Dear Friends,
Earlier this week we were saddened to learn that Senator John McCoy has walked on. An inspiration to many, Senator McCoy was a mentor, a friend, and colleague who helped to guide me on my own journey into public service. His presence and leadership will be dearly missed.
Upon his retirement, Senator McCoy said:
“It has been a gift to advocate for marginalized and disenfranchised Washingtonians, to lift up the voices of our sovereign tribal communities, to expand access to – and quality of – education and health care, and to do so with a team of dedicated public servants.”
As we grieve this loss as a community, we remember the gift of his work and the responsibility for us to continue his legacy for the future of all Washingtonians.
Senator McCoy was a dear friend and mentor to me, helping to guide me as I entered public service. So much of what we have accomplished today is a result of his work that made voting more accessible to Native peoples.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCoy family during this time.
Keep reading for more on this Fantastic Friday.
“Stay Safe, Stay Healthy”
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
Addressing Mental Health & Homelessness
A few weeks ago, I received an incredible message from an 8th grader in Bellingham. They took the time to write me a thoughtful email outlining their concerns with mental health treatment in our communities, and how that impacts the unhoused population here in the 40th LD.
I’d like to share a part of their message to me:
“In my personal life every day I observe how the homelessness issue is getting worse in downtown Bellingham. While there are many factors at play in the homelessness crisis, I’m sure that mental illness and schizophrenia are connected in some way. It all is very concerning and stressful.
My purpose in writing you this letter is to encourage you to help make sure the goals that were laid out by governor Inslee get accomplished. I hope from all the reasoning and evidence I have provided you that now and in your future actions you will keep this in mind and advocate for this vulnerable population.”
I am so thankful to have such a remarkable young person as a member of our community. Their note displayed a deep understanding of this important issue, and emphasized their hope that I will continue to support efforts that help those who need it most.
Rest assured, I will always work to address this crisis by investing in wraparound services, that provide healthcare, behavior, health, financial guidance, jobs, training, and helping build the foundation for those who are striving to live the life they always wanted for themselves and their families.
My Friend Bob Ferguson
Next – Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running for Governor!
Last week, following the announcement that Governor Inslee will not seek another term in office, my friend Bob Ferguson, our Attorney General, announced his exploratory Gubernatorial campaign!
It has been a pleasure to work with Bob as Attorney General and I am so grateful for his ongoing support as I have served in the People’s House.
Now, I am thrilled to return that support as he begins this journey into the next phase of his service to Washington and Washingtonians! I hope you’ll consider joining him as well.
Here is Bob’s announcement statement from last week:
“I’ve never been afraid to take on big fights. From the Trump Admin and the gun lobby to anti-abortion extremists and corporate interests, I’ve taken on powerful adversaries, and won.
That’s just the start. Today, I’m proud to announce my exploratory campaign for Governor of WA.
Since I first ran for office, I’ve run grassroots, people-powered campaigns. I refuse to take money from large corporations. This campaign will be no different — join us today. We can’t do it without you.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bf-em-20230502-1…”
To learn more about Bob and his work, click here.
Washington Center for Early Learning
On this Fantastic Friday, I want to take a moment to celebrate an incredibly impactful organization that has been working on the ground in our district for the last half century.
Earlier this week, the Whatcom Center for Early Learning held their 50th Anniversary Gala, celebrating five decades of partnering with families to provide high-quality, equitable, and comprehensive therapy and support services to children experiencing developmental delays and disabilities.
According to their website:
“Our mission statement is asserting that through the actions of WCEL, we will move closer to a world in which the needs of children and families are met so that there are fewer disparities in those long-term outcomes.
WCEL takes an equity approach in our work by serving children and families based on needs. We provide services for children with delays and/or disabilities so they can grow and thrive, instead of offering equal services for every child.”
Thank you to all of the dedicated individuals doing the great work of WCEL – you have had such a profound impact in our community, and I can’t wait to see what the next fifty years have in store for you.
Supporting the Seattle Aquarium
For years now I have been proud to support the Seattle Aquarium and the incredible work that they do. Whether it is the standing exhibits that countless Washingtonians and visitors alike have enjoyed, or the programs geared towards educating our children, the Seattle Aquarium has a special place in my heart and will always have my support.
They were even to continue bringing the joys of aquariums to the people when their doors were closed through livestreams of some of their animals – which you can still enjoy today!
It’s with this in mind that I was thrilled to receive a letter recently from the Seattle Aquarium CEO Robert Davidson thanking me for my support. I feel as though I should be the one thanking him for the incredible work that they do!
I want to share a small part of the letter with you today:
“We appreciate the legislature’s ongoing support of the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion project. The $5 million state investment—$3 million from the capital budget and $2 million from the transportation budget—in the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion project will help reshape Seattle, provide family wage jobs, and place conservation at the heart of our city.
We are creating an incredible new space that will help educate and inspire millions of visitors on the important connection between our ocean and climate, that honors our place on Coast Salish lands, and that revitalizes regional tourism as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Thank you, Robert, and all the great employees who make the Seattle Aquarium such an incredible place! I will always work to support you and the great things that you do for Washingtonians.
Transitioning Away From the Snake River Dams
As many of you know, there is an ongoing important discussion around the Snake River Dams and their potential removal. Recently Governor Inslee and Senator Murray expressed that breaching the dams will require extensive preparation and bipartisan support U.S. Democrats don’t yet have.
Federal agencies have poured more than $17 billion into salmon recovery over the last 20 years, hoping to revive populations using fish ladders, diversion screens, and hatcheries. But conditions for Snake River sockeye and spring-summer chinook are still dire and, limited on ideas, some federal and regional political actors are starting to look more closely at the possibility of breaching four eastern Washington dams — Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite.
Recently, it was my pleasure to work with my colleagues in Olympia to begin the process of transitioning the services provided by the four aging dams to more practical and sustainable sources.
In the final 2023-2025 Washington State Budget, we have allocated over $7 million dollars for transitioning the energy, transportation, and irrigation services that are currently supported by the four aging dams – an important step towards retiring the dams and restoring the Snake River to its natural splendor.
This will not be an immediate process, no overnight fix is possible. It will take a lot of difficult, coordinated work across all levels of government, ensuring that as these dams are removed we are able to replace the services they provided and set ourselves up for the future.