Latest from Lekanoff

Happy Fantastic Friday!

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF |||

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we embark on a new legislative session, I am filled with hope and determination to serve our vibrant 40th District. Our journey together is enriched by the voices and stories of our community members, whose experiences guide our shared mission. Our work is driven by the strength and spirit of our community. Together, we will continue to advocate for policies that honor our cultural heritage, promote health and wellness, ensure housing stability, and approach budgeting with strategic foresight. Your voices are the heartbeat of our district, and I am honored to represent you.

Honoring Cultural Heritage

Recently, we welcomed a young Indigenous student, Gracie Ray, who was barred from wearing her tribal regalia at graduation. This incident highlighted the urgent need for greater awareness and respect for cultural expressions. Gracie, a member of the Tlingit Haida tribe in Alaska, was gifted a blanket by the Nisqually tribe. Despite the cultural significance of her regalia, the district failed to comply with a four-year-old statute that protects an Indigenous student’s right to graduate in their tribal regalia.

In response, Gracie’s family is standing up for their cultural heritage by taking legal action against the Tacoma school district. Their bravery shines a light on the importance of upholding cultural rights. We are committed to ensuring that no student will ever face such barriers again. Our message is clear: you are known, you are loved, and you are welcome here.

A Sacred Call from the Waters: Protecting Puget Sound and Our Orcas

People in the Pacific Northwest and beyond watched with heavy hearts as Tahlequah J35, a southern resident orca, carried her calf for hundreds of miles in an unmistakable display of grief. This solemn procession was more than an expression of loss; it was a message.

Our southern resident orcas, sacred to our waters and cultures, are sounding an alarm. When top predators like Tahlequah’s family decline year after year, it signals that our shared ecosystem—the sacred balance of earth, water, and life—is in jeopardy. It’s not just the orcas who suffer when food sources dwindle; every being connected to these waters feels the strain.

Building a Stronger, Healthier Washington

I am deeply honored to serve as Vice Chair of the Health Care & Wellness Committee, a role that reflects my longstanding commitment to bridging federal and tribal healthcare systems. In this work, I hold a deep respect for the understanding that health is cyclical—our personal well-being is interconnected with the health of our economy and our ecosystems. Together, these elements sustain and strengthen our communities.

This session, we are prioritizing action to address the opioid and fentanyl crisis while advancing key legislation that lowers costs and improves access to care. Some highlights include:

HB 1062: Requiring insurers to cover biomarker testing, enabling earlier diagnoses and better treatment options for serious illnesses, including cancer.
HB 1129: Mandating coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment as part of reproductive care, ensuring families have the support they need to grow.
HB 1186: Allowing emergency departments to prescribe full courses of medication, reducing costs and eliminating unnecessary trips to the pharmacy.

It’s early in the session, but we’ve already held public hearings on these important bills and started the process of moving them through committee and, eventually, to the Governor’s desk. I remain committed to leading with purpose, drawing on the wisdom of our communities to build a stronger, healthier Washington.

One Washington

Ensuring Housing Stability in the 40th District and Beyond

Housing is a fundamental human right and the foundation of thriving communities.

We’re championing rent stabilization to bring predictability and sustainability for both renters and landlords. This is especially urgent in the 40th District, where rising housing costs threaten families, increase homelessness, and disrupt community stability.

I am deeply grateful to Sen. Emily Alvarado, Rep. Strom Peterson, Rep. Nicole Macri, and Sen. Marcus Riccelli for their years of dedicated work on this issue. Their leadership has paved the way for this year’s efforts to address the housing crisis.

Although Sen. Alvarado has moved from the House to the Senate, her rent stabilization bill continues to advance in the House alongside a Senate companion bill. Here’s why:

Legislation Belongs to the Chamber: Once introduced, a bill legally belongs to the chamber, not the sponsor, and continues through the process regardless of the sponsor’s status.
Co-Sponsors and Leadership Support: Co-sponsors and committees ensure the bill’s progress with strong advocacy.
Senate Companion Bill: A companion bill in the Senate reinforces the legislative effort across both chambers.
Precedent: History shows that bills often advance even if the sponsor changes roles, as long as chamber rules are followed.

Every $100 increase in median rent raises homelessness by 9%. Rent stabilization is a vital step to protect renters, support landlords, and ensure every Washingtonian has a safe, stable place to call home.

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