Welcome to 2022. The Washington State Legislative Session has begun. . another mostly virtual session as a result of the rise in the COVID-19 Omicron variant. But your United Ways of Washington will be monitoring activity and sharing with you what we learn. New folks sign up for this newsletter.  We will try to send out information on a weekly basis. Here some news to get you started. Read more

As we enter the fall season it's time to take stock of where we stand with federal and state COVID relief investments and other policy priorities and review how we can continue to meet the challenges of our times. Here’s some reminders and news from the United Ways of Washington Read more

The 2021 Washington State Legislative Session is over -- ending the first ever “virtual” session where legislators, advocates and lobbyists operated remotely, often from their homes, in an effort to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 spread. This year’s session resulted in a number of actions that will move the needle on priorities set by United Ways of the Pacific Northwest - Washington. Congratulations to you and your network for building good relations with your legislative delegation.  Read more

With less than a week left in the 2021 Legislative Session, some issues are still in flux while others have been passed and already signed into law by the Governor.  Read more

All legislative deadlines have now passed except the big one – when session ends on April 25. To help modulate the flow of bills, the Legislature imposes a set of deadlines for bill action. The last hurdle happened on Sunday. From here on, only bills that have passed both the House and Senate will continue to receive attention. However, budgets and bills necessary to implement the budget are exempt from this restriction.  Read more

The 2021 Washington State Legislative Session is winding down as activity now shifts back to full House and Senate floor consideration. There is less than three weeks left in this regular session. Read more

Last week, the Legislature focused on releasing and hearing testimony on budget proposals - capital and operating spending guidance for the next biennium. Here is the proposed substitute Senate budget (SB 5092) and the proposed substitute House budget (HB 1094).  Read more

This is budget week in Olympia as the Senate and House prepare to roll out its operating, capital and transportation budgets which will govern state spending for the next two years. Read more

While the virtual session has slowed the rate of bill passage, the House and Senate have taken some big policy strides this session -- including moving forward on an update of the Working Families Tax Credit with near unanimous consent. Here’s more on that and other bills that may affect the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest - Washington legislative priorities. Read more

The House and Senate finish marathon virtual floor sessions today as the bodies move as much of their agenda as possible before the latest legislative deadline at 5:00 p.m. After today, attention shifts back to committee activity as House committees consider Senate passed bills and vice versa.  Read more