Dear friends and neighbors,
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who attended our recent town hall meetings. It was incredibly heartening to see so many people engaged and interested in the work we are doing in the legislature. Between the two town halls, we were able to reach over 300 people, which is a fantastic turnout.
As we head into the final three weeks of the legislative session, we are gearing up for floor action and working hard to ensure that we can pass critical legislation that will benefit our communities. We have a lot of important bills that we are working on, from ensuring access to affordable housing to supporting small businesses to addressing climate change.
As the Chair of the House Finance Committee, I am thrilled with the recent decision by the Washington State Supreme Court confirming that the capital gains tax is an excise tax and is therefore constitutional. This ruling is an essential milestone towards tax reform, which is urgently needed in our state to create a more equitable and just society.
In the House Finance Committee, we heard Senate Bill 5447, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 46-2 vote. This bill incentivizes the purchase and manufacture of sustainable aviation biofuels, positioning Washington as a leader in the emerging green economy. With the aviation industry being a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, this bill presents a unique opportunity to reduce emissions and create jobs in Snohomish County and throughout Washington.
Sustainable biofuels have the potential to drastically reduce emissions compared to conventional fuel, with some even having a net-negative greenhouse gas footprint. The bill’s tax incentives will encourage fuel producers to build production facilities in Washington, which could create hundreds of family-wage jobs and bring wonderful opportunities for businesses to the region.
It’s a win-win for our community, as sustainable fuels will help reduce particulate matter from the atmosphere, which is a huge contributor to air pollution and numerous health issues. I’m excited about the prospects that this bill holds and look forward to its further consideration on the House floor.
As Chair of the House Finance Committee, I deeply understand the crucial role of taxes in funding public goods and services to ensure a better future for all Washingtonians. Taxes are a vital tool for funding public goods and services that benefit our communities, such as education, healthcare, and public safety. Resilient Washington operating budget is proposing significant investments to support equity, improve access to vital services, protect the environment, reduce poverty and homelessness, promote public safety, and ensure that individuals and families have the support they need to thrive. Here’s a look at our 2023-2025 investments:
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$991 million for public health and healthcare: these investments reflect the state’s commitment to equity, access to healthcare services, and the protection of public health during emergencies. By providing healthcare options for undocumented individuals, affordable healthcare for low-income families, and adequate compensation for healthcare providers, the state is working to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need. Additionally, funding for foundational public health and reproductive care grants shows the state’s dedication to preventive care and women’s health.
$491 million for poverty reduction: we’re prioritizing the values of economic justice and equity by providing support for low-income working families through the Working Families Tax Credit, access to nutritious food through food assistance, financial assistance for families facing hardship, and comprehensive support through changes to TANF.
$1.8 billion for natural resource protection: we’re investing in the values of environmental sustainability and stewardship by protecting and preserving biodiversity, promoting forest health and wildfire protection, and controlling invasive species to ensure the ecological and economic well-being of the state’s natural resources.
$528 million for housing and homelessness: everyone needs a home. We’re providing comprehensive support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or financial hardship through increased funding for homeless and housing service contracts, providing housing and essential needs, expanding encampment response, and supporting local government planning for housing, children, and youth homelessness.
$316 million for the Climate Commitment Act: this funding supports initiatives that promote sustainability, environmental justice, and renewable energy, which are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and promoting a healthy and sustainable future for all.
$1.9 billion for k-12 education: we’re providing fair and equal opportunities for all students, by ensuring educators are compensated and supported, supporting students with disabilities through special education funding, and providing free meals to help students focus and succeed.
$356 million for higher education and workforce development: we’re creating opportunities for individuals to improve their economic mobility and achieve their career goals, while also addressing important social issues such as mental health and healthcare access.
$1.9 billion for long-term care and developmental disabilities: we’re increasing rates for nursing home and home care workers, supporting adult family homes, and facilitating transitions out of acute care hospitals can help to ensure that individuals with disabilities and those in need of long-term care receive high-quality, compassionate care and support.
$226 million for community safety: we’re supporting a variety of programs, including increased criminal justice training, the establishment of an independent agency for investigating police misconduct, firearm safety and violence prevention, AMEND training, therapeutic courts, and support for legal representation. These investments will improve public safety, reduce crime, and promote fairness and justice in the criminal justice system, ultimately working towards creating safer and more equitable communities for all residents.
$608 million for childcare and early learning: we’re promoting equity and access to quality care for young children, particularly those from low-income families and those in kinship care. This investment supports ECEAP rates and slots, family care provider collective bargaining, and kinship caregivers, which can improve the availability and affordability of childcare, and help children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills crucial for their future success.
$1.3 billion investment for behavioral health: we’re supporting access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, including increased rates for providers and investments in behavioral health beds. This investment also prioritizes care for vulnerable populations, such as children with complex needs, and supports the workers who provide these critical services.
Time flies! As we approach the final stretch, I want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to be back in-person with my colleagues and have had face-to-face conversations with so many of you.
Thank you again for your participation and engagement. It is an honor to serve you.
Rep. April Berg
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