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OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats today introduced a sweeping, $59.2 billion two-year budget proposal to increase funding for vital state services, including targeted support for the state’s pandemic recovery efforts and historic investments to support Washington’s working families. The 2021-23 operating budget proposal also leverages an additional $7 billion in one-time federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to bring relief to struggling households and help the state emerge from the pandemic with a stronger safety net and a more resilient public health system. “This budget reflects our state’s strength, determination and will to defeat the virus, and includes ...

OLYMPIA – Washington would extend its public-health approach to substance use disorder by establishing a new legal framework for the possession of controlled substances, under a bill introduced today by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond). In a Feb. 25 decision in the case of State v. Blake, the Washington State Supreme Court struck down the state statute that made possession of controlled substances a class C felony, effectively removing any state criminal penalties for possession. Similar to current state laws on marijuana and alcohol, SB 5476 would prohibit the public use of controlled substances, as well as possession by ...

OLYMPIA – State Senator Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island), chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, released this statement following today’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meeting. “Today’s revenue forecast is fantastic news for our state. The challenge now is to carefully plan both one-time and ongoing investments that will help the entire state prosper as it emerges from the pandemic. These investments must meet the growing needs of millions of Washingtonians who have had their lives upended in the last year. “Today’s positive news puts the Legislature in an even better position to craft a sustainable and resilient ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2021 Senate Democrats pass capital gains excise tax Legislation to establish a state capital gains tax on the sale of stocks and bonds passed out of the Senate on a 25-24 vote yesterday afternoon. Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), the sponsor of the bill, acknowledged the extensive input and collaboration that has shaped this policy over the course of a decade in her remarks during yesterday’s floor debate. She also underscored the importance of this bill as a tool for rebuilding Washington State’s regressive tax code. “When we vote to pass this bill, we’re voting to speed ...

  OLYMPIA – Sweeping legislation passed today by the Senate would address one of the leading challenges for Washington households by dramatically increasing the accessibility and affordability of childcare while stabilizing and expanding an industry in crisis. “Childcare tops the list of concerns for the vast majority of our households,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), the bill’s sponsor. “This bill will help kids across our state and it will help parents keep their jobs and the salaries they need to take care of their families.” Pre-pandemic, the Child Care Collaborative Task Force reported that the childcare crisis was costing ...

  OLYMPIA – Today the Senate passed legislation that would improve public safety by ensuring access to services for formerly incarcerated or confined individuals reentering the community. SB 5304, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, would provide a “warm handoff” when someone leaves custody and rejoins their community by allowing them to be covered by Medicaid upon their release from incarceration or confinement. It would also ensure that their managed care provider is notified of their release and provided the necessary information to initiate their benefits. Healthcare coverage during this transition will give people access to services they need to ...

OLYMPIA - Families that rely on Washington’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program could see an additional boost in benefits along with clarified expectations under legislation passed today by the Senate. Senate Bill 5214, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle), would allow more families to continue using the vital social program during times of high statewide unemployment. The bill passed on a 29-19 vote and would allow for hardship extensions beyond the 60-month lifetime TANF limit if state unemployment is at or above 7 percent. “Even before the public health crisis we are currently in, it was ...

A bill aimed at expanding community-based support systems for Washingtonians living with mental illnesses passed the Washington State Senate today. Engrossed Senate Bill 5328, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would make funding available to establish Clubhouse services statewide. Clubhouses are voluntary programs that enable those struggling with mental illnesses to focus on their strengths in a collaborative setting. The program provides an opportunity for people in similar situations to recover and improve their lives through friendship, shared work, education and employment. The bill would also require the Department of Health to review and redesign the licensure and ...