Dear neighbors,
The 2026 legislative session starts on Monday. I hope you will continue sharing with me the issues that matter most to you and your family. Your input guides my work on behalf of our community. Democracy is a team effort, and I so greatly value your participation.
We face many challenges, including federal cuts to health care, housing, education, and other essential services. These cuts have real consequences for families at a time when many people are already struggling to make ends meet. In this Washington, we will work hard to protect access to health care, food assistance, and services people need to thrive. We will strengthen protections for all people, including our immigrant neighbors.
My priorities
A sustainable budget
Responsible budgeting ensures Washington stays strong, even amid uncertainty coming from the federal government. I am so proud that Washington state has had a AAA bond rating for the last seven years due to our responsible fiscal management. We must also stay focused on fixing our nearly century-old tax code that currently asks working and middle-income families to pay a far greater share of their income in taxes than the top 1%.
The governor has expressed support for a Millionaires’ Tax. Federal cuts to health care and education, combined with tariffs and inflation, are driving up the cost of everything while stretching family budgets. The proposal would affect fewer than 0.5% of Washingtonians and help fund schools, health care and other necessities families are struggling to afford. I look forward to considering that proposal and others this year.
Supporting public education
A fully funded public education system gives every child an opportunity to succeed. In 2025, the Legislature preserved maintenance-level funding for K-12 schools while making a significant new investment of $1.4 billion over the next four years for special education and the growing daily costs districts face. In addition to direct state funding, the Legislature gave school districts greater levy authority. We must continue building on this work to meet our constitutional duty of amply funding our public schools.
Protecting the rights of all Washingtonians
We will not turn our backs on our immigrant communities. Together, we’ve advanced laws that limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, protect private health data, push back against hate, and ensure the Attorney General’s Office has the resources needed to pursue justice on behalf of all Washingtonians. From reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights to immigrant rights, we will continue fighting every day to ensure Washington remains a place of safety, opportunity, and dignity.
Several proposals have been filed for introduction, including to stop law enforcement from hiding their faces; prevent ICE from going inside schools, daycares, hospitals, and more without a warrant; put guardrails on law enforcement’s use of automated license plate readers; and require employers to notify their workers when federal immigration authorities request employment-eligibility documents.
How to participate
Learn how a bill becomes a law.
Find legislation on the issues important to you.
Watch your democracy in action.
Testify before legislative committees remotely or in person.
Reach out at Manka.Dhingra@leg.wa.gov. You can also call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.
Flood assistance
It will take time for our state to recover from last month’s devastating floods. People whose homes were damaged can now apply for state assistance to help with costs related to recovery, including short-term housing, small home repairs, and food replacement.
You can apply for this limited assistance in three ways:
• Online at the Salvation Army website (SAHelp.org). Enter your zip code to get started.
• By phone at 833-719-4981.
• In person at a Disaster Assistance Center
My office is here to help whenever you have questions or concerns. It is an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Manka Dhingra
Senator, 45th Legislative District
Deputy Majority Leader
