There is still time to register and attend our 2026 PSARA Legislative Conference. The conference is virtual (on Zoom) so the entirety of our Washington State membership may participate.

The conference is Thursday, December 4, at 12:30. The conference will highlight comments from John Traynor, WSLC Government Affairs Director, and Nancy Sapiro, PSARA’s lobbyist. We will review our 2026 Legislative Agenda, consider and discuss the current politi- cal landscape and context, and organize for pre-session meetings with our legislators in district. Please plan to attend. Our goal is to lay the groundwork for a successful advocacy plan for the upcoming session.

2026 Legislative Context

The 2026 session is the second year of a two-year legislative cycle. It is only 60 days long rather than 105. Session begins January 12 and is scheduled to end March 12. Bills that did not pass in the first year retain their same number and are reintroduced. The operating budget for the two-year biennium was negotiated and passed in the first year.

The second year is also an election year. Applying all of this to the 2026 session means that the policy goals will likely be more modest. Traditionally, legislators will pass a supplemental budget that “tweaks” the 2025-27 operating budget rather than write an entirely new budget. Both the majority and minority parties will base their messaging on the session outcomes to better advance their party’s chances in the general election. The majority Democrats will want to show they can govern, end on time, and largely stay away from the controversial. The minority Republicans will be looking for “gotcha” moments.

The above brief big-picture analysis is based on conventional wisdom. As we know, though, these are not normal times. Our democracy hangs in the balance. The harmful impact of the other Washington’s passage of H.R. 1 (Big "Beautiful" Bill) is beginning to be felt. Those impacts will be felt by us all and particularly by the most vulnerable among us, including seniors’ retirement security. As of this writing, we are still in a government shutdown. SNAP benefits have been cut off. Huge Medicaid cuts are looming. The Trump agenda continues to be one of retribution to his perceived enemies, including not just individuals, but blue states like ours.

PSARA 2026 Legislative Agenda

The Government Relations Committee drafted a proposed agenda to be approved by the Executive Board at its November meeting. We will unveil the full agenda at the Legislative Conference Dec. 4. The agenda centers around policy priorities that we began in 2025 that we will try to get to the finish line. Some potential highlights of our 2026 legislative agenda include the following:

•    Level the Playing Field Resolution

•    No Coal Act

•    Protect Against Healthcare and Other Budgetary Cuts to Essential Services

•    Progressive Revenue

We will also stand ready to advocate for all community members in Washington State, protecting people as best we can from the cruelties of the current administration.

Session Advocacy Plan

Nov. 6: GRC finalizes draft legislative agenda

Nov. 20: PSARA E Board approves it Dec. 4: Virtual Legislative Conference Dec. 5 - Jan. 11: Members meet with legislators in district

Jan. 12: 60-day session begins Weekly: Legislative updates on our website

Weekly: Check-ins with our lobbyist, all Executive Board and other committee members invited to attend

March 12: Session ends

Dates TBD: Two Phone-in/email campaigns on PSARA priorities

Dates TBD: Small group Olympia vis- its for any hearings of import and rallies

Dates TBD: Virtual Legislative session review and debrief

Advocacy matters!

Please attend our Legislative Conference December 4 so you are up to speed and ready to go, advocating for our 2026 legislative priorities. Click here to Register.