With 15 days left in the session, attentions turns to the budget and a narrowing set of bills. Read below about the proposed budget by the House Democrats and the final passage of the Breakfast after the Bell bill. Read more

Today, the Legislature clears another hurdle in its self-imposed deadline for bills. After today, only bills that have passed their house of origin can be considered for further action.  Bills that are necessary to implement the budget are exempt from this deadline. Here's where we stand with roughly three weeks remaining in the regular 2018 session: Read more

We are in the fifth week of the 2018 Washington State Legislative Session and attention shifts to the House and Senate floors as lawmakers work to abide by their self-imposed deadlines. After February 14, the House and Senate can only consider bills that have been passed by the other body. Read on to see how we're doing with our priorities this session. Read more

This Thursday, Washington United Ways are joining in the housing and homeless policy advocacy day in partnership with the WA Low Income Housing Alliance in Olympia. In addition to meeting legislators and participating in a "Rally for Homes," we will collaborate with Washington Information Network 211 in hosting an evening reception at the Governor's Mansion.  Governor Jay Inslee will kick off festivities.  We have a strong turnout -- thank you for joining us. Here is what's been happening of interest in Olympia. Read more

We're in week 3 of the 2018 legislative session.  Here's this week's update. Read more

The Capital budget's fate is still undetermined though looking more promising with its passage from Senate Ways & Means committee this week. A new bill introduced would expand ECAP eligibility and the House and Senate school breakfast bills are moving through the process. Read more

The 2018 Session of the Washington State Legislature has started. Bills are being introduced and hearings are being scheduled that affect our agenda. Of particular importance this week is the school breakfast bill. Read more

AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS POLICY WEBINAR - JAN. 5 Please join local United Way colleagues and partners from across Washington to learn about the critical conditions and issues impacting housing and homelessness along with the policy priorities to help solve them. Starting at 10 a.m., Friday, January 5,  Washington Low Income Housing Alliance Policy Director Michele Thomas and local United Way leaders will discuss these critical issues.  Here is the link to join.  Read more

WEB BRIEFING ON 211Tim Sullivan, Washington Information Network 211 and Penni Belcher, 211 Director for United Way of Piece County, will be conducting a 60 minute webinar on 211 at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6.  This will be a great opportunity to learn the latest about the 211 system, its plans and challenges.  PLEASE SHARE THIS INVITATION with United Way staff, board members and volunteers and your partner agencies.  UWPNW has included the preservation and enhancement of 211 in its 2018-19 legislative agenda. Here's the link to the webinar.  Read more