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Democratic leaders list housing, education and workforce as top priorities amid budget squeeze
Summary
House Speaker Laurie Jenkins and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Peterson laid out the caucus’ priorities — including a rent stabilization bill moved from committee, firearm safe-storage rules, expanded workforce training and K–12 funding — and said budget “scrubbing” will guide decisions this session.
House Speaker Laurie Jenkins and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Peterson used a legislative press conference to outline the Democratic caucuses’ top priorities for the session and to frame how they will approach an anticipated budget shortfall.
"Our feeling is that if we continue to be focused on that at all times, then the challenges that we have ... we'll be able to address successfully as long as we stay focused on the people," Jenkins said, listing affordable housing (including a rent stabilization bill that was heard on the first day and moved out of committee) and a bill from Rep. Dolio requiring safe storage of firearms in homes and vehicles.
Peterson said the Senate shares House priorities on housing and singled out K–12 education as another major focus. "We have a lot of ideas for policy, and we're, I think, not going to allow ourselves to be distracted by the chaos machine in Washington, DC," he said, adding that committees will soon consider proposals on special education funding, material supplies and transportation. He noted the scale involved: about 295 school districts and 1,100,000 public school students.
Both leaders described workforce development as central to their agenda. Jenkins pointed to a package of postsecondary compacts across fields "from cosmetology to respiratory care," and highlighted a proposal from Rep. Scott to prohibit requiring a driver's license for jobs that do not require driving as a way to expand employment access.
On the budget, leaders said "scrubbing" line items will be the first step before considering new revenue. Jenkins said the caucus has not settled on particular tax proposals and emphasized the goal of ensuring wealthy corporations and individuals pay a fair share if additional revenue is considered.
The leaders also signaled continuity on long-standing caucus work — mental-health access, substance-use treatment, LGBTQI protections and climate initiatives — and said they expect to collaborate with the governor where priorities align. Jenkins expressed support for Attorney General Nick Brown’s stated intent to challenge a federal order on birthright citizenship, saying the caucus will focus on protecting Washingtonians' constitutional rights.
The press conference included questions about possible reforms to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, wildfire prevention funding and the durability of proposed police-hiring funds. Leaders said some items (including governance changes for Fish and Wildlife) are under discussion within the caucus and that final decisions will depend on the budget review.
The caucus opened committee schedules on several of the topics Jenkins and Peterson raised; leaders said work will proceed in committees and through interchamber collaboration as the session continues.
