Everyone deserves to have what they need to meet their basic needs. In a state with plentiful resources, poverty is a policy choice and scarcity is a myth.
Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and Medicare/Medicaid help millions of people across Washington to meet their basic needs of food, shelter, and healthcare.
However, recent federal actions like the passage of HR1 will remove billions of dollars in federal funding that bolster our state-run programs. Families across Washington are bracing for the impacts of new policies like work requirements and fewer exemptions. In addition, a lack of federal guidance surrounding implementation of these policies has lead to widespread confusion and fear.
“[I worry about] lack of money, especially with big ugly bill coming out. My VA pension is on the line, housing is on the line, SNAP is on the line. I’m walking around on eggshells all the time: how do you prepare for a future when you don’t know what that future looks like?” -Clark County listening session participant
Our state has abundant resources that, if tapped, could be used to meet Washingtonians’ basic needs. As we face a revenue shortfall, we should ask the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share and find other sources of progressive revenue instead of making cuts to vital services.
our priorities
Pass progressive revenue to keep funding crucial programs without Federal dollars and prevent cuts to services. Proposals like HB 2100: The Well Washington Fund, will bring in $2 billion per year for housing, healthcare and human services.
Increase staffing and technological capacity to support human services demands amplified by HR1.
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