News

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate today approved revenue sources for Move Ahead Washington; the 16-year transportation investment package sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett). Senate Bill 5974 passed the chamber on a 29-20 vote Tuesday evening.  Move Ahead Washington includes $16.8 billion in investments for projects across the state, including historic funding for public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian safety, road preservation and maintenance, and climate mitigation. 

“We are on the verge of a new day in Washington – one that puts people, our environment, and working families at the center of every policy decision we make,” said Liias. ...

Read More

Olympia– Legislation unanimously passed by the Senate would advance college affordability for military veterans, active military members, and their families by applying Washington state residency more broadly. “Our service people valiantly serve our nation,” said Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest). “They have our backs and we need to have theirs. Education is such a powerful tool in which our service members and their families could access career paths, jobs, income and much more. They deserve whatever we can do to alleviate their stressors.” Nobles’ Senate Bill 5874 would expand residency status for all active duty, veteran, and dependent students ...

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate today approved legislation to provide transitional food assistance for more families. Senate Bill 5785, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would direct the Department of Social and Health Services to provide transitional food assistance to households that no longer receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The transitional food assistance would last for five months after the family ceases to receive TANF benefits so long as they are not in full-family sanction status.

“This bill is an important measure to make sure kids across the state are getting the food they need to ...

Read More

OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Senate unanimously approved legislation to conserve and restore the plants that are the foundation of our marine ecosystems and key in our fight against ocean acidification. Senate Bill 5619, known as the Kelp Forest and Eelgrass Meadow Conservation Initiative, was sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D – Anacortes) at the request of the Department of Natural Resources.

“Washington has one of the most beautiful natural environments in the country, but at every level our ecosystems are facing an existential crisis,” said Lovelett. “Kelp and eelgrass are a crucial part of the ...

Read More

OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, Senate and House Transportation Committee Chairs Sen. Marko Liias, D – Everett, and Rep. Jake Fey, D – Tacoma, unveiled Senate Bills 5974 and 5975 and House Bills 2118 and 2119 — Move Ahead Washington — a 16-year transportation proposal for Washington state. The $16 billion package provides historic funding for preserving our infrastructure, combating climate change by reducing emissions, expanding safe, affordable transit options, and addressing harm caused in communities of color from our existing transportation system.

“Washington is a nationwide leader on so many issues, and we can continue to show our progressive values in the transportation sector,” ...

Read More

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Senate approved bipartisan legislation today to ensure Washingtonians who pay for private long-term care insurance are able to receive benefits when they are needed most. Senate Bill 5508, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett), passed on a unanimous vote. The legislation would align state law with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Act to ensure the Guaranty Fund will remain solvent in the long term.

“This is an important step to make sure Washingtonians are receiving the private long term care coverage that they have paid into,” said Liias. “In some ...

Read More

OLYMPIA – Legislation to explicitly authorize candidates running for office in Washington state to use campaign funds for childcare was heard in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee today. Senate Bill 5855, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would clarify rules on the use of campaign funds.

“This legislation is an important step to create elected bodies that looks more like the communities they represent,” said Lovelett. “Too many parents, and especially single moms, are not able to run for office – not for a lack of desire but because they are unable to balance their family ...

Read More

OLYMPIA – State Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, today announced he will not seek re-election to the senate in 2022. Carlyle, chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, has sponsored and shepherded numerous major bills through the senate and legislature during his 13-year career. Carlyle’s proudest work includes cap and invest carbon pricing, 100% clean energy, a clean fuel standard, environmental justice, public disclosure of tax exemptions, reforming marijuana and telecommunications taxation, higher education finance, foster youth success and leadership on national data privacy policy. Carlyle, 56, was first elected to the House of Representatives from the 36th ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 21, 2022 Legislation proposed by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), SB 5702, would allow new parents to affordably access donor breast milk by requiring that health plans and the state Medicaid program provide coverage for donor breast milk. “This bill is deeply personal to me and to so many new or expecting parents in our communities,” said Trudeau. “I understand the struggle, the shame and the trauma that accompanies difficult labor and the inability to produce the nutrients that your baby needs. When I had to go through that, I was not aware that donor ...