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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We have a little more than two weeks remaining of the 105-day legislative session, which is scheduled to finish April 27. Read more about the budget debate, taxes, and an upcoming online town hall meeting.
Budget and taxes dominate the last weeks of the session
With supermajorities in the House and Senate, Democrats recently unveiled their operating and transportation budget proposals, which rely on more than $24 billion in new taxes. If enacted, these would be the largest tax increases in state history.
Despite the state’s consistently increasing tax collections, the majority party turned a $14 billion surplus three years ago into a $7.5 billion to $16 billion deficit today. Now they’re turning to the taxpayers to make up that difference.
House and Senate Democrats have also proposed an almost 8% increase to boost state spending to nearly $78 billion. This, in combination with federal funds and other accounts, brings the total state budget to more than $150 billion, equivalent to around $19,000 per person.
Protecting our most vulnerable in the budget
Under their proposed budgets, the majority party seeks to cut essential services, such as Medicaid funding for struggling families, close the Rainier and Yakima Valley schools for individuals with developmental disabilities, and slash support for nursing home care. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have been fighting to protect and preserve funding for our most vulnerable population. Their proposals would also freeze school maintenance, supplies, and operating costs, and take child support payments from single moms on TANF.
By contrast, their budgets would allocate funds for transgender prisoner laser hair therapy, an environmental issues study in Africa, $4.3 million to cover full tuition for two classes of 12 dental therapists, and $150,000 reparation grants to people for a down payment on a home for families that may have been affected by redlining. These are not the priorities of the hardworking taxpayers in our district.
Governor says ‘no’ to budget proposals
Just hours after the budget bill passed the House on April 1, Gov. Bob Ferguson held a news conference, announcing, “We cannot adopt a budget with anywhere near the level of taxes currently proposed by the House and Senate.” Read more about Ferguson’s concerns here.
I am concerned that these issues and possible cuts in federal funding may result in a special session.
Supporting Bremerton’s West Sound Technical Skills Center
Bremerton’s West Sound Technical Skills Center provides vocational training to teach young people essential skills and help them launch successful careers. I attended West Sound Tech during high school and understand its vital role in our community.
I previously helped secure nearly $53 million in state funding for the center’s Phase I of a new building to address growth and demand. However, the building is only partially completed, open to the elements, and unusable. It was understood that this year’s state budget would finance Phase II for completion. Unfortunately, it is not funded in either the House or Senate budget proposals.
This project should not be left halfway finished. We still have just over two weeks of the regular session remaining. I am working with key budget writers to ensure we get the funding for this essential project and complete the building. Read more in this Kitsap Sun article.
Concerns on a federal level
Washington state heavily relies on federal funding for essential services such as Medicaid. When the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, the federal government incentivized Medicaid expansion by providing a 90% match, which was designed to be temporary. As budget negotiations are ongoing on a federal level, those reductions are on the table, and I am concerned our state’s budget will not be able to backfill any reductions. In addition, I have heard concerns from federal employees regarding their job security.
As a result, I took the initiative to express those concerns to President Trump in a letter, which you can view below or by going to this website. Also, read my news release for more information.
While I do not have control of the decisions made in Washington, D.C., I will use my voice to represent the concerns of people in the 26th Legislative District.
Thank you to everyone who attended my in-person Town Halls in Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, and Key Peninsula on March 20.
If you were unable to participate in these in-person events, I invite you to join me and your 26th District neighbors for an online town hall meeting to receive an update on the 2025 legislative session and have your questions answered.
26th District Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Michelle Caldier
Wednesday, April 30
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Preregister at: https://tinyurl.com/Caldier-Townhall or scan this QR code:
Please write, call, or email my office with your questions, comments, or suggestions about the content of this email update, any legislation, or challenges about state government. I’m here to help. Thank you for allowing me to serve and represent you and the 26th District!
Sincerely,
Michelle Valdez
