Priority Actions
Please note, Readers, that you are being asked to take action again on some matters for which you’ve already sent in comments. Yes, once again. That is because of the changes in status of each bill (or the budget). Each time you take action, except when it is a message for all Legislators, the action is directed toward a different group of legislators at a new phase in the bill’s life.
Thank you for taking action one more time!
It's All About Revenue
There is a significant budget shortfall, given the lower than previously anticipated revenue stream and the higher need for services. As a result, the Legislature has to consider service reductions.
To minimize the need for reductions, which will harm the state’s most vulnerable people, the Legislature is urged to adopt progressive new revenue for funding. Since Washington state has the second most regressive tax structure in the nation, the only revenues possible are those that are progressive, that generate the funds from the people who have the ability to pay. This long-overdue problem with the state’s unfair revenue structure must be addressed while protecting the most vulnerable people in our state with the services they need. The House and Senate are in the process of negotiating the final budget.
⚠️ Tell the Legislature HERE that when they finalize the budget, they must include progressive new revenue to minimize budget cuts.
Rent Stabilization to Prevent Evictions and Increased Homelessness
The House and Senate have each passed a version of HB 1217, a rent stabilization bill, one of the most needed to address the homelessness crisis. However, they differ, and negotiations between the House and Senate will result in a new bill that both will adopt.
⚠️ Tell the Legislature HERE that the final rent stabilization bill should include appropriate rent increase limits and notice requirements similar to the original House version of the bill.
Reduce Pollution, Improve Energy Efficiency, and Mitigate Climate Change
There are four House bills pending movement to the Senate floor for action; HB 1183 (Building Code and Development regulation reform), HB 1409 (The Clean Fuels program), HB 1462 (Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons), and HB 1514 (Low carbon thermal energy). The date by which these must pass the Senate is this Wednesday, April 16. Please let the Senate know that these should be acted upon before the Wednesday cutoff.
⚠️ Tell the Senate HERE to act on these four bills before Wednesday, April 16.
Support Local News
In the months to come, as financial uncertainty rocks the nation, the local news decline is only expected to worsen. Already, the decline has seen news coverage severely reduced across the state and newsroom staffs slashed by more than 60 percent.
As a result, Washingtonians have been left with limited access to reliable information about what is happening in their communities, which numerous studies links with negative impacts, including reduced voter turnout, increased political polarization, higher government costs, and reductions in the number of candidates seeking office.
SB 5400 would address the crisis by generating about $20 million annually for qualifying local news outlets in Washington to employ reporters. The funds, paid as grants based on the number of full-time reporters at a news outlet, would be generated by a nominal surcharge on for-profit social media platforms and search engines. No General Fund dollars would be used.
⚠️ Tell the Senate HERE to move SB 5400 forward.
Action Alerts
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The 2025 Legislative Issues