Latest from Lekanoff | Reflecting on the Legislative session

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||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP.  DEBRA LEKANOFF |||

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As the legislative session comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the work we’ve done together, and looking ahead to the season before us. Spring is arriving here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, bringing longer days, fresh air, and a sense of renewal. It’s a time to slow down, to ground ourselves, and to reconnect with the land, with one another, and with the communities we are honored to serve.

This session, we took on some of the most pressing challenges facing Washington families—from housing and health care to transportation, education, and economic fairness. Every vote, every conversation, and every bill was guided by the voices of our district and the values we share: compassion, community, and care for future generations.

Now, as we move into the interim, I look forward to spending more time back home visiting communities across the 40th District, listening, learning, and continuing this work together outside the walls of the Capitol.

A Historic Step Toward Economic Equity

This session marked a powerful and long-overdue step toward building a more just and equitable Washington. The passage of the Millionaires Tax (Senate Bill 6346), which establishes a tax on households earning more than $1 million annually, reflects our responsibility to correct a system that has been upside-down for far too long.

The reality is clear: Washington currently ranks 50th in tax fairness. Families in the bottom 20% pay 13.8% of their income in taxes, while those in the top 1% pay just 4.1%. That imbalance has real consequences for working families, children, and communities across our state. It’s time to change that—and this legislation is a meaningful step forward.

After more than 24 hours of continuous House floor debate, the bill passed. That extended debate reflects just how significant this moment is, not only as policy, but as a statement of our shared values and priorities.

This policy is about investing in Washington’s future. When children are healthy, families are stable, and communities are supported, our entire state benefits. Strong families lead to strong schools, strong communities, and strong local economies.

When I cast my vote, I kept our children and future generations in mind. If asking those who have the ability to give a little more means a child has food, health care, and a safe place to sleep, then that is a vote I will stand behind every time.

In the 40th District, we believe in compassion and community. In my Native cultural teachings, no person is left starving, homeless, or unsafe. We step forward together when our neighbors are struggling. This policy reflects those values—lifting up communities and ensuring families have access to essential resources like food, childcare, health care, and basic necessities.

When a small number of people have the ability to contribute more, it helps create opportunity for everyone. Strong families build strong communities, and strong communities build a stronger Washington.

At the end of the day, this vote came down to a simple question: are we willing to do a little more for the children and families who need it most? My answer will always be yes.

Delivering for Washington Families

Our work on tax reform did not happen in isolation. During the 2026 legislative session, we advanced a broad set of policies focused on equity, affordability, and opportunity for all. These included:

• Investments in working families and children, including expanding access to food, health care, and economic supports

• Housing stability and tenant protections, helping keep people in their homes and addressing rising costs

• Worker protections and health care access, including measures to strengthen workplace standards and expand care

• Consumer protections and emerging technology oversight, including efforts to regulate artificial intelligence and protect personal data

• Targeted tax reforms, including the Millionaires Tax, to rebalance our system and fund critical services

Together, these policies reflect a commitment to building an economy that works for everyone—not just those at the top.

For those who want to explore the preliminary list of legislation passed this session, I encourage you to review the Legislature’s full report here:
Summary of Legislation Passed (2026 Session)

Supplemental Operating Budget

WA Fights Back

As a Washington State Legislator—and as a Native woman who walks in two worlds—I carry both the history of this land and the responsibility of shaping its future.

I know deeply that the story of America has not always been just. The history of Native peoples is one of displacement, broken promises, and resilience. And today, many immigrant families—people of color who have come here seeking opportunity, safety, and hope—are facing their own devastating realities under federal actions, including enforcement by ICE.

That cannot be the future of Washington State.

In our state, we are choosing a different path.

We are saying clearly: this is our Washington. One Washington. A Washington built for all.

During the 2026 legislative session, we advanced a series of policies and investments that stand in direct contrast to harmful federal actions. We worked alongside the Governor, the Attorney General, and legislative leaders to strengthen protections for immigrant communities, uphold public safety, and ensure that families are not living in fear in the very communities they help build.

Our work included:

-Strengthening protections that limit harmful local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement

-Advancing policies that prioritize community safety over fear-based systems

-Investing in legal protections and access to services for immigrant families

-Supporting public health and safety systems that serve all Washingtonians, regardless of status

-And critically—we stepped forward where the federal government stepped back.

