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Dear Friends,
Since this is an election year, legislative ethics rules prohibit direct or indirect use of public resources beginning tomorrow, May 14. That means I will no longer be able to send out legislative email updates until December. However, I will continue to work on issues and public policy development throughout the year. I am also able to respond to constituents who contact me, so please feel free to email or call me anytime if you would like to share your perspective, ideas or concerns. My email address is Norma.Smith@leg.wa.gov, and my number is (360) 786-7884.
This interim, I will continue working on the priorities you have shared with me. The legislative update linked at the bottom of this email provides some good information detailing much of what we've been able to accomplish together since 2017.
There are so many important issues before us that require determined problem solving. For example, as our economy continues to recover, it is vital we craft policies that boost entrepreneurship and small business growth. Last year, I sponsored House Bill 1120 to curb ongoing compliance issues with the state's Regulatory Fairness Act. That bill, which was signed into law, has put policies in place to ensure small businesses — the key drivers of our state's economic growth — are being treated fairly by state agencies and have the freedom to compete.
I am also working to keep energy prices low for families and job creators. Over the last two years, there have been many complex proposals introduced to address the future of energy in our state. Each of these proposals could have a profound impact on every Washington ratepayer and family. As the ranking member on the House Technology and Economic Development Committee, please know I will continue working with all stakeholders to shape the best public policy for our state. We are blessed with one of the cleanest energy grids in the nation and some of the lowest cost energy, which is helping families across the state and sustaining a robust advanced manufacturing and production sector of the economy. We must build on these strengths.
Additionally, I will continue advocating for the adoption of long-term environmental stewardship policies that recognize the responsibility we have to the generations that will follow us. I recently wrote an op-ed for The Everett Herald on this very subject, which you can read here.
Finally, I wanted to provide a link to the 2017-18 legislative update I co-authored with my seatmate, Rep. Dave Hayes. It will be hitting mailboxes soon, but you can read it now by clicking on the image below.
It is an honor to serve as your state representative. Thank you for the privilege.
Warm Regards,
Norma Smith
