Dear friends and neighbors,
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating Lunar New Year earlier this month. It was a joy to see our AANHPI community come together to honor this rich tradition and share delicious food. May this new year bring you happiness, health, and transformation for the better.
Thank you for being part of this wonderful tradition—I look forward to celebrating with you again next year!
Upcoming Town Hall
The issues that matter most to you guide the issues the legislature addresses. As we progress through the legislative session, it’s critical that your feedback continue to guide us. That’s why my colleagues Senator Wellman, Rep. Zahn, and I look forward to seeing you at our community townhall soon. Please keep an eye out for details such as the day, time, and location on my Facebook and events page.
Budget Outlook
Washington state is facing a major budget deficit due to rising needs, inflation, and slowing revenue growth. To help our community understand the potential impact of an all-cuts budget, we’ve launched WA Budget Cuts, a new website that breaks down the devastating reductions proposed in the “Book 1” budget—an example budget that former Governor Jay Inslee was required to prepare without any new revenue.
This “No Revenue” budget would slash $3.5 billion from healthcare and public health over the next four years, threatening Medicaid pharmacy coverage, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and state-funded family planning services. Long-term care and developmental disabilities programs could lose $1.5 billion, severely impacting seniors and people with disabilities. Higher education, human services, early learning, and behavioral health programs would also see massive cuts.
As lawmakers, we are carefully considering these proposed cuts while also exploring revenue options to protect Washington’s social safety net. Since 75-80% of the state budget is protected by constitutional or federal obligations, these cuts would fall entirely on just 20-25% of our budget—making their impact even more severe. Learn more about what’s at stake and how these cuts could affect you, your family, and your community.
To hear more about my thoughts on the threat facing underserved and marginalized communities this budget year, click here. Progressive revenue will play a vital role in supporting working families and vulnerable communities and building a more equitable tax structure.
Staying Engaged
Staying involved in your community and state is essential to strengthening our democracy and creating communities we can all be proud of. Earlier this month, I was honored to see so many members of the A&NH/PI community come together for their legislative day.
As the first refugee elected to the legislature and one of the few Asian lawmakers, I know what it feels like to walk into spaces where our voices are missing. But I also know this—we belong here.
I encourage you to visit Olympia if you can. If you’re unable to make it before the legislative session ends on April 27th, there are still many ways to stay engaged. Look out for upcoming town halls in our community, follow me on Facebook, share your thoughts via email, or call my office to schedule a virtual meeting.
Hearing from you is the most important part of my role as your representative, and I will always make time for you.
In Service,
Rep. My-Linh Thai