At Solid Ground, we see firsthand how programs meant to help people living on low incomes can cause harm instead. That’s why our advocacy partner, Statewide Poverty Action Network, made it a priority this legislative session to end harmful restrictions and advocate for policies that offer a true path out of poverty.

Despite the tight timeline of this year’s short session, which wrapped up last week, Poverty Action and our partners successfully advocated for several policies that will make cash assistance programs work better for the families who rely on them across Washington state. There are also several pieces of critical legislation that were not passed this year, leaving us with a lot of work to pick up next session.

Check out Poverty Action’s 2024 Legislative Session Recap to learn about this year’s victories in Olympia as well as the work that remains ahead. We’ve also prepared a 2024 Supplemental Operating Budget Comparison to break down the ways in which the biennial state budget was amended to better serve the needs of low-income Washington residents. 

Looking ahead to next year, we’re invigorated by our successes and remain dedicated to the work left to be done. We’re also grateful for all the work done by advocates, organizers, lawmakers, and coalition partners to help pass our policy priorities this session! We look forward to continuing to pull up seats at the table for our community to build momentum in the interim – and to influence policy change next session.