News and Features

Hot off the press.

Governor signs Morgan bill to prohibit hair discrimination

by washington house democrats - the suburban times

“Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 2602 to prevent hair discrimination in Washington State. Sponsored by Rep. Melanie Morgan (D-Parkland), this legislation amends the definition of racial discrimination to include discrimination based on hair texture or protective coverings. Nationwide, this law is known as the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act.

“Black women should not be barred from success because of the way we wear our hair,” said Morgan.”

Read full article here.

march 22, 2020

Rep. Morgan’s tenancy installment payments bill passes House
Featured on house democrats

“OLYMPIA—Yesterday the Washington state House of Representatives passed House Bill 1694 by Rep. Melanie Morgan (D—Parkland) to allow residential tenants to pay initial move-in fees, including deposits, nonrefundable fees, and last month’s rent in monthly installments.

Even when a person can find a home they can afford, exorbitant move-in fees can be a barrier that keeps that person in a state of homelessness or makes it difficult to move to a more affordable rental home.

“As a former renter,  I know firsthand how hard it can be to come up with many thousands of dollars just to get a foot in the door of a rental home. These fees can easily reach $5,000,” said Morgan.”

Check out full article here.

February 18, 2020

T. rex relative could become Washington’s official state dinosaur
WRITTEN BY BILL CAMDEN - THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

“Suciasaurus rex, a meat-eating predator that lived about 88 million years ago, may soon be the official state dinosaur, thanks to eons of geologic upheaval, a chance discovery and some civic engagement by elementary school students.

Regardless of whether the Legislature sees fit to bestow that official designation, Suciasaurus is the state’s only dinosaur – at least in terms of having some fossilized part of an extinct reptile found within the boundaries of Washington.

A forerunner of the better known Tyrannousaurus rex, which often gets starring roles in movies like “Jurassic Park,” Suciasaurus was smaller and lived about 15 million years earlier. Unlike the T. rex, it doesn’t have an official species name but rather a nickname derived from Sucia Island, the place where the fossilized remnant of its upper femur, or thigh bone, was found eight years ago.”

Check out the full article here.

january 18, 2020

House Democrats elect Rep. Melanie Morgan as deputy floor leader
featured on Washington state wire

“Rep. Melanie Morgan (D-Parkland) was elected by her colleagues today to serve as deputy majority floor leader.

A first-term legislator who belongs to the most diverse cohort of incoming freshmen in state history, Rep. Morgan will serve alongside Majority Floor Leader Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver) in coordinating House floor debate and passage of bills. The position involves working with colleagues across the aisle in the House Republican Caucus in order to ensure bipartisan cooperation and fairness in the floor debate process.”

Check out the full press release here.

november 22, 2019

REP. MELANIE MORGAN APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S EQUITY TASK FORCE
FEATURED ON HOUSE DEMOCRATS

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Melanie Morgan (D-Parkland) was recently appointed to the newly-created Office of Equity Task Force by Acting Speaker of the House John Lovick.

The task force was established by the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities, pursuant to the 2019-2021 state operating budget. It is charged with developing a proposal for an Office of Equity within the Governor’s Office.

The purpose of an Office of Equity is to promote access to equitable opportunities and resources that reduce disparities, including racial and ethnic disparities, and improve outcomes statewide across all sectors of state government.

Read the full article here.

JUNE 26, 2019

Sound & Vision: Melanie Morgan, State Representative for the 29th District, on Holding On
Written by emily fox, kexp

“As part of Women's History Month, throughout March we're getting to know the six new women of color in Washington state's legislature through music. Today we meet Melanie Morgan, Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing District 29a. 

Representative Melanie Morgan is an Army veteran who raised her kids in her district. She was active in the PTA and served as school board director for Franklin Pierce schools. She was also homeless, and issues of homelessness and housing are something she's been working on for years. She sat on homeless boards and spent nearly a decade as commissioner for the Pierce County Housing Authority. Here's the conversation I had with her last month about her life, politics, and music.” 

Check out the full write-up here.

march 26, 2019