Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we move through the legislative session, we’ve reached the fiscal cutoff—a key deadline for bills with financial impacts to pass out of their respective budget committees. Now, we shift our focus to the House floor, where we are debating and voting on bills all day.
During this phase, all House members convene to discuss legislation that has advanced through committee review. Each bill is presented, debated, and then put to a vote. This is a crucial step in the legislative process, as bills must pass the House before moving to the Senate for further consideration.
You can follow the action live on TVW at www.tvw.org, where you can watch floor debates, learn about key issues, and see your representatives at work in real time.
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Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE): Application Deadline Approaching
I’m thrilled to announce that the application portal for the 2025 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) is open! This merit-based scholarship celebrates the achievements of our state’s top career and technical education (CTE) students and helps pay for college and training.
Key Updates:
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Application Deadline Extended: The deadline has been extended to March 17, 2025. Don’t delay; apply today!
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Plan Ahead: Students are encouraged to contact references and collect transcripts early to ensure a smooth application process.
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Award Amount: A number of factors determine awards, including available funding and where students go to school. At a minimum, students will receive about $3,900 per year for two years, totaling $7,800. Some past recipients have received as much as $11,700 per year for two years. Awards cannot exceed the cost of tuition and other eligible expenses.
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New Application Portal: Thanks to support from the Washington Legislature, students, teachers, and volunteers will find an improved and streamlined application experience this year.
Eligibility:
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High School Seniors: Must have completed or be in the process of completing two CTE credits in a single pathway.
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Community and Technical College Students: Must be enrolled in one of Washington’s 34 public community and technical colleges and have completed at least one year of a professional-technical or apprenticeship program.
To apply or learn more, visit the WAVE Scholarship page. For any questions, reach out to the team at wave.award@wtb.wa.gov.
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Ensuring Sustainable Transportation Funding
Our transportation infrastructure is the backbone of Washington’s economy and daily life. With the rise of electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, gas tax revenues—which fund 52% of our transportation budget—are projected to decline by 45% by 2040. To address this, the Chair of the Transportation Committee introduced a Road Usage Charge (RUC) system.
How Would It Work?
🔹 Phase-in Approach: The transition would happen gradually, starting with voluntary participation and expanding over time. 🔹 Fairness First: Drivers wouldn’t be double-taxed—any gas tax paid would count toward the RUC. 🔹 Privacy Protected: Only total miles driven would be reported annually, with no GPS tracking.
Proposed Timeline:
✅ 2027-2029: EV & hybrid owners can opt in, with registration fees waived.
✅ 2029-2031: EV & hybrid drivers switch to RUC, and fuel-efficient gas cars (20+ mpg) can volunteer.
✅ 2031-2035: Fuel-efficient gas vehicles (20+ mpg) gradually transition to RUC.
At just 2.6 cents per mile, the RUC ensures everyone contributes their fair share to Washington’s roads. Learn more about the proposal here.
create a sustainable, equitable transportation system that serves all Washingtonians.
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Fighting for Equity, Education, and Public Safety
As your representative, I’m working to pass legislation that invests in our students, protects workers, and strengthens public safety—because every Washingtonian deserves opportunity, fairness, and security. Here’s what I introduced this session:
Education should never be out of reach because of financial barriers. This bill provides tuition assistance for students who have completed high school and want to continue their education at a community or technical college. Higher education is a pathway to economic mobility, and I’m committed to making it accessible to all.
Students who work hard to support themselves while in school shouldn’t be left without a safety net. This bill ensures that students who lose their jobs can access unemployment benefits—because no one should have to choose between education and survival.
Too often, subcontractors—many of them small businesses, BIPOC-owned firms, and local workers—are forced to take on unfair financial risk by larger contractors. This bill levels the playing field, ensuring that subcontractors aren’t held liable for issues beyond their control. Fairness and accountability must be the standard in every industry.
Public safety isn’t just about policing—it’s about real investments in our communities. This bill secures funding for violence prevention, emergency response, and programs that address the root causes of crime. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and that means funding smart, community-driven solutions.
I will always fight for policies that uplift working people, expand opportunity, and create safer, more just communities. Let’s keep pushing for progress—together.
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Song of the Week: I’m Gon’ Stand
Music has long been a powerful force in movements for justice. This week’s song, I’m Gon’ Stand by Sweet Honey in the Rock, reflects the unwavering commitment behind our legislative work—standing up for economic justice, workers’ rights, and community safety. Whether it’s fighting for fair wages, protecting students, or investing in public safety, we are taking a stand for a more just and equitable Washington.
Thank you for staying informed and involved. Together, we’re building a brighter future for all.
Warm regards,
Rep. Debra Entenman
Washington State Representative, 47th Legislative District