Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we move into the next phase of the legislative session, we’re switching gears—literally! House bills are now heading to the Senate, and Senate bills are coming our way. This is a critical time when we refine, debate, and vote on policies that will directly impact our communities.
None of this work happens alone. I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible staff, advocates, and behind-the-scenes teams who keep everything running smoothly. Their dedication ensures that we can focus on crafting strong, thoughtful legislation.
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Thanks for joining our telephone town hall!
Thank you so much to those of you who joined our telephone town hall! We had such a fantastic turnout and were so grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from you. If your question wasn’t answered during the call, or if you weren’t able to tune in, feel free to reach out to my office – I’d love to connect with you soon.
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Expanding Tuition Waivers for High School Completers
I’m excited to share that HB 1556, a bill I sponsored to expand access to education, has officially passed in the House! This legislation removes the age requirement for tuition waivers at Washington’s community and technical colleges, making it easier for students 16 and older to earn their high school diploma or equivalency certificate without facing financial barriers.
By eliminating outdated restrictions, this bill ensures that younger students who are ready to complete their high school education—whether through diploma programs or the GED—have the same opportunities as older students. This is a common-sense, revenue-neutral policy that supports students who are eager to move forward in their education and career paths.
I’m proud to champion this effort to make education more accessible, and I look forward to pushing it through the Senate!
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Strengthening Food Security Through Agricultural Fuel Exemptions
Access to affordable, locally grown food is essential for Washington’s families. HB 1912 ensures that Washington’s agricultural sector remains strong while protecting food security for all. By extending the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) exemption for agricultural fuel, this bill helps stabilize food prices and keep essential products moving—critical at a time when federal rollbacks threaten food assistance programs.
Farmers rely on affordable fuel to transport food from farms to tables. Without this exemption, increased fuel costs would ripple through the food supply chain, raising prices for families and making it harder for Washingtonians to access fresh, local produce. HB 1912 ensures that farmers receive the fuel relief they were promised while upholding Washington’s commitment to sustainable food systems.
In today’s uncertain economic climate, protecting food access must be a priority. Washington has the opportunity to lead by ensuring that agricultural fuel remains affordable, supporting both our farmers and the communities they feed.
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Song of the Week: “Wake Up Everybody” – Teddy Pendergrass
This week’s song is a call to action. “Wake Up Everybody” reminds us that real change starts with us. Just as this classic urges us to build a better future, our work in the Legislature is about taking action to protect Washingtonians. Whether it’s ensuring affordable food access or expanding access to education, we must stay engaged and proactive. As federal rollbacks threaten vital programs, Washington must step up to keep food prices stable and safeguard those who rely on essential services. The time to act is now—let’s keep moving forward together.
Government should work for the people. It should make life safer, more affordable, and more just. But at the federal level, we are seeing the opposite—a concerted effort to dismantle our rights, threaten our democracy, and roll back the progress we’ve made. Here in Washington state, we are fighting back. No matter what happens in D.C., Washington state will continue to lead.
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Thank you so much for reading!
Best wishes,
Rep. Debra Entenman