As of February 2026, Washington State lawmakers are responding to a significant budget shortfall that puts approximately 30,000 lawfully present noncitizen immigrants—including seniors and individuals with disabilities—at risk of losing Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, following federal cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” (HR1) that remove eligibility for this population.

Because in our communities, we do not turn our backs on one another.

As a Native woman, I was raised with values that have existed since time immemorial:

-No one goes hungry

-No one goes without care

– No one is left without shelter

-Our children and our elders are always protected

That is what community means.

And that is why the treatment of migrant and immigrant families we are seeing is so deeply concerning—and frankly, shameful.

But I am proud—proud to stand with my colleagues in the Washington State Legislature who are choosing compassion, courage, and action. Proud to stand with leadership across our state who believe that we are stronger when we take care of one another.

In the 40th District, we believe in showing up for our neighbors.

• We believe in protecting families.
• We believe that those who come here to build a better life deserve dignity, safety, and opportunity.

This is not just policy.

This is who we are.

This is our Washington.

And we will continue building it—together.

Here’s a look at some of what we worked on to protect Washingtonians against federal overreach: 

Strengthening protections for immigrant communities and workers

• The Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 2105/SB 5852) strengthens privacy protections by requiring warrants or subpoenas before employers can be forced to turn over sensitive worker records.

• HB 2602/SB 5906 protects sensitive spaces like schools and child care centers from immigration enforcement intrusion and strengthens safeguards around personal data.

• SB 5974 ensures immigration enforcement is carried out only by trained, certified law enforcement—not untrained or volunteer “posses.”

Increasing accountability and oversight of enforcement agencies

• HB 2161/SB 5925 expands the Attorney General’s authority to investigate civil rights violations, including discrimination, wage theft, jail standards, and immigration-related abuses.

• HB 2173/SB 5855 prohibits law enforcement from wearing face coverings, increasing transparency and public trust.

• HB 2165/SB 5876 makes it a crime to impersonate law enforcement, strengthening public safety and preventing abuse or fraud.

Protecting privacy and limiting misuse of surveillance tools

• HB 2332/SB 6002 places guardrails on license plate reader (“Flock”) camera data to prevent its use in immigration enforcement and protect individual privacy.

Supporting youth, workers, and vulnerable communities

• HB 2185/SB 5957 strengthens prevention and support systems for homeless and at-risk youth, reducing vulnerability to exploitation and instability.

• HB 2471 protects collective bargaining rights for workers not covered by federal labor law, reinforcing Washington’s commitment to fair labor standards.

• HB 2409/SB 6045 (which did not move forward) sought to extend collective bargaining rights to farmworkers, continuing an important conversation about dignity and fairness in agricultural work.

Modernizing language and affirming dignity

• HB 2632 removes outdated and dehumanizing terminology like “alien” from state law and replaces it with “noncitizen,” reflecting a more accurate and respectful legal framework.

Together, these policies reflect a clear value: Washington will not allow fear, misinformation, or federal overreach to undermine the safety, rights, and dignity of our communities. Instead, House Democrats are focused on building a state where people are protected, workers are respected, and government power is exercised transparently and responsibly.

Resources for Immigrants and Refugees 

Learn More About Our Bills to Protect Washingtonians

Investing in Our Community

This session, we made meaningful investments in the places and spaces that hold our communities together through the state’s capital budget. These are investments in housing, food access, infrastructure, and community well-being: projects that are not only shovel-ready, but rooted in partnership and long-term impact.

One project I am especially proud to support is the Pea Patch Community Campus on Orcas Island, which received $824,000 in the capital budget for site work.

This project is a true reflection of how we work together in the 40th District. Representative Alex Ramel, Senator Liz Lovelett, and I collaborate closely to prioritize projects that are ready to move forward, have strong community backing, and bring multiple funding partners to the table. The Pea Patch Community Campus embodies that shared commitment—this is a collective investment in our region’s future.

The Pea Patch Community Campus will serve as a one-stop hub for some of the most essential needs in our community: housing, food access, and well-being.

