With the first new governor in Washington in a dozen years officially installed and the Legislature in full committee mode, United Ways of Washington are closely following the tension evolving between building our state’s next two-year budget within existing revenues and the call for new revenues to cover growing state needs. Read on to learn about our upcoming legislative day as part of our efforts to make sure the voices of those in need are heard.
United Ways of Washington Sets Olympia Advocacy Day for February 4
For our advocacy day to be a success, we need team leads to set up meetings with legislators from their areas. While all Legislators are important, special focus should be on members known to be supportive of United Way issues as well as members from the Senate Ways & Means and House Appropriations committees. These Committee Rosters contain contact information to help you set up those meetings. Those of you not able to attend in person can also request to have short virtual meetings. Contact Paul Knox for assistance in contacting legislators. More details to follow. Meanwhile, we will be asking all supporters of our goals to reach out to their legislators in support in future messages.
Governor Ferguson Calls For Trimming the Budget and Funding New Initiatives
Newly sworn-in Governor Bob Ferguson introduced himself to the legislature and public last week in an inaugural address that called for prioritizing budget savings and efficiencies while also investing in housing and law enforcement. He has proposed reducing state agency spending by at least $4 billion. But he also set a goal of Washington acquiring 200,000 housing units in the next four years, boosted by a proposed $600 million capital budget investment in the state’s Housing Trust Fund and Rapid Housing Acquisition program.
Legislature Dives Immediately Into Rent Stabilization Issue
The House Committee on Housing held a hearing on a rent stabilization bill (HB 1217) that would limit rent increases to seven percent per year. The committee is expected to vote this week on the bill. Governor Ferguson, in an interview prior to his swearing in, said he favors a “balanced law that prohibits predatory rent increases.” Also, shortly after swearing in, Ferguson signed an executive order directing state agencies to review all regulations that impact housing, permitting and construction and identify any provision that can be streamlined, deferred or eliminated.