Dear Friends:
Greetings from Seattle!
After 105 days of session, and two special sessions, the Legislature finally passed its final operating budget. With the first divided Legislature in a decade (the House controlled by Democrats and the Senate controlled by a Republican-led coalition) and competing governing philosophies, it took an enormous effort to get to a compromise budget that the two sides could live with. Like any budget, this one has parts that are good, bad, and ugly. Read on for more details!
The Good
We passed a budget that adds $1 billion to our K-12 education system – a solid down 
payment on our McCleary obligations – funding school materials, student transportation, class size reductions, and expanding all-day Kindergarten. We also protected our social safety net funding state food assistance, low-income housing, and health care. My colleagues and I fought to support all kids – and our kids clearly won this year. I am particularly proud that I was able to help pass Senate Bill 5595, which will expand Working Connections Child Care. This program helps low-income parents who are working or actively seeking employment afford child care. It will also improve access to early learning programs offered by many childcare providers, so children would have opportunities for learning versus simply “child care.”
We closed two tax loopholes that will save the state over $1 billion.
300,000 more people in Washington state will receive affordable health care due to Medicaid expansion.
For the first time in years, our college students won’t be facing an increase in tuition. It’s a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The Bad
Some of the funding for K-12 came from fund transfers (like shifting money from our public works trust fund), suspending our teacher cost of living increases, and other funding gimmicks. The House Democrats fought hard for a more stable long-term funding source for our education system, but our Republican counterparts in the Senate didn’t see eye-to-eye with us on these issues. In the long-term, we need to fix the systematic problems with our tax system especially by closing unproductive and unfair tax loopholes – and I’m committed to that fight.
The Ugly
All session long I worked to find a way to keep King County Metro from cutting almost 20% of our bus service. The House passed a transportation funding package that gave the King County additional taxing authority to preserve service, but the Senate blocked the transportation bill from coming up for a vote. Unless the Legislature can find a solution quickly, service cuts will start in 2014. These cuts will put another 23,000 cars on the road every day and make it harder for all of us – especially our most vulnerable citizens – to get around. While I’m frustrated by the Legislature’s lack of action, this is a top priority for me and I will keep working towards solutions.
What’s next?
Now that session is done, I will be out meeting with constituents and working on bills for next year. Please let me know if there is an issue you care about!
It has truly been a privilege to represent you in Olympia during this first session and I work hard every day to help build a more fair, just, and sustainable Washington. I hope we stay in touch during the interim!
All the best,
-Jessyn