Dear friends and neighbors,

We’re nearing the end of the 2025 legislative session, but before we cross the finish line, we must pass the state’s three biennial budgets — operating, transportation and capital.

I serve as deputy chair of the capital budget and had the opportunity to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle from different regions of the state, including our budget lead Sen. Yasmin Trudeau from Tacoma. (That’s us in the photo above.)

What we came up with is a huge win for our rural communities and economic development. This budget will result in more affordable housing, behavioral health treatment access, job creation, better schools and support for non-profit organizations and construction projects throughout Washington. Full details are available here. Below are additional highlights:

  • AFFORDABLE HOUSING — The budget includes $770 million for housing, including a record-breaking $600 million for the Housing Trust Fund, which directly supports the construction of affordable housing projects. The budget also invests in affordable housing units in transit-oriented development projects and expanding homeownership opportunities, connecting housing to infrastructure, and other programs including but not limited to housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and prioritization for tribal housing.
  • EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION — The budget appropriates $1 billion for K-12 education, including $202 million for building modernization for small school districts and tribal compact schools and $143 million for seismic safety projects. The budget also includes $100 million for early learning and childcare facilities.
  • NATURAL RESOURCES — The budget makes natural resources and public lands a major focus, with significant investments in salmon hatcheries, floodplain safety, water supply infrastructure, and more. The budget also appropriates $120 million for the popular Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program and $63 million for state parks.

There’s still work to do to hammer out differences between our budget and the proposal offered by our House friends, but we share the same goals and values, and I look forward to working together and helping deliver a capital budget we can all be proud of.

THANK YOU, LUCY AND ELI!

Lucy and Eli served as my pages this week. Lucy, a sophomore at The Overlake School, loves playing lacrosse, baking, and babysitting. This week, she helped draft a bill about changing school start times to combat sleep deprivation for students. She wants to become an attorney and is especially interested in medical law.

Eli, a 9th grader at Montesano High School, enjoys gaming, hiking, and working out. His favorite part of the program was getting to page on the Senate floor and see the senators in action. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in finance.

Thank you so much, Lucy and Eli!

LEGISLATOR PROFILE

One of the fun and interesting things we get to do here in Olympia are TVW’s Legislator Profiles. In them we talk a little bit about ourselves, our priorities and legislative districts.

I hope you’ll take a moment (it’s quick, I promise!) and click on the picture above to watch my video where I talk a little bit about our community and the work we’re doing here in Olympia.

STAY IN TOUCH 

Our office is always ready to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and share your thoughts or concerns. This work can’t — and shouldn’t — happen without you.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our community and your continued trust. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.

Sincerely,

 

Mike Chapman