Hope springs eternal for this local lawmaker

Nothing changes your outlook on life quite like the birth of a child. Seeing the helpless life for which you’re now responsible can be scary, but as many parents find, that gives way to excitement and optimism for what the future holds for this precious gift. What will their personality be like? What will their laugh sound like? What impact will they have on our community and world?

I’m eagerly awaiting the birth of a grandchild and considering what the world will look like for them. It got me thinking that too many people aren’t as optimistic about the future and we must work to shift that mindset. Washington’s birth rate is declining, dropping 22% in the past 15 years. If you ask many young people of child-bearing age, they will say they are afraid to have kids because of what kind of world potential children will inherit.

Some time ago, I wrote a column here about the responsibility we have to each other, future generations and our political discourse to dial back the doomsdayism. I can’t help but revisit that here in this context. Once we break through the noise, the nonstop bad news, I think there are so many things we must be optimistic about and it comes back to that little child I’m waiting on and the future. I’m proud to have spent my efforts in Olympia working to make life a little better for others, particularly mothers and children.

This year, Senate Bill 5580 looks like it will pass. It aims to improve maternal-health outcomes for mothers struggling with substance-abuse problems. My proposal expands access to care, including postpartum treatment. It also directs our state’s health-care agencies to develop support practices and update existing standards to give vulnerable new families a stronger start.

I’ve learned that we can solve seemingly big problems if we just have a different mindset. It’s hard work and can be uncomfortable, but with meaningful conversations and collective effort, there is always a path forward.

Despite the challenges, if we ground ourselves in optimism, we can turn the corner on behavioral health and substance abuse. I’ve championed significant investments in our region’s behavioral health system so that we can train and treat people more effectively. What’s the point if we aren’t optimistic about helping those struggling with addiction that they’ll be able to one day escape?

The Muzzall family has been here for 114 years. When this grandchild grows up, I’m optimistic they’ll enjoy the natural beauty we work so hard to preserve and they’ll take up the mantle to improve on the gifts we’ve been granted. I’m working hard in the state Legislature to offer a few more reasons to be optimistic. One thing is certain: I’m not scared about the future because building a culture of caring results in optimism that springs eternal and I believe that our best days are ahead.