News Releases

OLYMPIA — Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), Senate Ways & Means chair, issued the statement below in response to the release of Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget proposal Tuesday:  “I appreciate Gov. Inslee’s thoughtful and future-focused budget proposal, which highlights both the progress we’ve made as a state and the challenges that lie ahead. His plan recognizes the growing costs ...

OLYMPIA — Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), Senate Ways & Means chair, issued the following statement on Wednesday’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meeting: “Today’s forecast gives us a better understanding of the enormous fiscal challenges facing our state in the months to come. I will work with my colleagues and our incoming Governor to serve the needs of the people of ...

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in both chambers unveiled an agreed-to budget that puts Washington’s families and students first. The supplemental budget, which builds on last year’s biennial budget, also makes the state’s biggest commitment ever in combating substance use disorder in our communities – a priority for Democrats in both chambers. Supplemental budgets traditionally roll out to lower fanfare and often ...

OLYMPIA — Washington State Senate budget leaders unveiled a $71.7 billion supplemental operating budget plan Monday that increases support for behavioral health and public schools.  The budget adds roughly $1.9 billion in new spending to the two-year budget passed by lawmakers in April 2023.  “Many hours and conversations went into shaping our supplemental budget proposal, and I’m very ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to reduce property taxes for lower-value homes was heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee Thursday.   Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), would decrease property taxes for homeowners starting in 2027 by providing a tax break of $100,000 or 60% of the median home value in the county, ...

Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) was elected chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee following a vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday.  “I am honored to have the trust of the Senate Democratic Caucus in being chosen for this key position and feel well prepared to step into this role, given my knowledge of the ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to amend Washington’s drug possession laws and expand access to pretrial treatment programs was signed into law Tuesday, after passing both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.  Senate Bill 5536, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), permanently addresses the state Supreme Court’s 2021 State v. Blake ruling, which struck ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to better regulate THC products and limit youth access was signed into law after passing both chambers with strong bipartisan support.  Senate Bill 5367, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), adds products containing a detectable amount of THC to the regulated cannabis market and amends the definition of “cannabis products” in state ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to help address the health care staffing shortage by mitigating unmanageable patient loads and worker burnout was signed into law Thursday.  Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), requires hospitals to submit staffing plans to the state Department of Health. The expected staff-to-patient staffing standards would be developed by a ...

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate passed a $69.2 billion, two-year budget today on a 40-9 vote to increase funding for vital state services, including targeted support for behavioral health, public schools, housing and homelessness, and a historic investment to address the climate crisis. The two-year operating budget adds roughly $5 billion in new spending and does not rely on any ...