Dear friends and neighbors, 

First, I want to sincerely thank everyone who joined us at the in-person town hall on June 10. It was inspiring to see so many of you come out, share your stories, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations about our community. Your participation makes our democracy strong, and your voices guide the work I do every day. Thank you for helping build a better future for the 46th Legislative District.

Defending Washington’s values 

Before I dive into our progress on education, I want to take a moment to address a growing concern that affects us all. 

Last week in Washington, D.C., lawmakers advanced legislation that cuts programs millions of Americans — and Washingtonians — rely on, including Medicaid, food assistance, housing support and other vital services. It is wrong to take away health care from low-income families, slash food benefits for children, and shift the burden of essential services onto states like ours. These federal actions are real, and they hit working families, seniors and our most vulnerable communities the hardest. 

I remain committed to defending our values — investing in strong public services, standing up for those struggling, and ensuring every Washingtonian has the opportunity to succeed. As your state senator, I’ll continue to monitor what’s happening in D.C. and fight to keep our communities safe, supported and resilient right here in Washington state and in the 46th District. 

Prioritizing students, supporting educators, strengthening schools 

Education is the heart of our community — it shapes the future of our children and strengthens the foundation of our neighborhoods. I’m proud to share the meaningful steps we took to support Washington’s students, teachers and schools. These investments and policies aren’t just numbers on paper; they translate into real resources, safer classrooms and better opportunities for every child.  

Here are some of the bills we passed this session: 

  • SB 5263 increases funding to reduce caseloads for special education teachers and expand access to services, ensuring students with disabilities get the personalized support they need to succeed. 
  • SB 5192 boosts funding for materials and operating costs, so schools can provide teachers with essential supplies and equipment, creating better learning environments for all students. 
  • SB 5412 offers help to financially struggling school districts to maintain vital programs and staff, protecting education quality even in tough budget times. 
  • SB 5189 strengthens standards and provides tools for teachers to ensure students truly understand key subjects before advancing, building a strong foundation for future success. 
  • HB 1651 creates new, more accessible pathways to become a teacher, addressing the statewide shortage and bringing more diverse educators into classrooms. 
  • HB 1296 strengthens policies to prevent bullying and discrimination, fostering respectful, inclusive school environments where every student can thrive. 

Our budget commitments to education 

The budget is where our priorities come to life. Despite serious fiscal challenges, we protected and increased critical funding to support schools and students: 

  • $750 million for special education services
    This historic investment reduces caseloads, improves services and ensures students with disabilities receive the specialized support they need without delay. 
  • $213 million for classroom materials and operating costs
    This helps schools purchase essential supplies, update technology, maintain safe facilities and provide more engaging, hands-on learning experiences. 
  • $200 million in Local Effort Assistance
    This supports low-income school districts struggling to raise local revenue, leveling the playing field and providing equitable educational opportunities. 

Building schools that work for our kids 

We also made historic investments in the physical spaces where our children learn: 

  • Nearly $1 billion dedicated to K–12 school construction and early learning facilities. 
  • $202 million for small and tribal compact schools, ensuring even the most remote communities have quality learning environments. 
  • $151 million for seismic safety upgrades, because protecting kids means ensuring schools are earthquake-safe. 
  • $100 million to build and improve early learning facilities, helping families and young children get the best start. 

Protecting our students’ health and safety 

Substance abuse and overdose prevention remain critical concerns for families and schools: 

  • SB 5804 requires all schools, including tribal and charter schools, to stock opioid overdose reversal medication and have clear protocols in place. This lifesaving measure ensures help is available if tragedy strikes on school grounds. 

Looking ahead 

Education is an ongoing journey. While we’ve made progress, we must continue working to recruit and support teachers, expand mental health services, reduce disparities and ensure all students can succeed. I’m committed to fighting for strong schools and equitable resources in the 46th District and across Washington. 

Your input is invaluable — please continue to share your ideas and concerns with me. 

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.   

Sincerely,  

 

 

Sen. Javier Valdez
46th Legislative District