FAN staff Elizabeth Dickinson, Blake Alford and Kristin Ang attended the Balance our Tax Code Rally, shown in this King5 news story. They also attended meetings with several senators and representatives advocating for progressive revenue in our state. You can boost our collective efforts by signing our progressive revenue action letter.

Putting Our Values into Action

TAKE ACTION: Raise Your VOICE FOR A JUST BUDGET!

Budget Week is Here – Let’s Show Up for Justice!

Faith Action Network is grounded in the belief that a just society leaves no one behind. Join us in calling for a moral budget that honors the dignity of all. As our state faces deep economic challenges and rising need, we must advocate for a budget that puts people first: investing in health care, housing, food, climate and safety—not austerity. Cuts to social services, food, and housing assistance would devastate the most vulnerable in our state. These programs are not “extras”—they’re lifelines. That’s why FAN and our partners are also calling for progressive revenue solutions that ask the wealthiest to pay their share and ensure long-term budget sustainability. Let’s raise our voices together to fund our future with equity and compassion.

  • Proposed state budgets will be released on Monday, March 24 by noon
  • Public hearings on the House and Senate budgets will take place Tuesday, March 25 at 4PM

Sign in and share your comments in support of raising progressive revenue and protecting vital services and programs:

HB 1198 (Ormsby/Gregerson) House 2025-2027 fiscal biennium Operating Budget. House Committee on Appropriations public hearing on March 25 at 4:00 PM. 

SB 5167 (Robinson/Nobles) Senate fiscal biennium Operating Budget. Senate Committee on Ways & Means public hearing on March 25 at 4:00 PM. 

New resources are available to prepare us for this messaging. Find an excellent new fact sheet (2025-BPC-Budget Shortfall) on progressive revenue on our website in the Advocacy drop-down menu under Fact Sheets. Also check out this map of nationwide tax rates. You will see that Washington has the 8th lowest tax rate on the top 1% in the nation.

TAKE ACTION – Join WAISN in Olympia, Tuesday, March 25!

On Tuesday, March 25, join our partners at WAISN (Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network) for a powerful rally and budget hearing advocacy day in Olympia.

  • 3:00 PM Rally at the Capitol Sundial (between the O’Brien & Cherberg Buildings)
  • 3:30 PM Hallway Presence as legislators walk by
  • 4:00 PM Attend budget hearings in both House and Senate committees

WAISN is calling for:

  • $61M to renew the WA-MASS program for migrant and asylum-seeker support
  • $20M for Legal Aid and Deportation Defense
  • $5M for Community Defense Infrastructure
  • $4M for the Washington New Americans naturalization program
  • Full funding for Apple Health Expansion (covering 12,000 enrolled & 16,000 waitlisted)
  • $1M for the WA Dream Service Incentive Grant pilot for undocumented students

You can also amplify the Health Equity for Immigrants Campaign (HEIC) by sharing the new 1-pager of stories from impacted community members with your legislators. More details can be found on FAN’s Take Action page.

️ Let’s show up in solidarity to ensure immigrant and refugee communities are protected, supported, and funded.

TAKE ACTION: Sign in PRO or Testify for our Bills

HB 1232 Private Detention Facilities Accountability and Transparency including NW Detention Center. Senate Committee on Human Services on March 24 at 1:30 PM

HB 1432 Improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services. Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care on March 25 at 10:30 AM

HB 1163 Permit to Purchase Firearms would implement a comprehensive permit system for firearm purchases. Senate Committee on Law & Justice on March 25 at 8:00 AM

SB 5436 Prohibiting Interference with Access to a Place of Religious Worship. Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety on 3/26 at 4pm.

TOWN HALLS CONTINUE: Keep up the momentum!

Thank you to everyone who has been showing up to town halls across the state! Our advocacy is needed to prevent budget cuts to vital programs for low-income and marginalized folks, to urge progressive revenue, and to get our priority bills through the second chamber and onto the Governor’s desk. As meetings continue this next week, you can find helpful tips and a list of March 2025 Town Hall Priorities on our Take Action! page. FAN staff are also happy to strategize with you about questions–just call or email!

