News Releases

OLYMPIA — A bill to address rising health care costs and access to primary and behavioral health care passed the Senate Tuesday.  Senate Bill 5083, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), aims to lower health care costs for public and school employees by curbing rising hospital expenses and expanding access to essential services. The ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to merge three of Washington’s closed retirement plans passed the Senate Monday. Senate Bill 5085, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), creates the Legacy Retirement System by combining the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Firefighters’ Retirement System Plan 1 (LEOFF 1), the Public Employees’ Retirement System Plan 1 (PERS 1), and the ...

OLYMPIA — Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) issued the statement below Thursday in response to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s budget savings plan:  “We appreciate the work the governor and state agencies have done to reach this point. Like them, we recognize that budget reductions are necessary and will carefully consider all the options that have been ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to restrict corporate involvement in medical care decisions was heard in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee Friday.  Senate Bill 5387, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), would establish restrictions on corporate ownership and management practices that could undermine providers’ clinical decision-making authority. The bill builds on existing case law to ...

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 ...