Dear friends and neighbors, 

The 2025 legislative session is officially over, and I’m excited to share with you our progress and accomplishments. During the legislative session this year, we passed policies to put people first while focusing on balancing our budget. Thank you to everyone who engaged in the legislative process this year. I’m grateful for your trust and partnership this session.  

I had many meaningful conversations with people all over our district, and the two issues you were most concerned about were the budget deficit and the daily chaos coming from the Trump administration. I know many members of our community and across Washington state are worried about what is happening nationally. I want you to know I will continue to fight for legislation that protects you, your families, and your neighbors.    

This session had its challenges, and we lost a dear colleague and friend, Sen. Bill Ramos. It was truly an honor to serve alongside Bill. He showed up every day ready to work for his community and the people he loved. On the final day of session, we passed a transportation budget dedicated to Sen. Ramos’ legacy and adopted a resolution commemorating his contributions to his district and our state.  

Sen. Bill Ramos congratulating me when my first bill as a senator passed off the floor! 

I’m proud to serve as vice chair of the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and a member on the Health & Long-Term Care and Higher Education & Workforce Development committees. Here is a snapshot of legislation we passed from these committees this session.  

Environment, Energy & Technology: 

Fair Repair Act: You shouldn’t have to throw away an expensive phone or another electronic item you own and buy a new one just because you don’t have the resources to repair it yourself.  That’s where the Fair Repair Act comes in! This legislation supports the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner to increase access and affordability for Washingtonians. 

SB 5680: Establishes a right to repair for mobility equipment for people with physical disabilities. This bill breaks down repair barriers and helps ensure people with disabilities can repair essential mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, without unnecessary delays or expenses. 

SB 5284: It’s critical we hold producers responsible for reducing the environmental impact of packaging. This bill helps us do just that by modernizes our state’s recycling system by creating a producer responsibility organization to require manufacturers and consumer brands to reduce unnecessary packaging, fund statewide collection services, and ensure materials put in curbside bins are recycled. The state Department of Ecology, which will oversee the program, estimates this policy will expand recycling services to an additional 500,000 homes in Washington, most notably in rural areas and multi-family residences.   

Health & Long-Term Care: 

SB 5239: Right now, hospitals are required to keep medical records for 10 years after a patient’s discharge. If there’s no official discharge date, hospitals must keep the records indefinitely — something that’s been proven costly and hard to manage. The University of Washington Medical Center is spending about $750,000 every year just to store these old files — money that could be used to support patient care instead. This bill helps hospitals significantly cut medical record storage costs without impacting patient care by changing the retention period for medical records to 26 years after it is created rather than the discharge date. This bill also ensures patients can still access their medical records for a reasonable amount of time after receiving hospital care.   

SB 5498: Ensures people can access a one-year supply of birth control upon initial prescription. This means people can make fewer unnecessary trips to the doctor and have continued access to contraceptives, even when they get a new job, switch insurance, or change birth control methods. 

SB 5084: Improves transparency by requiring health carriers to report their primary care spending. This new law supports data-driven decisions that move us toward a more equitable and effective health care system in Washington. 

Higher Education & Workforce Development: 

SB 5355: Improves safety on college campuses and increases support for survivors of sexual assault. Beginning in the 2027 fall academic term, student identification cards at public colleges and universities must include the hotline for a regional organization providing 24/7 support for survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sex- and gender-based violence. The bill also prohibits public colleges and universities from proposing, requesting, or pressuring students to enter into a nondisclosure agreement relating to a sexual misconduct report under Title IX. 

SB 5110: Allows community and technical colleges to grant tuition waivers to tribal elders starting at age 55. This bill honors the cultural values of our tribal communities, given they recognize elder status at 55 rather than 60. 

HB 1273: Expands access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual credit opportunities for high school students across Washington. This bill also strengthens partnerships between school districts and community colleges, creating a clearer pathway for students to transition from high school into post-secondary education opportunities such as apprenticeships and college programs. 

HB 1556: expands the ability of community and technical colleges to grant tuition waivers to high school equivalency seeking students, regardless of age. Currently, this is limited to those over 19 years old. 

