From LWVWA 3/1/26 Legislative newsleter:
This year there are significant challenges posed by the downturn in estimated revenue compared to the levels of service that are needed—and the reduced federal funding. This makes the Legislature’s job very tough, and it is exacerbated this year by differences of opinion with the Governor over whether, and if so, what, new revenues should be adopted to reduce cuts in services that would leave our most needy residents even more vulnerable.
Monday, March 2, is the 50th day of the 60-day legislative session, with 10 days left until the March 12 adjournment. This past week was the cut-off for bills to be considered in policy committees of the opposite chamber. March 2 is the cut-off for bills to pass the fiscal and transportation committees.
PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR THIS WEEK!
Please Ask Your Representatives to pass SB 6346, the Millionaire’s Tax – SB 6346, establishing the Millionaires’ Tax, is a very controversial bill. However, it is a high priority for the League of Women Voters because not only does the potential of new revenue affect many other decisions, but also because this tax would create much greater equity in the state’s very regressive tax structure. The bill has passed in the Senate and has passed the House Finance Committee. It is on its way to the floor for a vote of all the members.
Contact your representatives HERE to urge them to vote for SB 6346, the Millionaire’s Tax, when it gets to the House floor.
Trust Land Transfer—Land conservation that wins for everyone!
Tribes and local communities want to use the Trust Land Transfer program (TLT) to respond to the impacts of climate change and protect ecologically valuable places. The tool will reposition economically under-performing state trust land to be managed instead for its ecological and public benefits. The legislature must provide funding.
Contact your Senator HERE to ask the Senate to match the House budget proposal for Trust Land Transfer. Complete this action by Friday, March 6.
Child Care: A Necessity for Low-Income Working Families with Young Children. Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is a necessity for low-income working families with young children. WCCC supports Washington’s economy by supporting economic stability for low-income working families while making it possible for parents to access safe, developmentally sound care for their children. The House budget proposal avoids capping WCCC and denying assistance to otherwise eligible working families while being more favorable to child care providers than either the Senate or Governor’s proposals.
Contact our legislative budget leaders HERE to urge them to develop a final budget reflecting the House proposal for Working Connections Child Care funding and policies. Complete this action by Friday, March 6.
Budget Cut Would Wipe Out State Urban Forestry Program. The House operating budget would zero out funding for the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) in the state’s Department of Natural Resources. All programs will be eliminated with impacts rippling down to city and county governments that rely on state support to access federal dollars to maintain their urban canopy. It’s not a reduction. It’s an elimination of the program. Federal funds pass through to communities to support executed agreements, and cutting this program would call into question the future of those executed projects.
Ask your House Representative HERE to restore funding for the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF).
For additional action items, which help pass or defeat bills the League supports or opposes on specific issues, click on the see all action alerts, and take action on the ones you are most interested in. Thank you for your support for the League’s issues! There are many more action alerts in this weeks legislative newsletter! Get the LWVWA Legislative newsletter delivered direct to you by subscribing here.