Advocacy Update: January 2025
Washington State Legislative Session
State lawmakers have convened at the Capitol to consider new laws and a 2-year budget for the state. The start of legislative session also marks the beginning of Governor Bob Ferguson’s term in office. Throughout the 105 days of session, Food Lifeline will be working to advance hunger and poverty issues that have been lifted up by community, our agency, and coalition partners as priorities for 2025. See our full advocacy agenda here.
School Meals
Building on years of policy work on the issue of child hunger, Food Lifeline will be pusing for free school meals for all students in K-12 schools (currently only K-5 grades are covered). The issue has broad legislative support, but enough of a fiscal note to make it difficult to fit in a tight state budget environment. We believe the imperative to make sure no child is hungry should be a top budget priority and will work to this end. Rep. April Berg and Sen. Marcus Riccelli are sponsoring the bills to expand school meal access. Please join our advocacy to ensure Washington students have access to meals at no student cost. Sign up here.
