As we enter March, we are quickly approaching the halfway point of the legislative session. We encourage you to stay informed and engaged – there is still lots of work to be done!
In this issue, you will find the following topics:
- Legislative Update + Committee Cutoffs
- Early Learning Funding Cuts + Share Your Story
- Highlights from Capitol Connections & Education Day
- What’s Next?
Legislative Update + Committee Cutoffs
Since the 2025 Legislative Session began on Monday, January 13, much has happened as it relates to early learning policy priorities. Throughout this time, our team has contributed to public hearings, met with legislators and lobbyists, and most recently hosted our Capitol Connections & Education Day!
Last Friday, February 21, marked the Policy Committee Cutoff, meaning that bills that had not yet been voted out of the policy committee are not advancing this session, unless they’ve been deemed “necessary to implement the budget”. This Friday, February 28 marks the Fiscal Committee Cutoff, meaning that bills that have not yet been voted out of the fiscal committee (House Appropriations or Senate Ways & Means) are not advancing this session, unless they’ve been deemed “necessary to implement the budget”. Check out this video that explains the legislative process in more detail.
Multiple of our priority bills have advanced past the cutoff deadlines mentioned above. See the table below for a status update around our priority policy bills.
| Bill Number | Bill Topic | Position of BrightSpark | Current Status |
| SB 5752 | Modifying early learning programs | CON (oppose) | Senate Rules |
| HB 1489 | Adjusting implementation dates for programs related to early childhood education and child care. | CON (oppose) | House Rules |
| SB 5500 | Cost of Quality Care Rate Model Transition | PRO (support) | Senate 2nd Reading (SB 5500) |
| HB 1314 / SB 5297 | Early Learning Facilities | PRO (support) | House Rules (HB 1314)Senate Rules (SB 5297) |
Alexis Cortes, a parent from LD 31 and active Advocacy Pod participant, recently represented BrightSpark in testimony supporting the Cost of Quality Care Rate Model Transition Bill, SB 5500. You can watch her testimony here.
Early Learning Funding Cuts
As we saw earlier this week with a public hearing on SB 5752, conversations around potential cuts to early learning as a result of our state budget/revenue deficit are becoming more real. We’ve seen multiple bill proposals come out to address funding cuts over the past few weeks. Some of the bills that propose cuts/reduction/elimination of early learning programs at this time include SB 5752 and HB 1489. These bills contain a variety of proposed cuts/delays, including delaying family eligibility increases for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), modifying co-pay structures within WCCC, eliminating early ECEAP programs, and more.
Could you be negatively impacted by proposed cuts to early learning programs? If yes, we’d encourage you to consider sharing your perspective with our team by completing the Child Care for Washington Campaign’s Storybanking Form.
Highlights from Capitol Connections & Education Day
On February 11, BrightSpark was proud to host its 2025 Capitol Connections & Education Day (CC&ED)! We had 54 attendees join us at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia and 104 attendees join us virtually from one of our four office locations to participate! The primary purpose of CC&ED is to educate legislators about BrightSpark’s priorities with an emphasis on why they are important for our community. Our team had an amazing time coming together with early learning advocates to uplift solutions and lived experience.
We’d like to extend a special thank you to our partners at Children’s Alliance and Kindering for all of their coordination throughout the day and for working to include us in a large early learning rally on the Capitol Steps! The work of CC&ED is essential to advancing not only BrightSpark’s mission, but how we bring about change to meet the needs of our communities.
Mobilization Corner: Sign up for BrightSpark’s Advocacy Pods!
What are Advocacy Pods? The Advocacy Pods are groups of community members who are interested in developing their knowledge and skills to influence change for their communities. Advocates connect with your elected officials and speak up for community-led solutions.
Who can participate? BrightSpark’s Advocacy Pods are for everyone; and that means you! Advocacy Pods are made up with individuals who live in the same legislative district and want to make change in the early learning system. Each Pod will have an opportunity to meet virtually with their state senators and representatives lawmakers to discuss challenges and solutions in the early learning sector.
What else should I know about Advocacy Pods? Pod members are now able to benefit from our new statewide Advocacy Pod Network. The network and its monthly meetings are open to all Advocacy Pod members and will foster relationships to ensure early learning policy is guided by our community. The next network meeting will occur on December 12 and will be focused on preparing for and engaging in the legislative session. All Advocacy Pod members will receive the invitation to the December 12 Network meeting.
Interested? Sign up for an Advocacy Pod today!
What’s Up Next?
What’s Next? More Cutoff Dates Are ComingAfter February 28, bills have until March 12 to be passed through the House or Senate Floor with a full vote in order to continue forward. This means we can expect our Legislators to work a number of late nights over the next few weeks to ensure bills keep moving through the process. Also important to know, on March 18, the latest Revenue Forecast will be released. These updated revenue numbers will be used by the Legislature to inform final budget writing.
Get in touch!
Don’t hesitate to contact us at advocacy@childcare.org if you have any questions or want to get involved.
Did you know that Brightspark’s advocacy work is almost entirely funded by donors? Help us continue to organize, mobilize, and advocate for a more equitable early learning system by supporting our Bloom Together Fundraiser today!