Dear friends and neighbors, 

Now that the 2026 legislative session has concluded, I want to share an update on the work the Legislature accomplished in Olympia and what it means for our communities. I am proud of what we delivered and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our district and representing you. 

Join Us: 46th Legislative District Town Hall 

Alongside Reps. Gerry Pollet and Darya Farivar, I invite you to an in-person town hall in the 46th Legislative District. We will discuss legislation passed this session, what still needs work, and the issues that matter most to you and your family. 

I hope you will join us for an open and meaningful conversation. 

Investing in Washington’s Future 

Because this was a shorter, even-year legislative session, we did not write a full two-year state budget from scratch. 

Instead, we focused on supplemental budgets, which update the existing two-year, or biennial, budget adopted during the previous long session. Supplemental budgets adjust funding based on new information, including updated economic forecasts, caseload changes, emergencies such as flooding, and evolving policy priorities. In short, this year’s work ensures our existing investments continue to meet current needs without rebuilding the budget from the ground up. 

Capital Budget 

This year’s $889 million capital budget makes major investments in housing, schools, climate resilience and public infrastructure across Washington. 

At its core, the budget focuses on long-term investments that expand housing supply, strengthen public facilities and support projects that create local jobs while improving quality of life across the state. 

Key investments include: 

  • Affordable housing & homelessness prevention – $200 million  
  • Includes $123 million for the Housing Trust Fund  
  • Supports housing development projects statewide  
  • Expands access to safe, stable, and affordable housing 
  • School construction & modernization – $109 million  
  • Seismic safety upgrades for schools  
  • Improvements for small school districts and tribal compact schools  
  • New pilot program to improve equitable access to construction funding for districts with lower property values  
  • Ensures students learn in safe, modern classrooms regardless of local tax capacity  
  • Flood recovery & climate resilience – $41 million  
  • Debris removal and emergency recovery efforts  
  • Levee and floodplain restoration along rivers including the Nooksack, Green, and Samish  
  • Long-term risk assessments to strengthen preparedness for future flooding events 

Capital Budget Investments in the 46th Legislative District 

The capital budget also includes key investments in the 46th Legislative District focused on housing stability, youth services and neighborhood revitalization. 

A major investment includes $7.05 million for the Lake City Community Center and affordable housing redevelopment project. This project will rebuild the Lake City Community Center after the 2023 fire and create 112 new affordable homes for families at risk of displacement. Developed in partnership with the City of Seattle and Mercy Housing Northwest, it will provide family-sized housing for low- and very low-income households, along with on-site services for families and children. The new facility will also include a gym, fitness space, child care, a commercial kitchen and multipurpose rooms, creating a revitalized civic hub connected to nearby parks and public spaces. 

The budget also invests $2.55 million in the ROOTS Young Adult Shelter in the University District, the largest overnight shelter in Washington serving young adults ages 18 to 25. ROOTS provides low-barrier shelter for up to 45 young people each night, along with case management, housing navigation, wellness services, employment support and connections to community resources. This investment strengthens a critical entry point into the housing and support system for young people experiencing homelessness in Seattle and across the region. 

Transportation Budget 

The Legislature passed a bipartisan $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget that strengthens Washington’s infrastructure, supports up to 30,000 jobs statewide and extends funding commitments through 2031. 

The budget focuses on preserving and maintaining the roads, bridges and ferries Washingtonians rely on every day, while improving safety and expanding cleaner transportation options. 

It invests $1.3 billion in road and bridge preservation, $200 million in maintenance and $100 million in highway safety improvements, along with funding to repair flood damage and support communities recovering from recent bridge closures. 

The budget also strengthens Washington’s ferry system by funding new vessel construction, completing terminal electrification and improving maintenance and response capacity to make service more reliable. 

On safety, it supports Washington State Patrol staffing, expands pedestrian safety improvements such as illuminated crosswalks and invests in tools to help older drivers and families stay informed and safe. 

It also continues investments in public transit, youth fare programs, tribal mobility grants and Safe Routes to School, helping build a cleaner, more connected transportation system. 

Operating Budget 

The final operating budget maintains strong funding for K-12 education and expands access to early learning, ensuring Washington continues investing in students from early childhood through graduation. 

It also strengthens support for families by: 

  • Investing $55 million in the Cascade Care program to help low-income Washingtonians afford health care premiums 
  • Increasing the State Home Energy Assistance Program by $30 million to help residents pay utility costs and upgrade to more efficient systems 

At the same time, the budget addresses new costs and disruptions stemming from federal policy changes that cut essential services such as Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. These actions are estimated to cost Washington at least $165 million this biennium. 

To respond, the operating budget includes: 

  • $9.3 million to implement new SNAP work requirements 
  • $16.4 million in IT system costs related to federal SNAP changes 
  • $45.7 million in increased administrative costs for SNAP beginning in October 
  • $44 million to provide state food assistance for approximately 30,000 refugees, asylees, and other lawfully present residents removed from SNAP eligibility 
  • $15 million to backfill Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, ensuring continued access to care 
  • $19.8 million to restore health coverage for approximately 1,200 Washingtonians who lost Medicaid eligibility due to federal changes 

This budget protects essential services, responds to federal impacts, and maintains fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in basic needs. 

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence 

This session, we took important steps to ensure artificial intelligence is used safely, transparently and responsibly, especially to protect children, patients and vulnerable communities. 

Key legislation includes: 

  • HB 2155 (Obras) – Prevents non-human entities, such as AI systems, from being presented to patients as licensed medical professionals. 
  • HB 2225 (Callan) – Establishes safeguards for AI chatbots, including disclosure requirements, limits on manipulative engagement, and crisis protocols for self-harm situations. 
  • SB 5395 (Orwall) – Ensures AI cannot be used as the sole basis for denying, delaying, or modifying health care services in public or private plans. 
  • SB 5105 (Orwall) – Expands protections against AI-generated or AI-manipulated sexually explicit images of minors, regardless of identifiability. 
  • HB 1170 (Shavers) – Requires clear disclosure when content is created or substantially altered using artificial intelligence. 

Together, these bills reflect a clear commitment to supporting innovation while putting strong guardrails in place to protect people from emerging risks. 

Thank You 

Thank you for staying engaged and for the trust you place in me to serve our community. 

If you have questions, ideas, or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to my office. As always, you can contact me by email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov or by phone at (360) 786-7690. You can also stay informed about my work by visiting my website or following me on Facebook, Instagram, or X.   

With gratitude,   

Sen. Javier Valdez