Dear friends and neighbors, 

 

We’re nearing the end of the 2026 legislative session, with just two weeks left! Can you believe it? 

My team and I remain hard at work championing legislation that reflects our shared priorities. I also want to take a moment to thank the many people who help keep this place running — from our security officers to dining services and the dedicated staff who support the Legislature every day. I am especially grateful for my own team, who continue to show up and do stellar work on behalf of the 28th Legislative District. 

Thank you as well to my colleagues in both the Senate and House for partnering with me on legislation and supporting key budget requests this session. 

As we head into the final weeks of this short session, which officially ends March 12, our focus will turn to advancing bills that remain under consideration in the opposite chamber and continuing budget negotiations to ensure we are protecting progress while responding to a challenging fiscal environment. 

 

Scroll down for updates on what we’ve been up to, where my bills stand, and much more.   

 

 

Black History Month 

As Black History Month comes to an end, we reflect on the generations of Black leaders, organizers, educators, and families who have helped shape our communities and move our state forward. 

I am proud to serve as a member of the Washington State Legislative Black Caucus, working alongside colleagues to advance policies that expand opportunity, remove barriers, and strengthen equity for communities across our state. 

Black history is not just something we recognize each February — it is a living legacy that continues to influence our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods every day. 

You can watch my remarks celebrating Black History Month here on the Senate floor, as well as learn more about the LBC and our priorities here.  

 

African American Legislative Day 

It was an honor to welcome so many community members to the Capitol for African American Legislative Day this session. 

I was especially grateful to connect with advocates from the NAACP, as well as my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who came to Olympia to share their voices and speak directly about the issues impacting their communities. 

Opportunities like this are an important reminder that meaningful policy is shaped not just in committee rooms, but through the lived experiences and advocacy of the people we serve. Thank you to everyone who made the trip to be part of the legislative process. 

Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews’ Confirmation Hearing 

The confirmation hearing of Megan Matthews as director of the Washington State Office of Equity marked an important milestone during this month. 

This was a priority for our office and something many in the community have been looking forward to, recognizing the critical role the Office of Equity plays in helping ensure state government is working to remove barriers and improve access across agencies. 

I look forward to Director Matthews’ leadership as we continue the work of building a more inclusive and responsive government that better reflects and serves the people of Washington. 

 

My Work as HEWD Chair 

As chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, I remain focused on ensuring our higher education and workforce systems are working for students, families, and our state’s economy. 

This session, I’ve continued working with colleagues, especially House Postsecondary & Workforce Chair Dave Paul, through the Higher Education Caucus to advocate for policies that protect financial aid, hold the line on tuition, and preserve workforce education programs that open doors to opportunity. 

These investments are critical to helping students stay enrolled, complete their programs, and transition into in-demand careers that strengthen our communities. 

 You can read more about this work on my website and in our recent op-ed published in The Tacoma News Tribune. 

 

Important Higher Education Legislation 

This session, I was proud to sponsor legislation to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Washington students — work that continues because students, champions, and allies spoke up and shared their stories. 

SB 5963 ensures students eligible for the Passport to Careers Program — including former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth — are automatically income-eligible for the Washington College Grant, helping remove unnecessary barriers to aid. 

SB 5828 updates the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship so students attending private, nonprofit four-year institutions are not unfairly penalized in our financial aid system. Learn more about this bill in The Seattle Times here and the Washington State Standard here. 

Both bills have passed the Senate and are now under consideration in the House.  

I also championed legislation to improve and protect higher education funding. 

SB 6276 protects Workforce Education Investment Account funding, so it supplements, not supplants, other higher education support. 

SB 6325 fixes long-standing funding inequities for public colleges and universities and ensures state funding keeps pace with compensation and essential student services. 

I remain committed to advancing this work so more students can stay enrolled, complete their programs, and build strong futures here in Washington.  

 

Advocacy for Summer Running Start 

This session, I communicated with my colleagues and urged them to protect the current Summer Running Start program — an important pathway that helps high school students begin earning college credit early. 

For many students, Summer Running Start reduces the cost of college and builds momentum toward a degree. Preserving this option keeps doors open and expands access to higher education. Summer Running Start is a proven, high-impact program that is helping expand access to college, accelerate degree attainment, and support students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, as they build momentum toward their futures. Continuing to invest in Summer Running Start shows our commitment to student success while strengthening our state’s economy, particularly for the students the program is designed to support. 

And the program’s results speak for itself. Since 2023: 

  • 20-30 percentage point higher associate degree completion 
  • 89%+ students passed their classes 
  • 80%+ students continue taking classes in the fall 
  • Participation in Running Start increased by 400%+, with 35,914 students involved in 2025 

 

FAFSA and WASFA Support 

Completing the FAFSA or WASFA is one of the most important steps students can take to access financial aid for college or workforce training. 

