Dear Governor Inslee, Governor-Elect Ferguson, and Legislators,
Children’s Campaign Fund Action (CCFA) builds power for children, youth, and families in Washington State by engaging in education and advocacy. We appreciate your leadership during this critical time as our state faces a $12-14 billion budget shortfall. We recognize the difficult decisions ahead and thank you for prioritizing investments that support children, families, and child care providers.
We commend the Governor’s proposed budget for recognizing the essential role of child care and early learning in Washington’s economy and in ensuring every child has a strong start in life. The inclusion of a progressive revenue package, including a wealth tax, increased capital gains tax, and adjustments to the Business & Occupation tax represents a critical investment in our children and the future of Washington.
We also celebrate investments such as the $510 million in DCYF’s base budget to increase child care provider subsidy rates up to the 85th percentile of 2024 market rates. This funding helps stabilize a long-underfunded workforce that is vital to both families and our economy. Additionally, we are grateful for investments in Play and Learn Groups and other supports for early childhood caregivers, which recognize the critical contributions of informal care providers.
However, we are deeply concerned about the proposed delays and reductions in critical child care and early learning programs. The budget delays the Working Connections Child Care expansion for families earning up to 75% of the state median income for another five years. It also postpones planned ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) assistance for families until 2031. These delays will leave thousands of families—particularly middle-income families who cannot afford child care but do not qualify for subsidies—waiting far too long for essential support.
Washington’s care providers, parents, and businesses agree that the state cannot afford to go backward on access to affordable, high-quality child care. Without immediate investments in early learning and family support, we risk exacerbating the workforce shortage, forcing parents out of the workforce, and delaying critical opportunities for our youngest learners.
We are heartened by the new revenue proposals included in the governor's budget, such as the wealth tax on financial assets exceeding $250 million, the capital gains tax increase from 7% to 8%, and adjustments to the Business & Occupation tax for high-profit businesses. These measures will not only address income inequality but also generate the resources necessary to prevent harmful cuts to essential programs. We also recognize that other progressive revenue options, if considered, could further enhance our collective ability to support these critical services.
As the legislative session begins, we urge you to restore funding and advance these programs without delay. These investments are essential to building a thriving, equitable, and economically strong Washington.
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