Hi John,

🎉 Major victories in both the House and Senate this week! 

On Saturday, a capital gains tax (SB 5096) narrowly passed the Senate for the first time ever and yesterday the Working Families Tax Credit/Recovery Rebate (HB 1297) passed the House with 94 representatives in support and only 2 opposed! Take a minute to thank your lawmakers for voting in favor of legislation to make Washington’s tax code more fair and urge their support for these bills as they cross over into the opposite chamber.

Let’s keep the pressure on!

The House and Senate are currently drafting their budget proposals to determine all state spending during the next two years, including investments and programs that serve communities living on low incomes in Washington state. With their budget proposals anticipated to be released sometime next week, now is the time to push for crucial investments for low-income Washingtonians and communities of color. As we develop plans to rebuild a better Washington amidst the economic impacts of COVID-19, it is vital that we ensure an equitable recovery for all. This year we are urging the state legislature to:

• Increase the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) monthly cash grant by at least 15%. If passed, a family of three will see their grant increase from $569 to $654 a month.

• Fully fund the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) to ensure low-income Washingtonians can receive a recovery rebate of approximately $500.

• Invest at least $53 million in the Washington College Grant to expand access to higher education for low-income students.

• Invest at least $104 million in the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program to ensure that people with disabilities in our state have a safe place to live.

• Invest at least $240 million for the Housing Trust Fund to build and maintain affordable housing units in communities across the state.

Email your lawmakers to make sure these essential investments are part of the House and Senate budget proposals!