Dear friends and neighbors, 

Responsible budgeting means meeting today’s needs while planning for tomorrow. This last session, I worked to protect funding for schools, public safety, and essential services while keeping our state on stable financial footing. There has been a lot of debate about Washington’s budget and tax system, and I want to share some facts with you so you can learn more. 

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT 

The chart above shows how Washington’s tax collections compare to the overall growth of personal income in our state — a key measure nonpartisan economists use to understand whether revenue is keeping pace with the economy. Over the past two decades, that share has steadily declined, dropping from about 7% of total personal income in the late 1990s to around 5% today. 

That means even as wages, population, and the overall economy have grown, state revenue has not kept up. Washington now collects a smaller share of personal income than it did a generation ago, which makes it harder to fund schools, health care, and other essential services. 

The challenge is not that Washington collects too much revenue; it is that our economy has evolved while our tax code has not, leaving the state less able to keep pace with the needs of families and communities. 

Another claim is that Washington faces a budget shortfall simply because of “overspending.” The truth is more complex: costs have gone up due to inflation and growing demand for services, while federal funding has been cut for essential programs, all of which led to the significant budget deficit. That means doing nothing would have led to school closures, reduced access to health care, and deeper barriers for families already struggling. The question is not whether we fund essential services — it is whether we fund them responsibly and fairly. 

That is why this year’s budget focused on stability, responsibility, and protecting core services for Washington families. 

PROTECTING SCHOOLS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES 

The 2025-27 budget was one of the most difficult in recent memory due to inflation, growing demand for services, and significant federal funding cuts. Even so, we avoided harmful austerity and protected core priorities, including: 

  • $750 million for special education so districts can meet student needs 
  • $213 million to keep schools operating amid rising costs 
  • $200 million for rural and low-income school districts 
  • $93 million for emergency food assistance statewide 
  • $117 million for local housing and homelessness prevention 
  • $25 million for immigrant and refugee support services 
  • $20 million for crime victim assistance and recovery

To balance the budget responsibly, we used a mix of spending restraint, targeted savings, and progressive revenue changes. That included updating parts of our tax code so that the biggest corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals contribute more, rather than relying solely on cuts to education or community services. 

Looking ahead to the 2026 legislative session, I will continue working toward a fairer, more sustainable tax system that strengthens opportunity and supports every community in our state. 

 

FOOD ASSISTANCE 

As the federal government continues to create instability around essential programs like SNAP, Washington is stepping up to protect families. Gov. Bob Ferguson recently directed $2.2 million in state funds to support food banks across the state through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, providing immediate relief to communities facing shortages. 

In this year’s state budget, we also included $93 million for emergency food assistance to strengthen local food systems and ensure help is available when families need it most.  

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, here are resources available right now: 

  • Washington 211 — Call 2-1-1 or visit wa211.org to find nearby food pantries and programs. 
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture — Visit agr.wa.gov/foodnearyou or call 360-725-5640 for local food bank information. 
  • Washington State Department of Social and Health Services — Visit dshs.wa.gov to learn about the status of SNAP benefits. 

STAY IN TOUCH 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to 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 throughout the interim. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. 

Sincerely, 

Sen. Claudia Kauffman