Writing Sample: Executive Communications

Audience: Internal Staff; Medium: Email

This has been an exceptional legislative session, one of the toughest to navigate and will have some deep impacts on child care. I’m sharing thoughts on where we stand today, and what comes next for a special legislative session. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.  

Legislative Session So Far 

As we have learned more about the extremely challenging budget environment facing Washington, the early learning community anticipated cuts or delays to programs vital to children, families, the child care workforce, and our Child Care Aware of Washington system. 

What we’ve seen is a mix. Proposed delays and cuts to some parts of our system - including FFN, Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment and IECMHC - could mean less access for families and fewer supports for providers.   

It’s also important to acknowledge that many core services for families and child care providers may still be maintained at the current funding levels, including Early Achievers and rate increases for child care providers serving families on Working Connections Child Care subsidy.  

Unfortunately, we still do not yet know what funding will be included in the final budget. The legislature has proposed iterations of a budget package that contain a mix of cuts and new revenue to respond to a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. However, the Governor’s office has shared that he will not approve a budget that includes the levels of new revenue currently proposed by the legislature, which could result in further cuts or delays to existing programs. 

I want to acknowledge that it’s an anxious time for many of us, and the rapid, unpredictable changes at the Federal level only add to the uncertainty.  

Special Session 

This year, legislators and the governor need additional time to come to a final budget agreement, so Washington is entering a “Special Legislative Session” - a legal extension of session to continue work on the budget or other specific issues. We expect this special session to last no more than a month, although legislators could conclude their work sooner.  

Washington has seen special sessions before. As recently as 2023, the Governor called a special session for the legislature to work on a statewide drug possession law. In 2012, Washington had a special session to allow time for the legislature to finish negotiating a final budget – similar to the situation we find ourselves in today. 

During the special session, CCA of WA will continue advocating to preserve funding for child care and to pass progressive revenue, so Washington doesn’t have to balance our budget on the backs of those who can least afford it. However, we do expect this special session to be a continuation of closed door negotiations between legislators around a final budget. This may require more waiting and patience for us as advocates, and our advocacy team and the regional advocacy leads will keep you informed as we learn more. 

I want to thank everyone who has contributed their own time and voice to our advocacy work so far, or who have helped educate and share advocacy opportunities with the parents and child care providers in our network. Again, please reach out directly with any questions.