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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I’m fighting to prevent tax increases on working families and small businesses.
The majority party in both the House and Senate have introduced several bills this session to increase taxes. They say we need to raise taxes on hardworking families in order to grow government. I disagree. We need to invest in people, not government.
To that end, we released our 2021-23 operating budget framework today. It fully funds our priorities of working families, growing students, vulnerable people, small businesses, and serving all of Washington (including one of my top personal priorities: fighting against across-the-board-cuts to health care) – all without raising taxes!
You can read more about this proposal here. You can view a quick PowerPoint presentation here.
Despite being in the minority party, we are leading. We have real solutions based on the priorities and principles of the millions of citizens we represent. While the majority party will try to convince you and the media that this cannot be done without raising taxes – do not believe them. It can be done, without cutting vital services to those in need. I urge you to click on the above links to learn more.
Apprenticeship programs in schools
“Is the only option I have either a four-year degree from a university, or nothing?” You don’t know how many times I’ve been asked this question from students, parents and families in our district. It’s sad. Right now, many students feel like there are little options outside of the four-year path at a college or university.
I introduced legislation this week to create apprenticeship programs in high schools throughout the state. House Bill 1536 would invest more in our career and technical education programs. It would give students more choices when deciding upon a career and it would help meet the needs of local employers, local industries and our local economies. It will allow students to attain employment in their region, allowing them to stay in their local communities if they so desire.
You can read the story KXLY did on my bill here.
Are Olympia policies making our families less safe?
Policies introduced in Olympia by the majority party are extreme and will create unsafe streets for our families. Democrats want the following bills:
House Bill 1499 – This bill has a well-meaning title about behavioral health and substance abuse assistance. But the harsh truth is that this bill eliminates drug penalties for “personal use amounts,” in effect, making drug use legal in Washington state, including heroin, meth and fentanyl use.
House Bill 1344 – This bill would allow prisoners, no matter how violent or heinous their crimes, to petition the court to be released if they committed their crime before the age of 25. It would release violent criminals back onto our streets. Just this week a woman was carjacked by a criminal 20 minutes after he was released from jail.
House Bill 1054 – This bill comes from the “Defund the Police” movement. It seeks to severely limit the training, tactics and equipment law enforcement can use, including K-9s, armored vehicles, no-knock warrants (even in cases of child trafficking or kidnapping), and certain restraint or de-escalation holds. It will result in more cases of deadly force as officers have fewer options available to them.
These are just a few of the many bills that will make our families less safe. The majority party is ruling as if the entire state were downtown Seattle. This is the fight we face every day during session.
Staying involved in your state government
As a reminder, you can listen to my weekly podcast “Capitol Report” here. You can visit my website here. You can watch all committee and floor action on TVW here. And you can learn more how you can stay involved in this remote legislative session here.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the state House of Representatives. My office is here to help.
Sincerely,
Jacquelin Maycumber
