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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the 2023 legislative session. Due to election-year restrictions, this is my first email update since last May. I'm excited to be working in person in Olympia, representing the 25th Legislative District. Thank you for your trust and for allowing me the amazing opportunity to serve you. I'm humbled and honored to be your voice in the Legislature and will do everything in my power to represent you.
Make Your Voice Heard
As this session begins, we need to hear from you. Now that we are back in person, you can come to the capitol to testify. Fortunately, remote testimony is also still an option, which means you can still make your voice heard even if you can't come to Olympia. You can testify regarding any bill or other important public policy or issue that will be addressed. Just use these links to sign up:
If you aren't comfortable testifying in public, but still want to share your opinion, please don't hesitate to reach out. I am here to listen, and I value your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and questions. So please contact me if you would like to meet.
My Legislative Priorities
I will be focused on several issues during the 2023 legislative session, including the top priorities of the House Republican Caucus, which are reducing the cost of living, making communities safer, fixing our housing crisis, and empowering all families. We will have a lot more information about these efforts as the session progresses, so continue checking these links regularly.
I plan to introduce legislation that is geared towards these priorities, including these bills that I have already filed:
House Bill 1029 intends to create a pathway for non-vaccinated state employees to be reemployed in their former positions if they choose. The bill would also encourage local governments and private sector employers to create pathways to rehire employees who have lost their jobs due solely to vaccine mandates.
The governor's emergency proclamations making COVID-19 vaccination a condition of employment within executive branch agencies created unnecessary hardships for many state employees. In addition to not allowing qualified, experienced employees work in their professions, it does nothing to benefit the state, especially during worker shortages, like we're currently experiencing.
I recently appeared on the Ari Hoffman show on KVI and on KIRO Radio with Brandi Kruse to talk about this issue. Use the links below to listen:
House Bill 1064 would allow the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to administer a school safety capital grant program. Under HB 1064, grants could only be awarded for school safety projects that make physical improvements intended to advance the safety or security of a school facility. Our kids' safety and the safety of their schools is of paramount importance. It would be terrific to get help to school districts, especially smaller ones, as they modernize with safety in mind.
House Bill 1233 would not allow an inmate to be housed in a correctional facility that primarily houses persons of a different biological sex than that of the inmate if the inmate has previously been convicted of a sex offense against a victim whose biological sex is the same as those persons who are primarily housed in that correctional facility.
I will update you on these bills' progress as session moves forward.
Operating Budget and Taxes
Perhaps our biggest task during this 105-day session is to pass a new two-year operating budget. This will be challenging, but the state has more money to work with than ever before. Therefore, I'm hopeful we can give individuals and families some meaningful tax relief.
Living within our means and making life more affordable for my constituents is a top priority. My fellow Republican lawmakers and I will do everything possible to prevent the majority from increasing your taxes. We will fight to protect your wallet so you can keep more of your hard-earned money.
Committee Assignments and Leadership
Speaking of affordability and taxes, I have some new committee assignments. I'm now the assistant ranking Republican member on the House Finance Committee. This committee considers issues relating to state and local revenues, such as increases or decreases in taxes; exemptions from taxes; and changes in the administration of taxes.
I'm also the assistant ranking member in the Local Government Committee, and I will continue serving on the Rules Committee and the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.
Stay in Touch with Me
There are numerous ways you can keep up with the work of the Legislature. Here are some links that will help:
My legislative website | Here, you will find my contact information, bio, news releases, email updates, videos, opinion pieces, bills, and other information.
The Capitol Buzz | A weekday roundup of online news stories. Click on the link to subscribe.
The Current | An online legislative publication from the Washington House Republicans. Click on the link to subscribe.
TVW | The state's own version of C-SPAN, TVW broadcasts floor and committee action live online.
The Ledger| A legislative news aggregator.
Legislature's website | Here, you can see bill reports, committee agendas, and information about upcoming activities in the Legislature.
State agencies | You can find a list of all state agencies, boards, and commissions here.
Tracking a bill?|Click the link to find information on specific bills. In addition, when you visit my website, you can easily view the legislation I'm sponsoring or co-sponsoring by clicking “Sponsored Bills.”
Thank You for Your Support!
I'm honored to represent you in the 25th District. I know we have much work to do to move our great state forward. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility and allowing me to serve you. I truly value your input, so please reach out to me. My door is always open.
In service,
Sincerely,
Cyndy Jacobsen
