One of the final actions of the 2026 session of the Washington State Legislature before adjournment on March 12 was approval of the state’s 2025–27 supplemental operating budget. Democratic budget writers released their final negotiated plan on March 11. While lawmakers reduced some of the...
A wave of retirements is reshaping the Washington State Legislature ahead of the 2026 election cycle. More than a dozen longtime lawmakers in both the House and Senate have announced they will not seek reelection, representing a combined 144 years of legislative service. Notably, the Senate will...
A proposal to create a new “Millionaires Tax” in Washington is moving toward possible final passage after Gov. Bob Ferguson announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk. The legislation, Senate Bill 6346 , would create a 9.9% tax on individual income over $1 million,...
Legislation expanding collective bargaining rights for student employees at Western Washington University has cleared the Legislature and is on its way to becoming law. HB 1570 grants certain student employees at Western the right to form a union and collectively bargain with the...
Legislation addressing the use of isolation and restraint in Washington public schools moved one step closer to becoming law this week. On March 5, the Washington State Senate passed HB 1795 on a 28–20 vote. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence with Senate...
by Rachel Rice, Evergreen paraeducator and 2026 PSE Legislative Intern Serving as a PSE Legislative intern during the 2026 Washington State legislative session was an invaluable experience. It gave me a clearer understanding of how policy is developed and how deeply those decisions...
by Frank Scott, Snohomish custodian and 2026 PSE Legislative Intern My week as a PSE legislative intern was a most interesting week I have had in a long time. I had the pleasure of being in Olympia with Evergreen paraeducator Rachel Rice. We got to see the senators in floor action. We...
UPDATE: This article was updated on Monday afternoon, March 2 to reflect that provisions of HB 2747 change state financial oversight for university exempt staff, higher education faculty, and community & technical college employees. An attempt to weaken collective bargaining rights for...
Legislation to prohibit dangerous restraint practices for dysregulated public school students moved one step closer to becoming law this week. On Feb. 25, the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee approved HB 1795 . If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, HB 1795...
by Sheila Baker, Omak paraeducator and 2026 PSE Legislative Intern I cannot even begin to tell all of you how amazing a Warnke Legislative Internship is!! Until I became involved in PSE I truly was not very “into” what happened in the state Legislature in Olympia. When I got involved in...
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