CONTACT: RYAN JACKSON, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, (253)242-3702| RYAN.JACKSON@LTGOV.WA.GOV

2023 Regular Session Adjourns Sine Die  

For Immediate Release | April 23, 2023 

Press Contact: Ryan Jackson, (253)242-3702 

Lt. Governor Denny Heck released a statement in advance of the adjournment of the 2023 Regular Session of the 69th Legislature:  

“It is good to be back fully in-person for the first time since 2020. From in-person floor action to the halls of the Legislature filled with touring school children and members of the public, it is clear democracy is best practiced face-to-face.

“The Senate’s return to normalcy was supported by the effective leadership on both sides of the aisle by Majority Leader Andy Billig, Majority Floor Leader Jamie Pedersen, Minority Leader John Braun and Minority Floor Leader Shelly Short. My place on the rostrum allows me to see how their open communication and consultation enables the Senate to vigorously debate consequential legislation while avoiding ad hominem attacks. 

“Returning to in-person work created new challenges. Secretary of the Senate Sarah Bannister juggled the difficulties of the long session with grace and ease. Through her leadership and the work of Deputy Secretary Colleen Rust, Senate Counsels Jeannie Gorrell and Suchi Sharma, and all the rostrum staff, the Senate hummed through floor proceedings like a well-tuned machine. Thank you for all your hard work for the past 105 days.”

The Year of Housing 

“At the end of last session, to the chagrin of many legislators, I expressed my disappointment for the lack of significant progress on increasing the housing supply in our state. This year the Legislature stepped up and addressed housing head on. Simply put, 2023 was the Year of Housing.  

“Here’s the fact: Only one other state has fewer homes per household than Washington and over 44% of residents are cost burdened. This stifles homeownership and equitable growth for hard-working Washingtonians. 

“In the fall, I partnered with Senator Yasmin Trudeau to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders – some would say strange bedfellows – to make sure we were aligned with one message: Serious action was needed to increase housing supply across our state. Senator Trudeau’s efforts to unify and focus stakeholders served as a harbinger to what is needed to address the issue at hand – bipartisanship and broad stakeholder support. 

“Representative Jessica Bateman and Representative Andrew Barkis worked together to ensure this was the year we legalized middle housing with bipartisan support. I also applaud Senator Trudeau for her shepherding of this legislation in the Senate. 

“Members of the housing committees in both chambers proposed bold ideas to ensure we increase housing supply, stabilize and support renters, and make significant investments in affordable housing. Senator Patty Kuderer and Representative Strom Peterson were methodical and efficient in moving critical housing bills through their committees. 

“The passage of multiple permitting reform bills will modernize the permitting and design review process, lowering the cost to build housing. Senator Lovelett’s effective leadership in her new role as chair of the Senate Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee was critical to passing these necessary reforms. 

“The Legislature made history in passing Representative Jamila Taylor’s covenants bills. This is a strong first step of atonement to the descendants of Washingtonians who were excluded from owning homes in communities across the state through racially restrictive covenants. I was proud to support this. Senator John Lovick’s moving floor speech drove home the pernicious legacies this bill will help reverse. 

“I commend the Legislature for making historic investments in the Housing Trust Fund, which will fund the construction of affordable homes in communities across Washington. In total the Legislature has committed more than $1 billion towards affordable housing efforts in the state budget. 

“For the entirety of the past 105 days, both chambers remained focused on increasing housing supply, stabilizing support for renters and public investment for new affordable housing – making this the landmark year of housing.”

Looking ahead 

“As the President of the Senate, I have been incredibly impressed and grateful for the decorum and respect members show each other – even during the most contentious debates. They are a paragon of civic future, and we must work to keep it that way. We can all see America’s civic virtue is in crisis.

“My office has partnered with the Jackson Foundation and the Ruckelshaus Center, to convene a civic health project that will be the focus of my time this interim. We will host dialogue sessions across the state over the coming months and a culminating summit in the fall. 

“I look forward to getting out across the state this interim as part of this project. 

Lastly, and as always, GO ZAGs“

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