and how we can both support one another in our continue efforts to ensure that every woman is healthy, safe, prosperous, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
It will always be a priority of mine to ensure that our women are heard, and that we increase engagement across the board to ensure that we are addressing key issues across the state. In 2020 particularly, we must view things with the additional lens of COVID-19. Regina will be a great partner to consider how this pandemic has affected women particularly, and to come up with ideas for how we can best provide support.
Thank you to the women’s commission, and to Regina for all the hard work that you do! I’m excited to continue working beside you in the future, and I’m confident we will accomplish great things.
For more information on the Women’s Commission, click here.
Endorsement Shoutouts!
Representative Sharon Shewmake
It has been such a pleasure serving in the State Legislature beside Representative Sharon Shewmake these past two years. As a fellow mother and first-term Representative, she has been a strong and steady voice on supporting legislation that helps Washingtonians and makes peoples lives better.
Representative Sharon Shewmake
Sharon is a tremendous advocate for her constituents, and I am proud to endorse her re-election campaign! Together we will continue to work on building long-term, steady economic growth that keeps our ecosystems and environments in mind, while doing everything we can to help all who call this place home.
For more information about Representative Shewmake, click here.
Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis
Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis has done an incredible job in her time on the Washington State Supreme Court, and has been a shining example for our youth across the state. It brings me great joy to see her on the State Supreme Court, and I am proud to endorse her campaign to retain her current seat.
Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis
I am so impressed by Justice Montoya-Lewis’ quality of leadership. She understands that litigants’ needs run deeper than the law. She is a problem solver, a pathmaker, and a community healer.
To learn more about Justice Montoya-Lewis’ campaign, click here.
Cindy Wolf
Cindy Wolf is currently running to serve on the San Juan County Council, and I am proud to endorse her campaign! Cindy has been a tremendous community leader for years, always listening with a keen ear to the issues and needs around her, and taking strong action to address those issues.
San Juan County Council Candidate Cindy Wolf
She brings with her the power of a mother and the strength of a community leader with years of experience, she represents the best values for the San Juan Islands and ahs the integrity to be the leader we all want steering us in the right direction.
For more information about Cindy’s campaign, click here.
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!
Nine states will automatically mail ballots to all voters! (WA, OR, HI, NV, CO, UT, CA, VT, NJ)
Find more information on mail-in voting rules by state on NPR!