What topics do Spokane lawmakers want to address in this 2022 legislature?

January 8, 2022 6:13 PM

Posted: Jan 8, 2022 6:13 PM

Updated January 8, 2022 9:21 PM

SPOKANE, Wash – The 2022 legislature begins Monday, the second session in a pandemic.

Due to COVID-19 and the rise in Omicron cases, many lawmakers will be working remotely. A limited number of MPs will be able to speak this year, and they will have to take COVID-19 tests before entering. Only vaccinated members of the House of Representatives are allowed to speak while the Senate conducts a negative COVID-19 trial run.

While many people, including lawmakers, want the pandemic behind them, Spokane representative Marcus Riccelli says it is still important to take the precautions so that they can continue their work.

“We want to make sure we do things in a safe and transparent way, and I think we are committed to the work of the people,” said Riccelli.

Spokane Rep. Jenny Graham believes that legislating about a computer is not the same thing.

“That’s the only thing I miss about being in the Capitol. Because we don’t have the ability to interact closely. People are also being prevented from going to the Capitol, ”said Graham.

RELATED: Pandemic Still Background As WA Legislators Begin New Session

Remote statements are allowed. Riccelli thinks it has been helpful, especially for people in Spokane who may not make it to the Olympics. People will be able to testify on bills again in this session.

Hundreds of invoices have already been submitted.

Riccelli sponsors one related to hospital staffing. He wants to limit the number of patients in the healthcare system, address overtime, breaks and their enforcement.

“I think our nurses are mostly marginalized. There is burnout. We’re losing people in this job. We need to make sure they are adequately staffed who are safe for the patients and enable them to do the job they want to do, ”he said.

In addition to this bill, Riccelli is continuing his work on expanding telemedicine with another representative. He has also tabled a bill that would allow legislative staff to organize.

“They deserve the right to collective bargaining like so many other public and private sectors,” said Riccelli.

As for Graham, she plans to amend the 1584 House Bill to call it Lilly’s Act after the 5-year-old whose mother, Kassie, was stabbed to death in a domestic violence incident in Spokane last spring. Lilly was stabbed and seriously injured, but survived the attack.

“We are not doing enough in this state to help crime victims and their families. This would be for the crime victim or immediate family to check and see if they qualified for it, “she said.

RELATED: Spokane legislature is pushing for law that would create scholarships for violent crime survivors and families

Graham also wants to help improve driver training on traffic controls to avoid hostile confrontations.

She wants the driver training to include information on what to do if a person is stopped by the police.

In the hundreds of previously submitted bills, several lawmakers hope to address the housing crisis problem.

“It is clear that we need to invest significantly more dollars in affordable housing projects,” said Riccelli.

On the housing side, Graham believes there should be more collaboration between city and state officials.

“I don’t feel like we’re communicating enough on these specific topics to take a look at what resources we have,” said Graham.

The 60-day legislative period in 2022 begins on Monday. To see what Washington’s lawmakers are proposing this year, click here.

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