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We are over 1 million proud Latinos in this state, and we have much to celebrate. We celebrate our beautiful cultures and traditions, our families, our community. We celebrate our precious children—one in 4 students in Washington state are Latino!
We celebrate our successes—Latino small businesses support the economy of our communities and provide essential services. We celebrate our leaders—we have thirteen Latino elected representatives in our state House of Representatives and Senate! They lead in our desire for representation, as Latinos are 14% of the state population.
We celebrate our innovative spirit—we are creative, hardworking, and we persevere through adversity. Our children learn the history they study at school, and at home they learn our truth, the one that only we will tell. In our learning we are eager to acknowledge the accomplishments of Latinos who have contributed, and still contribute, to the building of this country.
We also know that we have been traversing through dark years, capped by the pandemic, where many in our community have experienced grave losses. We have been moving through a treacherous night, with no light to guide our path, and with our sorrows gently settled around our shoulders, a reminder that we bear a grief that will never leave us.
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Last month we had a chance to highlight the growing number of Latine legislators. For the months of February, March, and April, while the legislature is in session, we’ll take the privilege to highlight to a set of legislators each month. We hope that you’ll learn a little more about the community they represent, leadership positions they may hold, and committees they serve on. Enjoy!
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Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is the Washington State Senate Deputy Majority Leader and represents the 37th Legislative District. She is a proud Chicana of Mexican and Germanic roots who grew up in the Delridge neighborhood of Seattle and has lived and worked primarily in Seattle and Oregon.
During her tenure in the Senate, Rebecca has used her experience and expertise to spearhead legislative efforts to increase equity for historically oppressed communities, protect workers’ rights, encourage sustainable development, build equitable transportation solutions, and increase voter access to elections.
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Sen. Emily Randall was born and raised on the Kitsap Peninsula in a hardworking union family. As a community organizer and advocate for health care and education, she is focused on putting the people of the 26th District first.
Growing up in Port Orchard, Emily learned the value of education from her parents and her teachers. Her dad worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and her mom started a career as a para-educator when Emily was in high school. As the first in her family to attend a four-year college, she knows how important it is to make the path to higher education more accessible.
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Rep. Oritz-Self's work across child-serving systems gives her a deep appreciation and understanding for all human services.
Her professional background includes serving as the clinical director of the Tri-Cty Mental Health Center in Missouri, regional coordinator for the Illinois State Board of Education, education advisor for the Department of Children and Family Services, and director and founder of the Comunidad Unida Project, a center for Latino families and youth.
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Rep. Stonier sees public service as a calling and a responsibility. She currently serves as the House Majority Floor Leader and leads her caucus on several key issues like labor and workers’ rights, public education, health care access for children, financial literacy education, and portable benefits for Washington workers of our future.
She serves on the House Appropriations, Education, Health Care & Wellness, and Rules Committees and is the first person of color to serve in 17th and the 49th legislative districts in Clark County.
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Financial Literacy in the Hispanic/Latinx Community
By Christian Simmons
Financial literacy is a wide-ranging term that essentially applies to an understanding of one’s economic situation. It can include everything from understanding what is needed to buy a house to being able to develop a sound retirement plan.
Honing financial literacy can be particularly important for ethnic groups in the U.S. who are at an economic disadvantage. This includes the Hispanic/Latinx community, with Hispanic/Latinx families owning a median of just 20% of the wealth held by a typical white family.
Hispanic/Latinx have faced many disadvantages in the U.S. that date back decades, and instead of improving, those problems have only been exacerbated in recent years following the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of these issues, such as the wealth and retirement gaps, cannot be solved on an individual level and would require broad, systemic changes for everyday Hispanic/Latinx Americans to see a real difference.
But understanding financial literacy — and some of the causes behind these problems — can help better recognize where the largest areas of concern are and what resources are available to assist.
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How Buy Now, Pay Later Works
Many websites currently offer a buy now, pay later option at checkout.
Although buy now, pay later may sound similar to traditional layaway, credit cards or other loans, there are distinct differences.
It’s essential to understand the benefits and risks that come with buy now, pay later (or any financial product) before making your next purchase.
How Do Buy Now, Pay Later Loans Work?
Buy now, pay later is a type of installment loan – like a car or other personal loan.
Buy now, pay later arrangements often have a fixed repayment schedule — generally several weeks or months. You're told upfront what you'll need to pay each time, and it's usually the same amount. However, if you miss a payment or pay late, there is often a fee.
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 Students encouraged to enter Radon Poster Contest
Contest aims to raise awareness about radon, its effects, and how to protect your household
January is Radon Action Month. Students across the Northwest are encouraged to get creative and raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas by participating in the 2023 Northwest Radon Poster Contest.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can buildup in homes both old and new. Testing is the only way to know if your home has radon because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Long-term radon exposure is the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
 Plan Your Future
Your future awaits
Want more money and more options? Get more education beyond high school.
- Start planning your college or career pathway today! Washington has many options and supports to help you get the education or training you need.
- Financial aid and scholarships are available to keep costs down.
- High schools and colleges continue to be as flexible as possible about everything from graduation and course requirements to test scores and college admissions.
Did you know? Adults with a college degree or certificate:
- Live longer, healthier lives.
- Are more likely to stay employed.
- Are more likely to enjoy their work.
- Can change careers more easily.
- Earn around $1 million more over their career than high school graduates.
Learn more at wsac.wa.gov
Working Families Tax Credit
A new tax credit for Washington workers starts in 2023! As a small business in Washington state, you can help to spread the word to your employees and communities.
The Working Families Tax Credit is a new program that will provide payments up to $1,200 to low-to-moderate income individuals and families. The amounts are based on income level and the number of qualifying children (if any).
The purpose of the Working Families Tax Credit is to stimulate the local economy, promote racial equity, and support the financial stability and well-being of Washington residents and their families.
The Department of Revenue (DOR) and their community partners* are already promoting the new program, especially to communities that experience barriers to accessing critical information and services due to language, disability status, poverty, homelessness, and other factors.
To find more information about the Working Families Tax Credit, call PIM Savvy at 206-565-2961, option 3. or check DOR’s website: WorkingFamililesCredit.wa.gov
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Help for Washington State Homeowners
In July 2021, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission launched the Washington State Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), which provides individual support and federal relief funds to qualified Washington homeowners behind on their mortgages due to pandemic hardship. We are excited to say that we have helped more than 560 families save their homes and would love to help many more!
If you, or someone you know, is struggling to pay their mortgage, please call the Washington State Homeownership Hotline at 877-894-4663 to get FREE, confidential help from a dedicated and experienced housing counselor – even if you are not eligible for HAF funds; they may still be able to help you save your home. If you are interested in learning more about the HAF, read the Question and Answers below and visit our website http://www.washingtonhaf.org
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February is National Cancer Prevention Month
Research has shown that more than 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed and nearly half of all deaths from cancer in the United States can be attributed to preventable causes – things like smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun.
As a result, steps such as quitting smoking (or never starting in the first place), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and getting vaccinated against the pathogens that cause certain cancers can dramatically reduce your risk of certain cancers. More Information.
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