Legislative Meeting - Regular Meeting

Happy Spring! It's been a beautiful few weeks here in Spokane. I was able to complete another Bloomsday with my Spokane County crew. Fifty years of Blooms Day. What a great event. I recently came back from Washington DC where I attended the fly-in hosted by Greater Spokane Incorporated and that's when members of the business, nonprofit, higher education, communities joined with elected officials to meet with federal leaders and staff to advocate for investment in our Spokane region. I learned a lot about challenges and opportunities to enhance the medical workforce, the status of the farm bill, and I asked questions about a bill that could help us build more affordable housing all throughout our country. A highlight of the trip was meeting with the Department of Transportation. I really appreciate Greater Spokane Incorporated for planning this great event. Earlier in the month I attended the Council of Governments where elected officials from towns and cities throughout Spokane County heard from the conveners and the participants in the Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force. This group is working diligently to create a plan to best address the public safety and health needs in our community including increased mental and behavioral health services, diversion programs, and even talking about the location best suited for both detention and mental health service beds. I'm looking forward to the Board of County Commissioners receiving the recommendations from this group at the end of May. In other news my fellow commissioners and I heard from many dog lovers who were upset about the potential of closing the dog park at State Line. We actually maintain this on behalf of Washington Department of Transportation. Well we listened and we've renewed our agreement for another year to take care of that park so it'll

remain open and we hope to find a long-term plan for WashDOT to manage its own property while keeping that important asset open for the community. Sometimes when you make budget cuts there are unintended consequences and that's why I'm always happy to hear from you. You can always contact me find my information for my office on my website. This month I revisited the now refurbished Habitat for Humanity House in the Hilliard neighborhood that I first visited in July and I know a family is going to be moving in very soon. I attended the ribbon cutting for the new turf fields at Plantsbury Park with members of the state legislature and the Spokane Velocity and Zephyr soccer teams. I also met with neighbors at Chief Gary and Shilohills neighborhood councils and I attended the Workers Memorial. Thanks for watching see you next month.