Lawmakers want public input, feedback on governor’s proposal to close women’s corrections facility
In response to the many public inquiries and potential public safety issues due to the proposed closure of the Pine Lodge Corrections Center For Women in Medical Lake, local Senate and House lawmakers will host a town hall meeting Saturday, Jan. 30. The details are as follows:
- Who: Sen. Mark Schoesler along with Reps. Joe Schmick, Susan Fagan and Shelly Short
- Date and time: Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. to noon
- Location: Medical Lake City Hall Auditorium, 124 South Lefevre, Medical Lake
The purpose of the forum is to gather public testimony and feedback from those who may be affected by the closure and to create a public record for the Legislature. The meeting will be recorded to ensure an accurate account for the future debate as well as to ensure historical records are available.
The meeting is open to the public and no RSVP is required. For those who cannot attend the meeting but would like to offer written comments, please send correspondence to any or all of the following legislators:
- Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District, Washington State Senate, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, 98504-0600 or schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7620
- Rep. Joe Schmick, 9th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600 or schmick.joe@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7844
- Rep. Susan Fagan, 9th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, fagan.susan@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7942
- Rep. Shelly Short, 7th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, short.shelly@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7908
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt are invited to participate in the meeting. Local Sens. Bob Morton, Bob McCaslin and Chris Marr, and Reps. Timm Ormsby, Alex Wood, Kevin Parker, Matt Shea, Larry Crouse, John Driscoll and Joel Kretz are also invited, as are Gov. Christine Gregoire and Secretary of Corrections Eldon Vail.
Lawmakers have been in Olympia since the Legislature convened Jan. 11 for a scheduled 60-day session. Legislators participating in Saturday’s Medical Lake forum will utilize the public testimony, comments and other feedback when they return to the capital city to continue the dialogue on the proposed closure of the Pine Lodge facility.
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For more information, contact Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252