Sen. Javier Valdez

I had the pleasure of attending the University District Food Bank's Open House. It was fantastic to explore the newly opened Apple-a-Day Café, where we enjoyed some delicious bites, and got to see the impressive progress at the Rooftop Roots Farm.

Connecting with community members, volunteers, and staff reaffirmed how vital these spaces are for fostering a sense of support in our neighborhood. The dedication and hard work of everyone involved are truly making a difference in our community.

Photos from: University District Food Bank

Homestead Community Land Trust began two transformative affordable homeownership projects: Woodland View and Nest.

These 38 homes will offer a lifeline to our community, providing permanently affordable housing for income-qualified households, including our dedicated teachers, healthcare workers, and more.
From stunning energy-efficient designs to breathtaking views and community spaces, these homes are not just buildings—they're opportunities for families to thrive and build a future in Seattle.

Homestead Community Land Trust breaks ground on two affordable homeownership projects in Phinney Ridge

https://phinneywood.com/2024/07/homestead-community-land-trust-breaks-ground-on-two-affordable-homeownership-projects-in-phinney-ridge/

Washington state is facing a troubling rise in hate crimes, with 590 incidents reported in 2022. To address this, I sponsored , now law, creating a hotline to support victims of hate crimes and bias incidents. Studies show hotlines can reduce hate crimes and build trust between marginalized communities and state services. One step closer to a safer and more inclusive WA!

New WA hotline will help track, combat hate crimes | Op-Ed Comprehensive tracking is crucial to developing a deeper understanding of the problem, crafting strategies to combat it and making our communities safer.

Looking back on the achievements of the 2024 legislative session, I am thankful for the opportunity to represent you and enthusiastic about the future. Take a look at my report highlighting the significant work we've done together.

Honored to speak at the annual Jewish Federation gathering and humbled to receive the Tikkun Olam Award for Public Service. Thank you to everyone who has partnered with me to address the rise in hate crimes. With your support, we successfully changed the law, established a Hate Crime Hotline, and continue to stand up for victims. We still have work to do, but together, we will make a difference.

Proud to see our community grow through the "Learn to Skate" program by Refugee Women's Alliance and One Roof Foundation! This 32-week program at Kraken Community Iceplex helped 60 pre-K kids build confidence, balance, and new skills. It was my pleasure to attend the third cohort’s graduation and to see their on-ice performances!

Earlier this month we celebrated Pathways Park’s grand opening! With accessible play areas and vibrant activities, it’s a testament to our commitment to inclusivity. Huge thanks to everyone who made this possible and contributed to making our neighborhood even better!

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/new-pathways-park-in-laurelhurst-accessible-and-welcoming-for-all/

I'm very excited to announce the grand opening of UW Medicine's Center for Behavioral Health and Learning in our district! This state-of-the-art facility marks a new era for behavioral health care in Washington.

The facility includes 150 beds and will provide critical support to our state's most vulnerable patients and address the shortage of mental health professionals, especially in areas where 41% of counties lack a licensed psychiatrist.

New center aims to address Washington's behavioral health needs UW Medicine is unveiling what it calls a new era for behavioral health care. Inpatient treatment begins in June.

I am truly inspired by the impact of Literacy Source! I attended their "Empower Through Literacy" event and heard incredible stories of empowerment and achievement. They're teaching adults vital literacy skills, opening doors to opportunities. Last year, 615 learners benefited from 40,000+ hours of instruction. I'm all in for championing literacy and changing lives! 📚

This Inlander article highlights the strides we've made in addressing historical injustices in property records.

In 2021, I sponsored , which expanded procedures to strike illegal deed restrictions and allocated resources for research on racially restrictive covenants. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of teams at Eastern Washington University and the University of Washington, led by the Racial Covenants Project, we're shedding light on discriminatory practices and taking concrete steps towards justice.

As EWU readies to share maps of racial covenants in Eastern Washington, a Spokane title company is helping homeowners disavow the racist documents For several years, the Inland Northwest has been learning that Jim Crow-style segregation wasn't just a thing in the South. Communities all over Washington participated...

