Inslee and legislators roll out more reproductive freedom bills for 2023 legislative session

Governor Jay Inslee, state lawmakers, faith leaders, and reproductive care providers convened Friday in Federal Way at Wayside United Church of Christ to announce additional measures to protect reproductive freedom. The governor’s and legislators' 2023 legislative proposals feature a host of bills strengthening access and protection for individuals seeking reproductive health care in Washington state.

"A woman's right of choice is a health care issue," said Gov. Jay Inslee. "Health care must remain the providence of individual Washington women. These laws will keep the tentacles of restrictive states out of Washington."

Rep. Drew Hansen previewed a sanctuary policy that will protect patients from out-of-state from being punished for lawfully seeking and receiving legal health care services in Washington state. Rep. Tarra Simmons previewed a bill that will prevent health system mergers from creating extralegal restrictions for patients seeking lawful abortion or gender-affirming care.

The event followed a pro-choice event held in Bellingham last week during which legislators announced a bill to protect the data privacy of people seeking reproductive health care, and another to protect providers from adverse criminal or civil action while providing legal health care services. The governor also reiterated his commitment to introducing a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to abortion.

Edmonds School District advances teacher diversity, reliable student research

Growing up in Seattle, Leon Johnson remembers just one teacher of color throughout his education. He is determined to change that picture for future generations. Leon is a paraeducator at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, and he’s now just a few steps away from becoming certified as a teacher. His son has followed suit, recently completing his master’s degree in education. Justine Locke’s ascent at Lynnwood High School has garnered headlines – she started as a lunch lady before being promoted to a teacher, then again to assistant principal.

These success stories were supported by the Teachers of Color Foundation. The foundation asserts that adults in classrooms could better represent the students they teach. Through fundraising and advocacy, the group is helping establish alternative routes to certification, conducting mentorship programs, and helping aspiring educators afford the cost of education and student teaching.

Gov. Jay Inslee visited Meadowdale High School on Monday to meet foundation members and discuss state efforts to improve educator diversity like the Beginning Educator Support Team mentorship program and the “Grow Your Own” program helping schools recruit community members.

Meadowdale High School is also leading new efforts to teach digital literacy and avoid biased reporting. The Edmonds School District teaches a SIFT strategy, helping students to stop, investigate sources, find trusted reporting, and trace claims to original sources. When asked what stuck with him about digital literacy training, one student replied, “skepticism – reading critically helps me find bias.”

School-based health centers improve student access to health care

Many students lack a primary care provider. Cold and flu season is starting. Youth mental health is in a critical state. But within 50 Washington schools, health care is now just a short walk away for students. In recent weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee has visited some of these school-based health centers now becoming more common.

Oakland and Mount Tahoma high schools in Tacoma have both recently opened school-based health centers run in partnership by Tacoma Public Schools and MultiCare. The clinics are each staffed once a week by a professional psychiatrist to offer students mental health support.

Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood became the first school in Snohomish County to open a school-based health center this year. The Meadowdale clinic offers dental care services including x-rays and cleanings, in addition to physical and mental health care services.

Recent state budgets and 2SHB 1664 are improving staff-to-student ratios in schools to bolster the number of counselors, paraeducators, and nurses available to students. The close proximity, reduced wait times, and often-subsidized cost of school-based health centers level common barriers between youth and mental health support. Combined, state investments in school-based health centers and supporting staff are improving student health.

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State COVID-19 emergency orders to expire Monday

Monday will be the final day of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 emergency declaration. While the virus persists, vaccines and medical treatments are broadly available and offer strong protection. The state’s decisive pandemic response saved lives – had the nation achieved Washington’s low COVID-19 death rate, 433,000 lives might have been saved.

“The past two and a half years have been some of the hardest that anyone can remember,” said Inslee. “Working together, we saved countless thousands of lives.”

Snow and ice season is beginning – plan travel accordingly

Autumn has arrived, and Washington is already experiencing rainfall, low temperatures, and even snow and ice in some areas. Studded tires are permitted on Washington roads beginning Nov. 1. The state Department of Transportation urges drivers to reduce speed, be patient, and “know before you go” by researching road conditions before long trips. WSDOT maintains a map of live roadway conditions for that purpose.

State, tribes convene for 2023 Centennial Accord

This year marks the 33^rd convention of the State of Washington and 26 federally-recognized Indian tribes to advance the spirit of the Centennial Accord. The accord was signed in 1989 to better achieve mutual goals between their sovereign governments. Gov. Jay Inslee attended the event on Tuesday in Tulalip to meet with tribal leaders about salmon health, fentanyl, clean energy, and other topics.

Washington students leaving money on the table by forgetting the FAFSA

Washington has some of the most generous student aid programs in the country, yet the state is third-lowest in FAFSA completion rate. Washington students are missing out on money – as much as $50 million has been forgone in recent years. The Washington Student Achievement Council urges students to file their FAFSA, saying, “you never know what you’re missing out on unless you apply.”

Grant County rural broadband project now online

The state Department of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of a rural broadband project in Grant County. The project was the first broadband project completed by the Washington Public Works Board – 153 households and businesses now have access to high-speed internet.

Walla Walla reduces youth homelessness by half

A Way Home Washington, a nonprofit co-chaired by First Spouse Trudi Inslee, is helping reduce youth homelessness in Southeast Washington. The organization seeks to end homelessness for people aged 12 to 24 by improving cross-jurisdiction collaboration, being attentive to data, and removing barriers between young people and vital services. In just one year, the program has helped the City of Walla Walla reduce its population of youth experiencing homelessness from 81 to 39.

Happy Halloween! Inslees to hand out candy at the Executive Residence in Olympia

Jay and Trudi Inslee will don costumes and hand out candy at the Executive Residence on the Washington State Capitol Campus on Halloween night between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Trick or treaters are invited to bring a small bag and collect candy from the governor and First Spouse.