Being a parent is nonstop hard work, which makes following all the news happening in city, state, and U.S. decision-making circles challenging. Here are highlights of Washington political news from last week (March 30 to April 6) and a hint at what’s up this week.
Hats off to ‘Hands Off!’ ralliers
On Saturday, thousands of people joined rallies “Hand-off” rallies throughout Seattle to protest the Trump administration’s actions over the past two months. Hoisting signs with messages like “Protect Our Trans Youth,” “Hands Off the Department of Education,” “Hands Off Scientific Research,” and “Paws of Public Health,” thousands made their outrage known over the cuts to critical federal programs, treatment of immigrants, and numerous other threats. More than 7,000 registered to join the central “Hands Off!” protest at Seattle Center, but some estimates put the crowd there at as much as 14,000. Seattle was one of 1,300 where protests were held.
I personally applaud the two grade-schoolers who joined the crowd of protesting adults at the West Seattle Junction. The pair chanted “Hands off my education” for nearly two hours, winning a whole lot of honks and cheers from passersby.
Let’s add this one: “Hands off citizens’ right to peaceful protest.”
What is Trump’s beef with Head Start?
Wasn’t Donald Trump’s whole pitch (besides vilifying undocumented residents, transgender Americans, public health scientists, and other groups) about saving “billions and billions” for the American people?
If that’s the promise, what is the Trump administration’s beef with Head Start?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency that oversees the federal kindergarten readiness program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and other services to low-income children and families shuttered its regional office in Seattle. No warning. No notice. The office’s six employees found themselves suddenly locked out of the office and placed on administrative leave until at least June 1.
The closure leaves Head Start providers throughout the state concerned about federal grants they rely on to run their programs. About one-third of the more than 70 Head Start providers who partner with the local Region X office are up for grant renewal by July 1.
An illogical move
Shutting down Head Start makes zero sense for an administration whose stated mission is to save taxpayers money. Why? Because extensive study of the 60-year-old program shows again and again that Head Start saves money by improving life outcomes for disadvantaged children:
- A 2019 study found that Head Start increased college attendance and adult earnings for program participants, raising tax revenue and decreasing government transfer payments.
- A 2016 study from the University of California/Berkeley found that every dollar invested generates $2 in future earnings for children enrolled in the program.
- A 2007 paper estimated that Head Start generates a return on investment of $2 to $9 for every $1 invested in the program, depending on which outcomes are measured (e.g., education, earnings, health, crime reduction).
- Some analyses estimate that the lifetime public savings per Head Start participant is around $50,000 to $200,000. A notable study, “Prep School for Poor Kids: The Long-Run Impacts of Head Start on Human Capital and Economic Self-Sufficiency,” published in the American Economic Review in December 2021, provides compelling evidence. Kids who graduate from Head Start:
- Earn higher earnings and tax contributions than non-Head Start peers
- Experience reduced need for special education
- Have lower reliance on public assistance
- Are less likely to be involved in crimes, thus reducing criminal justice costs
- Have improved health outcomes compared with peers
Such outcomes suggest that Head Start enhances a child’s economic prospects and results in substantial public savings through reduced reliance on public assistance programs and increased tax contributions.
Don’t just think about that; read the research proving the program’s value to America and American taxpayers.
All kids should be winners
From Head Start video. (Image: U.S. Office of Head Start)
So what’s the issue, Mr. Trump? Are you trying to make “losers” out of America’s kids simply because their families struggle financially, even as you continue to make brash decisions that will raise costs for all families?
It makes sense that the closure of the Head Start Region X office has leaders and providers here in Washington and around the country stressed.
“The federal employees that were terminated are our key partners and colleagues,” said Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA).
“These cuts will have a direct impact on programs, children, and families,” Ryan said.
“Unfortunately, this is another example of the Trump administration’s continuing assault on Head Start. They have been following their Project 2025 blueprint closely and appear to be trying to hobble Head Start from the inside.”
Congress must act
WSA is calling for Congress to “immediately investigate this blatant effort to hamper Head Start’s ability to provide services for the more than 15,000 children and families in Washington State (47 grantees) and to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their actions.”
Any of us who care about educational equity and ensuring our neighbors’ children have what they need to thrive in school and life should join that call. Head Start works. It saves Americans millions in other service costs. It saves kids from a future of poverty. It provides families with the tools they need to thrive.