This funding will support the next phase of site development. Once complete, the campus will deliver:

• 20 permanently affordable homes for island residents

• A new, expanded food bank facility increasing capacity by 190%, serving up to 3,200 people annually

• Community-centered spaces designed with accessibility, dignity, and sustainability in mind

On Orcas Island, where more than half of households experience housing instability or food insecurity, this project is essential. It reflects our shared values: that no one should go without a safe place to live or reliable access to food.

No one in our community should be left behind. Projects like Pea Patch are about stepping forward together to meet the needs of our neighbors.

We are grateful for the strong community partnership behind this effort. As one project partner shared:

This capital budget reflects our commitment to investing in people, in place, and in possibility. By prioritizing projects that are ready to go, collaboratively supported, and focused on real community needs, we are building a stronger, more resilient Washington for generations to come.

Reliable Ferries and a Stronger Future

Health Care & Wellness: Expanding Access, Protecting Care, and Centering Community

As Vice Chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, I am honored to help lead work that is deeply rooted in one core belief: health care is a human right. This session, we made meaningful progress toward ensuring that every Washingtonian can access affordable, high-quality, and culturally responsive care.

Our work continues to be guided by equity, compassion, and a commitment to protecting both patients and providers. In a time when access to care is under threat in many parts of the country, Washington has remained a place where we stand firm in protecting reproductive freedom, gender-affirming care, and the dignity of every individual seeking care.

2026 Legislative Highlights

This session, we advanced a number of important policies to improve access, affordability, and patient protections:

• Protecting preventive care access (HB 2242): Ensures vaccines, cancer screenings, and other preventive services remain covered by insurance by affirming state authority to recommend essential services.

• Expanding access to abortion medication (SB 5917): Strengthens Washington’s ability to manage and distribute its supply of mifepristone, helping ensure continued access to safe, evidence-based reproductive care.

• Preserving the health care safety net through 340B protections (SB 5981): Prevents pharmaceutical companies from restricting access to discounted medications for safety-net providers, protecting care for our most vulnerable communities.

• Protecting patients in an evolving technological landscape (HB 2155): Ensures that only licensed human professionals can use nursing titles—safeguarding trust, transparency, and patient safety in an era of increasing AI use.

• Strengthening oversight of retirement communities (HB 2384): Adds financial accountability measures to ensure long-term stability and protection for residents in continuing care retirement communities.

• Expanding compassionate care at the end of life (HB 2152): Allows qualifying patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice settings to access medical cannabis—supporting dignity, comfort, and patient-centered care.

Supporting whole-person and community health

Beyond the committee, we also supported broader efforts to strengthen behavioral health, worker protections, and reproductive access:

• Youth behavioral health coordination (HB 2429), helping families better navigate care systems

• The Abortion Savings Program (SB 6182), ensuring financial barriers do not prevent access to care

• Improved care access for injured workers (SB 5847), helping people heal and return to work with dignity

Moving forward with our values

In the 40th District, we believe in caring for one another. In my culture, wellness is about the health of the whole community. When we ensure access to care, we are investing in our families, our elders, and future generations.

Housing: Building Community, Stability, and Belonging

As a member of the Housing Committee, I have seen firsthand how deeply the housing crisis is impacting families across Washington, from our island communities to rural areas and growing cities alike. Housing is about belonging, stability, and dignity.

In the 40th District, we know that when people cannot find or afford a safe place to live, it affects every part of their lives: health, education, employment, and overall well-being. That is why our work this session focused on a comprehensive approach: building more housing, stabilizing costs, supporting those most in need, and ensuring every community does its part.

2026 Legislative Highlights

This session, we made meaningful progress toward a more equitable and responsive housing system:

• Treating all housing like housing (HB 2266): Ensures shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing are not blocked by unnecessary barriers. Every community must plan for housing at all income levels—because when we fail to do so, homelessness does not disappear, it grows.

• Expanding affordable housing through faith partnerships (HB 1859): Empowers churches, temples, and mosques—trusted community anchors—to build affordable, mixed-income housing on their land, unlocking new opportunities rooted in service and compassion.

• Supporting rural and island communities (HB 2269): Expands options for “middle housing” in rural areas, making it easier to build duplexes, triplexes, and other attainable housing types without encouraging sprawl.

