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January 13, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Monday, we officially gaveled in for the 2023 legislative session.
I am thrilled to be back in person to do the important work of making our state a safer, healthier, and more prosperous place to live. I also hope that, over the next 105 days, face-to-face contact between legislators will lead to a more collaborative, bipartisan approach than we saw over the past few years when we conducted sessions remotely.
You can watch a video of the opening day ceremony on TVW here.
2023 legislative priorities
This year, public safety is my number one legislative priority. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. Small business owners should not have to hire private security guards to protect their shops from theft – that’s government’s job. Protecting the lives and property of our citizens should come first.
I am also focused on the homelessness issue. When I was mayor of Sultan, we ensured that 90% of our residents experiencing homelessness had the resources they needed. Across our state, people are frustrated with the encampments and the lack of effective government action to help those suffering from chronic addiction and untreated mental health challenges. Now that I am ranking member of the House Human Services, Youth & Early Learning Committee, I hope to be able to work with my colleagues on crafting effective solutions to this problem.
Finally, we need to do something about the high cost of living, particularly housing and childcare. Inflation has made everything more expensive, but the high cost of housing and childcare is hitting our young people and those on fixed incomes the hardest. Many cannot afford to own a home, stay in their homes, or start a family. We need to provide some real economic relief to our working families so they can afford to live, work, and raise children here.
Committees
In addition to the House Human Services, Youth & Early Learning Committee, I serve on the House Capital Budget Committee and the House Education Committee.
Rural areas of Washington are too often left out of the discussion, so I am grateful to have a seat at the table where I can ensure that funds are directed toward improving our schools, building safe and reliable roads and bridges, and expanding broadband services throughout the 39th District.
On Education, we need to get back to basics. Many students experienced learning loss during the pandemic-related school closures. We must ensure that every child in Washington receives a quality education and is proficient in reading, writing, math, and science.
Stay connected
My legislative website | 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.
The Current | An online legislative publication from the Washington House Republicans.
TVW | TVW broadcasts floor and committee action live online.
The Ledger | A legislative news aggregator.
Legislature’s website | Bill reports, committee agendas, and information about upcoming activities in the Legislature here.
State agencies | Lists of all state agencies, boards, and commissions here.
Participating in the Process | Information about how you can participate in the legislative process
Thank you!
Please contact me if you have questions about the legislative process, bills, or important issues facing our communities and state.
During session, my office receives hundreds of emails per week. I will do my best to answer the ones I receive from constituents first, so please include your home address and phone number in your correspondence.
It’s an honor to serve you!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Eslick