It was an honor to join the UW Latino Center for Health for their Latinx Faculty Recognition Event.

I had the privilege to speak about the rich diversity of the Latinx community and our shared commitment to paving the way for a brighter future, honoring those who came before us while uplifting those who will follow in our footsteps.

It's moments like these that remind us of the power of community, resilience, and the importance of lifting each other up.

After more than two years, the major renovation of North Seattle College's Library building was recently completed! 🎉 The revamped space features flexible classrooms, study areas, meditation zones, and more, benefiting not only our students but also our entire community in the 46th Legislative District. It's a testament to our commitment to student success, innovation, and community growth.

See you tonight!

Join us for an in-person town hall this Wednesday, May 1st. We want to hear from you and share what we've accomplished together during the 2024 legislative session. See you there!

Join us for an in-person town hall this Wednesday, May 1st. We want to hear from you and share what we've accomplished together during the 2024 legislative session. See you there!

Empowering diversity in clean energy contracts isn't just a goal—it's a commitment. Grateful for the opportunity to discuss accountability and progress in prompt pay with our contractors. Your dedication fuels our shared vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

I have great news to share! Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law, prohibiting fi****ms in libraries, zoos, and transit stations. It's a crucial step toward ensuring our communities remain safe and welcoming for everyone, especially our children.

🎉 Happy Sine Die! 🎉 The 2024 legislative session is officially over, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together. Thank you for your support! But our job isn't done yet. We need to continue working for our communities during this interim and come back even stronger next session. Your involvement makes all the difference!

Student athletes are now allowed to make money from their personal brand, thanks to a new NCAA policy on name, image and likeness (or NIL). But the complexities of the new system can be confusing. Senate Bill 5913 ensures student athletes in Washington have support from staff and coaches in navigating NIL activities.

passed the House! It establishes a hotline administered by the office of the Washington State Attorney General for reporting hate crimes and bias incidents. The hotline aims to deliver crisis intervention and information that is victim-centered, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and readily accessible to all residents of Washington state, regardless of their language preferences.

The bill now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Exciting news! has passed the House! This marks a significant step forward for enhancing safety in WA. I'm immensely proud that we're taking the right steps to prioritize the safety of our communities. Everyone deserves to feel safe while enjoying their outings.

Now, the bill moves back to the Senate for final concurrence before making its way to the governor's desk to be signed into law.

Had a great meeting with members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America during their Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Their commitment to promoting gun safety is commendable, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to discuss important issues with them.

Speaking of gun safety, I'm thrilled to share that my bill — — aimed at increasing gun safety measures is currently in the House Rules Committee, and I'm optimistic about its journey to the House floor for a vote. This bill is a crucial step forward in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all Washingtonians.

It was a pleasure meeting with incredible pediatricians — many from the 46th LD — during their visit to the Capitol! Together with Reps. Pollet and Farivar, we discussed important issues impacting children's health and well-being. Proud to stand alongside these dedicated professionals as we advocate for our youngest constituents!

Last week was house of origin cutoff, meaning bills had to pass out of their respective chamber to advance. I’m excited to share that several of my bills have successfully passed the Senate and are now under consideration in the House.

This week, the Senate is unveiling its capital, operating, and transportation budgets. Stay tuned for more updates coming your way soon!

I had a great surprise visit from UW President Ana Mari Cauce. We had a meaningful conversation about advancing education in WA and how we can continue supporting UW's initiatives in innovation, equity, and health.

Grateful for the opportunity to connect with Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, a beacon of empowerment for refugee and immigrant women through her incredible initiatives. We had a productive conversation about how we can continue supporting the Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) as we have in the past to create opportunities for these resilient communities. Together, we can build brighter futures and stronger communities.

I had a productive meeting with Kris Lambright, former UW Alumni Association Board of Trustees President, and fellow advocates from UW. We had great conversations about higher education priorities for the 46th LD. I'm grateful for their insights and commitment to our state's educational future.

I will continue to prioritize the safety of our communities. Everyone should be able to enjoy their outings without fear.

The Senate just passed , which expands firearm restrictions to make libraries, zoos, and transit hubs gun-free zones, ensuring families can enjoy outings without fear.