The 2008 session of the Washington State Legislature adjourned on March 13th. Sixty days of intense legislative action came to an end, with many successes for the WSCC agenda and several items to bring back in the next session.

In the budget, there was strong support for low-income housing with increases in the Housing Trust Fund, the Transitional Housing Operating and Rent program, and the Homeless Families Services Fund. There was a small 3% grant increase for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients, and the creation of the Working Families Tax Credit program. 

To protect our environment, a greenhouse gas reduction plan will be developed this year and a new grant program has been established to promote Evergreen Cities and urban forestry programs.  For our schools, we were able to make private schools eligible for a waste reduction and recycling awards program.  Our schools were also included in outreach efforts for the "Farm-to-School" program.  There were many, many more issues.  For more specifics, please  CLICK HERE.