News

OLYMPIA — Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) issued a statement in response to the release of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s supplemental operating budget proposal Tuesday:  “Gov. Ferguson’s proposed supplemental operating budget reflects how challenging the state’s fiscal landscape is again this year, and I appreciate the care and deliberation he took in developing it.  “I know firsthand how difficult it is to make reductions while balancing rising costs, economic uncertainty, and the real impacts on families and communities. This proposal provides a responsible starting point and a solid foundation for the Senate ...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle) introduced legislation Monday to prohibit law enforcement officers — including federal immigration agents operating in Washington — from wearing face-concealing masks while interacting with the public.   Senate Bill 5855 is a direct response to ongoing immigration raids under the Trump administration during which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wear masks and other coverings to hide their identities. The bill defines prohibited facial coverings to include balaclavas, tactical masks, gaiters, ski masks, and similar items. Clear or translucent face shields, medical masks, respirators used in hazardous conditions, ...

We continue to monitor weather conditions across the state. Please abide by road closure signs and do not drive in standing water. This is a historic moment for Washington, but we will get through it together. If you are affected by the heartbreaking flooding across the state, see resources below:

• Travel map with live road closure updates
• Sign up for emergency alerts here
• See guidance from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

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 confirms what we’ve been warning — Washington’s economy is under strain from both uncertainty and federal actions. As the most trade-dependent state in the nation, we’re feeling the impact of the president’s tariffs, which are weakening our trade relationships and hurting farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers across the state. This threatens the revenue we rely on to fund essential state services like education and behavioral health. "At the same time, H.R. ...

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) issued the statement below Friday: “President Trump’s assertion that he can federalize the national guard without gubernatorial approval is deeply disturbing, and as we saw in court yesterday, completely incorrect. This militarization appears to be an attempt to provoke violence as Washingtonians stand up for their friends and neighbors who are currently being targeted at home, at school, and at work. We knew this was coming, and last session took action to help limit unauthorized National Guard deployments to the extent we’re able. “We ...

OLYMPIA — Senate Housing Committee Chair Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia) hailed the 2025 legislative session as one that made significant progress for housing affordability. “We came into this session with a three-pronged housing strategy — expand our housing supply, support homeownership opportunities, and provide stability for renters. On all three, we delivered significant progress,” Bateman said. “This is one of the most productive sessions on housing affordability our state has seen. It’s the result of strong coalition-building in and outside the Legislature, bipartisan collaboration with our Republican colleagues and sustained, long-term engagement with the community and our constituents who ...

OLYMPIA — The Legislature passed a $77.1 billion operating budget Sunday that protects essential services while significantly boosting support for K-12 education.  The budget includes both targeted reductions and new revenue streams to responsibly address the state budget deficit. It makes $3.1 billion in cuts in the 2025-27 biennium, contributing to $7 billion in total reductions over the four-year budget outlook. New revenue totaling $8.7 billion will be added, with a net of $4.3 billion in 2025-27 and $4.4 billion in 2027-29.  “This was a year that demanded hard, often ...

OLYMPIA — A revised version of rent stabilization legislation, House Bill 1217, was proposed by a conference committee of House and Senate members Thursday. The bill could potentially be voted on as soon as Friday evening.   The proposed compromise would cap rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less, while preserving much of the policy from earlier versions. Unlike the Senate-passed version, it would not exempt single-family homes from the cap. However, it would exempt new construction for 12 years, as well as affordable housing managed by non-profit organizations ...

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen on the sudden passing of Sen. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah): “Bill’s passing is a devastating loss for our caucus and for our state. He was a dedicated public servant who spent his life working to make other people’s lives better.  Although he joined our caucus only this year, he quickly became a beloved member of our team. “Bill was one of the most kind and joyful people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He never let even the most serious matters get too serious. He made you like him the moment you met ...