• Creating pathways for social housing (HB 1687): Allows public entities to partner with social housing organizations to develop permanently affordable homes—bringing new tools to address urgent housing needs.

• Addressing the cost of land (HB 1974): Establishes land banks to acquire and hold land for future affordable housing, tackling one of the biggest barriers to building more homes.

• Protecting renters’ health and safety (SB 6200): Ensures renters can install portable cooling devices—an increasingly urgent need as extreme heat events become more common.

• Improving transparency and safety (SB 6237): Requires landlords to disclose flood risks, helping renters make informed decisions and protect themselves.

• Advancing accessibility (SB 5156): Reduces barriers to installing elevators in smaller apartment buildings, supporting aging residents and people with disabilities.

• Protecting renter privacy (SB 5937): Establishes safeguards for data collected through smart access systems, ensuring tenants have secure and non-digital access options.

• Supporting wildfire resilience (SB 6054): Allows homeowners to install fire-resistant materials, helping protect homes and communities from increasing wildfire risks.

• Supporting nonprofit housing development (HB 2610): Ensures nonprofit housing providers can continue receiving tax exemptions while activating properties for community use during long development timelines.

Grounded in compassion and community

We do not turn away from those in need. We come together to ensure everyone has a place to rest, to heal, and to belong.

Solving the housing crisis will take all of us—state, local, Tribal, and community partners—working together with urgency and intention. I remain committed to advancing solutions that reflect our shared values: equity, dignity, and community care.

Because at the end of the day, housing is about people, and everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Statement from Speaker Jinkins On Our Safety

Statement from Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) on the safety of elected officials and others who serve the public

“Increasingly, a troubling theme has surfaced among members of our caucus and, more broadly, across this legislature. Our members are sharing communications directed at them that include hateful language, racial epithets and slurs, threats, and intimidation. These communications have led to safety concerns for our family members, our staff, and ourselves, with some members weighing security precautions that should never be necessary for those simply carrying out the duties of public office.

“These concerns were brought into sharper focus this session through consideration of House Bill 2333. While the bill ultimately did not pass, it opened an important and necessary conversation about how we protect those who serve the public. The growing reality of threats, harassment, and political violence directed at public servants is one our caucus cannot ignore.

“Let us be clear: political intimidation has no place in our democracy. It is corrosive to the spirit of public service and harmful to the institutions that belong to the people. Our system of government was built on the belief that we can disagree—sometimes vigorously, sometimes passionately – and still recognize one another as fellow Washingtonians committed to the common good.

“Spirited debate is not only welcome in our legislature; it is essential. The people we represent deserve nothing less than honest advocacy for the ideas and values we each bring to this chamber. But there is a difference between disagreement and intimidation. There is a difference between making one’s voice heard and attempting to silence another’s. When public servants are threatened or demeaned because of who they are, where they come from, or the communities they represent, it undermines not only those individuals, but the democratic process itself.

“The House Democratic Caucus reflects the breadth and richness of the state we serve. Our membership includes 29 members of color, one of the largest and most diverse Democratic caucuses in our state’s history. Washington’s legislature includes the largest Black caucus in any state legislature on the West Coast, a strong and active LGBTQ caucus, and the first Latino Democratic caucus in this legislature. Among our colleagues are trailblazers who have broken new ground in public service—including the first refugee elected to this body, the first Iranian American member, the first formerly incarcerated representative, two Native American members, and several members living with disabilities.

“That diversity is not incidental to our work; it is fundamental to it.

“We believe this legislature can continue to model a better way forward for our state: a place where debate is spirited and respectful, where differences are engaged with seriousness and good faith, and where public service remains an honorable calling.

“By holding fast to those principles, we will not only protect the integrity of this institution, we will demonstrate to Washingtonians that, even in moments of tension, democracy remains strong enough to bring us together in pursuit of the common good.”

As we transition into this next season, I want to thank you for your continued engagement, advocacy, and trust. The work we do in Olympia is stronger because of the voices, stories, and partnerships we have here at home.

Spring is a time of growth and connection, and I am looking forward to being out in community—visiting local projects, meeting with organizations, and hearing directly from you about the issues that matter most.

If you have questions about the legislative session, need assistance, or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to support you.

It is an honor to serve you. I look forward to seeing you soon.

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