BUDGET CHALLENGE, EARLY LEARNING, BILLS UPDATE, UPCOMING TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

March 3, 2025

Dear friends and neighbors,

We’ve made it halfway through this session and things are moving very quickly. All of last week, in the Appropriations Committee, we voted on an extensive list of bills since Friday was the last day to get them out.

This quick video is not like my usual video updates because I’ve been tied up in committee, but I still wanted to send you a message, even if it’s super short:

Cortes quick vid

THE BUDGET CHALLENGE

You’ve likely seen coverage about the $12 billion deficit that we’re facing in Washington this year. We’ve been working hard to identify places where we can reduce spending without hurting the people of our state.

Last week we rolled out a website to help show what is at risk in an all-cuts budget. Some of these cuts would be painful and extremely difficult to make:

all cuts budget

These aren’t just numbers. Every decrease in funding for food assistance is a family that has to stretch their budget even more. Every decrease in funding for things like kidney dialysis or children’s health care will put lives at risk.

So, while we’re looking hard at where we can make reductions, we are balancing that with the need for new revenue. Washington has one of the most regressive tax systems in the nation. As a percent of their income, the poorest Washingtonians pay significantly more than the billionaires in our state. We can do better. Finding a balance that makes things fairer across the board will help us protect services that people need most.

EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES

CUBES

Over the last two years, Washington has made significant strides to support children, youth, and families, focusing on affordable childcare, protecting children in crisis, supporting foster youth, and ensuring access to healthcare services.

Additionally, the state has worked to strengthen assistance programs, support sex trafficking survivors, and invest in early learning programs.

As the vice chair of the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee, I can assure you that we are focused on maintaining and building on the progress we’ve reached so far.

Washingtonians are relying on these vital services more than ever, and disproportionate budget cuts would have a devastating impact on communities.

Our main goal for this budget year is to ensure that any program reductions minimize harm and don’t disproportionately burden communities. Investments in human services create the stability and opportunities for individuals and families to achieve positive outcomes, contribute to society meaningfully, and ultimately lead to a net benefit for Washington.

MY BILLS AFTER CUTOFFS

Below are the bills that are still moving. Because the Legislature works on a two-year cycle, bills that didn’t make it out this time around will be reintroduced next session, so we can continue working on them.

CUTOFFS CAL

  • My bill to expand the definition of “interested party” for the purposes of prevailing wage laws (HB 1821), passed the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on February 19 and is now in Rules. This bill is about combating wage theft. It allows management committees to access payroll records by adding them to the definition of interested party. It’s a good mechanism for both workers and employers to make sure that everyone is being paid fairly and bad actors are held accountable.
  • HB 1263 / SB 5232 – The companion to my bill passed the Senate on February 25. This measure supports economic security by updating the eligible uses for the Essential Needs and Housing Program, known as HEN, so it can more effectively serve individuals who are low-income, disabled, and unable to work.
  • I strongly believe diversion programs work, in fact, they can transform lives. Youth who are diverted have lower recidivism rates than those who go through the court system. My legislation to improve developmentally appropriate alternatives for youth outside the formal court process (HB 1391) passed the Appropriations Committee on Friday, the last day for bills to be passed out of fiscal committees.
  • As I told you in my previous newsletter, my bill concerning utility connection charge waivers (HB 1302) passed the House a couple of weeks ago and is in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. In a nutshell, my legislation allows municipal utilities to establish programs that waive connection fees for properties owned or developed by organizations engaged in industrial symbiosis. For more information, please read this press release.

KEEP IN TOUCH!

Today we started all-day floor sessions to get as many bills as possible out of the House and to the Senate before the deadline, which is March 12.

save date post it

SAVE THE DATE for our 38th district Telephone Town Hall on March 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You’ll receive an invite with all the details soon.

It’s an honor to represent the 38th Legislative District. I look forward to your continued feedback, concerns and ideas throughout the 2025 session, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for reading this newsletter!

Sincerely,
Cortes sig
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