State Session Update – April 16
With just 10 days left in session, lawmakers are facing their most intensive budget negotiations yet. The state is required to pass a balanced budget but is facing an estimated $12 billion shortfall in its 4-year outlook. About half of this shortfall is expected to be made up by cuts and half in new revenue. If things hold up, both House and Senate operating budgets include the levels of funding requested for important nutrition assistance programs. However, concerns about additional cuts exist due to the heavy amount of opposition many of the proposed revenue options are receiving. As a backdrop to all of this, food insecurity is alarmingly high and federal support is retreating. The state’s food banking system is deeply concerned about keeping up with ever increasing demand.
To confirm, our budget priorities for the state budget sustain the services people are turning to now – they are not a result of new programs or policy expansions. The funding levels requested by advocates reflect the funding requested by the state agencies and closely mirror the funding levels in Gov. Inslee’s budget, so programs can maintain current service levels without cutting back on food or clients:
- Extend Funding for Food Banks and Food Pantries (WSDA) – $93.25 million
- Maintain Service Levels for Senior Nutrition Programs (DSHS-ALTSA) – $35.4 million
- Maintain Funding for SNAP Fruit & Vegetable Incentive Programs (DOH) – $6 million
- Protect SUN Bucks/ Summer EBT (DSHS-ESA) – $11.83 million
Please look for additional information, including alerts to message your lawmakers, as we approach April 27, the final day of the 2025 Regular Session.