WEA members, local state legislators, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden met this morning as part of a WEA Virtual Legislative Reception.
State Representatives Dacia Grayber, Ken Helm, Susan McLain, Raquel Moore-Green, Ron Noble, Sheri Schouten, and Janeen Sollman shared the virtual stage.
Senator Wyden began the event and spoke about pandemic relief, vaccine allocations, healthcare, the economy, and last week's "domestic terrorism" at the Capitol.
The Senator also touched on his hope for future investments in infrastructure, including broadband access.
He shared his desire for investments in modernizing the unemployment system, both in making sure states have the technology needed for processing claims efficiently and for tying compensation to economic conditions on the ground. During the reception, state legislators touched on similar issues including: pandemic relief, vaccinations, equity in job recruiting, education, transportation, healthcare, broadband, housing, and commercial evictions.
There was a common theme among the legislators in wanting to collaborate and build relationships among their peers.
Representative Helms said there are scars from the walkouts from the previous session, but Representative Noble said despite the walkouts, there are partnerships being made, and things are better on the inside of the building than what it may appear on the outside.
Representatives Grayber and Sollman said they are building relationships and finding common ground with other legislators, even during the pandemic, by meeting virtually.
WEA wants to thank event sponsor Legacy Health, all of the legislators who attended, and Senator Wyden and his staff.
