Shelton-Mason County Journal - Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Griffey, Couture telephone town hall scheduled Friday

Reps. Dan Griffey and Travis Couture, R-Allyn, are hosting a telephone town hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

According to a news release, the town hall is an opportunity for constituents to ask questions related to the 2023 legislative session over the phone. The call-in number is 360-335-2741.

“I am always excited to connect with my community in the 35th District. Like I said at the close of last session we had more work to do — especially on public safety,” Griffey said in a news release. “I look forward to filling you in on what we’ve done so far on that front and to hearing directly from you about issues impacting your lives. I hope you’ll join us.”

“I am looking forward to hearing from folks from all over the 35th District about the issues that matter most to them,” Couture said in a news release. “With session more than halfway over, this is a great opportunity for us to provide information about our efforts to improve public safety, help families flourish, and protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

House passes Couture’s child malnutrition bill

The House unanimously approved Rep. Travis Couture’s, R-Allyn, House Bill 1274 about creating a child malnutrition field guide for the the state Department of Children, Youth & Families.

According to a news release, Couture pushed for this bill due to the story of Karreon Franks, a 15-year-old in Vancouver with developmental disabilities who died of starvation six days after he and his malnourished siblings were visited by a state Child Protective Services agent. At the time of his death, he weighed 70 pounds. An investigation into abuse began in 2017 from concerned neighbors after Karreon’s guardians beatings and withholding of food from him was used as a form of punishment. A state caseworker visited Karreon a week before his death.

The field guide will assist CPS agents to be able to identify the signs of child malnutrition. The bill includes specific information the field guide must contain, including being concise, easily accessible by department staff, how to identify signs of child malnutirition, appropriate questions to ask the child and others close to the child, appropriate steps staff may take if malnutrition is expected and any additional information the department deems relevant.

“What happened to Karreon Franks must never be allowed to happen to any child in our state ever again,” Couture said in a news release. “While a child malnutrition field guide seems like a small step, it’s a step we can take right now to ensure that when these state agent visits happen, they can take immediate action. No longer can anyone have the excuse that they didn’t know what child malnutrition looks like.”

The bill was passed out of the House on March 4, and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Griffey sponsors four students as pages

Rep. Dan Griffery, R-Allyn, hosted four students as pages in the first six weeks of the 2023 legislative session.

According to a news release, he hosted home-schooled student Addy McLaughlin from Jan. 9-13, North Mason’s Charles Winkler from Jan. 23-27, North Mason’s Aaron Kilbury from Feb. 6-10 and Pope John Paul II High School’s Ashley Abbott from Feb. 13-17. Each student assisted the state House with duties on the chamber floor, made deliveries on the Capitol Campus and supported member offices. Each student also attended page school, where they learned more about the Legislature and the legislative process.

“It’s great to be back in person on the Capitol Campus so students from across our state can again experience their Legislature. The House Page Program offers a fun and educational experience for our youth who are interested in the legislative process,” said Griffey, R-Allyn. “I’m proud to have sponsored these students and want to thank them for their efforts. Their work was important and appreciated.”