{"id":3175,"date":"2025-05-02T11:06:37","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/?p=3175"},"modified":"2025-05-02T11:50:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:50:34","slug":"thats-a-wrap-on-the-2025-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/2025\/05\/02\/thats-a-wrap-on-the-2025-session\/","title":{"rendered":"That\u2019s a wrap on the 2025 session!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dear friends and neighbors &#8211;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">My first session as your state senator officially came to a close Sunday, and we achieved many important things for all Washingtonians, despite facing a significant budget shortfall. These 105 days were not easy, and we had to make difficult decisions no one wanted to make in order to balance our budget. However, we were able to close the budget deficit through a measured approach that balanced strategic cuts with new revenue and included critical investments in K-12 education and core services.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Operating budget:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> We passed a responsible budget that protects core services such as public safety and behavioral health, while expanding housing and supporting vulnerable communities. As a teacher, I fought hard to ensure we passed a budget that also prioritized education. We increased funding for special education, boosted school operating costs, and provided additional help for students in low-income districts.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Operating budget:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Protecting core services<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$93 million for emergency food assistance organizations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$117 million for local housing programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$20 million to expand resources for crime victims<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$25 million to improve support for refugee and immigrant communities<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">K-12 education investments over four years<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$750 million for special education services<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$213 million for materials, supplies and operating costs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$200 million for local effort assistance funding to help low-income school districts<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Capital budget:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> I fought hard to ensure the 18<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> district received our fair share this session. In total, over $6 million will go toward funding local projects.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$515,000 to revitalize downtown Battle Ground.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$278,000 for culinary upgrades for Battle Ground public schools.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$1.5 million toward Remy Park.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">$3 million to update Washington State University Vancouver\u2019s central chiller plant, which provides cooling to buildings on campus.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Transportation budget:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> We passed a bipartisan transportation budget that keeps our promises, preserves our system, and makes our roads safer for everyone. I worked hard to ensure this budget invests in projects in our community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ridgefield South I-5 access planning.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Track and bridge improvement for the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Support for the Cowlitz Tribal Service.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Design and permitting of the Washougal 32<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> St<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> underpass.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Relocation and upgrade to the Vancouver Mall Transit Center.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Procurement of hydrogen fueling station infrastructure and four electric buses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Congestion relief for SR 502, SR 503 and SR 14.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Construction of a transit line that connects the Vancouver waterfront, downtown Vancouver, Hazel Dell, and Salmon Creek along Highway 99.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Construction of transit connection between the Vancouver Mall Transit Center and the Fisher\u2019s Landing Transit Center.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3176 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/05\/20250408_093020ab-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I\u2019m proud in my first session I was able to push five bills across the finish line! Here is a snapshot of those.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">SB <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary?BillNumber=5149&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5149<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Expands the Early Childhood Courts program by broadening the service age and allowing courts to engage families earlier in the dependency process. This expansion is designed to allow courts to reach a greater number of families and improve outcomes, particularly by increasing reunification rates, at no added cost. Early Childhood Courts programs promote lasting, positive outcomes for parents, infants, and toddlers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">SB <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/BillSummary\/?BillNumber=5141&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5141<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Eliminates unnecessary hurdles for insurers and reduces administrative expenses for insurers and employers, helping control premiums and keeping benefits affordable. Right now, disability income insurers must submit a single case filing to the Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC) for each individual employer\u2019s insurance policy before it can take effect. This adds delays and costs for employers and insurers, making it harder to provide employees with affordable high-quality disability income insurance. This bill allows an insurer to file once a year with OIC, rather than multiple times a year on a case-by-case basis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">SB <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/BillSummary\/?BillNumber=5677&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5677<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Increases assistance to Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) in rural and urban counties and permits the matched portion of the allocation to be provided through cash, in-kind, or a combination. ADOs help create jobs through private, public, rural, and urban partnerships. I\u2019m from part of the state that\u2019s made up of many diverse communities: large, medium, small cities in urban and rural areas. Our businesses and companies experience unique challenges, and ADOs have been an important resource. Now, more than ever, we need to foster economic development in our state.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">SB <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/BillSummary\/?BillNumber=5253&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5253<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Aligns state law with the federal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by extending special education services for students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which they turn 22 years old. As a special education teacher, I know how critical specialized and inclusive learning environments are to students\u2019 lives. This bill will help us ensure we create a smooth transition from school to post-school life for students with disabilities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">SB <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/BillSummary\/?BillNumber=5444&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5444<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Authorizes potentially up to 13 new special license plates and puts into place a more meaningful process by which special license plates can be authorized in the future. These new license plates range from a Smokey Bear license plate to raise funds for wildfire prevention programs to a LeMay Car Museum plate to help fund education and job training related to automobiles.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3171 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/04\/Sen.-Cortes-TTH-1-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/04\/Sen.-Cortes-TTH-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/04\/Sen.-Cortes-TTH-1-150x100.png 150w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/04\/Sen.-Cortes-TTH-1.png 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Thank you to everyone who engaged with our office these past four months! The legislative session might be over, but the work doesn\u2019t stop. Your input is critical and helps me better represent you. That\u2019s why I hope you will join me for a post session telephone town hall on Wednesday, May 7! Here are the details:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wednesday, May 7<br \/>\n5:30-6:30 p.m.<br \/>\nDIAL: 855-756-7520<br \/>\nCODE: 122450#<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A call will go out to constituents across the 18th Legislative District at 5:30 p.m. If you do not receive one, you can still participate by dialing 855-756-7520 and using extension 122450#. Not able to join us but have a question? Please share it with us by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bA6LhImUg02zHk_emXMrCXREAGaS-d9Kt7OA7sD2oi1UOUs1NFNLNkYwQ1FVODdOVVBSUzBBSklCWC4u\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">filling out this survey<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I hope to chat with you on the phone on Wednesday, May 7!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I\u2019m thankful for the opportunity to serve you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and it\u2019s a privilege to bring our southwest Washington values to Olympia.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sincerely,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3121\" src=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig-300x80.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"80\" srcset=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig-300x80.jpg 300w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig-1024x273.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig-768x205.jpg 768w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig-1536x410.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2025\/01\/Cortes-sig.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sen. Adrian Cortes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear friends and neighbors &#8211;\u00a0 My first session as your state senator officially came to a close Sunday, and we achieved many important things for all Washingtonians, despite facing a significant budget shortfall. These 105 days were not easy, and we had to make difficult decisions no one wanted to make in order to balance our budget. However, we were able to close the budget deficit through a measured approach that balanced strategic cuts with new revenue and included critical investments in K-12 education and core services.\u00a0\u00a0 Operating budget: We passed a responsible budget that protects core services such as&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":3176,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>That\u2019s a wrap on the 2025 session! - Sen. Adrian Cortes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/2025\/05\/02\/thats-a-wrap-on-the-2025-session\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"That\u2019s a wrap on the 2025 session! - Sen. Adrian Cortes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dear friends and neighbors &#8211;\u00a0 My first session as your state senator officially came to a close Sunday, and we achieved many important things for all Washingtonians, despite facing a significant budget shortfall. These 105 days were not easy, and we had to make difficult decisions no one wanted to make in order to balance our budget. However, we were able to close the budget deficit through a measured approach that balanced strategic cuts with new revenue and included critical investments in K-12 education and core services.\u00a0\u00a0 Operating budget: We passed a responsible budget that protects core services such as...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/cortes\/2025\/05\/02\/thats-a-wrap-on-the-2025-session\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sen. 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