Legislative Update: Good news in the proposed house budget! šŸŽ‰šŸ šŸŒ…šŸ«

April 3, 2023

Dear friends and neighbors,
Spring is in the air and budget season has arrived! We are pleased to share some of our favorite things in the Houseā€™s Resilient Washington Operating Budget with you.

Saving our planet

We are proud that Washington has led the nation in fighting climate change. With the passage of the Climate Commitment Act, our stateā€™s biggest polluters will now help fund our path to a clean energy future. Weā€™re also investing in natural resource protection and projects to protect our environment for future generations. Ā 

  • $25 million help families make green and cost-efficient upgrades to their homesĀ 
  • $21 million for energy audits toĀ decarbonize public buildingsĀ 
  • $26 million to develop an environmental health disparities mapĀ 
  • $45 million for forest health and wildfire protectionĀ 
  • $25 million for biodiversity protectionĀ 

Investing in families

More than one-third of our Washington neighbors are served by safety-net programs. This budget expands assistance and puts money back in the pockets of working families. Ā 

  • $128 million in food aid programs Ā 
  • $35 million for the Working Families Tax Credit which will provide immediate tax relief for our most vulnerable residentsĀ 
  • $45 million to expandĀ TANF access to those in need, including aĀ $80 monthly diaper benefit for families with children under 3! Ā 
  • $25 million for Cascade Care subsidies for lower income families above the Medicaid line but still struggle to get their kids the health care coverage they needĀ 

Building strong communities

We know that investments in housing stability also improve health outcomes. This includes help for our neighbors who are struggling with behavioral health issues like addiction and allowing all of us to feel safe and secure in public spaces.

  • $1.3 billion for behavioral health supports for programs, facilities and our frontline workforce
  • $528 million for housing and homelessness services, including expanding encampment responses and programs for children and youth homelessness
  • $100 million in foundational public health services
  • $19.5 million for the Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention

Improving educational opportunities

Education and career training pave the way for jobs that pay family sustaining wages. Weā€™re thrilled that this budget expands educational opportunities for more students in Washington.

  • $179 million in additional funding for K-12 special education and expanding free breakfast and lunch to 90,000 more students
  • $82 million to expand Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program accessibility and increase rates for providers
  • $40 million for dual credit programs that help students get a jump start on their college career
  • $16 million to grow maritime education and career pathways, including $1.7 million for to build a workforce partnership between the Washington State Ferries and the Ballard-based Seattle Maritime Academy

Thereā€™s a lot more to be excited about in this budget so please take a look and share your feedback with us!

It is an honor to serve you in the legislature. Please keep in touch.

Best wishes,

State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District

State Representative Julia Reed
36th Legislative District

P.S. Go Marinersāš¾!