As we get closer to the end of session and a final budget deal, the Senate has released a new set of revenue proposals that are being heard on Wednesday evening . Please sign in supporting these bills by Wednesday at 4:30 pm to remind the Senate that they can pass a budget that fixes our tax code and funds our public services.
- SB 5812 is the latest version of the bill to raise the arbitrary 1% cap on property tax increases to no more than 3%.
- SB 5813 makes the existing capital gains tax more progressive – increasing rates for the wealthiest Washingtonians, while simultaneously making sure middle class folks don’t have to pay it.
- SB 5814 modernizes the state’s retail and services excise tax by expanding it to cover IT consultants, software developers, and temporary employment agencies.
The Senate is also considering SB 5807 , their latest version of their plan for public employee health care. The current version contains no premium increases for public employees and doesn’t undermine our collective bargaining rights; it does cut the existing wellness incentive program starting in 2028, but that’s a cut that affects relatively few members and is far enough away that we have some time to fix it in future budgets.
Our collective voice continues to echo through the halls of the capitol. The powers that be are beginning to see that you, the people who keep this state running, demand change and will not stand for balancing the checkbook on your shoulders. While many of you have already joined into making our cause known, there is still room for more. Keep pushing and keep shouting until we’ve made sure that the legislature has funded the WPEA contracts in the final state budget. The Echoes of the Many!
Help us continue to grow our voice and keep that pressure on! If you know a labor supporter or a Washington resident who values public services, please take a moment to urge them to call and/or email their legislators, too. Below is a quick script you can use or share with others—friends, family, coworkers—anyone who cares about strong public servicesand fair treatment for the people who provide them. Here is the District Finder in case they need to find their legislative district to determine who their senator and representatives are.
Letter Template
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a Washington resident who depends on the vital services our public employees provide every day. I’m calling to urge you to fully fund the WPEA contracts in the final state budget.
From health services to public safety, education to environmental protection—our state workers are the backbone of the programs and support systems that keep Washington running. These employees kept showing up during the pandemic, and they’ve continued serving our communities through every challenge since.
But I’m concerned. Public workers are facing burnout, low pay, and high turnover—because wages haven’t kept pace with inflation, and many positions remain understaffed. If we want strong, reliable public services in our communities, we have to invest in the people who deliver them. These are real people doing important work that affects all of us.
That’s why I’m asking you to pass a budget that fully funds all state employee contracts, without pay cuts or furloughs. Supporting and protecting public employees means stronger public services and safer communities.
Progress takes persistence!
We have managed to grab the ears of the Lawmakers. Let’s ensure there is no room for their attention to wander. Persistence is key! Every call, every email, every conversation helps keep that pressure on until they do the right thing. Fully fund the contract and shifting their focus to supporting the workers who make Washington strong.
You’ve already made a difference. Thank you for standing with Washington’s public workers! For more ways to support getting our contracts funded visit us online – here.
