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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This newsletter is a four-minute read (778 words).
Deadlines have arrived for passing policy and fiscal (money-related) bills from their respective committees in the chamber where they originated. Since last Friday, many bills that did not pass from their policy committees have died.
Why it matters: These self-imposed deadlines help winnow the hundreds of bills introduced since the legislative session began on Jan. 13. This keeps the Legislature focused on the most critical issues during the remainder of the session. Except for budget bills exempt from the deadlines, legislation that survived the committee process has now stacked up in the Rules Committee, waiting to be pulled to the floor for a vote of the full chamber.
What’s next: Our focus now transitions from the committee process to the floor. Beginning Monday, March 3, and continuing until the next deadline on March 12, we will be involved in all-day floor sessions, debating and passing legislation that survived the committees. Wednesday, March 5, marks the halfway point of the 105-day session, which ends on April 27.
Watch my video: ‘Fentanyl is killing our loved ones and destroying our communities!’
Video addresses the local fentanyl crisis: I am very concerned and shocked about the drug overdose death rate in Yakima County and throughout the state — primarily due to fentanyl. It is a tragedy that many children are accidentally ingesting fentanyl. Even more tragic is that it has now become one of the leading causes of child deaths in Washington state. Sadly, the Legislature seems to be ignoring the problem this year. The majority party has refused to hear Republican bills that would protect children from this deadly epidemic.
Please watch my video and share your thoughts with me. We cannot stand by while another child dies and do nothing about it.
House committee passes amended version of law enforcement honorarium bill
Bill awaits a House floor vote: I am excited that my first bill, House Bill 1783, passed out of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee on Feb. 19 and is now in the Rules Committee, where it could be pulled to the floor for a vote. The original measure would have allowed off-duty law enforcement officers to receive an honorarium when speaking or presenting to college and technical school students.
Why it matters: Current law does not allow off-duty officers to receive anything of economic value under contract or grant outside official duties. As initially proposed, my bill would slightly change the law to enable them to receive a payment known as an “honorarium.” This could encourage off-duty officers to share their real-life expertise in college courses and inspire young people to a life of public service to help others.
Amendment is disappointing: While I’m excited the bill passed the committee, I am disappointed that the committee chair amended the measure to eliminate the honorarium and replace it with a “gift of appreciation” limited to $25. If the bill comes to a vote on the House floor, I will propose an amendment to return the measure to its original form.
Stop the bad bills!
You can take action: Several bad bills have survived the cutoffs and may soon be headed to the House floor for a vote. We need your input to stop them. Here’s a list and links for you to click to stop these bills:
- Property tax increase – House Bill 1334: Click here to stop this bill.
- Pay per mile – House Bill 1921: Click here to stop this bill.
- Undoing the Parents’ Bill of Rights – House Bill 1296: Click here to stop this bill.
- Rent control – House Bill 1217: Click here to stop this bill.
- Early prison release – House Bill 1125: Click here to stop this bill.
- Gun tax – House Bill 1386: Click here to stop this bill.
See the bad bills list in its entirety here and learn how you can stop them.
Mark your calendar for March 13 – 14th District Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Rep. Deb Manjarrez and I will hold an online Town Hall Meeting. We will update you on the 2025 legislative session and take your questions. Learn more about the event here.
- Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Preregister here: https://tinyurl.com/14thDist-TownHall
Or use your phone to scan this QR code:
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve and represent you!
Sincerely,
Gloria Mendoza
