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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 ...

House and Senate Democratic budget leaders released an updated legislative package to raise new progressive revenue and fund K-12 education and essential state services this week. It would raise nearly $12 billion over four years. “We’ve updated our proposal to reflect the feedback we received from our colleagues and the public,” said Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), vice chair for finance of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. “This progressive revenue proposal raises taxes on some of the biggest, most profitable corporations worldwide and the wealthiest few individuals, directing funding to public schools, community safety, and the essential services ...

OLYMPIA — The 2025-27 bipartisan transportation package passed the Senate Saturday.  The bipartisan package, which includes a spending plan, revenue bill, and bond bill, closes the $1 billion shortfall in the state’s budget for the 2025-27 biennium and commits funding levels through 2031. The balanced, six-year plan invests about $9.2 billion to ensure the state can complete promised projects, preserve and maintain infrastructure, and increase road safety.  “This is a year of budget challenges, but through a spirit of collaboration and compromise, we found ...

OLYMPIA — The Senate approved a $78.5 billion operating budget plan Saturday that protects essential services while putting Washington on a stronger financial footing.  The proposal, which passed with a 28-21 vote, 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 2027-29.  New policy investments total about $800 million per year in the 2025-27 budget plan — ...

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 ...