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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The sun is shining, and our weather has started to warm up. It is a welcome change. It is time our state embraces this change in season by reopening our businesses, economy, and livelihoods.
I'm heading into an election-year cycle which means my legislative communications will be put under what's known as an election-year freeze beginning Monday, May 11. This freeze on my communications will lift once Secretary of State Kim Wyman certifies the election at the end of November.
It is important to note that the freeze does not restrict me from responding to your emails, phone calls and messages. I am also not restricted from having in-person meetings with you, so please continue to reach out to me as you normally would.
My email address is bill.jenkin@leg.wa.gov. Once we enter the appropriate “phase” and I can open my district office doors, I encourage you to drop by for a visit. My district office is located at 1110 Osprey Pointe Blvd, Room 238, in Pasco. The phone number is (509) 545-2210.
2020 Legislative Session Review
With our focus for the past several months being COVID-19, it is important for me to still keep you updated on everything that takes place in Olympia during session. The 2020 session was another extremely busy 60-days. If you have not already received your 2020 Legislative Session Review newsletter, it should be hitting your mailbox anytime.
You can also read the digital version by clicking here.
Please participate in the 2020 Census
Recently. Sen. Mike Padden and I sent a letter to former Gov. Gary Locke, Chair of the Washington Complete Count Committee, and the Washington State Office of Financial Management, voicing our strong concern about the need for additional efforts to promote Eastern Washington's participation in the 2020 Census.
Let's do our part! As one of your Republican lawmakers on the Washington Complete Count Committee, I am encouraging everyone's participation in the 2020 Census.
The Census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for our communities. The data helps determine the funding levels for our communities for things such as hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other essential services.
The results of the Census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
For more information, and to fill out your short questionnaire, please visit https://2020census.gov/
COVID-19 updates, information, and resources
As I head into the election-year cycle and my communications freeze, I want to ensure you have the resources and information you need surrounding COVID-19. I know there are still so many unanswered questions and frustration levels remain high.
I will continue to do all I can to help you navigate through the maze of the governor's Safe Start Washington, four-phased plan.
The state's official COVID-19 website can be found here.
My caucus has also put together a website with all the information you need on COVID-19. Even though this page was setup by the House Republicans, it is not a partisan page. Please bookmark this page for all the latest information and resources.
It is important that you know my colleagues and I are doing everything we can to safely open our state. I know our actions are not always seen or known, but please know we are doing all we can.
We have introduced three of our own plans to safely yet timely reopen our state: 1) a collaborative plan of both House and Senate Republicans known as the Legislative Republicans' Safe Economic Restart Plan; 2) a decentralized plan to promote local governments and our state's 39 counties the authority to reopen their jurisdictions; and 3) the BOISE plan to help businesses with immediate relief.
We have also sent over a dozen letters to the governor in our attempts to change or alter his Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders and restrictions.
I know many of you have had questions about the governor's emergency orders and what the Legislature's role, or lack thereof, has been. I hope these links are helpful and help answer some of your questions.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to the governor's emergency powers during this challenging time.
- What is the Legislature's role?
As always, you can contact my office with any questions, concerns, or further information. I am here to help in any way I can.
It's an honor to serve you!
Sincerely,
Bill Jenkin
