{"id":2987,"date":"2025-03-29T13:06:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T20:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/bateman\/?p=2987"},"modified":"2025-03-29T14:38:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T21:38:50","slug":"budget-proposals-moving-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/bateman\/2025\/03\/29\/budget-proposals-moving-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget proposals moving forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friends and neighbors,<\/p>\n

This weekend, the Senate passed its budget proposal off of the floor \u2014 a key step toward finalizing our state budget for the 2025-27 biennium. The House will vote on its proposal in the coming days, and the two proposals will be negotiated and reconciled before the session ends on April 27. I voted yes.<\/p>\n

This is the most challenging budget situation our state has faced in years, for several reasons. Recent revenue forecasts have come in lower than expected, making it harder to sustain critical services.\u00a0We\u2019re one of 40 states that saw revenues decline in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the cost of essential services continues to rise. Inflation and population growth have driven up the price of health care, education, and housing assistance. More Washingtonians than ever rely on these programs, increasing caseloads in early learning, long-term care, and financial aid for students pursuing higher education. And uncertainty at the federal level \u2014 particularly around infrastructure investments, health care funding, and public benefits \u2014 has also made planning for the future extraordinarily difficult.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard from many of you who are concerned about the proposed furlough days for state employees and the changes to health care collective bargaining. I share those concerns and know how much of a detrimental impact those cuts will have on working families. It will also impact the ability to provide essential services to people across the state. While this budget is an improvement over Governor Inslee\u2019s budget, it will still adversely impact our state workers. The House\u2019s proposal doesn\u2019t include either provision, and I\u2019m advocating for the Senate to align its position with the House when it comes to state employee compensation.<\/p>\n

The budget deficit we are facing will require passing multiple progressive revenue options, and even if we are successful in passing them all, it will still not be enough. That\u2019s why the Senate budget contains a balance of reductions in expenditures and progressive revenue options. While there are parts of the proposal that are difficult to support, we must keep it moving through the legislative process so budget writers can finish their work over the next month. I\u2019m using every bit of leverage I have to minimize the impact on our state employees.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m grateful the proposal we advanced includes significant progressive revenue proposals<\/a>. I have been advocating for years to reform our regressive tax system, and this budget includes bold new revenue options. Rather than doubling down on our antiquated, upside-down tax code, we\u2019re proposing new ideas to make the wealthiest pay what they owe to support some of the investments Washingtonians need in schools and services, as well as approving and funding our collective bargaining agreements. Our tax system hasn\u2019t changed much in 90 years, and it\u2019s in desperate need of a major overhaul to reflect how our state, economy, and society operate now in the 21st century. That\u2019s how we keep this budget challenge from becoming perennial and make the investments needed to keep schools open, support kids and vulnerable people, and build a stronger Washington.<\/p>\n

Town hall on Wednesday<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many of you have told me you want a chance to talk directly and in person with your legislators about the issues we\u2019re facing. That\u2019s why my seatmates and I have scheduled a town hall meeting to answer your questions this coming Wednesday. I hope to see you there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

What: 22<\/strong>nd LD In-Person Town Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where: John A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

304 15<\/strong>th Ave. SW in Olympia<\/strong><\/p>\n

I hope to see you there \u2014 these in-person and face-to-face conversations are a good way for us to communicate and better understand one another.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t attend, you can always reach me at Jessica.Bateman@leg.wa.gov<\/a>. Thank you so much, and let\u2019s keep working!<\/p>\n

– Jess<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear friends and neighbors, This weekend, the Senate passed its budget proposal off of the floor \u2014 a key step toward finalizing our state budget for the 2025-27 biennium. The House will vote on its proposal in the coming days, and the two proposals will be negotiated and reconciled before the session ends on April 27. I voted yes. This is the most challenging budget situation our state has faced in years, for several reasons. Recent revenue forecasts have come in lower than expected, making it harder to sustain critical services.\u00a0We\u2019re one of 40 states that saw revenues decline in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":2985,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-news"],"yoast_head":"\nBudget proposals moving forward - Sen. 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