News Release, United Way of Snohomish County
(Everett, WA) — On Feb. 7, over 80 United Way volunteers and staff attended the 7th annual United Ways of Washington Lobby Day. United Way of Snohomish County had more than 20 volunteers and staff travel to Olympia to participate in the annual event. “This is going to be a challenging legislative session,” said Katrina Ondracek, Vice President of Public Policy and Community Initiatives for United Way of Snohomish County. “By lobbying, we are ensuring that our priorities are heard, and the issues facing our county are addressed.”
This year’s legislative agenda focuses on early learning, hunger, homelessness and seniors.
The group encouraged lawmakers to support several programs related to its agenda, including:
- The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
- Increasing the number of ECEAP slots
- Protecting and funding the Housing Trust Fund
- Ensuring long-term care options for the aging population
- Promoting financial education by creating financial education standards for the common core standards for English language and math
The delegation also urged lawmakers to maintain Senior Citizens Services Act funding, restore funding to State Food Assistance Program (SFA), and increase funding for Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP).
The delegation, in addition to Ondracek and United Way staff included Rich White, Patrick Pierce and Dennis Kendall, members of United Way’s Public Policy Committee; board members Josh Estes, Jackie Rae and Jim Litz; and community volunteers Tiffany Litz and Donna Wilson.
The group met with Senators Rosemary McAuliffe, Kirk Pearson, Barbara Bailey, Steve Hobbs, Nick Harper, and Paul Shin, as well as Representatives Norma Smith, Mike Sells, Hans Dunshee, Ruth Kagi, Derek Stanford, John McCoy, Elizabeth Scott, Cindy Ryu, Dan Kristiansen, Marko Liias, and Dave Hayes. The group also shared information with the legislative assistants for Sen. Maralyn Chase and Representatives Mary Helen Roberts and Mike Hope.