No Kidding! The Children's Alliance blog

The close of each fiscal year gives us the chance to reflect on the progress we’ve made and acknowledge the partners who made our successes possible.

“We can really change the course of history in Washington state.” These powerful words from Representative Noel Frame epitomize the message we heard at Path Forward 2022. Along with Representatives April Berg, Tana Senn, and Jamila Taylor, Rep. Frame joined Dr. Stephan Blanford at the Children’s Alliance office to talk about advancing racial equity for kids.

As we prepare for the 2023 legislative session, Children’s Alliance is strengthening our capacity to deliver relevant and up-to-date information on the most important issues facing children and families in our state.

Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized by Children’s Alliance for their work to further our annual legislative agenda. Each of the following legislators provided significant leadership during the 2022 legislative session in advancing state policies or investments to improve the well-being of children in Washington.

Children’s Alliance health policy director Charles Adkins reflects on the health care achievements, and unfinished business, of the 2022 legislative session.

Hana Gregory, director of the Early Learning Action Alliance, reflects on the health care achievements, and unfinished business, of the 2022 legislative session.

Despite its short length, this legislative session bore significant victories for kids and families. And for the second year in a row, advocates from across the state were able to make their voices heard in Olympia by signing in to support or oppose bills and give testimony remotely.

by Dr. Stephan Blanford

Yesterday’s news that the Douglas County Superior Court struck down the capital gains tax is a setback for all who've worked tirelessly to fix our upside-down tax code and secure much-needed funding for early learning.  

The House and Senate released their budgets earlier this week. Overall, we were pleased to see many of our priorities reflected in both budgets, which will result in positive impacts for our state’s children and families. 

The 2022 legislative session is progressing fast, we’re already past the halfway point! Here’s an update on some of our top priority bills: 

• House Bill 1878, to get more free school meals to hungry students, passed out of the House Appropriations committee unanimously!  

Though it’s less than a year old, the 2021 Fair Start for Kids Act is already lowering the high cost of quality child care for families across Washington state. Despite this progress, many of our families, businesses, and essential early childhood professionals are still struggling.

Children's Alliance 2022 Legislative Agenda

We believe in the potential of every child. But all too often, poverty, racism and the pandemic are putting opportunity out of reach.

Our legislative agenda seeks to protect kids, remove barriers and create pathways to success—so that Washington’s children and families stay strong, no matter what challenges we face.