Dear neighbors,
We’re entering session’s final weeks, and the pressure is on to pass an operating budget that delivers for all Washingtonians. The deficit we face has made this a particularly challenging year, but Senate Democrats have advanced a proposal that invests in education, protects the most vulnerable, and puts our state on more sound financial footing for the future.
Recently, Gov. Bob Ferguson provided more clarity on his vision for the operating budget. Like us, he’s committed to a balanced approach — one that includes responsible, targeted reductions and new revenue. But he also said he’s unwilling to support a financial intangibles tax paid only by the wealthiest 4,300 people in our state.
That revenue source would have generated about $4 billion per year starting in fiscal year 2027. It would provide increased funding for special education and help cover school supplies and rising daily operating costs. Nearly every Democrat and Republican in the Senate backed these investments. Without this revenue, it will be exceedingly difficult to fund Washington’s schools at the levels we need.
It’s not only deeply disappointing — it’s a disservice to our students and educators.
Funding education is our paramount duty, and when many schools in our district and state are struggling financially, we cannot afford business as usual. We must give our schools the support they need, and I will fight for every new dollar that goes to education.
Building the budget has been a difficult process, and there’s much work to do. We have only a few weeks to reach a final agreement that meets the needs of Washingtonians and funds the services our communities, and especially our kids, count on. We can — and must — do better.
A welcome visit from students in our district
Sen. Lisa Wellman with Mercer Island High School students Ava Zhang, Lucy Dorer, James Young, Jon Anderson, and Lorenzo Santana.
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting with students from Mercer Island High School and the Issaquah School District. I always enjoy meeting with constituents, but visiting with students in our district is particularly special. Their enthusiasm and engagement inspire me, and I appreciate their dedication to creating positive change in Washington’s schools.
Like me, our students have many concerns about K-12 education, from chronic underfunding to safety and inclusion. But it’s one thing to hear about it and another to live it. They know firsthand how these issues affect them, their peers, and their schools. Students’ voices and experiences matter, and that’s why we need to include them more in conversations about improving public education in our state.
As the year continues, I’m eager to visit with more students in our district and state.
Resources for challenging economic times
Between tariffs, federal layoffs, and potential federal cuts to social services and entitlement programs, we may be on the cusp of some challenging economic times. While we do not yet know how we’ll be affected by the chaos coming from Washington, D.C., I wanted to highlight some resources for you to bookmark.
If you need help but don’t know who to contact, call 2-1-1 or text 211WAOD to 898211. Washington 211 is a one-stop connection to local services, such as utility assistance, food, housing, health care, child care, elder care, crisis intervention, and more.
If you need help with housing, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has some excellent resources for finding safe, affordable housing, getting help with rent and utilities, and more. The Washington State Department of Commerce also has a helpful two-pager for renters facing eviction, and the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has resources and guidance for homeowners facing foreclosure.
The Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County has a variety of programs and services for seniors, and the King County Veterans Program has dozens of resources and support programs for veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
And please don’t hesitate to contact me. My office is always happy to help connect you with resources or resolve casework with our state agencies.
Yours in service,