These applications help connect Washington students to grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities that can make higher education more affordable. In the 28th Legislative District, 42% of our seniors have completed the FAFSA or WASFA — outpacing the statewide average of 38%. That progress reflects the dedication of our educators, counselors, and community partners, but it also underscores the work still ahead, as too many students are missing out on opportunities simply because an application was never completed. We have a responsibility to ensure every student understands their options and has the support they need to choose the pathway that is right for them after high school. 

I encourage students and families to complete their application as soon as possible to ensure they can access the support they qualify for. Learn more here. 

 

Teach with TVW 

I had such a great time on Teach with TVW’s On the Issues, where I got the chance to chat with three pages alongside my Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee ranking member, Sen. Judy Warnick, and answer their great questions about higher education in Washington!  

We discussed: 

 

 

Addressing Affordability 

Affordability is more than a buzzword. Too many Washington families are being forced to choose between rent and a doctor’s visit, or groceries and child care. 

That is why we are continuing our work to expand housing options, protect child care so parents can get to work, and lower utility costs through cleaner, more affordable energy. 

Several affordability bills remain under consideration this session, including efforts to: 

  • Cap interest on medical debt (SB 5993) 
  • Expand property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities (SB 6162) 
  • Increase housing market transparency (SB 6091) 
  • Allow portable solar devices to help renters cut electricity costs (HB 2296) 
  • Ensure data centers — not ratepayers — cover infrastructure costs (HB 2515) 
  • Provide ongoing energy bill assistance for low-income households (HB 1903) 

I will keep working to make Washington more affordable for families across our state. 

 

Millionaires Tax 

You may have heard a lot about the proposed Millionaires Tax this session, and it is important to separate fact from fiction. 

Fact: Washington has the second most regressive tax system in the country, meaning working families pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than the wealthiest residents. 

Fact: This proposal is narrowly targeted and would be paid by less than 1% of the wealthiest people in Washington — not middle-class families. 

Fiction: That this is a broad income tax on everyone. It’s not. Only households with annual income exceeding $1 million will be subject to the tax. 

Revenue from this proposal would help fund essential services Washingtonians rely on, including investments in higher education and workforce training that make college more affordable and expand pathways to family-wage careers. 

These are the kinds of investments that open doors for students and strengthen our communities for the long term, and that’s why I strongly support this bill. Watch my remarks on the Senate floor here. 

 

Law Enforcement Standards 

I was proud to vote YES on SB 5974 as it passed the Senate.

As a Pierce County senator, this vote carried weight. Recent events have underscored why clear standards, strong training, and real accountability for sheriffs matter. Leadership in law enforcement must build trust — not erode it.

Public safety and accountability go hand in hand. Our communities deserve sheriffs who are well trained, respectful, and committed to upholding the law. This bill helps ensure that standard is clear and enforceable. 

 

ICE Face Covering Ban 

I was also proud to support SB 5855 as it passed the Senate floor.

This matters now more than ever. No one should face law enforcement — including ICE — without knowing who is exercising authority over them. Transparency and accountability are essential to trust, safety, and dignity, especially for our immigrant neighbors.

This vote was about clear standards, the rule of law, and protecting our communities. 

 

Community Reinvestment Program 

The House companion, HB 2523, to my Community Reinvestment Program legislation has passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate. 

This bill would strengthen how we invest in communities by improving the Community Reinvestment Plan and supporting coordination between the Office of Equity and Department of Commerce to better direct resources toward economic opportunity, reentry support, legal assistance, and violence prevention. I remain committed to advancing this work, so communities have the tools and support they need to thrive. 

The Community Reinvestment Account, established in statute, supports 17 critical grant programs serving communities of color, low-income residents, and other historically underserved populations. Through investments in economic development, legal assistance, violence prevention, reentry services, workforce development, and agricultural support, the program is helping deliver real results across our state. 

Since its inception, the account has helped more than 2,500 formerly incarcerated individuals secure housing, employment, and education; supported over 820 Black, Latine, and Tribal-owned businesses; assisted more than 1,000 individuals with record vacatur and restoration of rights; and expanded mentorship and after-school programming serving thousands of youth each year. It has also provided down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers and funded workforce and small business grants that promote long-term economic stability. 

 

Budget Requests 

Recently, the Senate released its three supplemental budget proposals — operating, capital, and transportation. I worked hard alongside my colleagues and community to secure investments for our state and district in each Senate plan, and I’m so proud to share our advocacy accomplished. 

