Washington State Senate Democrats

08/26/2026

Everyone knows Washington is currently THE best state when it comes to access to the ballot box, but did you know we’ve always had a thing for voting rights? Today we celebrate Women’s Equality Day and the 106th anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote nationwide. It’s worth remembering that in 1920, women in Washington won that right a decade earlier. Leaders like Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton built a powerful suffrage movement in our state, pushing the legislature and other elected leaders toward a system where everyone has a voice and a vote.

08/25/2026

Big problem, meet big solution.

08/15/2026

Our housing work in 2026 builds upon the whirlwind of activity that was 2025 - one of the most productive for housing legislation in our state's history! Whether it's the Housing Accountability Act making sure that homes are being built in every community; our historic rent stabilization bill helping families stay in their homes and plan for the future; the Parking Reform And Modernization act that is already lowering costs to build housing, child care centers, and other buildings around the state; or any of the other bills we passed, Washingtonians are already seeing results! But Senate Democrats aren't taking a break, and we are continuing our hard work on affordable housing this year and every year. It's the only way to meet our goal of building 1 million new homes in the next 20 years!

08/13/2026

kinda chic to put people first

08/10/2026

We know we need more housing in Washington, especially more affordable housing. One of the best ways to do this is by using permit-ready plans: pre-approved plans that meet state and local building codes. This means building new homes with less red tape and lower costs. We're focused on big solutions to big problems (like housing) in 2027, and working alongside builders with permit-ready home plans, standardized designs, and off-site construction to move faster through permitting. That's just one way we're putting people first.

08/03/2026

The Millionaires Tax will make life for working and middle class families more affordable. By asking less than one percent of the wealthiest in our state to pay a little more, we can eliminate sales tax on personal care products, diapers, and most over-the-counter medication. It will increase funding for public schools, higher education, and essential services. The funds it generates will exempt the vast majority of small businesses from the B&O tax, fund early learning programs, provide free school lunches, and expand the Working Families Tax Credit. In every way, this legislation will make life better, cheaper, and fairer for hard-working Washingtonians.

08/03/2026

Read the full statement from the 3rd Legislative District delegation (Sen. Marcus Riccelli, Rep. Natasha Hill, and Rep. Timm Ormsby):

Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires impacting Spokane and surrounding communities. We are deeply grateful to the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, utility crews, National Guard members, and countless volunteers working around the clock to protect lives and property under incredibly difficult conditions.

The situation remains active and conditions are changing quickly. We encourage everyone to rely on official sources for evacuation notices, fire updates, and emergency information. If you have not already done so, register for Alert Spokane to receive emergency notifications directly, and monitor Spokane County Emergency Management for the latest evacuation maps, shelter information, and safety updates.

If you are under a Level 3 evacuation, leave immediately. Do not wait. If you are under a Level 2 evacuation, be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, and if you need additional time because of children, medical needs, pets, or livestock, officials strongly encourage leaving early.

We also want to remind everyone that private drones must not be flown anywhere near wildfire operations. Unauthorized drones create dangerous conditions for firefighting aircraft and can force them to stop flying, delaying critical suppression efforts when every minute matters. Please keep drones on the ground and allow first responders to do their jobs safely.

For those who have been displaced, evacuation shelters and emergency resources are available. The primary evacuation shelter is located at the Spokane Convention Center, where parking is free and pets are welcome. Animal sheltering and RV accommodations for evacuated animals are available at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. Emergency Management continues to post the most up-to-date shelter locations and available resources.

If you’ve already evacuated, do not return home until local officials announce that it is safe to do so. Even if fire activity appears to have decreased, hazards such as downed power lines, damaged roads, falling trees, hot spots, and emergency response operations can make re-entry dangerous. Spokane County Emergency Management and local law enforcement will notify residents when evacuation levels are reduced or lifted. Continue monitoring official channels for the latest updates.

Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide wildfire emergency and implemented a statewide burn ban through September 30 as firefighters continue battling record-setting fires across Washington. We ask everyone to do their part by following all burn restrictions, avoiding activities that could spark new fires, and checking on neighbors who may need assistance.

To everyone who has lost a home, been forced to evacuate, or is anxiously watching these fires unfold: your Spokane community stands with you. We will continue working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to ensure our community has the resources it needs during this emergency and throughout the recovery ahead.

The best way to support emergency responders right now is to stay informed, obey evacuation orders, and avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas. Please stay safe, follow evacuation orders, and continue looking out for one another.

If you’ve been evacuated:
• Follow your evacuation level immediately.
• Bring medications, important documents, pets, and essential supplies if you can do so safely.
• Check Spokane County Emergency Management for current shelter locations and assistance.
• Do not return home until local officials announce that it is safe to do so.

Resources:
• Spokane County Emergency Management: Evacuation levels, maps, shelters, and official updates - https://www.spokanecounty.gov/5498/Emergency-Management
• Alert Spokane: Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your phone. - https://www.spokanecounty.gov/3007/Alert-Spokane
• Washington Department of Natural Resources: Current wildfire information and burn restrictions. https://dnr.wa.gov/
• Community Resources Available to Those Impacted by Fires: Resources available across the Spokane region for people impacted by wildfire evacuations, response, and recovery. - https://my.spokanecity.org/news/releases/2026/08/02/community-resources-available-to-those-impacted-by-fires/

08/03/2026

07/31/2026

People across the political spectrum – Democrats, independents, and even Republicans – express their frustration with a tax system that is rigged against working- and middle-class families. The people who make the least pay the most and the wealthiest among us pay far less of their income in state and local taxes. Our nearly century-old tax code relied mostly on flat taxes that fail to distinguish between small businesses and large corporations, homeowners and skyscraper owners, working people and billionaires. It’s antiquated, unfit for a modern economy, and deeply unfair. That's why we passed the Millionaires Tax, asking the wealthiest few to pay what they owe in taxes so we can fund world-class schools, health care, infrastructure, and the services Washingtonians rely on.

07/30/2026

The Jeopardy host (and the show’s all-time winningest contestant) is a proud Washingtonian, and his household is one of just 20,000 statewide that will pay the Millionaires Tax. Ken Jennings knows an awful lot, and like many wealthy Washingtonians, he also knows it’s in EVERYONE’S best interests to live in a state we can ALL afford.
The Millionaires Tax means money for schools and other essential programs as well as tax cuts for small businesses and almost 8 million Washingtonians. There’s nothing trivial about the positive impact the Millionaires Tax will have on families across Washington.