News Releases

OLYMPIA – Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, introduced legislation in Olympia this week that would expand the popular “Breakfast After the Bell” program to more schools around the state. The program would ensure more students -- especially those with limited financial means -- have access to a nutritionally balanced meal after the first bell of the school day. “This bill is about ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, the incoming chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, issued this statement in response to the state supreme court’s announcement that it will retain jurisdiction over the McCleary K-12 funding case: “Today’s announcement reaffirms the progress made by the Legislature in 2017 but is also a reminder that our work to ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, will serve as chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee when the Senate convenes for the 2018 legislative session. Wellman, a former educator, was chosen by her colleagues to lead the committee responsible for crafting policy that affects more than one million school-aged children in the state. “Education is the best tool ...

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation today that will protect the personal information college sexual assault victims share with campus advocates. Senate Bill 5764, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, exempts communication between advocates and their clients from state public disclosure laws. “Research shows 20 percent of women will be victims of sexual assault in college and their lives will ...

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed legislation that will delay the so-called “levy cliff,” averting $358 million in cuts to K-12 schools in the next school year. Senate Bill 5023, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, delays a scheduled reduction in the money school districts can collect through local property taxes already approved by voters. It also includes ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate on Wednesday approved a one-year delay on what’s commonly called the “levy cliff,” averting a $358 million cut to K-12 schools. Senate Bill 5023, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, would delay by one year a scheduled reduction in the money school districts can collect through local property tax dollars already approved by voters. "This is a ...

OLYMPIA - Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, joined leaders from Washington’s Latino community on Monday to raise awareness about the economic contributions of immigrants to Washington state and the impact of federal immigration executive orders on the state's economy.

OLYMPIA - Legislation that would protect privacy between college sexual assault victims and their campus advocates unanimously passed the state Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 5764, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, would exempt communication between advocates and their clients from public disclosure laws. "Studies show that one in five women will be victims of sexual assault in college and for ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, is urging Senate Republicans on the Law & Justice Committee to pass Senate Bill 5069, which would allow community and technical colleges to work with the state Department of Corrections to offer educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals. Read her letter below:

OLYMPIA - State Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, was sworn into office to represent the 41st Legislative District today. Wellman is serving her first term in the Legislature and is one of six new Democratic members to join the Senate in 2017. “It’s exciting to join the Senate during a time with great challenges and even greater opportunity,” Wellman said. “I’m passionate ...