News - Washington Senate Democrats

Two-year operating budget approved by Senate

by sdcadminApr 04 20190 Comments

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate today approved a $52.2 billion state operating budget to fund vital state services, including targeted support for the state’s behavioral health system, K-12 special education, higher education, and the environment.

Because the Senate amended ESHB 1109 before passing it, budget writers from the Senate and House must now begin a conference process to negotiate the differences in the versions that passed each chamber and pass a final operating budget before the end of the legislative session on April 28.

More than half of the state budget pays for K-12 education, honoring ...

Senate passes legislation to create LGBTQ Commission

by sdcadminMar 06 20190 Comments

Legislation to create a state commission to work with state agencies to develop and implement policies to address the unique needs of the LGBTQ community passed off the Senate floor today on a 34-14 vote.

Sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson, Senate Bill 5356 would direct the governor to appoint commissioners who present a balanced and diverse representation of race and ethnicity, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and occupation.

"This will help members of our community whose identify puts them at extreme and ...

State Legislature welcomes one of the most diverse cohorts on record, including women of color

by sdcadminJan 16 20190 Comments

The Washington State Legislature welcomed one of its most diverse cohorts of elected officials in state history on January 14. The most recent class includes a female majority in the House Democratic Caucus with women of color serving in both the House and Senate leadership ranks. Washington currently ranks fourth in the nation in terms of gender parity in the state legislature.

Billig elected Senate Majority Leader

by sdcadminNov 12 20180 Comments

TUKWILA – Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, will be the new Senate Majority Leader in the Washington State Senate, following a vote among Senate Democrats on Monday. Billig will take over immediately as Sen. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, prepares to retire after more than a decade of service in the Legislature, including five years (2013-18) as leader of the Senate Democrats. Billig has served in the Senate since 2013 and was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2011. Billig is the only Democrat in the Senate representing eastern Washington, but he’s not the first Spokane Democrat to ...

Washington makes history, becoming the 10th state to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy

by sdcadminMar 28 20180 Comments

From The Trevor Project: This week the state of Washington made history, becoming the first state in 2018, and the 10th state in total, to pass protections for LGBTQ youth from the barbaric practice of conversion therapy. Conversion therapists falsely claim be able to change LGBTQ youth into straight and cisgender youth. Prominent professional health associations—including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among numerous others—oppose the use of conversion therapy on youth, calling the practice harmful and ineffective. As the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services ...

With Dems in control, voting rights, health care access, gun safety, education, jobs take center stage

by sdcadminMar 09 20180 Comments

OLYMPIA — With Democrats back in control, Washingtonians saw a Legislature that fought for their values, putting the focus on issues that will leave a lasting, positive impact on people in communities throughout the state. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished on behalf of the people of this state,” said Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson. “We put people first and followed through on an agenda that every Washingtonian can be proud of.” The Legislature adjourned today on time for the first time in four years, passing a balanced budget plan that will make substantial investments in ...

Senate passes new protections for LGBTQ youth

by sdcadminJan 19 20180 Comments

The Washington State Senate today took a significant step to protect LGBTQ youth by passing legislation to ban so-called “conversion therapy” and require school districts to adopt or amend anti-harassment policies to include transgender students. “It is long past time for Washington to make it clear to our LGBTQ youth that we value their safety and affirm that they too deserve protection as they navigate their young lives,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, sponsor of Senate Bill 5766 and Senate Bill 5722. “I am thankful to my colleagues in the Senate for taking this stand today ...

Ban on 'conversion therapy' to be heard in Senate

by sdcadminJan 10 20180 Comments

What’s happening: The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee will hear legislation to ban the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ youth in Washington state. When: 10 a.m. Thursday in Senate Hearing Room 2. Where you can watch it live: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018011104 Brief Summary: Senate Bill 5722 would make it unprofessional conduct for a licensed health care provider to perform conversion therapy on a patient under the age of 18. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood: “Every major medical organization which has reviewed ‘conversion therapy’ has condemned the practice. It is barbaric to deny young people their identity and we have an ...

Ban on 'conversion therapy' to be heard in Senate

by sdcadminJan 10 20180 Comments

What’s happening: The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee will hear legislation to ban the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ youth in Washington state. When: 10 a.m. Thursday in Senate Hearing Room 2. Where you can watch it live: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018011104 Brief Summary: Senate Bill 5722 would make it unprofessional conduct for a licensed health care provider to perform conversion therapy on a patient under the age of 18. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood: “Every major medical organization which has reviewed ‘conversion therapy’ has condemned the practice. It is barbaric to deny young people their identity and we have an obligation to protect our ...

The Senate Members of Color Caucus welcomes Senator Manka Dhingra; lays out an agenda focused on inclusion

by sdcadminJan 10 20180 Comments

The Senate Members of Color Caucus welcomes Senator Manka Dhingra; lays out an agenda focused on inclusion Olympia – Democrats welcomed the newly elected senator from the 45th Legislative District, Manka Dhingra, as the Washington State Senate convened for the 2018 legislative session. Dhingra becomes the 25th member of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the fifth member of the Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC). Sen. Bob Hasegawa, Chair of the MOCC, and members Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, and Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, released the following statement: “We are honored to celebrate the start of ...