Being a parent is nonstop hard work, which makes following city, state, and U.S. decision-making circles challenging. Here are highlights of Washington political news, and national news highlights from the week behind us and what’s up this coming week, February 24-March 2, 2025.
WA superintendent speaks directly to parents
This week Chris Reykdal, Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, sat behind his desk and spoke directly to parents across the state about children’s rights in Washington’s public schools. Those rights include the right of every child to basic education, no matter their or their parent’s legal status, and the right of every child to participate in school based on the gender by which they identify. He also urged schools to continue their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts despite federal mandates against such programs. This important 12-minute video deserves a full watch.
Age-based restrictions on social media?
More than 50 percent of teens say that it would be difficult for them to give up social media. 46 percent say they use the internet “almost constantly” according to the statewide advocacy group Children’s Alliance. More than one-third of teens admit that they use social media too much. Two bills addressing the mental health dangers of social media on kids and teens are making headway in Washington political news: House Bill 1834 and Senate Bill 5708. By placing responsibilities and restrictions on the companies and platforms that serve kids and teens, lawmakers hope to address at least some portion of the mental health crisis facing Washington’s kids. This week, Children’s Alliance put out a call to parents to contact their lawmakers in support of the legislation.
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(Image: Courtesy Children’s Alliance)
Trail closures due to executive order
Pick any weekend in Washington — particularly the Puget Sound region — and you will see families hitting the trails. Hiking is the Pacific Northwest’s unofficial favorite pastime. However, local trails are already feeling the impact of the forest service layoffs mandated by the Trump administration.
As Washington environmental and land management agencies brace for even deeper cuts and the possible loss of a wide range of services, some trails, including popular Franklin Falls, Denny Creek Trailhead, and the Franklin Falls Sno-Park, have been closed. You’ll find the sign: “This site will reopen when we return to appropriate staffing levels.” On the social media platform X, Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Sammamish fumed: “The Forest Service layoffs are already hurting our community, with dozens of local employees out of jobs and sites like the Denny Creek Trailhead closing down due to staffing shortages. And it is only going to get worse. Fire season is coming.”
Administration targets meds
If you’ve had a moderate to severe postpartum mood disorder, you have taken or are still taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. You are not alone. One in three women ages 18 to 35 in and around Seattle take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram). Your right to take them is now part of the Trump administration’s chaotic upheaval. This week, the White House announced the creation (by yet another executive order) of a “Make America Healthy Again” Commission. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s recently confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary, will head the committee directed to assess the prevalence of and threat posed by SSRIs. Kennedy has been clear that he views SSRIs as overprescribed and highly addictive.
SPS superintendent’s contract renewed on split vote
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones has another year to dig the district out of its $94 million budget deficit and ensure all public schools in the city meet the “well-resourced schools” goal he set out last year. “Well-resourced schools” became the district’s banner cry after Jones proposed closing up to 24 schools to deal with the deficit. That number of proposed closures dropped over time, causing great upheaval, parent backlash and, in the end, was taken off the table. However, Seattle School Board members were split 4 to 2 with one abstention when they voted on a one-year contract extension for Jones (through June 2027). Members voting “yes” to the extension said Jones deserves more time to devise a plan to address the deficit.
Discovery Park housing for low-income families
Also in Washington political news — in a recent State of the City address, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell outlined his proposal to build 500 new homes for low-income families and expand the park by 22 acres. City leaders have been trying to develop low-income housing at Fort Lawton for years, but neighbors have pushed back, delaying plans with lawsuits. Harrell took the project a step further this year by getting federal sign-off on the project before President Joe Biden left office. Next up: Harrell expects to get the proposal to the Seattle City Council for a vote by spring 2025. Read our story on the Mayor’s affordable housing push here.
Watch your November ballot
Harrell also talked about renewing the city’s seven-year Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP) and said he would likely have details on that plan in April. The current FEPP expires at the end of 2025. Over the years, the FEPP has morphed to meet the needs of the city, including supporting school programming through the next school year.
Although the FEPP document is “wordy,” Harrell told reporters it’s vision is simple —”to make this a city that embraces and supports young people – from cradle to career.”
Rent cap bill continues
A bill to cap yearly rent increases cleared another obstacle in the state Senate last week when the Senate Housing Committee approved legislation that limits annual rent hikes to 7 percent for tenants across the state. The proposal is far from law at this point, but the committee’s action signals that Democrats may have the support they need to win full legislative approval this year. A similar bill introduced in 2024 failed.
WA’s birthright citizenship lawsuit
The attempt by Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Illinois to block a presidential executive order restricting birthright citizenship may soon move to the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week, an appeals court denied a Trump administration request to overturn a lower court ruling that roadblocked implementation of the order. If the four-state lawsuit against the order goes before the justices, it would be the first time the question of birthright citizenship has come before the country’s highest court.
Having a Heart for kids
One we missed but should not be forgotten. Earlier this month, parents and advocates from across Washington traveled to Olympia to participate in Have a Heart for Kids Day, the Children’s Alliance annual advocacy day. It was a day for those who care about kids to tap into their political power and speak directly to representatives about the issues that matter in their communities. Speaking to lawmakers is a great way to help move the changes you want to see from hope to law. Click here to read the Children’s Alliance agenda for state lawmakers in the current session, which ends in April — and learn how to make your voice heard.