TAKE ACTION BY PERSONALIZING AND SIGNING OUR NEW ADVOCACY LETTERS

Preserve Vital Funding for Struggling Washingtonians

Fully Fund Immigrant Healthcare in Washington State

Sign on to our Senior Nutrition Funding Letter

Photo Credit: Farm Worker Ministry Northwest

Join the Boycott of Windmill Farms & Sunnyside Mushrooms

FAN has endorsed the United Farm Workers’ boycott against Windmill Farms mushrooms.

We invite you to join in solidarity with these mushroom workers from Yakima Valley who are seeking a union contract and fighting against unfair working conditions.

  • Don’t buy Windmill Mushrooms or any mushrooms from Sunnyside, Washington.
  • Go one step further by asking your local Safeway manager not to buy mushrooms from Windmill Farms.
  • Show up for the UFW action in Tacoma on March 31st, 12 pm at the Safeway, 2411 N. Proctor Street.

Windmill Mushroom Products is owned by private equity firm Instar Investments and continues to unjustly fire workers and maintain unfair working conditions. The boycott aims to pressure the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the UFW and its workers without fear of retaliation.

Workers began seeking a union contract in the summer of 2022 in response to widespread firings and ongoing concerns over safety, discrimination, and retaliation. Over a hundred women were fired when they reported harassment to HR; they were rehired after a successful lawsuit but harassment and poor treatment from management continued.

Learn more on the Farm Worker Ministry Northwest website

Kristin’s Policy Updates

Revenue Justice, Worker Solidarity, and Bold Leadership on the Budget

This past week brought a major turning point in the fight for economic justice and public investment. From powerful rallies to transformative tax proposals, legislators and advocates made clear that austerity is not the answer. FAN stood alongside our partners in demanding a fair budget rooted in equity, dignity, and community care.

Monday: Rally for Progressive Revenue – Fund Our Future!

On March 17, hundreds gathered in Olympia for the Fund Our Future Rally, led by Invest in WA Now and the Balance Our Tax Code (BOTC) coalition, with strong representation from labor, faith leaders, and grassroots advocates. The rally sent a clear message: Washington must raise progressive revenue to fund housing, education, healthcare, and essential services—instead of making cuts that hurt those already struggling.

With a $15 billion budget shortfall looming, rally speakers called for action that addresses the root of the problem—our state’s upside-down tax code. Washington remains the second most regressive tax system in the nation, where the poorest 20% households pay three times more in taxes as a percentage of income than the richest 1%.

“In the richest state in the richest country in the history of the world, there’s no excuse for budget cuts that hurt working families. It’s time to stop asking the poor to subsidize the wealthy—and start investing in a future where everyone can thrive.” said Rep. Shaun Scott.

“Progressive revenue is not a fringe issue—it’s a survival issue,” added Rep. Natasha Hill. Sen. Noel Frame declared: “The wealth is there. The question is whether we have the political will to go get it and reinvest it in our communities.”

Participants met with legislators and urged swift action on revenue justice, aligning with the tax proposals unveiled later in the week (see Thursday).

At a press conference also on Monday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray joined state lawmakers to warn that Washington’s social safety net is also under threat from national proposals. Murray described a growing effort in Congress to gut Medicaid and food assistance programs, part of a broader “all-out assault on programs that serve low-income and marginalized people.”

“We cannot allow these attacks on Medicaid to succeed—not at the federal level, and not through backdoor budget cuts in our own state,” Murray stated. “This is about our values as a state and as a nation.”

Her remarks come as state leaders weigh deep budget cuts unless progressive revenue is adopted. FAN echoes this call: Medicaid, food assistance, and safety net services are lifelines that must be protected.

Later that day, two FAN-supported bills had public hearings:

  • SB 5284 – Recycling Reform Act would implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), holding corporations accountable for the life cycle of packaging waste. This is a key step toward environmental justice and sustainability.
  • SB 5123 – Student Protections in Public Schools seeks to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ and marginalized youth, ensuring public schools are safe, inclusive spaces for all.

Tuesday: Revenue Forecast & Workers’ Rights Hearings

Tuesday’s Economic and Revenue Forecast showed a sobering $845 million drop in expected revenue, deepening the urgency for new revenue sources.

Two key bills were heard:

  • SB 5041 – Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers: FAN supports this labor rights measure to allow striking workers access to unemployment insurance.
  • SB 5714 – Bail Agent Regulation Reform: Prevents bounty hunters from enforcing civil immigration warrants or sharing immigration status—protecting immigrant rights and due process.

