Gov. Inslee visits the 40th, reducing building emissions, & funding for local community projects

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL |||

I’ve had the pleasure to spend much of the summer visiting with people in our community and around Washington. I am grateful to the advocates and leaders who have taken the time to help me continue to learn about new opportunities to strengthen our community. In twelve short weeks, I’ll be back in Olympia for a 60-day legislative session to work on the issues that matter most to you. Below are some of the conversations and issues I’ll be focused on.

Governor Inslee Visits the 40^th Legislative District

Governor Inslee stopped in Anacortes on his way to Lopez Island. I am appreciative that he took the time to listen with people from around the region regarding the impact of the volatile housing market on renters and how we can help. In attendance were local business leaders, construction and building industry specialists, tenant advocates, property managers, mobile homeowners, and local elected officials. For an hour, the Governor was able to hear our community’s concerns. I’m looking forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues in the legislature to pass legislation that will protect the half of Washingtonians who rent their homes while encouraging a healthy housing market.

According to a US Census Pulse Survey published in August, more than 200,000 people in Washington had their rent increased by more than $250/month. We heard that when that happens, many of those folks end up sleeping in their cars or moving out of the community. It can harm their employers, and it means many disruptions in their children’s lives.

My goal is to stabilize rapidly rising rents and address the driving factors behind the displacement that is hurting so many people in our communities. The added security this legislation will create will benefit both tenants and housing providers seeking long term stability and affordability in the rental market.

Learning Session on Building Emissions & Efficiency

Buildings remain the most rapidly growing source of greenhouse gas emissions according to the Department of Commerce and account for 27% of statewide emissions, so finding ways to reduce use of fossil fuels and increase efficiency are important priorities. Last month, I was thrilled to host Rep. Doglio and Sen. Nguyen – chairs of the House and Senate environmental committees, respectively; for a learning session around my Energy Upgrade Navigator bill. Modeled on the successful Community Energy Challenge, House Bill 1391 would create a simplified process for homeowners, renters and small businesses to access cost effective ways to improve a buildings energy efficiency by taking full advantage of the opportunities created in the Federal Inflation Reduction Act and Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.

Last session saw funding allocated to the Department of Commerce to research and convene discussions around this topic. But we have much more work ahead of us on ensuring that all Washingtonians can fully benefit from building energy upgrades, cleaner air, and cost savings.

Securing Funding for Local Community Projects In 2024

Last year, the legislature passed the Resilient Washington Budget providing funding for critical priorities like housing, behavioral health access, workforce shortages, community safety, and abortion rights. We delivered in all these areas, and more.

Next year, the “short” legislative session will be 60-days long. It will also be a supplemental budget year. Supplemental budgets are generally mid-course corrections to the biennial budget that we passed in the long sessions. But there is sometimes an opportunity to seek funding for projects that didn’t make it into the budget last year, address additional spending demands due to changes in caseloads, and act on emerging issues facing Washington since the biennial budget was enacted.

The implications of a shorter session and supplemental budget year for local community projects are significant due to a shorter timeline and less available funding. If you know any community organizations that are interested in seeking funding for a local community project, please direct them to my office to flag their funding request. The earlier I can begin tracking your request, the sooner I can begin advocating for it in the supplemental budget!

Staying In Touch

From now, until we start session, I will be largely focused on developing and finalizing legislation. I will still be based in district and will have constituent meetings. Representing your needs is still my primary goal, but to best represent you, I will be broadening my reach to policy-focused meetings. Based off your feedback gathered during the summer, I will continue to champion legislation like rent stabilization, clean energy, school levy equalization, and supporting the marine highways of our state ferry system.

If you haven’t done so already, I would love to hear from you about how the legislature can improve our community during the next legislative session. It’s about to get even busier, and my office appreciates your support and patience. Thank you for all you do!