At the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, we envision a Washington state in which everyone can live a life of economic dignity. Where everyone – no matter where they’re from, who they love, or what they earn – can take care of themselves and their loved ones while also having opportunities for joy and rest. In 2023, state lawmakers must enact policies that move us all closer to this vision. As too many Washingtonians continue to struggle to make ends meet amid skyrocketing costs of living, the legislature must prioritize funding for housing, education, and other public services and reject short-sighted tax cuts that unnecessarily benefit the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. This year, the Budget and Policy Center calls on lawmakers to reject the politics of the status quo – and to build on the progress of recent years toward creating an economy that works for everyone.

This session, lawmakers must: 

• Pass a budget bill that responds to calls from advocates for funding for priorities like schools, infrastructure, housing, food access, and health care.
• Advance cash assistance policies that are rooted in trust and autonomy.
• Promote government accountability by passing and implementing policies that seek to repair harm and treat people with dignity.
• Continue to advance tax reform that promotes racial, gender, and economic justice in our tax code through new taxes on Washington’s wealthiest residents and large, profitable corporations.

Read our full 2023 legislative agenda.