Dear friends and neighbors,
With only six weeks left in this short 60 day legislative session, we are approaching our first major deadline: House of Origin Cutoff. On February 4th, bills that are not tied to the state budget must be voted out of committee to stay alive. After this date, the number of bills moving forward narrows significantly, giving communities a clearer picture of legislative priorities for the remainder of the session.
What I Heard from You
Earlier this session, I asked you to share your priorities through a survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Your feedback helps guide my work every day.
Here’s what you told me matters most:
- Government spending cuts and efficiencies (50%)
- Public safety and criminal justice reform (35%)
- Job creation and economic development (27%)
- Affordable housing and homelessness (23%)
You also shared concerns about stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, and tax fairness. Two responses stood out to me:
- “Last year was the first time our property taxes exceeded our mortgage payment. We support schools, fire districts, and transportation, but Washington’s tax system is clearly regressive. We need to unpack decades of inequity.”
- “Make K–12 education funding more equitable. High-poverty schools need more resources, not less.”
These comments reflect a clear theme: families are being stretched thin and fairness matters.
A Tough Budget Year
This session is unfolding during a challenging budget cycle. Federal funding cuts are putting added pressure on education, human services, and infrastructure, while tariffs and inflation continue to raise everyday costs for families. At the same time, our state faces workforce shortages that risk driving costs even higher.
Governor Ferguson has proposed a supplemental budget to address a $2.3 billion shortfall in the current operating budget. His proposal includes $800 million in spending reductions, a $1 billion withdrawal from the state’s rainy day fund, and the redirection of $569 million in Climate Commitment Act revenue to support the Working Families Tax Credit. Major proposed reductions include $217 million in savings from closing new enrollments in the Working Connections Child Care program, a $41 million freeze on previously approved child care provider rate increases, 3% cuts to Washington’s public universities, and 1.5% cuts to community and technical colleges.
At the same time, the proposal restores funding for foster youth education supports and $8.5 million for abortion access services, reflecting the difficult tradeoffs required in a constrained budget year. Finally, the Governor has proposed a high-earners income tax on annual net income over $1 million per year, affecting fewer than 0.5% of Washingtonians, as a long-term solution to address our regressive tax system and invest in K–12 education.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, your input is especially important to me as we weigh these difficult cuts and avenues for revenue. Please take a few minutes to complete my next survey regarding the Governor’s proposed budget.
Investing in Workforce & Early Learning
I’m also working on legislation to strengthen our workforce and support working families:
- HB 2438 establishes the Supporting Our Early Education Degree Seekers scholarship, offering up to 90 tuition-free credits at community and technical colleges for students pursuing early childhood education credentials.
- HB 2116 supports a new public-private partnership to expand the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), building on the Ballmer Group’s commitment to fund up to 10,000 additional preschool slots over the next 10 years.
These efforts are critical to address childcare shortages, support educators, and ensure families can stay in the workforce.
Looking Ahead
As always, it is an honor to represent our community and the 11th Legislative District. After our first legislative deadline, I’ll share updates on the survey results, host a mini-town hall, and provide more details on the bills moving forward. Thank you for staying engaged and for sharing your perspective.
Sincerely,
Rep. Steve Bergquist
P.S. It’s Blue Friday – Go Seahawks!
Happy Blue Friday, everyone! With the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in the 11th legislative district, I couldn’t be prouder to share that House Bill 1759 would designate December 12th as the Day of the 12s and is more important than ever this year. As the Hawks take on the Patriots February 8th, I’ll be hoping that this bill will make it to the Governor’s desk this year.