At the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, we are committed to advancing policies and programs that bring us closer to our vision of a state where every community is thriving, and all people can enjoy a bright economic future, health, freedom, and joy. We do this by leveraging narrative building, partnerships, and research and policy analysis to advance racially just economic policy and tribal sovereignty in Washington.
Our 2025 legislative agenda highlights the need for new progressive revenue options and urges lawmakers to enact a budget that advances racial justice. This legislative session, lawmakers must address a significant state budget shortfall – between $12 and $16 billion over the next four years. History has shown time and time again that massive budget cuts do not work and ultimately harm people and our economy. We offer a twofold approach for how the legislature can equitably address a projected budget shortfall while keeping the well-being of all our communities at the forefront.
1: Enact popular progressive revenue options that will offer much-needed sustainability in the state budget:
- Ensure the ultra-wealthy pay their share in taxes to support our state’s short-term and long-term needs.
- Reject outright any regressive tax proposals.
2: Enact racially just economic policies that support the long-term well-being of all Washington communities:
- Establish a wage replacement program for undocumented workers facing job loss (similar to a state level unemployment insurance program).
- Fully eliminate legal financial obligations that judges impose on people who cannot pay.
- Expand the highly successful Working Families Tax Credit so that young, working people in our state without children (18 to 24 year olds) can qualify for a cash boost.
- Engage with and follow the lead of Tribal nations regarding Department of Revenue’s agency-request legislation that adjusts state-tribal sales tax compacting agreements.