Capital 

The proposal invests nearly $19.4 million in the 28th Legislative District for projects like: 

  • $22,000 for the Curran House oil heater replacement in University Place 
  • $206,000 for Fort Steilacoom Park preservation 
  • $103,000 for Hoffman Hill seismic improvements in DuPont 
  • $5 million for the Lakewood Nourish Market and Connection Center 
  • $6 million for the Joint Force Readiness Center replacement

Operating 

The proposal funds several priorities we advocated for, including: 

  • My higher education legislation, SBs 5828 and 5963, to improve access to financial aid. 
    • SB 5828 helps restore fairness and predictability in our financial aid system by aligning maximum awards for students attending private nonprofit institutions to 90% of the average award at our public regional universities and the state college — beginning in 2026–27 for the Washington College Grant and 2027–28 for the College Bound Scholarship. This approach maintains fiscal responsibility while creating a more equitable framework for students across sectors. 
    • SB 5963 helps ensure our financial aid system works as intended for students facing some of the toughest circumstances. Passport to Careers supports current and former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth as they pursue college, workforce training, and apprenticeship opportunities, helping remove unnecessary barriers as they work toward a more stable future. 
  • $1 million to support birth doulas and establish a hub and referral system. 
    • The Washington State Doula Hub & Referral System is working to strengthen the perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health workforce through training, education, technical assistance, and community-centered skill building grounded in reproductive justice. This volunteer-led, doula-driven effort is outlined in a new community-facing report and a statewide doula directory. 
  • $3.5 million in restored funding for Treehouse’s Graduation Success program, which works with high school youth in foster care, pairing them with an education specialist who provides support and a connection to resources. 

Other budget wins for K-12 education include funding to pay for: 

  • Advanced placement course exam fees 
  • The Imagination Library program 
  • Homeless student support 
  • The Ninth Grade Success program 
  • High School and Beyond Plan support 
  • Dual language grants 
  • The Community Eligibility Program for food assistance 

While additional higher education wins were: 

  • Backfilling operating costs for The Evergreen State College 
  • No cuts to student financial aid 
  • Minimal reductions to our colleges and universities 

Transportation 

The proposal continues investments of about $241 million in our district for new and ongoing projects like: 

  • Safety improvements along State Route 7 
  • Puyallup Avenue transit  
  • Creating safe routes to school at 31st and Parkway  
  • Several improvements to I-5, including the JBLM Corridor, the Nisqually Delta, and the HOV lane from 38th to JBLM  
  • Tacoma Narrows Bridge preservation  
  • Pierce County Transit improvements  
  • Rail improvement at 6th and S. 19th St.  
  • Ferry landings at Anderson Island and Steilacoom 

It also includes targeted investments to improve equity, safety, and access across our transportation system: 

  • REAL ID assistance for COFA communities 
  • Expanded Driver License Assistance Program funding 
  • Increased DOL data privacy reporting and protections 
  • WSP reporting on traffic stop demographics and disparities 
  • Equity analysis of uninsured motorist rates 
  • Tribal traffic safety coordination and grants 
  • Sale of surplus WSDOT land in north Spokane for affordable housing development

I will continue fighting to ensure this funding is included in the final budgets! Learn more here. 

 

My Legislation 

Right now, SIX of my bills are under consideration in the House! 

Protecting Kids and Families 

  • Updates how children’s statements can be used in court and expands protections to help young witnesses testify safely in serious cases. (SB 5169) 
    • I spoke about this bill during a news conference hosted by Sen. Manka Dhingra to end gender-based violence in our state. Watch my remarks here. 

Education and Workforce Opportunity 

  • Updates Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award calculations for students attending private four-year nonprofit colleges in Washington. (SB 5828) 
  • Ensures more vulnerable youth can automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant through Passport to Careers eligibility. (SB 5963) 

Safer, Fairer Schools 

  • Sets clear guardrails for AI-driven discipline tools and surveillance in K-12 schools to protect student privacy and prevent bias. (SB 5956) 

Equity in Education 

  • Improving equity in educator training resources to ensure students of all backgrounds are supported in the classroom. (SB 5177) 

Workplace Protections 

  • Refines pregnancy-related workplace accommodations by clarifying certification requirements and protecting private identifying information. (SB 6014) 

Stay tuned for further updates as these policies keep progressing through the legislative process! You can track all of my legislation here. 

 

One of the best parts of this work is getting to see our community show up. This month, I was grateful to meet with constituents and stakeholders from across the 28th Legislative District and Washington state and to see so many people come to Olympia to share their stories and testify in committee (many seen above!). Thank you to everyone who took the time to be heard and help shape the work we are doing this session. We couldn’t do it without YOU! 

Sincerely,  

Sen. T’wina Nobles