Wake up, Mr. President. Fund and expand Head Start.
While we’re on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cuts…
If there was a job titled “Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown’s personal cheerleader,” I’d apply for it.
I want to stand on the street corner with a sign that says, “Go, go, go, Nick!!”
Under Brown’s leadership, Washington joined 23 states to sue the Trump administration last week after the administration canceled over $12 billion—about $160 million for Washington—in federal health services funding. The money helps fight infectious diseases, substance abuse, and mental illness, among other critical services.
Seattle’s Region X Head Start office closure was part of HHS “slash and burn.” Like the local Head Start Region X office, the HHS regional office in Seattle is on the chopping block as part of a broader downsizing effort.
According to a Seattle Times article, the closure could mean job loss for 150 full-time employees in the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases program and other critical programs.
Losing this money will hurt the state’s ability to respond to emerging outbreaks, including measles and bird flu, the lawsuit claimed.
Thankfully, the suit Brown joined worked, at least for now. Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy has blocked the administration from cutting the public health grants to the states, including the nearly $160 million that Washington was due to receive.
“They make a case, a strong case, for the fact that they will succeed on the merits, so I’m going to grant the temporary restraining order,” said McElroy.
“This administration’s attacks on public health are not over, but today’s order should give Washingtonians confidence that programs that prevent the spread of infectious diseases, support mental health, and get people out of substance abuse will continue to be funded for now,” Brown said in a statement responding to the ruling.
Two state budget proposals, two stands on school funding
As I’ve mentioned in this column, funding for Washington’s public schools remains one of the sticky areas state House and Senate budget writers face as the legislature spins toward its conclusion on April 27.
The proposals from the two Democratic caucuses are pretty darn different regarding cutting school grant programs, funding for special education, and the timing for sending state funds to school districts. Not to mention, there’s no clear path for any of these decisions if the new taxes both budgets are built around are not approved. Gov. Bob Ferguson has already said he will not sign a wealth tax into law if it comes to his desk.
If you care about schools and education, check out reporter Jerry Cornfield’s overview of the budget divide on school funding, in the Washington State Standard. The Senate approved its budget last week and the House is expected to vote on its package Monday, April 7. Hard negotiations are likely to start on Tuesday.
While we still have a U.S. Department of Ed
President Donald Trump has stated his plans to close down the federal education department, but until he does, it continues to wreak chaos for schools across the country. Most recently, the order came to the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to certify that all K-12 public schools here ban diversity, equity, and inclusion practices or face the loss of federal money.
According to the Washington State Standard, the department’s sweeping order gives OSPI (and similar agencies in every state) 10 days to collect the compliance certifications from local school governing bodies, sign them, and return them to the federal department.
So far, the Washington Schools Superintendent has done Washington proud by standing behind kids whose families are threatened by the administration’s attack on undocumented immigrants. I am hoping Washington once more speaks truth to power here. OSPI is looking into the order’s legality and says it will inform the public soon about how it will respond to the order.
This tariff madness matters to families
Finally, a humble nod to Washington Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, who is co-leading bi-partisan pushback against Trump’s escalating trade war, written in tariffs. Last week, Cantwell joined with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley to introduce the first legislation to limit the president’s tariff-setting power. If approved by Congress, new tariffs would expire after 60 days unless Congress approves them. Cantwell’s office said that the bill is the first bipartisan legislation in the Senate that attempts to limit Trump’s tariff powers.
This column is about news that impacts kids and families. Unchecked levying oftTtariffs against countries who export to America raises the cost of goods families rely on and is a significant part of the reason economic analysts are predicting a recession here in the U.S. and around the globe. Cantwell and her bi-partison partners are putting families first, where the president is not.
Cue the funeral music
April 2 was an important cutoff in the state legislative process. The following proposals floated by state lawmakers from our region would have impacted kids and families but will not move forward this year. Expect some to be resurrected in future sessions.
- Washington’s nickname will not become The Evergreen State.
- School nurses will not be allowed to give epinephrine (EpiPen) to treat anaphylaxis even if a child does not have a prescription.
- A proposal pushed by Washingon AG Nick Brown that, among other things, would have required social media companies to stop addictive feeds to kids will not become law this year, despite bipartisan support.
- A measure to make financial literacy education a requirement for high school graduation died for the second time (it failed in 2024).
