OLYMPIA – The 2025 Legislative Session began today with the election of Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) to the top leadership role in the state House.
Jinkins made history in 2020 when she was inaugurated as Washington state’s first woman, and first lesbian, Speaker of the House. This was her sixth time addressing the full chamber on opening day of session as Speaker.
After being sworn in, Jinkins delivered prepared remarks (click here for Spanish) revisiting some recent legislative successes, led by Democratic majorities in both chambers. These included historic investments in the Housing Trust Fund to build more housing units across the state, increased access to affordable child care for working parents, and new regional law enforcement training academies to train more officers and reduce waits times for training slots.
Jinkins also highlighted recent national rankings naming Washington state as having the best economy in the country, the best public education on the west coast, and as the most energy-efficient state, among others, while also making clear there is more work to do even in areas where successes have been achieved.
“Each of us spent the past year listening to people in our districts talk about they and their families are experiencing our state’s economy, our education system, and our quality of life. They told us what they need help with, and that’s why we’re all here,” Jinkins told her legislative colleagues from the rostrum.
Jinkins also laid out House Democrats’ priorities for the coming session, including strong communities and affordable housing, good jobs and a strong economy, investing in education, and protecting Washington’s way of life.
Jinkins also described challenges impacting lawmakers’ work this session, starting with a shortfall in the state budget due to decreased revenue, inflation, and increased needs for people and families across the state. She noted that deep cuts made during the Great Recession had long-lasting consequences that hurt Washingtonians, and indicated the approach this time would likely be different.
“We have a responsibility to invest in what matters most – our people. We will protect the investments we’ve made to help working families, and have a balanced budget,” Jinkins said.
A new federal administration and a new Washington governor are changes that will also impact the work of the Legislature. While Jinkins made clear Washington will continue to be “proactive and vigilant” about protecting reproductive rights, civil rights, and climate progress from attacks by the second Trump Administration, she also signaled she was “excited and hopeful” for the work legislators could accomplish together with Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson, who will be sworn in on Wednesday.
House Democrats hold 59 seats in the chamber, while House Republicans hold 39 seats.
The 105-day session is scheduled to end on April 27.