Senate Page, Akshara Srinivas, asks Senate Housing Committee Chair, Jessica Bateman (D) 22nd District, and Ranking Member, Keith Goehner(R) 12th District, “…I found that in Washington, we will need about 1 million new homes by 2044. At the same time, there’s pressure to make new housing more energy-efficient and climate-friendly, which can often slow down the building process and make it more costly. How can we meet urgent housing needs while still advancing our goals for renewable energy and environmental sustainability? The Senate Housing Committee considers issues relating to:
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House Page, Dhanyashree Ramanathan, asks Senate Housing Committee Chair, Jessica Bateman (D) 22nd District, and Ranking Member, Keith Goehner(R) 12th District, “…In my research on the Covenant Homeownership Program, I learned that Washington is trying to address the effects of redlining by helping first-time homebuyers from communities that were historically denied housing. Do you think policies like this are effective in addressing the long-term impacts of redlining, and what specific steps can the legislature take, from both a targeted equity perspective and a market-driven approach, to ensure fair and equal homeownership opportunities for everyone? The Senate Housing Committee considers issues relating to:
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Senate Page, Katelyn Kawamura, asks Senate Housing Committee Chair, Jessica Bateman (D) 22nd District, and Ranking Member, Keith Goehner (R) 12th District, “…In my research, I learned about the Growth Management Act and its limits on urbanization of rural regions. What plans does the Housing Committee have to ensure surrounding infrastructure and facilities are able to compensate for increased population growth in urban areas? The Senate Housing Committee considers issues relating to:
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Senate Page, Harry Sumner, asks House Early Learning and Human Services Committee Chair: Steve Bergquist, (D) 11th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Carolyn Eslick, (R) 39th District, “…Washington has long struggled to provide ubiquitous, affordable childcare, which presents burdens for many Washingtonian families. Despite increases in funding, for example, through the capital gains tax, the problem persists. As such, what do you think is the best long-term solution to address the cost of childcare?” The Early Learning & Human Services Committee considers a broad array of issues and services affecting children and families, including early learning; child care; child and youth development; child welfare services; children’s mental health; at-risk and homeless youth; juvenile justice; economic assistance programs; developmental disabilities; and long-term care.
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Senate Page, Amanat Narwal, asks House Early Learning and Human Services Committee Chair: Steve Bergquist, (D) 11th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Carolyn Eslick, (R) 39th District, “… I learned that youth homelessness has become a rampant issue in Washington State, with rates at an all time high for the last school year. What sort of legislation do you propose that would provide programs to students suffering from homelessness in order to get them ready to be independent?” The Early Learning & Human Services Committee considers a broad array of issues and services affecting children and families, including early learning; child care; child and youth development; child welfare services; children’s mental health; at-risk and homeless youth; juvenile justice; economic assistance programs; developmental disabilities; and long-term care.
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House Page, Aditi Karthikeyan, asks House Early Learning and Human Services Committee Chair: Steve Bergquist, (D) 11th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Carolyn Eslick, (R) 39th District, “…Washington State currently has three alternative paths for rehabilitation for juvenile offenders. Why is it necessary to have alternatives like this and do you support their expansion?” The Early Learning & Human Services Committee considers a broad array of issues and services affecting children and families, including early learning; child care; child and youth development; child welfare services; children’s mental health; at-risk and homeless youth; juvenile justice; economic assistance programs; developmental disabilities; and long-term care.
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House Page, Muir Powell, asks House Transportation Committee Chair: Jake Fey, (D) 27th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Andrew Barkis (R) 2nd District, “… Currently, over 300 of the state’s bridges are over 80 years old, and Washington’s interstates are over 50 years old. How do you plan to address our state’s aging infrastructure?” The House Transportation Committee considers issues related to a broad range of multimodal transportation services and infrastructure for all communities and residents regardless of physical and mental disability, income status or age and the intersection of transportation policy with the environment and safety. The committee also considers the transportation budget and revenues to fund investments in transportation and related carbon-reduction programs, and transportation agencies, including the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation.
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House Page, David Sternback, asks House Transportation Committee Chair: Jake Fey, (D) 27th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Andrew Barkis (R) 2nd District, “… In 2019, The Legislature passed the Washington State Ferries 2040 Long Range Plan. Parts of this plan were delayed by Gov. Ferguson. What is the long-term financial sustainability of our ferries?” The House Transportation Committee considers issues related to a broad range of multimodal transportation services and infrastructure for all communities and residents regardless of physical and mental disability, income status or age and the intersection of transportation policy with the environment and safety. The committee also considers the transportation budget and revenues to fund investments in transportation and related carbon-reduction programs, and transportation agencies, including the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, the Washington State Patrol, and the Department of Transportation.
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Senate Page, Isaac Chapman, asks House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee Chair: Jamila Taylor, (D) 30th District, and Ranking Committee Member, Jim Walsh (R) 19th District, “…In my research, I learned that having a mandatory minimum wage can economically force businesses to avoid hiring those with disabilities or less experience. Do you think that if we removed minimum wage it would enable business owners to hire more diversely, and at a lower cost?” The House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee considers a wide variety of legal issues, including constitutional law; privacy rights; anti-discrimination measures; commercial law; torts; probate; guardianships; civil commitment; forensic mental health; firearms; common interest community issues involving liability and uniform laws; and eminent domain. The committee also considers issues relating to courts and judicial administration; and family law issues such as marriage, marriage dissolution, child support and adoption.
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Senate Page, Alice Feng, asks House Health Care & Wellness Committee Chair Dan Bronoske (D), and Committee Member, Andrew Engell (R), about addressing the insurance gap for those retiring early. The House Health Care & Wellness Committee considers a broad range of issues relating to the provision of physical and behavioral health care services; and strategies to promote better health. Health care service issues include the licensing and regulation of health care facilities, the credentialing of new health care professions, and the scope of practice for all healthcare professions. The committee regulates pharmacies and pharmaceutical drugs and has oversight and regulatory responsibility for state public health programs. The committee also considers issues relating to the accessibility and affordability of health care in both the private health insurance market and public health programs such as Medicaid and the state health exchange.
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