{"id":8199,"date":"2026-02-26T14:18:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T22:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/nobles\/?p=8199"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:18:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T22:18:47","slug":"february-session-recap-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/nobles\/2026\/02\/26\/february-session-recap-3\/","title":{"rendered":"February Session Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friends and neighbors,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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We\u2019re\u00a0nearing the end of the 2026 legislative session, with\u00a0just two\u00a0weeks left! Can you believe it?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we head into the final weeks of this short session, which\u00a0officially\u00a0ends March 12, our focus will turn to advancing bills that\u00a0remain\u00a0under consideration in the opposite chamber and continuing budget negotiations to ensure we are protecting progress while responding to a challenging fiscal environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Scroll down for updates on what\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0been up to, where my bills stand, and much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Black History Month<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Black History Month\u00a0comes 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Black history is not just something we recognize each February \u2014 it is a living legacy that continues to influence our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods every day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can watch my remarks celebrating Black History Month\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>on the Senate floor, as well as learn more about the LBC and our\u00a0priorities\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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African American Legislative Day<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was an honor to welcome so many community members to the Capitol for African American Legislative Day this session.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was especially grateful to connect with advocates from the NAACP, as well as my\u00a0sorors\u00a0of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who came to Olympia to share their voices and speak directly about the issues\u00a0impacting\u00a0their communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Office of Equity\u00a0Director Megan Matthews\u2019\u00a0Confirmation Hearing<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The confirmation\u00a0hearing\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>Megan Matthews\u00a0as\u00a0director of the Washington State Office of Equity<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0marked an important milestone\u00a0during this month.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I look forward to Director Matthews\u2019\u00a0leadership as we continue the work of building a more inclusive and responsive government that better reflects and serves the people of Washington.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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My Work as HEWD Chair<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, I\u00a0remain\u00a0focused on ensuring our higher education and workforce systems are working for students, families, and our state\u2019s economy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This session,\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0continued working with colleagues, especially House Postsecondary\u00a0&\u00a0Workforce 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These investments are critical to helping students stay enrolled, complete their programs, and transition into in-demand careers that strengthen our communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Yo<\/span>u can read more about this work on <\/span>my website<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0and in\u00a0<\/span>our recent op-ed<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0published in The Tacoma News Tribune.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Important Higher Education Legislation<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This session, I was proud to sponsor legislation to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Washington students \u2014 work that continues because students, champions, and allies spoke up and shared their stories.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 5963<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0ensures students eligible for the Passport to Careers Program \u2014 including former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth \u2014 are automatically income-eligible for the Washington College Grant, helping remove unnecessary barriers to aid.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 5828<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0updates the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship so students attending private, nonprofit four-year institutions are\u00a0not unfairly\u00a0penalized in our financial aid system. Learn more about this bill\u00a0in The Seattle Times\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and\u00a0the Washington State Standard\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both bills have passed the Senate and are now under consideration in the House.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I also championed legislation to improve and protect higher education funding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 6276<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0p<\/span>rotects Workforce Education Investment Account funding, so it supplements, not supplants, other higher education support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SB 6325<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0fixes long-standing funding inequities for public colleges and universities and ensures state funding keeps pace with compensation and essential student services.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0remain\u00a0committed\u00a0to\u00a0advancing this work so more students can stay enrolled, complete their programs, and build strong futures here in Washington.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Advocacy for\u00a0Summer Running Start<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This session,\u00a0I\u00a0communicated\u00a0with my colleagues and urged them\u00a0to protect\u00a0the current\u00a0Summer Running\u00a0Start\u00a0program\u00a0\u2014 an important pathway that helps high school students begin earning college credit early.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For many students,\u00a0Summer Running Start reduces the cost of college and builds momentum toward a degree. Preserving this\u00a0option\u00a0keeps doors open and expands access to higher education.\u00a0Summer 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,\u00a0as they build momentum toward their futures. Continuing to invest in Summer Running Start shows our commitment to student success while strengthening our state\u2019s economy, particularly for the students the program is designed to support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the program\u2019s results speak for itself.\u00a0<\/span>Since 2023:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n