{"id":3149,"date":"2026-02-05T12:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T19:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/robinson\/?p=3149"},"modified":"2026-02-05T12:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T19:47:15","slug":"supporting-our-communities-and-working-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/robinson\/2026\/02\/05\/supporting-our-communities-and-working-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting our communities and working families"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

As the legislative session moves forward,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0reaching\u00a0an important point\u00a0where decisions about priorities, resources, and the path ahead come into sharper focus. In this newsletter,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0sharing updates on early learning investments, upcoming legislative deadlines, and the work underway to respond to concerns\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0heard from our community, along with information about resources available to working families. As always, I value your input and appreciate staying connected as this work continues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

INVESTING IN EARLY LEARNING<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early learning is one of the most effective ways to support children, families, and long-term community stability. Programs like the\u00a0<\/span>Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0(ECEAP) help children enter kindergarten ready to learn while supporting working families across Snohomish County and the state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This session, Washington\u00a0has the opportunity to\u00a0build on that work through a significant philanthropic partnership with the Ballmer Group. Their long-term commitment will help expand access to school-day preschool for children who need it most, strengthening early learning capacity statewide.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I am co-sponsoring legislation to\u00a0establish\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>Pre-K Promise Account<\/span><\/b><\/a>, which allows the state to accept these philanthropic funds and direct them exclusively to ECEAP. This bill ensures the partnership is structured responsibly,\u00a0maintains\u00a0the state\u2019s existing investment in early learning, and supports providers as they expand services. While challenges\u00a0remain, this approach brings\u00a0new resources\u00a0into a proven program and helps more families in our district and Washington access high-quality early learning opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

AN UPCOMING DEADLINE<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This Monday, Feb. 9,\u00a0is\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0known as \u201cfiscal cutoff\u201d in the Legislature. This means all bills with a significant fiscal impact must move out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee by the end of the day\u00a0in order to\u00a0continue moving through the process. It also means we will start spending more of our time on the Senate floor passing the bills still in play.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ways & Means Committee has spent the last several days, including today, hearing dozens of bills and deciding which ones to advance. Each decision reflects careful consideration of the bill\u2019s impact, priorities, and the resources available to move Washington forward.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

WHAT WE\u2019RE HEARING FROM YOU<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Snohomish County and across Washington, many people have shared concerns about immigration enforcement and the impact it can have on families, workers, and entire communities\u00a0\u2014 concerns I share. When fear and uncertainty keep people from going to school, seeking health care, or showing up for work, it affects everyone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This session, the Legislature is advancing several bills aimed at supporting communities by setting clear boundaries and strengthening accountability at the state level, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n