Interim Session Update: Info, Events and Opportunities

We’ve been quiet since the legislative session ended in July, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t hit the streets to meet with lawmakers and Huskies back in their districts. We wanted legislators to hear our appreciation for the first state reinvestment in four years, but we still kept the tough questions coming – a long road remains before full state funding is restored after years of dramatic cuts.

Event Roundup — who we’ve talked to and what we’ve learned this interim session:

  • Our Tacoma District Dawgs hosted a great thank-you event, featuring Rep. Larry Seaquist and the legislative assistant of Rep. David Sawyer, Olgy Diaz. We enjoyed some adult beverages while Rep. Seaquist gave us a little preview of the next legislative session; he forecasted a lively session around higher education issues.
  • UW Impact volunteers in the 48th legislative district opened up their Medina home for a Community Conversation, coffee and pastries with Reps. Cyrus Habib and Ross Hunter (Sen. Tom sent his regrets). Both lawmakers spoke optimistically about a continued boost to higher education funding, expanding access to four-year degrees and strengthening the K-12 pipeline.
  • We saw Sen. Randi Becker when she was on the UW Seattle campus to speak with pharmacy students about legislative advocacy, healthcare and higher education. We learned about her background in healthcare clinics, and a new doctoral degree program she helped create at UW Tacoma featuring a Nursing Education study-option.
  • Our UWAA board members are also out and about meeting with their legislators. One meeting in the 11th district was particularly insightful as our board member got a chance to chat with Rep. Steve Bergquist. His message resonated with a theme we heard from several lawmakers: K-12 continues to have a louder, more cohesive state-wide voice, and higher education needs to align in a similar fashion. Higher education should refine its target message, dialogue with K-12 and align solutions across the spectrum of early learning through higher education.

The period between legislative sessions is a great time to catch lawmakers in a more relaxed environment, prior to the bustle of a new legislative session in January. Remember: UW Impact is always available to help you set-up an event with your lawmakers, friends and neighbors. Browse the list below to see if there are any events in your legislative district.

Upcoming opportunities:

  • 11th District: Rep. Steve Bergquist is hosting a mini-town hall at Aces Tennis, 401 Olympia Ave NE, Renton, WA. November 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Individuals can schedule 15-minute meetings through Legislative Assistant, Syd Locke (360) 786-7862, Syd.Locke@leg.wa.gov.
  • 3rd District: Mobile Town Hall with all 3rd District legislators at 4001 N. Cook St., North East Community Center. November 13th from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
  • 46th District: Healthcare focused town hall with all 46th District legislators at 9600 College Way N, cafeteria of North Seattle Community College. November 12, doors open at 5:30, forum scheduled from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

Do you know of an event we haven’t mentioned? Send us the details at admin@uwimpact.org