Children's Alliance 2025 legislative agenda

I’m heading into the 2025 legislative session with conflicting feelings. The projected budget shortfall and potential cuts to vital services cause me great concern. We have already seen proposals to eliminate important early learning programs that serve many kids who are furthest from opportunity.

On the other hand, the fact that voters overwhelmingly rejected I-2109 and opted to keep our state’s capital gains tax gives me hope. For too long our state has relied on the lowest income households to contribute the highest percentage of their earnings in taxes. I am optimistic that legislators will feel emboldened to support policies to make our tax code more equitable, close the budget gap, and prevent harmful cuts.

_______________________________________________________________________

Make your voice heard! Gather with the Children’s Alliance at the state capitol in Olympia on February 11 for Have a Heart for Kids Day.

_______________________________________________________________________

Despite the challenges the state budget presents, Children’s Alliance will continue to fight for policy solutions that advance racial justice and center kids and families who, due to present and historic systemic racism, are furthest from opportunity. We have spent the past few months conducting research, consulting with lawmakers, and listening to policy experts and community members to determine our 2025 Legislative Agenda. Below are some highlights:

Address the youth behavioral health crisis

Right now, Washington is ranked 48th in the nation for youth mental health. Kids in our state are struggling with mental health issues at unprecedented rates and many of them cannot access the care they need. In October, we released a report that highlighted low-cost, high-impact policy solutions, which we will advocate for in the upcoming legislative session, including:

Holding social media companies accountable for enforcing age limits: Social media companies are legally obligated to implement age limits, but many of them do not. By ensuring these limitations are enforced, we can prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression often caused by exposure to social media.
Creating a statewide platform for behavioral health screenings and resources: Washington currently lacks a common platform through which children and youth can learn about, be screened for, and access behavioral health interventions. Creating a single point of access for the variety of behavioral health needs and resources will greatly expand access to mental and behavioral health care for youth.

Increase access to early learning programs

In 2021, Children’s Alliance worked to pass the Fair Start for Kids Act, the largest investment in early learning in state history.

In line with the requirements of this legislation, we are advocating for increases in provider compensation rates and the number of slots within the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Washington’s public preschool program. ECEAP is an equity-focused program serving children who are furthest from opportunity. Some of the main children served are children of color (68%) and unhoused children (11%).

We are also advocating for increases in provider subsidy rates and family eligibility for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). WCCC helps families whose incomes are at or below 60% of the state median income (or 65% for currently enrolled families) access affordable child care. With current income eligibility at 60% of the state median income, household income for a family of four cannot exceed $72,248. Setting the eligibility threshold at 75% of the state median income would allow that same family to have a household income of $90,311 and remain eligible. Funding a 27% increase in rates for providers who accept WCCC subsidies would mean our state would remain in compliance with the Fair Start for Kids Act and initially support roughly 1,600 providers, 51,000 children, and 30,000 families.

Access to affordable, high-quality early learning programs is a critical resource in ensuring that all children can thrive when they enter kindergarten, and increasing provider pay is critical to ensuring that public and private programs are adequately staffed and providers are paid a living wage. The investments we’re advocating for with respect to both ECEAP and WCCC are necessary to keep the promises made in the Fair Start for Kids Act.

Diversify state revenue and ensure the wealthy pay their share

Our state has the second most regressive tax code in the nation, meaning Washingtonians with the lowest income pay the highest share of their income in taxes. For too long we have been reliant on regressive forms of taxation, like the sales tax, to fund roads, schools, and essential community projects. This system is no longer sustainable. We need to create new streams of revenue and take the burden off of working and middle-class families.

This year we are advocating for a 1% tax on extreme wealth resulting from ownership of financial property like stocks and bonds. This tax, while affecting only a very small percentage of the wealthiest households in Washington, would generate billions of dollars allocated as funding to support education, affordable housing, programs intended for persons with disabilities, and taxpayer justice.

How can you make your voice heard?

The most important voices a legislator can hear are those of their constituents. The lawmakers representing your district work for YOU and they should know what you care about. Here are a few ways you can make your voice heard this legislative session:

Join the Children’s Alliance email list: We’ll send you regular updates and action alerts about policies that impact kids and families.
Attend Have a Heart for Kids Day on February 11: Gather in Olympia with child advocates from across the state to learn about the political process, speak directly with your elected representatives, and raise your voices at a powerful rally on the Capitol steps.
Connect with our Mobilization Manager: Our newest team member Becca Schrack is on hand to help you tap into your political power! Email her at becca@childrensalliance.org or fill out this survey to tell us how you’d like to get involved.