Dear friends and neighbors,
The Legislature is officially adjourned! During our 105 days in Olympia, we made important strides for our district and state, and I am eager to update you on our progress. But first, I want to thank the more than 7,000 constituents who contacted our office throughout the session — my work was made better because of YOU, and I am so grateful for your engagement.
CRITICAL INVESTMENTS
I am proud to share we passed an operating budget that addresses our state shortfall in a responsible way, balancing targeted reductions with new revenue. This enabled us to protect core services and make significant investments in K-12 education.
Highlights include:
Protecting core services
- $93 million for emergency food assistance organizations
- $117 million for local housing programs
- $20 million to expand resources for crime victims
- $25 million to improve support for refugee and immigrant communities
K-12 education investments over four years
- $750 million for special education services
- $213 million for materials, supplies and operating costs
- $200 million for local effort assistance funding to help low-income school districts
Rather than accepting an irresponsible, all-cuts budget that would have deepened harm, we chose a path that stabilizes our future and maintains strong, healthy reserves.
DISTRICT SUPPORT
I was able to help secure several wins for our district in the capital budget, like:
- $155,000 for Meridian Grange Community Center Renovation in Kent
- $500,000 for Auburn Avenue Theatre Rebuild in Auburn
- $500,000 to continue work on the Jenkins Creek Recreational Train in Covington
- $2 million for Indian American Community Services to continue building its community center in Kent
I also ensured the transportation budget included:
- $1.5 million to develop a corridor vision and implementation plan to address safety on SR 164. This plan and report must be submitted to the Legislature’s Transportation committees by June 30, 2027.
- $1.5 million to develop an implementation plan for SR 167 to build upon the master plan completed in 2023. This will provide high-level detail on costs necessary to advance priority projects on SR 167.
You can find more information on the budgets at fiscal.wa.gov.
POLICY SUCCESSES
This year, we focused on building a stronger, more equitable Washington — one where families can afford to stay in their homes, students have the support they need to succeed, consumers are protected from unfair financial barriers, and communities have the tools to stay safe.
Affordable Housing
- Capping rent increases annually at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less, preventing extreme price hikes that force people out of their homes (HB 1217).
Strong Schools
- Increased investments in special education (SB 5263).
- More funding for materials, supplies and operating costs in classrooms (SB 5192).
Support for Working Families
- Protecting Washington consumers by prohibiting collection agencies from reporting medical debt to credit agencies (SB 5480).
Public Safety
- Giving cities and counties the power to invest in law enforcement, additional public safety measures (HB 2015).
MY LEGISLATION
Three of my bills passed the Legislature, with two already signed into law!
Empowering Tribal Communities
- Offering tuition waivers for Tribal elders aged 55+ at Washington’s community and technical colleges (SB 5110).
Good Governance
- Updating outdated laws managed by the insurance commissioner (SB 5262).
Protecting Public Health
- Strengthening protections for Washington communities from the dangers of lead-based paint (SB 5494).
While we were not able to get every bill across the finish line, I am so excited to continue working on those policies and others during the coming months and next session.
STAY IN TOUCH
Please continue to reach out throughout the interim months. Contact my office at Claudia.Kauffman@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7692. You can also follow my official Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Warm regards,
Sen. Claudia Kauffman