Dear friends and neighbors,
The short, 60-day legislative session is well underway and we are already moving quickly.
Budget and revenue – the biggest issue before us
The 2026 supplemental budget proposal is one of the most important bills we will pass this year. Our state still has major needs, and like many other states, we are still facing budget challenges as we did in 2025. I think we’re all concerned about what’s going to continue to happen with federal funding for essential services like Medicaid, childcare, public health, housing, scientific research, and our colleges and universities, and so much more.
We will again face very difficult choices – weighing responsible reductions, targeted savings and efficiencies, while also identifying new progressive revenue options that protect the progress we’ve made and will leave our state on better financial footing in the years to come. I know an austerity approach is worse for everyone and that we must protect the building blocks of the state like education, behavioral health, housing, and public safety.
That’s why I remain committed to passing progressive revenue this year to fund the schools, health care, and services that every Washingtonian is counting on. There’s more momentum right now for progressive tax reform than we’ve seen in a long time. The capital gains tax on the wealthy was upheld by voters in 32 out of 39 counties in 2024, not just here in Seattle, but across the state even in some very Republican areas. And recent polling shows that even Republican voters in our state support raising taxes on the wealthiest few!
Already this session, there’s been discussion about the wealth tax I sponsored – a property tax on the stocks, bonds, and mutual funds of about 4,300 Washington households who hold assets exceeding $50 million, which already passed the Senate on a 26-21 vote in 2025. We’re also discussing a Millionaire Tax on those who make in excess of $1 million a year, as well as a payroll tax (similar to Seattle’s JumpStart tax) on the payroll expenses of some of the biggest and most profitable corporations in the world.
This is absolutely the year to act. I recognize that there are powerful interests with lobbying power and financial influence who benefit from our current upside-down tax code and will fight hard to keep it the way it is. I am going to be pushing my fellow legislators to be bold and make the real, substantive changes that it will take to enact truly effective reform so that Washingtonians see the benefits first-hand.
It was great to join the Washington State PTA this week to talk about the important work we need to do to fully fund our schools. I’m so glad to be able to work with advocates like these to pass the transformative change we need so that every young person in our schools can succeed and thrive. This year is the year to get it done!
The bluntnose sixgill shark
It’s not all difficult news here in the legislative session. One bill I’m sponsoring would establish the bluntnose sixgill shark as the official shark of Washington state. You might not have heard of the sixgill shark, but many of them call the Puget Sound their home and they are one of the ‘Species of Greatest Conservation Need’ in our state wildlife plan.
You can see why it’s called the bluntnose six gill shark – photo credit to Wikimedia Commons
This idea was brought to me to help us raise awareness of the conservation needs of this shark, but it wasn’t a hard sell! As the mom of a 5-year-old who is a mega fan of sharks and is learning about the importance of sharks to retain a balanced ecosystem, I’m delighted to bring this forward. I’d like to see these sharks protected and thrive in our waters, just like we work to protect our iconic orca and salmon.
Save the date for our legislative town hall!
We wanted to share the information for our mid-session townhall ASAP so you can get it on your calendars now. I’ll be with Rep. Liz Berry and Rep. Julia Reed to share what we are working on, answer your questions, and hear your input on the issues before the Legislature this session. I hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 21
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Ballard Boys & Girls Club gym
1767 NW 64th St, Seattle, WA 98107
With Grace from Ingraham High School, who joined me as a Senate page
If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions about the important legislative work we’re doing this year, you can always reach me at Noel.Frame@leg.wa.gov. Thank you for reading!
Sen. Noel Frame
