Dear friends and neighbors, 

The 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close, and I want to thank you for staying engaged throughout. Your voices — your calls, emails and advocacy — helped shape the decisions we made in Olympia. 

This session brought real challenges. With a significant budget shortfall, we had to make difficult decisions and set tough priorities. While we couldn’t fund every need, we worked hard to protect essential services and invest where it matters most. I know the impact of those choices will be felt — and I don’t take that lightly. But I remain committed to fighting for long-term progress and ensuring no community is left behind. 

A Budget That Reflects Our Values 

The Legislature passed three major budgets — operating, capital and transportation. Each one is a blueprint for our state’s future and a reflection of our shared priorities. Together, these budgets support students, families, small businesses and underserved communities while making bold investments in long-term resilience. 

Operating Budget 

Despite a difficult budget year, we worked to maintain stability and uphold our shared priorities. Here are some of the investments we were able to secure for our communities: 

  • $750 million for special education services over four years, expanding access for students with disabilities. 
  • $213 million for classroom materials and school operations over four years, ensuring teachers and students have what they need to succeed. 
  • $200 million for low-income school districts over four years, helping address funding inequities across the state. 
  • $117 million for local housing programs, supporting those at risk of homelessness. 
  • $93 million for emergency food assistance, helping keep food on the table for families. 
  • $25 million to support refugee and immigrant communities. 
  • $20 million for crime victim services. 
  • Funding for most state employee contracts — with no furloughs or health care cost increases.   

We also preserved funding for health care, behavioral health and public safety, ensuring stability and support for those most in need. 

Capital Budget 

Known as the “construction budget,” this year’s capital plan includes significant investments in affordable housing, school facilities, behavioral health care and climate resilience. 

Statewide investments include: 

  • $782 million for housing and homelessness response, including a record $605 million for the Housing Trust Fund. 
  • Nearly $1 billion for school construction and early learning facilities, including $202 million for small and tribal schools and $151 million for seismic upgrades. 
  • $650 million for environmental restoration and resilience, including $365 million for salmon and steelhead recovery. 
  • $130 million to expand behavioral health infrastructure. 
  • Additional investments include $20 million for food security, $11.5 million for library upgrades and $42 million for workforce development and technical education. 

Local projects in the 46th District reflect our community’s values of equity, resilience and opportunity: 

  • University District Transit-Oriented Development – $7.05 million
    A 10-story high-rise near light rail, at 1000 NE 45th St. (former Rosie’s Tiny House Village site), delivering at least 150 affordable homes. The project includes community amenities, ground-floor retail and a public Urban Rest Stop with restrooms.

  • WELD Seattle Recovery Housing – $2.05 million
    Supports WELD Seattle, a nonprofit that helps people rebuild their lives after incarceration or substance use. The project on 8th Ave. NE will expand transitional housing and provide wraparound services like job training, counseling and peer mentorship — all aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting long-term recovery.
  • Multicultural Resilience Center (Lake City Collective) – $1.545 million
    A state-of-the-art resilience hub offering emergency response, green jobs training, small business support and cultural programming, with drop-in child care to reduce barriers to participation.
  • Wallingford Boys & Girls Club Renovation – $798,000
    Renovates outdated restrooms into safe, inclusive, gender-neutral facilities that are ADA-compliant and youth-friendly.
  • Lake City Natural Area – New Park Development – $500,000
    Creates a new ADA-accessible public park with trails and scenic viewpoints along Thornton Creek, expanding green space and improving salmon habitat.
  • Sail Sand Point – $100,000
    Supports recreation and youth programming in Magnuson Park, expanding access to outdoor education and healthy activities.
  • Washington Poison Center – $79,000
    Replaces aging emergency backup systems to ensure 24/7 poison control and overdose response — a vital public health service.
  • Lake City Community Mural Project – $23,000
    Funds community-driven public art that celebrates identity and enhances public space. 

Transportation Budget 

We passed a bold transportation budget that keeps critical projects on track, protects workers from furloughs and accelerates climate-smart infrastructure. Nearly $1.4 billion is powered by the Climate Commitment Act. 

Statewide investments include: 

  • More than $5 billion for major highway projects 
  • $1.1 billion for salmon habitat restoration and fish passage barriers 
  • $895 million to modernize the ferry system, including hybrid-electric vessels 
  • $461 million to expand public transit and regional services 
  • $316 million for pedestrian and bicycle safety infrastructure 
  • $312 million for freight rail, port upgrades and electrification 
  • $9 million for transit support during the 2026 FIFA World Cup 

Key Transportation Investments in the 46th District: 

  • Aurora Avenue North Corridor Improvements – $5 million
    This investment supports safety and mobility improvements along Aurora Avenue North. Improvements include widening sidewalks, upgrading street lighting, adding protected pedestrian crossings and improving access to transit stops. These upgrades aim to reduce serious crashes and increase safety for people walking and rolling.
  • Burke-Gilman Trail Transit Access & Safety Improvements – $9.4 million
    This funding will address key safety, lighting and access issues along the Burke-Gilman Trail in Northeast Seattle. Improvements include enhanced lighting in poorly lit areas, redesigned trail intersections to reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, and better connections to nearby bus stops and schools. The project also includes new wayfinding signs and ADA accessibility upgrades to ensure the trail is safer and more user-friendly for all. 

Join Our Community Town Hall  

I’m excited to invite you to an in-person town hall! This is a great opportunity to connect face to face, ask questions, and hear more about what we accomplished during the legislative session — and the important work still ahead. See the details below.  

Looking Ahead 

Although session is over, my work on your behalf continues. This interim, I’ll be back in the district, meeting with neighbors, listening to your concerns and preparing for the 2026 legislative session. If you have questions or ideas, my office is here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re ready to help. 

You can contact me via email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov or phone at (360) 786-7690. You can also stay informed about my activities by visiting my website or following me on Facebook, X and Instagram for regular updates. 

Stay tuned for future newsletters as we break down key wins and legislation passed in areas like health care, public safety, education and more. 

Thank you again for your trust. It is an honor to represent you. 

Sincerely, 

 

 

Javier Valdez
46th Legislative District