It's the second week of the 2020 Washington State Legislative Session. Lots of bills are getting introduced and receiving hearings. You can follow the bills we're following on our tracking list. 

United Way of King County Testifies for Homeless Child Care Bill
Last Friday, Nick Federici, on behalf of United Way of King County, joined others in testifying in favor of HB 2456, which would extend the grace period that homeless families have to meet the requirements for working connections child care and education eligibility from the current four months to 12 months. In his testimony, Federici stressed the investment that United Way of King County and others were making to help alleviate homelessness and the importance of stability in young people's lives. Here's the TVW recording of that portion of the hearing dealing with HB 2456.

Two Hearings on Housing and Homelessness
Since it was created in 1986, the state's Housing Trust Fund has invested over $1 billion to help build or preserve nearly 50,000 units of affordable housing statewide. This Wednesday at 9 a.m., the House Committee on Housing, Community Development and Veterans will hear an overview of this program. Another hearing of interest will be Thursday evening at 6 p.m. when the Senate Committee on Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation and the Senate Committee on Housing Stability and Affordability take up strategies and perspectives on ending youth and young adult homelessness.  

Washington 211 Lobby Day is February 11
Groundwork is being laid for the 2020 Washington 211 Lobby Day scheduled for February 11. Participants are encouraged to contact their legislators now to schedule meetings for that day. Also, Washington 211 has prepared a short briefing paper outlining the talking points for its capital budget request. You can find information about the lobby day, the reception, the talking points and more on this page.