Wednesday: Workers Walk Out, Tenants Speak Up

State employees at the Attorney General’s Office walked out, protesting proposed furloughs and budget cuts that would strain staff and reduce services. This unprecedented action echoed the broader call for a budget that doesn’t sacrifice public workers.

At the same time, housing advocates packed a hearing room for HB 1217 – Rent Stabilization, pushing for predictable, fair housing policies in the face of ongoing rent hikes. While industry opposition was strong, so was grassroots testimony supporting this tenant protection bill.

Thursday: Senate Democrats Unveil Bold Progressive Revenue Package

In a historic move, Senate Democrats unveiled a comprehensive tax reform plan designed to raise $17 billion over the next two budget cycles, while making the system more equitable. The package includes:

  • 1% Wealth Tax on Financial Intangibles

A 1% tax on stocks, bonds, and other financial assets above $50 million (excluding retirement accounts, homes, and farmland). Expected to raise $4 billion per year, funding public education.

  • 5% Payroll Tax on High-Income Compensation

Applies to large employers for salaries above the Social Security threshold. Exempts businesses already paying Seattle’s JumpStart tax. Expected to raise $2.3 billion annually for schools, healthcare, and social services.

  • Adjustment of Property Tax Growth Cap

Raises growth limit from 1% to a rate tied to population and inflation. Exempts seniors and people with disabilities from the state property tax. Expected to raise $779 million over four years.

  • Repeal of Ineffective Tax Exemptions

Closes 20 outdated or inequitable tax loopholes, including for in-state hauling and gold bullion. Adds $1 billion in revenue.

  • State Sales Tax Reduction

Reduces the state sales tax from 6.5% to 6%, easing the burden on low- and moderate-income residents. Estimated to reduce revenue by $1.3 billion annually—partially offset by the wealth and payroll taxes.

Sen. Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen: “This proposal reflects what we’ve heard from our communities: the wealthiest few should share more of the responsibility of investing in the services people need.”

Sen. Noel Frame, Chair of Finance: “Rather than doubling down on a regressive tax code, we’re asking the wealthiest to finally do their part.”

Sen. June Robinson, Chair of Ways & Means: “This plan protects essential services and puts the state on stronger financial footing for years to come.”

Documentary and Discussion in Spokane

Join Faith Action Network and Latinos en Spokane on Thursday March 27 from 5:30-7:30pm for a screening of Latinos en Spokane documentary The Immigration Resident at the EWU Catalyst Building Room #301 (601 E Riverside Avenue, Spokane WA 99201). The Immigration Resident commemorates Latino immigrant history, their labor and contribution to our state, and the collective struggle faced by community organizations. The event will include light refreshments and a guided discussion following the film. We hope you can join us! If you have any questions please email dilts@fanwa.org

More Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Tuesday, 6:00–7:30 PM March 25, Faithcare: A Mental Health Support Program for Faith Leaders, online. Faith leaders play a vital role in supporting their communities—but they don’t have to do it alone. NAMI Washington’s new Faithcare program is a free, 6-week online course designed to equip faith leaders with knowledge, skills, and a supportive network for navigating mental health in their congregations. Gatherings will continue on the following Tuesdays: April 1, 8, 29, May 6, 13. Programming for the program has been developed and initiated by Rabbi Johanna Kinberg of Kol Ami in Kirkland. Interested?  Questions? Contact Summer Starr sstarr@namiwa.org

Saturday, March 29, 12-2 pm, Rapid Response with WAISN, virtual. As our immigrant communities face escalating ICE activity and threats of deportation, WAISN continues to offer trainings for volunteers to show up, stand in solidarity, offer support, and bear witness. Accompaniment volunteers are also still needed — contact WAISN’s Deportation Defense Organizer (yahaira.padilla@waisn.org) to schedule a training.

Sunday, April 27, 3:30pm – 7pm, Uniting the Inland Northwest, in-person. Montvale Event Center (1019 W. 1st Ave. Spokane, WA 99201). FāVS News is hosting “Uniting the Inland Northwest,” a free community gathering focused on bridging regional divides. The event will feature six breakout sessions addressing regional issues and a keynote address from Itohan Idumwonyi, of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, and a Gonzaga University professor, on Ubuntu: How an Ancient African Concept can Help Human Flourishing.