A Laser Focus on Affordability. A Vision of One Washington.

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

I hope this message finds you enjoying a safe and sunny Washington summer. As we move through the interim period between legislative sessions, I want to take a moment to reconnect with you—our community—and share some updates on the work I’m doing to ensure Washington is a place where everyone can afford to live, learn, and thrive. 


A Laser Focus on Affordability. A Vision of One Washington. 

At every turn—whether crafting the budget, advancing policy, or delivering district investments—my focus has been clear: affordability. 

Because too many families in our state are being priced out of the communities they helped build. Because every child deserves access to quality education without barriers. Because no one should have to choose between medicine and rent, or a commute and a decent paycheck. And because our shared values—equity, inclusion, opportunity—mean nothing if they aren’t rooted in real economic security for every person in Washington. 

This is the work of building One Washington:

🟣 Where you can afford to live in a safe, stable home.

🟣 Where you can afford to learn in a world-class public school or college.

🟣 Where you can afford to love—to care for your family, participate in your community, and live with dignity.

Although we’re not currently in session, the interim is a busy and important time. I’ve been meeting with constituents, community leaders, educators, and advocates across the district to listen, learn, and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is when the groundwork is laid for the policies that shape our state—and your voice is essential in that process. 

As always, I want to hear from you. If you have a question, a concern, or an idea you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office anytime, and be sure to follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/RepAprilBerg for ongoing updates and announcements. 

Let’s keep building a Washington that works for all of us. 

floor


Delivering Local Investments: Capital Budget Wins for the 44th District

This year’s 2025–27 Capital Budget brought meaningful investments home to the 44th Legislative District—funding critical infrastructure, community services, and safety improvements across our region. I’m proud to report that we secured over $18.5 million in capital budget funding to support local needs and help our communities thrive. 

Here’s where those dollars are going: 

  • Mill Creek Boys & Girls Club – $1.03 million  To expand youth programming and provide safe, enriching spaces for kids and teens in our community. 
  • Snohomish Conservation District Natural Resource Center – $500,000  For a new, sustainable facility that supports environmental education, stewardship, and conservation efforts across Snohomish County. 
  • Snohomish Public Safety & City Services Campus – $1 million  To support a modern, centralized campus that will enhance emergency response, city operations, and public safety. 
  • Military Department Minor Works Preservation – $16 million  For statewide infrastructure preservation, including key facilities that support emergency preparedness and National Guard operations serving our district and beyond. 

These investments reflect our shared priorities—strong public safety, environmental leadership, youth opportunity, and community resilience. They’re also a reminder that budgets are moral documents—and this one is built to serve the people of the 44th.

B&G


2025 Legislative Session: Delivering for Washington 

The 2025 legislative session brought both immense challenges and powerful victories. Faced with federal uncertainty, an outdated tax structure, and a historic budget shortfall, House Democrats stayed laser-focused on protecting what matters most: people, community, and opportunity. 

Despite the obstacles, we made meaningful progress on the issues that touch all of our lives—housing, education, health, safety, climate, and justice. Here are just a few of the major wins we secured this year: 

🏠 Affordable Housing & Rent Stabilization 

Housing affordability remains a top concern for working families, and this year, we took bold action: 

  • Rent Stabilization: After years of advocacy, we passed a statewide rent stabilization law—bringing long-overdue relief to renters across Washington. 
  • Transit-Oriented Development (HB 1491): We’re building more housing near transit hubs for sustainable, connected communities. 
  • $145 million in new investments supported emergency shelters, tenant protections, and youth homelessness diversion. 

rent stabi

📚 Education & Opportunity for Every Child 

We believe that education is Washington’s paramount duty—and we protected it, even in a tough budget year: 

  • $775 million investment in special education, plus protections for school meal programs and student well-being. 
  • Extended special education eligibility to age 22 (HB 1257), ensuring continuity for vulnerable students. 
  • Expanded dual credit programs and new pathways to support teachers (HB 1273, HB 1651). 
  • Safe and supportive schools: We passed bold protections for LGBTQ+, immigrant, and homeless students (HB 1296). 

👶 A Strong Start for Families 

We invested in our youngest Washingtonians with policies rooted in dignity and prevention: 

  • Opened access to ECEAP preschool and expanded support for military families (HB 1351, SB 5545). 
  • Strengthened early childhood courts to keep families together. 
  • Invested in nutrition equity through mobile produce markets (HB 1388). 

childcare

Childcare rally on the steps

🌎 Environmental Leadership & Rural Resilience 

We safeguarded our planet and honored our rural communities with forward-thinking investments: 

  • Strengthened wildfire prevention (HB 1539), expanded prescribed burns (HB 1563), and protected clean water access (SB 5212). 
  • Advanced cleaner fuels (HB 1409), a super-pollutant phaseout (HB 1462), and equitable statewide recycling reform (HB 1150). 
  • Protected rural communities from solid waste pollution, and included farmers in the clean energy transition. 

 

💰 Budgeting with Heart: Protecting Core Services 

Even in a tight fiscal year, we passed a people-first budget: 

  • Preserved food, shelter, health care, and public education—rejecting harmful, across-the-board cuts. 
  • Protected Apple Health for immigrants, Cascade Care premium support, and crisis care services in behavioral health. 
  • Fully funded state employee contracts and increased caregiver pay. 
  • Balanced the $77.1 billion budget with $8.7 billion in new revenue, asking more from the wealthiest to protect those with the least. 

 

⚖️ Justice, Civil Rights & Safety for All 

We stood strong against discrimination and fought for dignity and fairness: 

  • Passed new protections for reproductive health, survivors of violence, and LGBTQ+ youth. 
  • Advanced permit-to-purchase gun safety reforms, hate crime protections (HB 1052), and stronger custody standards. 
  • Improved reentry support, expanded the clemency board, and bolstered maternal health access for incarcerated people. 

 

🛍 Consumer Protection & Economic Fairness 

We worked to level the playing field for working people and families: 

  • Passed Tyler’s Law (HB 1209) banning toxic sodium nitrite sales. 
  • Advanced right-to-repair for mobility equipment (HB 1826). 
  • Enacted medical debt reform (HB 1632) and new protections from predatory practices. 

 

💵 Fairer Taxes, a Stronger Future 

We took steps to fix Washington’s upside-down tax code: 

  • Updated capital gains, estate, and B&O taxes to ask more from corporations and the ultra-wealthy. 
  • Modernized outdated sales and excise taxes. 
  • Ensured new revenue supports the services families rely on. 

fair taxation

Fair taxation rally on the Capitol

In total, we passed 421 bills—including over 160 unanimous votes—proving that even in hard times, progress is possible when we lead with values and work together. 

It’s a long road, and the challenges are real. But so is our commitment. I will continue fighting for an economy that works for all of us, a transportation system that connects rather than divides, and a future where everyone—everyone—has a chance to thrive. 

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep moving forward—together. 

With gratitude,

Berg signature

Rep. April Berg