HB 1279: This bill builds upon existing protections for students enrolled at Washington institutions and extends consumer guarantees to those in online programs through state reciprocity agreements. This bill ensures online, out-of-state colleges and universities seeking to enroll Washington residents must abide by the same student consumer protections as in-state institutions.    

Additional legislative achievements: 

SB 5480: Unfair medical debt collection practices remain a huge challenge for many working families in our state. No one should be burdened with medical debt when they’re just trying to live healthy lives. This bill ensures medical debt can’t be reported to credit bureaus until families have had a chance to address it. 

SB 5686: Nearly one-third of Washington homes are part of a homeowner association (HOA) assessments, and these homeowners pay an average of $4,500 annually in fees. When homeowners fall behind on these assessments, they are at risk of facing foreclosure with few options for negotiating repayment. This bill will extend the resolution process under the Foreclosure Fairness Act to HOA homeowners to help avoid foreclosure.  

HB 1217: Improving housing stability for renters by capping rent increases annually at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less, preventing extreme price hikes that force people out of their homes.  

HB 2015: Improves public safety funding by providing resources to local governments and state and local criminal justice agencies and authorizing a local option tax. This is a bold step toward justice, accountability, and true community safety by shifting how we invest in public safety. It moves away from a one-size-fits-all policing model and ensures local governments can tailor solutions to their own communities’ needs. 

Budget Highlights: This legislative session we had the difficult task of balancing our state budget while making strategic investments. Despite this, Senate Democrats were able to accomplish a lot on behalf of all Washingtonians during the 105-day session, and we passed an operating budget that invests in K-12 education, protects core services and leaves a responsible, robust ending fund balance. For more information, please watch this post session press conference with legislative democratic leaders.  

Protecting core services 

  • $93 million for emergency food assistance organizations 
  • $117 million for local housing programs 
  • $20 million to expand resources for crime victims 
  • $25 million to improve support for refugee and immigrant communities 

K-12 education investments over four years 

  • $750 million for special education services 
  • $213 million for materials, supplies and operating costs 
  • $200 million for local effort assistance funding to help low-income school districts 

Reductions over four years 

  • $7 billion in total cuts; $3.1 billion made in 25-27 

Revenue over four years 

  • $8.7 billion added in revenue; a net of $4.3 billion in 25-27 and $4.4 billion in 27-29 

Reserves 

  • $2.3 billion in total reserves by the end of 25-27 and $3.6 billion by the end of 27-29 

We faced a roughly $16 billion budget shortfall, and to address it, we had to make difficult, strategic cuts and find new revenue sources. Throughout this legislative session, I made decisions grounded in the conversations I had with you. During our coffee chats, meetings, phone calls, and emails it became clear our community was focused on protecting our rainy-day fund and core services. At the same time, many of you were concerned about new regressive taxes that could impact small businesses, seniors on fixed incomes, and the cost of living. 

I also heard from many of you who wanted us to scrutinize every line of the budget — finding cuts where possible — while still investing in our schools and public safety. That balance required tough decisions and difficult votes. I took these votes with the goal of protecting working families, ensuring access to healthcare, and supporting small businesses. 

For example, I did not support the Business & Occupation tax increase because I heard loud and clear from small businesses and local pharmacies about the financial strain they’re already under. While the measure ultimately passed, my vote was a stand in support of small businesses, access to healthcare, and keeping prescription medication affordable. I’m glad that our final budget does include some progressive revenue streams and some exemptions to help working families. 

I know the unique challenges school districts in the 48th face, which is why I fought hard to secure critical investments in education, public safety, and healthcare. You can watch my remarks on the Senate floor about education funding at the 49-minute mark in this clip. The final budget increases funding for special education, raises money to cover growing school operating costs, and delivers more support to students in low-income districts through Local Effort Assistance. 

Ultimately, rather than accepting an all-cuts budget that would have caused long-term harm, we took the path that protects workers, invests in schools, and reflects our shared values while still maintaining our rainy-day fund.  I’m deeply grateful for your engagement throughout this process — and for recognizing the tough trade-offs and uncertainty we’re facing in today’s economy. 

