This is the last full week of the 2020 Legislative Session. After Friday, the House and Senate will only consider non-budget related bills and bills that have passed both bodies but are in dispute in terms of final form. The recent stock market correction and the potential impact on our economy resulting from the corona virus may make for a more cautious budget approach this year. Thus, your support on these two priorities, is important.

Urge the Senate to Support the Washington 211 Technology Upgrade
We are encouraging you to engage your legislative delegation regarding the value of the State House of Representatives $200,000 funding for the Washington 211 technology upgrade in its proposed 2019-21 supplemental operating budget. This relatively modest request has a big impact on the efficiency of the Washington 211 system. Please contact your Senators in your service area.  

House Budget Preferred for Early Learning
While both the House and Senate proposed operating budgets added investments in early learning, overall the House budget is much more favorable to providing the type of investments in child care and early learning sought by United Ways. Please contact your Senators asking them to support the House early learning and child care budget proposals in the conference committee.  

United Ways of the Pacific Northwest Page Tracking Priority Bills
We continue to track bills that support the United Ways of the Pacific Northwest's legislative agenda. While most of the bills we followed are inactive for the rest of this session, HB 1694 would make it possible for tenants to pay upfront rental costs (deposits and first and last month rent) in installments. Another bill would extend the grace period for homeless families on the Working Connections child care program to 12 months.