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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 ...

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 ...