Banner with official photo of Liz Berry with name and district

End of the 2026 Session

March 19, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

One week ago, the 2026 Legislative Session ended. We finished on time, passed a balanced budget, and completed a historic 25-hour debate on the Millionaire’s Tax. My focus has been making life more affordable for Washingtonians and mitigating harm from the Trump Administration. Read more about the work we did on your behalf below.

The State Operating Budget

This year the Legislature faced a budget deficit. We couldn’t backfill every cut, but we could make sure that core services are protected. This year’s supplemental operating budget maintains our commitment to food, shelter, and health for Washingtonians who are struggling and we were able to keep core services funded, such as basic education, child care, and housing and homelessness programs. Some areas we were able to protect and expand include:

  • 10,000 more early childhood education assistance program (ECEAP) slots for 3 and 4-year-olds from low-income or at-risk families.
  • $240 million to continue our work from last year increasing special education funding.
  • Almost $200 million for the Washington College Grant, a guaranteed state financial aid program for low- to middle-income residents.
  • Keeps funding for food security programs at record high levels and increases SNAP assistance for 30,000 people who were kicked off of the federal program due to H.R. 1.
  • Maintains funding for housing and homelessness programs, including last year’s $118 million investment in local housing and shelter.
  • No cuts to foundational public health services and a $17.3 million restoration of reproductive health care services that was cut last year.
  • Protects the urban forestry program.

Millionaire’s Tax

The Millionaire’s Tax will impose a 9.9% tax on personal income over $1 million a year (less than 1 percent of Washingtonians would pay). I was proud to vote for the Millionaires Tax because it will generate over $3 billion a year for K-12 education, health care, and childcare, and expand the Working Families Tax Credit, returning money to Washingtonians who need it most. The Millionaire’s Tax will also fund free school lunch and breakfast for all Washington students. This is a significant step toward rebalancing our unfair tax system and ensuring that the those who can afford it contribute to a thriving state.

Blue background with text that reads "WHO WILL PAY? MILLIONAIRE HOUSEHOLDS. ONLY 20,000 TAXPAYERS IN WA MAKE MORE THAN $1M IN A YEAR. 99.75% OF WASHINGTONIANS WON'T PAY THE MILLIONAIRE'S TAX BUT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES IT WILL FUN" There is a dark blue circle with a very narrow yellow slice with a white arrow pointing to the slice linking to the text about 20,000 taxpayers

Projects funded in the Transportation and Capital Budgets

I’m excited to announce funding for key transit projects this year, including:

  • Route 40 Northgate to Downtown: lane improvements, curb ramps, upgraded sidewalks, and new or upgraded crosswalks.
  • Route 43 & Route 44 Ballard to University District: bus lanes, signal upgrades and prioritization, and pedestrian safety.
  • 67th to Fremont Transit Corridor and Route 48 North University Link Station to Loyal Heights: improved access to transit stops, curb and sidewalk improvements, and bus reliability such as bus lanes and signal upgrades.
  • North Aurora Safety improvements for pedestrians and bikes: includes new sidewalks, lighting, signalized crossings, and possible roadway changes to improve safety.
  • Seattle Center Monorail Station improvements: improved signage, automating passenger gates, and platform improvements for better customer experiences.

In the state Capital Budget, new funding for projects that benefit children and the arts include:

  • $309,000 for the Pacific Science Center’s gate removal project, restoring public access to the Pacific Science courtyard.
  • $302,000 to refurbish one of the Museum of Pop Culture’s elevators.
  • $201,000 for the Ballard Boys & Girls Club for work on elevators and flooring.
  • $112,000 for the Whim W’him Contemporary Dance Center in Queen Anne for ongoing renovations.

Photo displays the entry gate of the Pacific Science Center

Do you need help with prescription drug costs?

The Washington State Health Care Authority operates ArrayRX, a prescription drug discount program for Washington state residents. There are no income or age restrictions and anyone who lives in the state can sign up. The program helps people without prescription drug coverage, or whose insurance plan doesn’t cover certain medications or vaccines, or if you just have a high deductible. All Washingtonians can use the program to get discounts on prescription drugs – you can use either your own insurance or ArrayRX, whichever is cheaper. Visit the Health Care Authority website to learn more about the program and how to sign up.

I have several more updates to share with you between now and May, when election year restrictions begin and I will be prohibited from sending these updates until December. As always, please reach out to me anytime.

Keep in touch!

 

 

 

 

State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District