This post was written by Jordyn Vandeleur, United Way Public Policy Analyst Intern.

This year’s legislative session wrapped up on April 27. Session was marked by new faces in the legislature and executive, hard fought battles by housing advocates, and budget challenges. The estimated $15 billion budget deficit dominated conversations throughout the session, resulting in funding cuts and revenue increases.

Despite a difficult session, we had some major victories:

• Rent stabilization: After years of petitioning for a bill to cap rent increases, housing advocates lauded the passage of House Bill 1217, which sets limits on annual residential rent increases. This bill protects renters from excessive rent increases that can result in evictions, displacement, and homelessness.
• Covenant Homeownership: Advocates successfully petitioned the expansion of the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to homeowners who are part of economically disadvantaged groups.
• Community Reinvestment Project (CRP): $110 million for four years of continued funding for CRP was included in the final budget. This is less than the hoped for $200 million for two years but still represents a huge win given major cuts this session.
• Limiting Outside Militia Activity: Washington lawmakers took a clear stance by passing HB 1321 to limit outside military forces from entering the state.
• Youth Diversion: HB 1391 which aims to keep youth out of juvenile courts with developmentally-appropriate, community diversion programs, passed.

In the final days, both chambers agreed on a balanced budget. The proposed operating budget includes $3 billion in spending cuts and $4 billion in new taxes over the next two years. Summaries of the final budget have been published by Cascade PBS and Washington State Standard.

While legislators have finished the session, the budget hasn’t been finalized quite yet. The Governor has twenty days, from Monday April 28^th, to review the budget and determine whether to sign it, veto specific items, or call the legislature back to make major changes. This may result in further cuts or changes to revenue options which we’ll be watching closely.