February 20 Legislative Update
This week marked a major milestone: the House of Origin cutoff, meaning bills had to pass their original chamber to stay alive, with limited exceptions for budget related or caucus priority bills.
As a reminder, here are some key upcoming deadlines:
- Feb 25 – Opposite House Policy Committee Cutoff
- Mar 2 – Opposite House Fiscal Committee Cutoff
- Mar 6 – Opposite House Cutoff
- Mar 12 – Sine Die (Final Day of the Legislative Session)
Many of our community’s key priorities are still being considered and could use your support, including:
- Balancing the tax burden with a “Millionaire’s Tax”
- Improving the Community Reinvestment Plan
- Stopping cities from blocking homeless housing projects
Advocacy Spotlight: Michelle Sandoval with FYRE Omak
Budget updates and Millionaire Tax Tension
Millionaire Tax Tension
The Governor supports the tax but disagrees with the Legislature on how revenue should be used.
Ferguson is seeking:
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Broader Working Families Tax Credit eligibility
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Small business relief
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Reduced sales‑taxes
The legislature will continue to debate and work with the Governor’s office before final passage. The good news is the mechanism for revenue is agreed upon. How to spend the revenue is still being debated.
Revenue Forecast
On Monday, the latest Revenue Forecast was released by the states Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The latest numbers show a 1.1% increase totaling in about $827 million in the current two-year budget compared to the November forecast.
Budget writers are saying this makes things a bit easier, but we’re still going to see spending cuts.
Budget Timing
Budgets are expected to be released this weekend (February 21-22) by the House and the Senate. We expect budget hearings next week.
Key Priorities Still Need Your Support!
Many of our community’s key priorities made it past the initial cutoffs and could use your support, including:
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Balancing the tax burden with a “Millionaire Tax”
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The next hearing for this bill is on Feb. 24 at 8 a.m.
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Improving data safeguards for immigrants
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Next hearing Feb. 20 at 10:30 AM
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Ensuring shelter and transitional housing isn’t blocked by NIMBY’s
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Next hearing Feb. 20 at 10:30 AM
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Improving the Community Reinvestment Plan
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Supporting land banks to address the housing crisis
Missed Opportunities
Several key bills our community supported did not move forward, including:
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Protecting the rights of the unhoused by placing guard rails on local sit and lie laws
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Ensuring collective bargaining rights for agricultural workers
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Addressing racial disparities in juvenile incarceration
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Creating a work group to address parole reform