Legislative Update - Session Wrap Up!The regular 2023 legislative session ended on Sunday after legislators approved the budgets necessary for the state to operate effectively for the next biennium (which starts July 1). There is a lot to be thankful for regarding progress on United Ways of Washington’s legislative framework for this session. But going forward, we have more work to do. Read on to see how our issues fared this year based on our legislative framework.  Read more

Yesterday was the last day that the Legislature, under its self-imposed rules, could consider bills that are not related to the budget. From here on, legislative activities will quiet down. The exception will be when the House and Senate officially resolve their differences on bills that have passed both bodies. Without argument, the most important expected compromise is the 2023-25 operating budget for the state. Read more

In devising their respective budgets released over the last week, the House and Senate both counted on the revenue from the new capital gains tax that was just affirmed by the Washington Supreme Court. Read on to learn more about these budget proposals from members of our United Way statewide partner coalition as well as our own  Following passage in both houses, the dueling budgets will go to conference committees (operating and capital) to craft final versions for consideration by the full Legislature. But its not too late to comment and links are provided at the end of this message. Read more

The Senate has released its proposed state budget for the 2023-25 biennium. We are deeply concerned about funding for 211 and the Imagination Library funding and need your help See below for details. Read more

Legislative activity shifts back to committees this week as bills that have passed either the House and Senate get hearings in the opposite legislative body. Read more

The proverbial dust is still settling from the Legislature’s first seven weeks of intense committee work. The deadline for clearing all committees in the house of origin was last Friday. The activity has shifted to the House and Senate floors this week and next. By March 8, most bills will need to be approved by at least the House or the Senate to receive further consideration in this 105-day session that ends April 23. Read more

The first major legislative hurdle – the policy committee cutoff – was cleared last Friday. Unless a bill is related to the budget, it must be approved by a policy committee to receive any further consideration this session. The next cutoff for non-budget related bills is this Friday when they have to clear fiscal committees. Read on. Read more

According to a recent Crosscut article, Seattle may have the highest rents statewide, but the most drastic percentage increases in rent over the past four to five years are in smaller cities and rural areas. It’s no wonder that housing costs and homelessness are seen as the most important issues confronting our state, according to a Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council survey. Read on to learn about some of the related bills moving through the Legislature. Read more

Legislative activities heat up this week as we urge legislators to support initiatives that promote affordable housing, 211 funding and access to early learning and child care programs.  Read more

As we enter the fourth week of the 2023 session, advocates are preparing special lobby days, both, in-person and virtual. Read on. Read more