Being a parent is nonstop hard work, making it challenging to stay on top of news that impacts families in Washington. Below are highlights and commentary on key policy updates and headlines, from the week of Nov. 3-9. The opinions shared here are those of the author and do not represent Seattle’s Child.
A BIG news week for Seattle Public Schools!Â
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is one step closer to having its next leader. Following a unanimous vote on Nov. 5, the Seattle School Board announced Ben Shuldiner — currently the superintendent of Lansing School District in Michigan — as the finalist for the district’s open Superintendent position. Contract negotiations come next, before the hire becomes official. But the announcement was made last week with a whole lot of hope, especially given Shuldiner’s track record with leading districts to fiscal stability.Â
“Ben has a strong record of delivering results, extensive financial and operational experience, and a commitment to lifting every student and school in our system,” Gina Topp, board president, said. The announcement came the day after the Seattle School Board gained two new voices as voters elected Jen LaValla and Kathleen Smith to board seats. Read more about SPS’s superintendent hopeful and election results. Â
A supreme win for LGBTQ+ married couples and their families
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to consider overturning the court’s 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriages. Without commenting on the petition filed by a former Kentucky county clerk, the court decided not to review the marriage precedent. The clerk requested the justices reverse their order that she pay restitution to a same-sex couple for whom she refused to provide a marriage license due to her religious beliefs.
Following a whiplash week for SNAP families, Washington is ready with paymentsÂ
Last weekend was one of confusion and frustration for families expecting their monthy food stamp payments. By Sunday, however, Gov. Bob Ferguson urged Washington families who received funds last week to use them, according to an article in The Seattle Times. A deal made in the U.S. Senate on Sunday to restart the government, as least temporarily, may mean SNAP funds will reach all eligible recipients soon.
A crazy three days
In response to a U.S. District judge’s ruling requiring the Trump administration to start paying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said early last week it would pay only half of the November food stamp benefits expected by 42 million low-income families and seniors across the country. Nearly 1 million in Washington state rely on SNAP. Washington immediately began disbursing the funds.
Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s ruling chided President Donald Trump for using the nation’s food aid program, and thus the well-being of the nation’s poorest residents, as a political tool to force Congress to end the federal shutdown.Â
On Friday, the Trump administration asked an appeals court to halt McConnell’s order, which requires the funds to be paid out to those in need. The appeals court said no. The administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the lower court order, which the Supreme Court temporarily granted through an administrative stay. The whiplash continued over the weekend as Trump demanded that states ‘immediately undo’ steps to fund November SNAP benefits.Â
Then on Sunday, the Senate cut a deal that would re-open the government, at least temporarily, and release SNAP money.
‘As ugly as it gets’
I’m at a loss for words here. What kind of a leader potentially allows millions of his own citizens to go hungry when he’s had the power to release billions in SNAP contingency funds since the first day of the shutdown? That he needed a judge to order him legally to release the funds is crazy. That the administration appealed that order is unconscionable.
But where I don’t have words, Washington Sen. Patty Murray (D-Bothell) has plenty. On Friday, she posted exactly the words I couldn’t find:Â
“I have never seen an American President so desperate to force children and seniors to go hungry. Donald Trump is appealing the federal court’s order requiring him to provide the full SNAP benefits this month,” she wrote. “This is as ugly and cruel as it gets.”
Take action:Â
- Contact the White House to share your thoughts on the SNAP chaos.Â
- Contact your congressional representatives. Go to: congress.gov.Â
- Help your neighbors, check out “How to help Washington families affected by SNAP cuts“
A big win for Seattle’s kids from cradle to college
Seattle families are facing a child care crisis, with too few spots and long waitlists. However, thanks to the passage of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy renewal on November 4, the city plans to more than double the number of affordable childcare slots from 600 to 1,400. Not only that, but it will also add 600 more slots to the nationally recognized Seattle Preschool Program, bringing the total number of seats to 3,100 annually.Â
The levy’s $658.2 million earmark for the city’s early learning programs won’t solve the crisis. For that to happen, state and local policymakers need to devise a way to achieve universal childcare in Washington. If New Mexico can get there, so can we.
The passage of the FEPP Levy will, however, improve the lives of 1,200 more young children and their parents. At the same time, it will continue to make college a possibility for more students and increase access to health and mental health care for kids through School-based Health Centers. Read more about what Seattle’s $1.3B FEPP levy means for kids and families.Â
Check out the full, up-to-date election results on KUOW.
WA joins suit to protect loan repayment eligibility for teachers, librarians, and others
You may have heard that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE)Â has made a rule change restricting eligibility for the student loan forgiveness program, which has been most successful in increasing the public service workforce with the nearly 20-year-old Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after the student/borrower makes 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying public service employer, including teachers, healthcare providers, librarians, and other public service workers.Â
“Over the years, PSLF has enabled more than one million public servants to pursue careers that might have otherwise been out of reach,” a statement from the Washington Attorney General’s office said. “For state governments, PSLF is a critical tool to recruit and retain qualified professionals in vital fields like education, health care, and law enforcement.”
Last week, Washington and 21 other states announced they are suing the department over the new restricted eligibility rule. The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court targets three specific words in the rule, which is slated to go into effect in July 2026. The rule change would exclude certain employers from the program if they serve a “substantial illegal purpose.”Â
The DOE could apply the attribute “illegal purpose” to any organizations or government agencies the department says support undocumented people, participate in political protests, promote diversity (DEI), or provide youth with gender-affirming care. The state’s suit argues that the department lacks the authority to issue such restrictions.Â
Brown’s office is asking anyone impacted by the PSLF program in light of the new rule to fill out a form.
A good news moment
When her sister passed away in 2009, Molly Moon Neitzel, founder of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, wanted to honor her. And, of course, she found a delicious way to do just that.Â
The Seattle-based ice cream maker designated Nov. 2 as Anna Banana Milk Fund Day.Â
Since 2011, the Anna Banana Milk Fund has provided fresh dairy and other essentials to families in need through neighborhood food banks and in every neighborhood where a Molly Moon’s shop is located. The fund became an official nonprofit in 2018. Since then, it has raised more than $600,000 to support local food banks.
“Anna was the most generous person I knew,” Neitzel said in a release. “She made me laugh and fed me macaroni and cheese while we primed the shop before the professional painters came to save money. She used to hand out food to young people on Capitol Hill who were hungry. And she loved milk.”
The company vows to celebrate Nov. 2 henceforth as a time to come together, raise awareness, and support the nonprofit, the Anna Banana Milk Fund, while also welcoming donations year-round.
It’s a reminder of how local businesses and communities can make a meaningful impact together.
