In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Here in Washington, we’re planning a commemoration that honors our shared history, deepens understanding of our democracy, and recognizes the enduring presence and sovereignty of Tribal Nations. This milestone offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen community partnerships, highlight the importance of history, and invest in the future of local history organizations.

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Democratic lawmakers have finalized the major decisions on Washington state's new two-year operating budget, with final details expected soon. Sen. June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, confirmed that while key decisions are made, final adjustments are underway. Meanwhile, negotiators have also wrapped up work on the capital budget, though the tight operating budget may require last-minute changes depending on pending revenue bills. With the session's end approaching, lawmakers aim to release the budget Saturday and vote Sunday, barring unexpected developments.

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The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Representative Assembly passed seven amendments during its 2025 cycle, including the historic sanctioning of Girls Flag Football, its first new sport since 1999. These changes, effective August 1, 2025, reflect months of collaboration among school athletic administrators. A major update to transfer eligibility now permits a one-time transfer during a student's high school career, within specific windows, with partial varsity ineligibility for one season. The assembly, composed of 53 school administrators, also re-elected two Executive Board members. Despite some proposals failing, the WIAA emphasized its ongoing commitment to state law and student equity.

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House and Senate Democrats release updated progressive revenue proposal, hearings in coming days.

House and Senate Democratic budget leaders released an updated legislative package to raise new progressive revenue and fund K-12 education and essential state services this week. It would raise nearly $12 billion over four years.

2025 Legislative Session Preview
Washington State
January 9, 2025

Washington’s 2025 Legislative Session will begin on Monday, January 13, and it will be the first year of the two-year legislative biennium. Each biennium is comprised of a long session (105-days) and a short session (60-days) in which bills may be enacted into law. In addition to new policy ideas, the primary task of legislators during a long session is to pass the state’s biennial budgets: Operating, Capital and Transportation.

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The 2024 general election was held on Tuesday, November 5 and Washington state voters had numerous decisions to make in electing statewide and local officials for office, as well as decisions on four statewide initiatives that deal with certain taxes, state programs, and energy sources. All nine state executive offices were on the ballot, including open seat races for Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner. On the state legislative front, all 98 members of the House were on the ballot and 25 of the 49 senators were up for election. Many key legislative races could shift the political landscape in Olympia, as democrats were looking to pick up seats in battle ground districts, while republicans were hoping to hold seats they currently control. Given the state’s vote by mail system, ballots will continue to be counted for days to come. Although some races are still too close to call, Washingtonians can glean significant results from election night 2024.

Voter turnout for the general election currently sits at 72.23% with an estimate of 274,171 ballots left to be counted at the time of this writing. There are 5,018,809 registered voters statewide. For reference, voter turnout in 2020 was just over 84%, and nearly 79% in 2016 – the last two times the President was on the ballot and when turnout is highest. Election results will be certified by the Secretary of State on Thursday, December 5.

2024 General Election Results

Statewide Races
For the first time since 2012 there were four open seat races for statewide office (meaning an incumbent is not seeking reelection), including an open seat race for Insurance Commissioner that will see changeover for the first time in 24 years.

We Need Your Support!

The Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition (WWRC) is seeking your help to advocate for a $150 million Capital Budget request for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) for the 2025-27 biennium. Please join us by signing the Sign-On Letter to support robust funding for this vital program.

This vital legislation makes it possible for special districts in local communities to access essential funding for water, parks, infrastructure, fire, and other vital community services.

The 2024 election in Washington state will be the most significant election year in more than a decade. At the top of the state ballot, we’ll have four open seats for statewide office (meaning an incumbent won’t seek reelection), including an open seat Governor’s race for the first time in 12 years. We will also have open seat races for the Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner seats. On top of that, several lawmakers are retiring from office (including two congressional retirements), which all contribute to an eventful election season that will result in new political leadership and a drastically different legislature in 2025.
As a refresher, the state contains 49 legislative districts represented by one state Senator and two state Representatives each (49 Senators and 98 Representatives). State Representatives must run for election every two years, while state Senators seek election every four years. The current makeup of the legislature is:

• House: 58 Democrats | 40 Republicans
• Senate: 29 Democrats | 20 Republicans

It’s important to note that Washington state utilizes a top two primary, meaning that the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance through the primary election to the general election, regardless of party preference. It is not uncommon in some legislative districts to have two candidates from the same party running against each other for a seat.

A broad coalition of leaders has come together to ask the Legislature to take this long overdue action in 2024 to revise the arbitrary 1% property tax cap that has been in place for more than a generation.

We ask for an update to the cap tying it to inflation and population growth factors with a new cap not to exceed 3%.

