State Budget Impacts, School Bus Safety, and Food Assistance

Dear friends and neighbors,

I hope you’ve had some time to enjoy the summer so far. While the legislature completed our work back in April, that doesn’t mean my work has stopped. I’ve been meeting with constituents over the past few months, attending community events, and learning from colleagues across the country to continue to find ways to serve you and make progress on the most pressing issues facing our community.  

During many of my conversations in community, I’ve heard concerns about the cuts to state services and programs that were made in the 2025 Operating Budget. As you may remember, the Legislature started the 2025 session with a substantial budget shortfall, and took a path to find a balance between budget cuts and new revenue, prioritizing essential services. While we found a path forward and passed an operating budget, I know it was not the budget many in our community would have wanted.

Legislators are certainly not infallible, and many hard choices had to be made this past session. I want you to know that I am open and ready to hear your feedback on the budget and how your organization may have been affected by the cuts. Please feel free to reach out with comments and questions, or don’t hesitate to invite me to your organization, as I’m happy to come have a discussion.

My contact information is available several times throughout the newsletter below, but you can also find all of my information on my website.

📞 My Office is Open – We’re Here to Help

Protecting Privacy, Health Access, and the Dignity of Every Washingtonian

Some of you may have read or seen a troubling news report recently that the federal agency overseeing Medicaid, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), may have shared the personal information of Apple Health clients with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Let me be clear: the State of Washington did not approve this, and we were not notified in advance. My colleagues and I are outraged and greatly concerned. 

I know many of you rely on Apple Health for essential medical care.  

For our immigrant neighbors—especially those enrolled in Apple Health Expansion, a state-managed Medicaid program partially funded with federal dollars—this is an unacceptable breach of trust. While the Health Care Authority (HCA) never disclosed specific immigration statuses, any sharing of personal data with immigration enforcement agencies is harmful and dangerous. 

Our values as a state do not change with federal administrations. We believe that health care is a human right—not a tool for surveillance or punishment. 

In response: 

• Governor Ferguson acted swiftly to stop unnecessary data sharing and protect the privacy of Apple Health Expansion clients. 

• HCA has now halted the submission of non-emergency care data for enrollees in that program, unless federally required. 

• Our team in Olympia is working closely with agency leaders to assess the full scope and develop long-term safeguards. 

We are committed to building systems of care and trust—not fear. That includes strengthening our programs, improving oversight, and ensuring no one in Washington is afraid to seek medical care. 

If you, your family, or your organization is affected by these developments, please reach out. Your health, your story, and your dignity matter. I will fight to ensure this state remains a place where everyone belongs, and no one is left behind. 

Learn more about how the Health Care Authority is responding to this issue here. 

Standing in Solidarity with Immigrant Communities 

My colleagues and I continue to stand in solidary with our immigrant communities and affirm that all communities belong here in Washington. 

Earlier this summer, the Legislative Black Caucus (WLBC) issued a powerful statement condemning the federal government’s increased use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the alarming deployment of the National Guard for immigration enforcement. “Washington will not become a staging ground for fear,” said LBC Chair Rep. Kristine Reeves. 

Read the full statement and learn more about immigrant rights and resources here. 

Drive Safe Heading Back to School

As students head back to their classrooms across the state, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has shared some reminders about the laws around school bus safety.

Since 2011, school bus drivers from across the country have participated in the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services’ (NASDPTS) one-day survey, which aims to determine how many motorists illegally pass stopped school buses. More than 114,000 school bus drivers participated in the 2025 survey, including over 3,000 in Washington state. Multiplied by the number of days in the school year, the survey results indicate that drivers are illegally passing a school bus in Washington state more than 200,000 times per year. In addition, there were 271 collisions in Washington state in 2024, according to data from the Washington State Patrol. Of those collisions, the majority were the fault of the other drivers.

Those numbers really mean one thing: Washington drivers need a refresher on the traffic laws for school bus safety. The included graphic shows when drivers must stop on three-lane roads and roads divided by a median. Motorists who fail to stop for a school bus when required face a $500 fine. The Department of Licensing’s Drivers’ Guide cautions drivers to actively look for children along the side of the road even after the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop sign is no longer extended.

As school buses across the state fill the roads, drivers should use caution and patience. When in doubt, stop!

Stay Safe in the Water

Help keep waters in our region safe and fun by practicing simple safety tips.

Find more information and resources on water safety, including swimming, boating, and rivers at kingcounty.gov/watersafety. For water safety tips for around the home, visit safekids.org/watersafety.

Feeding Your Family

While many free summer meal programs are winding down as our community gears enters the school year, there are still opportunities to ensure your family has access to food and other supports.

AUBURN

Auburn Food Bank (253-833-8925): Operates a food pantry for residents of the Auburn School District.

KENT

Kent Food Bank & Emergency Services (253-520-3550): Provides food for Kent School District residents.

Living Well Kent (253-277-3143): Provides community members in Auburn and Kent a range of produce and culturally relevant food items once a week. Provides Halal options.

RENTON

Rainier Valley Food Bank (206-723-4105): Provides fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, canned and dry goods

Find more resources for food, shelter, and emergency supports in your area through the King County Human Services website.