The Millionaire's Tax passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Ferguson on March 30th takes important strides to improve Washington's revenue outlook. Expected to bring in about $3.5 billion per biennium, the tax passed against a backdrop of several years of very difficult cuts to state agencies and services. While that money will not fully solve our state's revenue challenges, the signing room was full of advocates who celebrated that it is another significant step on the path to progressive revenue. That included AFT Washington President Jacqui Cain - who is right behind the governor in many of the photos from the event - and AFT Washington's Vice President for COPE, Mark Gorecki. President Cain reported that the room was very high energy.
For more information on the legislative session overall and a little more of a dive into the Millionaire's Tax, Richard Burton has written a summary for this issue of the Spotlight - read on!
Table Of Contents
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Cristine Rice back to AFT Washington! She will be taking on the role of Administrative Support Specialist, while Tammy Fouts has moved into the Finance Manager role vacated when Somma Rath resigned in February.
Did you know that AFT Washington includes several member-driven committees, and you are invited to get involved? If you didn’t before, now you do!
President's Letter: Building Our Power
Sitting in a space where we just turned out for No Kings Day, and looking ahead to International Workers Day in a few weeks, it is easy to see the impact the labor movement is having in the conversations taking place across our state and our nation. I had the honor to attend the signing of the Millionaire’s Tax bill earlier this week and was there when Governor Ferguson thanked the labor organizations for being part of the huge effort needed to get the historic bill across his desk. I was standing side by side with other unions, including WEA and WSLC leadership. Speaking for myself, it was hard not to be slightly stunned and definitely impressed that something that is such a game changer for our state, and that seemed impossible just a few short months ago even as we were unfurling banners and chanting in the Capitol rotunda during our lobby day, actually happened.
Making Waves: Building Stronger Communities Through Member Activism
Even though times are uncertain, Tacoma Federation of Educational Support Professionals has been showing up strong for our communities. As a union we are dedicated to lifting up the voices of all workers, and most especially those of us most at risk. Solidarity and activism take many different forms, and TFESP has taken part in many of them, from marches to Lobby Day.
In Memoriam: Remembering Bernal Baca
I first met Bernal at an AFT Washington convention way back in the late nineties. He was fun-loving, energetic, and fully engaged in the business of the union and he maintained all of that in his work on behalf of our membership. After working as a counselor at Yakima Valley College for decades and serving as president of his local, AFT Yakima 1485, Bernal decided to vie for the Government Relations role at AFT Washington and was hired in 2007. He held that job for over 10 years before “retiring” in 2018 and embarking on additional professional pursuits. In 2024, he was appointed to the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, bringing his deep experience as a faculty member, union leader, and union staff into that role.
In Memoriam: Remembering Nancy Kennedy
In January, we received the sad news that Nancy Kennedy, a former AFT Washington Union Organizing Representative, passed away unexpectedly. Several members and former staff who worked with Nancy reached out to share memories of her.
"It Feels Like A No-Brainer": Wenatchee Professional Exempt Staff Organize With AFT
As the newest members of AFT, the 52 professional exempt staff at Wenatchee Valley College have dropped authorization cards to form WVESA, the Wenatchee Valley Exempt Staff Alliance. Situated along the beautiful Columbia River in central Washington, Wenatchee Valley College serves a community of about 5,800 students across two campuses: one in Wenatchee, and one in Omak. Exempt staff play critical roles serving students in non-academic roles at the college, coordinating student programs, recruitment and retention services, accessibility and advising, and training athletes.
On February 19th, 2026, the sound of Solidarity Forever rang out across the Whitman College campus. Over 350 staff, faculty, students, and community supporters gathered for the first Rally for Whitman Workers. Together, they marched on the office of Whitman College President, Sarah Bolton, and delivered notice that the workers of Whitman had voted to form a union, Whitman College Workers United (WCWU).
Historic And Necessary: The 2026 Legislative Session
This was a difficult session, marked by the state's revenue challenges and the chaos of the federal administration. More than 1,300 bills were filed this session; fewer than 300 passed. One of the most-watched bills was, of course, the Millionaire's Tax, which the Governor signed in the last week of March. This tax, on household earnings over $1,000,000 annually, is 9.9% on income over that first million; it is anticipated to bring in $3.5 billion per biennium once it goes into effect in 2029. There are also some excellent provisions for working Washingtonians in the bill, such as an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit, tax relief for small businesses, free school meals for all Washington students, and a sales tax break on over-the-counter medications, diapers, hygiene, and grooming products. Additionally, 5% of the revenue is dedicated to early learning and childcare funding.
We live in extremely urgent political times. Our country is sliding increasingly into autocracy and authoritarianism. We have many allies in stopping the slide, but much work to do! This work fundamentally requires building relationships and coalitions and joining hands together to exert grassroots pressure and demand justice and a more democratic society. We will not achieve the accountable, transparent, just government we want without strengthening our relationships with each other, and standing strong in your union is the first step of that process. There are more steps, such as carefully evaluating candidates running for office and helping the campaigns of those who are aligned with our principles and interests. This latter work is what AFT Washington’s COPE does.
School-Related Personnel: The Backbone of Public Education
Last month, Governor Ferguson proclaimed March 9th through 13th as Education Support Professionals week. In so doing, he acknowledged the work that ESPs do in our schools – maintaining grounds and buildings, cleaning classrooms, driving buses, preparing meals, supporting students one on one, and all of the many other underappreciated jobs that make our schools safe and welcoming places for students to learn and thrive in.
Fighting To Save The Parent Education Programs In Washington State
Last fall, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges made changes to the Funding Allocation Model that outline how college funds must be used. Those changes remove funding for programs that do not provide certificates or other degrees as outcomes. This eliminates the parent education and cooperative preschools in Washington State's Community and Technical Colleges.
Spotlight On: AFT Washington Retirees
Happy Spring Everyone!
This has been such a winter, with the loss of two special people - Bernal Baca and Nancy Kennedy. We feel the loss deeply, and send condolences to their families,
It was a very hectic legislative session and then the No Kings rallies happened, with more already in planning. Quite the winter!
But as the saying goes, we must Spring forward!
Also In This Issue:
Legislative Update: The Senior Citizens Lobby
How WISeR (Doesn't) Work For Seniors