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This newsletter is a three-minute read (548 words).
Town Hall info: You are invited to join Rep. Gloria Mendoza and me this Thursday, March 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a 14th District Virtual Town Hall Meeting. We will provide a legislative update and open the forum for your questions. Pre-register here: https://tinyurl.com/14thDist-TownHall. For more information, read our press release.
Legislative statistics
- Where we are on the session calendar: Today is Day 58 of the 105-day session. We are more than halfway through. The legislative session is scheduled to end Sunday, April 27.
- Bill volume: Since the first day of session on Jan. 13, 1,055 bills have been introduced in the House and 807 bills in the Senate.
- Deadlines and floor sessions: Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 12, at 5 p.m. is the “House of Origin” cutoff. Bills not passed out of the chamber where they originated are likely “dead” for this session. That’s why we have been working floor sessions for the past eight days from 9 a.m. until often past midnight, caucusing, deliberating, debating, and voting on bills. At one point over the weekend, we worked past 3:30 a.m., after being on the House floor most of the day.
- Bill movement: More than 200 bills have passed the House, and 215 have passed the Senate. None have yet been sent to the governor for signature yet.
Floor action
I have spoken numerous times on the House floor against legislation that would negatively impact our citizens, families, and job creators in the 14th District. I have also offered amendments to mitigate those effects or improve legislation.
I offered two amendments during the late-night floor debate on House Bill 1531 on Saturday. Amendments 492 and 493 would prevent state and local governments from requiring individuals to receive immunizations or vaccines for any reason. Watch my floor speech here.
Why it matters: I believe vaccines should be a personal choice, not something the government forces people to have injected into their bodies against their will.
Unfortunately, House Democrats rejected both amendments.
OPINION: State must do better to protect Washington’s children
By Rep. Deb Manjarrez: In an opinion editorial to our local newspapers, I discuss the failure of our state’s child welfare system, including the alarming deaths of babies and toddlers under the state’s care. I invite you to read my article here.
On the radio
Live from the Capitol: My seatmate, Rep. Gloria Mendoza, joined me last Friday afternoon at the House Republican Broadcast Studio. KONA Radio Talk Host Robb Francis from Pasco was doing his program live. We had just finished a very contentious floor debate before the radio interview. You can listen to that interview here.
Podcast: I was also recently a guest on the Fix Washington podcast, discussing issues relating to the 14th District, including housing and parental rights. Listen to that interview here.
It is an honor to serve and represent you!
Please call, write, or email my office whenever you have questions, comments, or suggestions about legislation, the session, or state government. I am here to serve and represent you. Thank you for allowing me to be your voice in Olympia! I hope to see you at our virtual town hall meeting on Thursday evening.
Sincerely,
Deb Manjarrez