We are excited to welcome our new lobbyist, Trevor Justin! Trevor is thrilled to begin legislative representation for the WRPA. With his love for the
outdoors and staying active, working with WRPA is a natural fit for him. He is looking forward to positively impacting parks and recreation agencies statewide so that others can enjoy the outdoors as much as he does.

Trevor is a strategic government affair professional with a proven record of navigating the complex legislative environment with integrity and success. He is a pragmatic thinker with political savvy and helps deliver client objectives through budget and public policy processes.

Good Friday Morning to WRPA Executive Board & Exec. Director; LEG Chair & LEG Committee Members; and full LEG Distribution List: With apologies if you’ve seen any of this – I’m catching up with week from several badly-needed post-2022 Session vacation days, and wanted to ensure you all have a few pieces of information and a link to a survey you may wish to complete. In order:

WA State Recreation & Conservation Plan Survey – RCO is updating this plan and as part and parcel of the update, an Eastern Washington University faculty member (Jeremy Jostad) is conducting a survey where people can indicate their usage of outdoor recreation facilities and spaces over the last 12 months.  In the event you wish to participate, the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and has 75 questions and you can access it here:

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Plan Survey (surveymonkey.com)

By Sylvana Niehuser

2022 Supplemental Operating, Capital, and Transportation Budgets

Learn More About Governor Inslee's E-Memo

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, Governor Inslee released his 2022 Supplemental Operating, Capital, and Transportation budgets with a strong emphasis on investments to address climate change, housing and homelessness and poverty, salmon recovery, and transportation needs.

Building on a two-year budget of roughly $59 billion, the Governor’s supplemental Operating Budget would use the state’s robust revenues, federal infrastructure, and coronavirus relief monies, and some transfers to invest $61.79 billion. Inslee touted the additional investments as critical to addressing glaring needs while minority Republicans criticized the Governor for not looking for ways to provide funds back to taxpayers, businesses, etc. The Governor’s budget does not include new taxes and would put an additional $600 million – what his office calls the largest rainy-day fund deposit ever -- into the state’s “Budget Stabilization Account” (more commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund) in addition to $574 million already in the BSA under the enacted-two year budget.

Congratulations, 2020 & 2021 Award Recipients!

This spring, we want to honor the amazing people, parks, and programs that received an award at the awards ceremony during the 74th Annual WRPA Conference, our first-ever virtual conference. The WRPA Awards Program honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to the field of recreation and parks in Washington State. A variety of awards were handed out to WRPA members and public citizens. 

There are three categories recognized for WRPA's Awards Program: Professional Awards, Citation of Merit Awards, and Spotlight Awards. In addition to these categories, WRPA also acknowledges Mickey Corso Leadership Grant recipients.

In Partnership with the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition: Advocating for All WA Recreation & Parks Professionals

A Message from Roxanne Miles, WRPA Legislative Committee Chair

Once again WRPA partnered with the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition to host a Great Outdoors & Parks Legislative Day on February 4, 2021.

Washington Parks and Recreation Statewide Survey

Executive Summary & Highlights

New study findings reveal that local park & recreation agencies provide an estimated 300,000 acres of park lands and support nearly 100 million users annually!

During the Fall of 2020, the Washington Recreation & Parks Association, Washington State Association of Counties, Association of Washington Cities, and Metro Parks Tacoma collaborated on a statewide survey to gather data on service demand and operational challenges facing local parks agencies, both preceding and as a result of COVID-19 through August 2020. The survey was the most comprehensive one of its kind to compile data on issues and challenges facing local parks and recreation agencies throughout the State of Washington.

Learn About How to Support Senate Bill 5006 & House Bill 1025

A Message from WRPA Lobbyist Doug Levey

Good afternoon and Happy New Year, all:

Funding for Key Programs!

A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist 

The RCFB voted unanimously to recommend a $140 million funding level for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP); with only one dissenting vote to recommend $11.3 million for the Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF) program; and unanimously to recommend $9.1 million for the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA). These funding recommendations are in synch with what WRPA’s leadership pushed for in a letter signed by President, Paul Simmons, Executive Director, Tiffany Hanzo Martin, and Legislative Steering Committee Chair, Roxanne Miles. 

WRPA Writes Letter in Support of Recreation Funding; Shares Updated Economic Analysis Report

A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist

• the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP)
• the Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF) account
• the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA)

WRPA submitted a letter to the RCFB, co-signed by President Paul Simmons, Executive Director Tiffany Hanzo, and Legislative Steering Committee Chair Roxanne Miles, where we second the WWRC’s request for $140M for WWRP and ask for full funding of the YAF ($11.3M) and ALEA ($9.1M) application lists. Both WRPA President Paul Simmons and WRPA Lobbyist Doug Levy will be virtual attendees at the August 12 RCFB Board Meeting and will speak to this further.