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.
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.
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.
Taking place amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 legislative session was like no other. While conducting the session remotely presented many challenges, it also made participation in the legislative process more accessible than ever before. Advocates from across the state were able to make their voices heard by signing in to support bills or testifying directly from their homes.
We believe in the potential of every child. The challenges of racism, recession and pandemic pose acute threats to our children’s future—but we can meet them, together.
Our legislative agenda seeks to protect kids, remove barriers and create opportunity—so that children and families withstand the worst of these times and emerge ready to thrive.
This July 1, kids and families across the state should begin to feel the effects of the Fair Start for Kids Act—the historic investment in early learning that state lawmakers passed during the 2021 legislative session.
New KIDS COUNT report highlights many kids in Washington struggle to meet basic needs
Over the past year, members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have documented an alarming increase in acts of violence and discrimination against their communities.
When we all come together to support each other, especially in times like these, we build a foundation for a healthy future.
The new year brought some good news for full-family health care in Washington state: thousands of Washington adults are eligible for Apple Health coverage for the first time in 25 years.
Here in Washington and across the country, the open enrollment period for health coverage on state-based exchanges has begun.
Black Lives Matter.
Our communities are facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of you are feeling the hardships resulting from the necessary measures we must take to reduce the transmission and impact of this dangerous virus. We hope that you and the kids you care about are safe and healthy.
Washington state currently ranks sixth in the nation for the number of people living in child care deserts. This includes the residents of Whatcom County, who are at risk of losing 15 percent of their already inadequate number of available child care slots.
