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OLYMPIA – Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), vice chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5096, released this statement following the Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling in Quinn v. Washington:  “Today’s decision is the culmination of over a decade of work to fix our upside-down tax code and rewrite the rules to make a system that’s fairer for everyone. With the capital gains excise tax, we will be able to better invest in our children, in our schools, in our teachers, in our families. We ...

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate introduced a sweeping, $69.2 billion operating budget proposal Thursday to increase funding for vital state services, including targeted support for behavioral health, public schools, housing and homelessness, and a historic investment to address the climate crisis. The two-year operating budget adds roughly $5.1 billion in new spending and does not rely on any new general taxes or fees. It leaves $3.8 billion (11.2%) in total reserves to guard against an economic slowdown and protect the state’s historically high credit rating. “This is an ambitious and responsible spending plan to address ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Marko Liias’ (D-Everett) bill to increase access to HIV medication unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday.   The Washington Department of Health receives grant funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grant Program to operate the Early Intervention Program (EIP).   EIP provides crucial support to Washingtonians living with HIV, including payment for some prescriptions, assistance for clients to get an identification number and pharmacy card, as well as help securing insurance and Medicaid eligibility.   The state’s purchases of these HIV medications generate rebates from pharmaceutical companies.  Senate Bill ...

The Senate Ways & Means Committee held its hearing on the Senate capital budget proposal on Monday, March 20, and members of the public had their opportunity to offer comment on the budget bill, SB 5200. Over the course of the two-hour hearing, the committee heard praise for the budget from a broad selection of housing advocates, particularly for the $400 million proposed investment in the Housing Trust Fund, which would be the most ever invested in the fund. The entire committee hearing can be viewed on TVW here, with testimony ordered by issue area – ...

OLYMPIA — The Senate unveiled its capital budget proposal Monday, potentially investing more than $125 million in projects throughout the 38th Legislative District if passed.  The suggested funding would go toward behavioral health facilities, local sports venues, community buildings and more. Some of proposed district-wide investments include: 

• Compass Health Broadway Behavioral Health Services (Everett) - $18,700,000 
• Port of Everett Electrification - $5,000,000 
• Ebey Waterfront Trail Phase 4 (Marysville) ...
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OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate proposed a $7.9 billion capital construction budget today, targeting investments in affordable housing, school construction, land preservation and environmental protection, and education. The proposal, if passed, would set a record for the largest ever investment in the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The budget outlines state infrastructure spending for the next two years and stays within the state’s constitutional debt limit – an important step to protect the state’s historically high Aaa credit rating and avoid higher debt service payments that could financially hinder future state budgets. Details and specific ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate on Tuesday passed Senator Claire Wilson’s (D-Auburn) bill to remove licensing and background check fees for those entering Washington’s childcare workforce.   State law requires critical background checks when the Department of Children, Youth and Families is looking to approve applicants.    However, the associated fees are often a barrier for applicants. Not only are they costly but processing them creates delays between the time someone accepts a job offer and when they can begin work.   DCYF pays these fees for those entering Washington’s foster care and relative or kinship ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate unanimously passed Sen. Claire Wilson’s (D-Auburn) bill to regulate non-public agencies that serve Washington students with disabilities Tuesday.   Senate Bill 5315 in response to a report by the Seattle Times and ProPublica, which found Washington has been giving millions of dollars to schools without proper oversight, leading to complaints of abuse, lack of academic progress and staff dependency on restraint and isolation. “It is on us to change this inadequate system,” Wilson said. “That’s what SB 5315 will do.”   SB 5315 requires the Office of the Superintendent ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to help address the health care staffing shortage by mitigating unmanageable patient loads and worker burnout passed the Senate floor Monday.  Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), requires hospitals to submit staffing plans to the state Department of Health. The expected staff-to-patient staffing standards would be developed by a hospital’s designated nurse staffing committee, composed of 50% nursing staff and 50% hospital administration.  If a hospital is less than 80% compliant with its committee’s approved plan, DOH and state Department of Labor & Industries can ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate took a critical step to address Washington’s healthcare workforce shortage by passing Sen. Annette Cleveland’s (D-Vancouver) bill to remove barriers for retired nurses wanting to return to patient care.   Currently, nurses in the state retirement system who return to work after retirement face a penalty of reduced benefits for life.   Retirees of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System can work up to 867 hours per year in a position covered by any of the state’s pension systems while receiving a retirement benefit. However, a ...