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OLYMPIA — The Senate released its 2025-27 transportation budget, which includes two bipartisan proposals charting different funding paths for the state’s transportation system. One proposal postpones projects and reduces state agency operating costs to close the $1 billion shortfall in the 2025-2027 budget, while the other includes a revenue and spending package to account for the budget gap and keep Washington moving ahead. The all-cuts proposal reduces the capital project budget by $941 million and state agency operating costs by $156 million. These reductions would delay dozens of construction projects like the North Spokane Corridor and new hybrid electric ...

OLYMPIA — Senate budget leaders unveiled a $78.5 billion operating budget plan Monday that puts the state on a path toward long-term fiscal stability while preserving essential services.  The proposal includes both targeted reductions and new revenue streams to address the state budget deficit. Over the four-year budget outlook, $6.5 billion will be made in cuts and $16 billion added in revenue — a net of $6.2 billion in the 2025-27 biennium and $9.8 billion in the following one.  New policy investments total about $800 million per year in the 2025-27 budget plan — ...

OLYMPIA — Ahead of next week’s full operating budget proposal, Senate Democratic budget leaders released their new revenue proposal for the 2025-27 operating budget. “We’ve spent months discussing our budget, learned about how damaging an all-cuts budget might be, and have done the hard work to scrub the budget for savings and efficiencies,” said Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), vice chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee for Finance. “Now, honoring our responsibility to Washingtonians, we are releasing this proposal for new revenue. Rather than balance our budget entirely through devastating cuts or doubling-down on our regressive tax ...

OLYMPIA — Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) issued the following statement on Tuesday's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meeting:  “Today’s revenue forecast shows a modest decline in projected revenue, which is what we expected. While it doesn’t change the broader fiscal challenges we face, it reinforces the need for a balanced and sustainable approach as we finalize the 2025-27 operating budget.  “Throughout this process, we have been focused on making thoughtful, strategic decisions that protect essential services and put the state on a stronger financial footing. The proposal we release next ...

The Housing Accountability Act passed the Senate on a 46-2 vote on Tuesday. Senate Bill 5148, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia), helps ensure cities and local governments comply with state laws that expand housing affordability options and require the reform and modernization of local land use regulations. “We’ve passed major, transformative affordable housing legislation in the past three years. We must ensure the promises we’ve made are kept, and the benefits of our legislation are realized for families across Washington,” Bateman said. “We know housing is too unaffordable today and the people our communities rely on — ...

OLYMPIA — Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) issued the statement below Tuesday in response to Senate Republicans’ budget proposal:  "I appreciate the work my Republican colleagues have put into crafting their proposal and their willingness to engage in this important discussion. But while they’re calling this a ‘no-cuts’ budget, the reality is it includes $6 billion in reductions — many of which were identified through bipartisan conversations where Republicans were at the table and will also be reflected in my proposal.   “Beyond those reductions, this budget relies on unsustainable choices. It ...

OLYMPIA — A comprehensive plan to overhaul the state’s outdated recycling system passed the Washington State Senate on Friday. The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284) would modernize Washington state’s recycling system by creating a producer responsibility program to require manufacturers and consumer brands to reduce unnecessary packaging, fund statewide collection services, and ensure materials put in curbside bins are recycled. “Washington residents are asking for a cleaner, more accessible, and more sustainable recycling system,” said Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), the bill’s prime sponsor. “This is our opportunity to reduce pollution, improve recycling rates, and divert materials away from landfills.” Washington ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to address critical funding gaps in Washington’s K-12 schools passed the Senate Thursday.  Senate Bill 5192, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would increase funding for materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) in schools while tying future adjustments to a specific inflation model. The proposal ensures state funding reflects the actual costs districts face to maintain facilities, provide curriculum, and meet other essential operational needs.  "Schools should be able to focus on supporting students, not scrambling for resources,” Nobles said. “This bill provides more stability, fairness, ...

Legislation strengthening criminal penalties against corporate actors responsible for pollution spills and other environmental crimes passed the Washington State Senate Tuesday on a 29-20 vote. Under current law, violations of federal environmental law face harsher penalties than state violations. Senate Bill 5360, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), comprehensively updates state statutes to more closely align with federal penalties, enabling stronger enforcement of Washington’s clean air, clean water, and hazardous waste laws. “Cracking down on criminal pollution is more important than ever right now,” Trudeau said. “With so much uncertainty around how and whether the EPA will actually ...