Latest from Lekanoff | Celebrating native heritage & building a stronger Washington

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

As we enter the final stretch of the year and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, I am reflecting with deep gratitude on the people, partnerships, and shared responsibilities that guide our work. November is Native American Heritage Month — a time to honor the traditions, sacrifices, and enduring leadership of Tribal Nations across Washington and the United States.

It is also a time to recommit ourselves to building a state where every child, every family, and every community can thrive. This month I’ve had the honor of engaging with Tribal leaders, students, and statewide partners who are shaping the policies and programs that sustain our health, protect our environment, and strengthen our shared future. I’m pleased to share these updates with you.

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

As a Tlingit woman serving in the Washington State Legislature, Native American Heritage Month is deeply personal to me. Today — on Native American Heritage Day — and throughout November, I reflect on the strength, resilience, and leadership of the 29 federally recognized Tribal Nations in Washington State.

Each Nation carries its own culture, language, and teachings that have been passed down for thousands of years. Our deep ties to the land, our responsibility to protect it, and our commitment to future generations continue to shape the work we do in Olympia.

I am honored to serve alongside my colleague and friend, Representative Chris Stearns (Navajo). As the first Native American woman elected to the Washington House, and with Representative Stearns as a strong Navajo leader, we bring the voices of Indian Country directly into the halls of the Capitol. Together, we work to strengthen state–Tribal relationships and ensure that policy reflects the sovereignty, identity, and values of our Nations.

From aligning behavioral health systems to better serve Native communities (HB 1877) to establishing new pathways for Native youth in education and apprenticeships (HB 2019), we are committed to lifting up the next generation and honoring those who came before us.

This month and every month, we honor the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial — and those who continue to guide our shared future with wisdom, courage, and compassion.

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

This month, I had the profound honor of speaking from the main stage at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) — an institution nearly 80 years old and one of the most powerful intertribal governance bodies in the United States. NCAI brings together leaders from all 517 federally recognized Tribal Nations to stand on common ground, strengthen sovereignty, and speak with one unified voice.

Looking out into a room of leaders from every corner of Indian Country reaffirmed a truth I carry every day:
When we lead with culture, identity, and sovereignty, we shape the future by our own hands.

My message was clear:
We must write policy rooted in who we are — our bloodlines, our teachings, and our responsibility to protect our families, neighbors, and homelands. Each Nation has a place at the table, and every leader has a role in carrying this work forward.

Community Update: Parks & Environmental Stewardship

I’m pleased to share a major update from Larrabee State Park. Washington State Parks recently installed a new Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at the Lost Lake trailhead — the first State Park EV charging station in Northwest Washington.

• Supports two vehicles

• Requires a Discover Pass for parking

• Part of a growing statewide network including Lake Sammamish, Schafer, Ginkgo Petrified Forest, and Daroga

This investment reflects our shared commitment to clean transportation, climate resilience, and sustainable recreation access for all Washingtonians.

Investing in Student Health: 2025 Student Health Summit

Thank you to the Washington School-Based Health Alliance for inviting me to keynote the 2025 Student Health Summit. I was deeply moved by the students, educators, and advocates who gathered to elevate the importance of culturally rooted, community-driven school-based health care.

In my remarks, I emphasized:

• Centering youth voices in decision-making

• Strengthening school-based supports that meet students where they are

• Building systems that honor culture, belonging, and whole-person wellness

A special thank you to CC Compton (pictured), a student leader from Options High School, whose leadership inspires hope for the next generation. My team and I look forward to continued collaboration on post-conference advocacy efforts.

Budget & Revenue Outlook

As we prepare for the 2026 legislative session, Washington is entering a period of increasing pressure on essential state services. The latest revenue forecast shows that while our economy remains stable, growth is flattening — and the needs of our communities continue to rise.

This moment requires thoughtful, values-driven decisions. House Democrats remain committed to:

• Responsible, transparent budgeting rooted in long-term sustainability

• Protecting essential services like public education, behavioral health, childcare, housing, and environmental stewardship

• Honoring and strengthening state–Tribal partnerships, especially where services overlap

• Ensuring every community — rural, urban, and Tribal — has the resources to thrive

But we know that simply “managing” a tightening budget is not enough. For too long, Washington has relied on one of the most regressive tax systems in the nation, placing the heaviest burden on working families while the wealthiest contribute far less than their fair share.

To build the resilient, compassionate future our state deserves, we must continue the work of creating a fairer, more just revenue system — one that:

• Ensures the ultra-wealthy and large corporations pay what they owe

• Reduces reliance on sales taxes that disproportionately impact low-income households

• Provides stable funding for the programs families rely on

• Reflects our shared values of equity, opportunity, and long-term prosperity

Budgets are moral documents. They show the world what we choose to care about. I will continue fighting for a revenue system that honors our commitments to children, families, elders, and future generations — and makes Washington a place where every community can thrive.

Rural Health Transformation (RHT): Federal Application Submitted

Washington State has officially submitted its full application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Rural Health Transformation Program, requesting up to $1 billion over five years.

Key Highlights

• At least $100 million per year is guaranteed if approved

• No state match required — fully federally funded

• Six initiative areas:

  • Rural hospitals

  • Prevention & community-based care

  • Tribal health

  • Technology investments

  • Workforce development

  • Behavioral health supports

• Joint administration by HCA, DOH, and DSHS

Next Steps

• CMS decision expected by December 31, 2025

• An Advisory Committee, including Tribal representatives, will guide investment priorities

• The Legislature will receive updates throughout implementation

This program represents an unprecedented opportunity to expand access to high-quality care across our rural and Tribal communities — ensuring families can receive the care they need close to home.

Closing Thoughts

As we look ahead to the upcoming legislative session, I remain grounded in the values that have always guided my work: honoring our ancestors, lifting our communities, and protecting the lands and waters that sustain us.

I am grateful to each of you for the trust you place in me to represent the beautiful 40th District. Together, we will continue building a future rooted in responsibility, resilience, and respect for those who came before us and those yet to come.

Thank you for staying engaged, for raising your voice, and for being part of this journey. I hope you have a peaceful, warm, and rejuvenating holiday season.