Investments in the 48th Legislative District: This session, I advocated to secure our fair share of funding for projects at home in the 48th.  

Transportation budget: Our transportation budget continues to fund important projects in the 48th District. Despite the budget challenges and a $8 billion funding gap this session, I was able to work with stakeholders and Transportation Committee members to move forward work on the Grand Connection by using an available financing approach that was modified for this project without using general transportation dollars. The Grand Connection Bridge Project is a series of projects and initiatives designed to improve the pedestrian experience between Meydenbauer Bay Park through downtown Bellevue across Interstate 405 to Eastrail. Here are highlights from the transportation budget. 

  • Eastrail multi-use corridor through Bellevue. 
  • Corridor improvements for I-405 and SR 520.   
  • Bridge preservation for SR 520 Floating Bridge.  
  • Building connections by creating pedestrian and bike projects along Kirkland 132nd Ave NE and Slater Ave. Crossing.  
  • Bike share expansion in Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond.  
  • Study of measures to reduce noise impacts from the SR 520 bridge expansion joints.  
  • Electric fire engine funding for Bellevue.  
  • Mountains to Sound Greenway trail at Eastgate gap. 

Capital budget: The capital budget funds local community projects such as parks, housing, and other infrastructure. It is financed through bond sales, dedicated state funds, and federal funds. This session, the capital budget invests over $6.7 million in the 48th. I’m excited to share the projects below were included in the final version. I fought to ensure we invested in key projects that support childcare, housing and housing services, community projects and more. Here are some of highlights.  

  • $74,000 to remodel the Eastside Terrace Club, which is a group home for adults with developmental disabilities in Bellevue. 
  • $27,000 toward teen workforce development expansion in Bellevue.  
  • $769,000 for early learning and childcare expansion in Redmond. 
  • $636,000 to support the Redmond Interculture City Services Center. 

 

Helpful Resources: We are living through unpredictable times, and that’s why I want to share with you some helpful resources for folks on Medicare and homeowners looking for support.  

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program:  

Medicare can be complicated and stressful. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC)’s SHIBA helps people navigate Medicare through free, unbiased and confidential outreach and education. Medicare Advantage enrollees have challenges with claim denials, prior authorization practices, and accessing in-network hospitals and doctors. I was honored to participate in a podcast with Sen. Lovick and Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss this important program. Take a listen here! 

Looking for more information on Medicare or hoping to contact SHIBA? Here are some helpful resources! 

  • Call 1-800-562-6900 
  • Looking to connect with critical health and human services in your community? Just dial 2-1-1 for assistance.  

Support for homeowners:  

Are you a homeowner looking for support? Foreclosure prevention counseling is provided free of charge to Washington homeowners. Counselors are trained to help homeowners understand their options and determine the best course of action, including referring them to the Mediation Program if they are eligible.   

  • Contact a free housing counselor anytime at 1-877-894-4663.  

Thank you to our Senate Office Pages! 

This year we had the honor of hosting nine pages in our office! Thank you to Aaron Liu, Saanvi Agarwal, Avyukta Gella, Hannah Kim, Krishiv Goswami, Ruike Pan, Medhya Padmanabhuni, Mackenzie Kirsch, and Beck Antich. They were all a huge help to our team this session! 

The Senate Page Program offers students 14-16 years old a fun, week-long learning experience in the Legislature. They participate in hands-on engagement by delivering papers for staff, drafting and presenting bills in mock committee hearings, and meeting with their senators.  

Applications for the Senate Page Program for the 2026 legislative session will open Nov. 1, 2025. You can learn more at leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/civic-education-programs/page-program. 

Election Year Restrictions: Due to election year restrictions, this will be my last newsletter until election results are certified this fall. However, my office is still hard at work serving our district! You can always reach out to us at 360-786-7694 or Vandana.Slatter@leg.wa.gov.   

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the 48th Legislative District. I’m grateful for everyone who took the time out of their lives to visit our office in Olympia, join me at one of our coffee chats, attend our town hall, or give us a call. Your questions, input and feedback have been critical to our work this session.  

It’s truly been a privilege to be able to bring your perspective and experience to Olympia.  

Thank you for all you do,    

Sen. Vandana Slatter