Today marks the 91st day of the 2025 105-Day legislative session. We only have 15 days left until Sine Die (End of Session). If lawmakers are unable to pass a budget before Sine Die, the Governor will call them back for a special session, something that hasn’t happened since 2017.
On April 5th, the Washington State Senate unanimously passed their version of the capital budget for the 2025-27 biennium, amounting to $7.3 billion, with a bipartisan vote of 47-0. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives are in the process of developing and passing their own version of the capital budget. They will both have to reconcile their differences when the House does pass their budget, before it heads to the Governor’s office.
Attached is and updated report of top Priority Bills.
Legislative Priorities - PDF LINK
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability
On Wednesday, April 9, Democrat Leadership from the House and Senate held a media availability regarding in the Seante Rules Room on the current state of the Legislative Session. Those Democratic Leaders attending included:
- Senator Jaimie Pedersen (D-43), Majority Leader
- Senator Manka Dhingra (D-45), Deputy Majority Leader
- Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34), Majority Leader
- Representative Monica Stonier (D-49), Majority Floor Leader
Sen. Jaimie Pederson (D-43) stated that it is unlikely that any part of their final budget will include a “wealth tax” which reflects recent concerns by Governor Fergusson who stated he would veto a wealth tax. The Senator was also optimistic that a special session would not be necessary. He stated that the Legislature is up for a week of intense floor action on high priority bills to include the rent stabilization/rent control legislation. Within this coming week or so is when he and Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34), Majority Leader, believes a “plan” will be released. He believes that the tools they will be utilizing to balance the state budget will be public around Wednesday of this coming week, however which combination of tools they will be using they might still be working on those. They stated that the Capital Gains tax is possible to be a tool.
In regard to the property tax proposal Sen. Pedersen stated that this has been around since the beginning of the state and is base for funding public schools and safety of the county and city level. Pederson believes there is misunderstanding of property tax, and they will have more discussion on the proposal of property tax would do.
You can view, press conference at the State Capitol here.
HB 1217 – Rent Control/Rent Stabilization Bill Passes the Senate
On Thursday, April 10, HB 1217, the statewide most highly debated rent control bill, passed out of the State Senate with a vote of 29-20. The bill caps rent increases at 10% plus inflation per year, creates a new notice, and other policies. The bill was introduced by State Sen. Emily Alvarado, a West Seattle Democrat. This bill has been highly opposed by the residential and commercial real-estate industry as this will decrease the availability of affordable housing in Washinton State. Many economists argue that rent restrictions actually make housing affordability worse by suppressing the development of new housing.
The legislation will now head back to the House for a concurrence vote on the Senate Amendments.
If the house concurs, the last step will be with the Governor’s office. As Governor Ferguson can either strike aspects of the bill or veto the policy.
You can take action in further opposing the legislation by letting your voice be heard to Governor Ferguson here.
