 Washington State House of Representatives Chamber |
Legislative Results
Legislators successfully completed their work before the midnight deadline on April 27th. The complete list of policy bills the Washington State Catholic Conference engaged in advocacy for or against and their fate is available here.
At the time of writing, many bills are still awaiting the governor's signature and lobbying for vetoes on bills such as the rollback of parents' rights and invasion of the confessional is under way from a number of different entities.
Similarly, the budget passed by legislators is also being reviewed by the governor and could be vetoed, forcing legislators to return for a special session.
As it now stands, the state operating budget totals $77.8 billion and includes $9.4 billion in new or increased taxes. The gas tax, business and operations taxes and additions to the services eligible for taxation are the primary sources of new revenue.
Among the WSCC budget priorities:
SENIORS AND AGING SERVICES: Volunteer services provided to adults with disabilities and seniors living independently in their own homes are maintained at current levels. While we are grateful the services were not cut, current funding levels are already inadequate to meet growing needs.
Senior nutrition programs received an increase, up to $13.9 million from $12 million in the last biennium. Legislators also provided $80,000 to study senior independent living facilities to determine any recommendations for consumer protection provisions that may be needed.
POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS: Significant sums were provided for affordable housing and rental assistance to keep people housed. Legislators also maintained most funding levels for emergency shelter, transitions from encampments, and emergency food assistance. Assistance for energy utility bills was cut from $35 million last biennium to $25 million and diaper banks were cut down to $1.25 million.
CHILDREN: The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), which provides high-quality early learning programs for families experiencing poverty, did not receive an expected increase that would have opened new slots and guaranteed access to the program for qualified families. Working Connections Childcare expansion was also delayed, leaving families with lower incomes with limited options.
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: For individuals who do not qualify for federal refugee resettlement programs or federal subsidies for health care, the state maintained funding levels for refugee and immigrant assistance programs and added $1 million to the immigration legal defense fund. Legislators also preserved the Apple Health Expansion program, ensuring continued health care coverage for undocumented workers in Washington state.
Among the largest increases in spending are much-needed funds for special education services and the governor's request for $100 million for law enforcement.
In the final days of the session, the WSCC also advocated for greater government transparency and access for constituents to exercise our vocation of advocacy. You can read our commentary here.
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