Washington
State Government
Governor
Jay Inslee (D)
State Senate
20
Democrats,
29
Republicans
State House
58
Democrats,
40
Republicans
Economic well-being - Washington
Extreme poverty rate
0.05
Food insecurity
0.132
Minimum wage
16.66
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.227
Poverty rate
9.9%
Unemployment rate
4.5
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
6.5
Poverty by demographic - Washington
Child poverty rate
0.11
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
29000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
N/A
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
169000
Senior poverty rate
9.6 %
Women in poverty
3,896,514
King5, April 20, 2015: WA treasurer proposes cutting some taxes, creating income tax
"The state treasurer is proposing lowering sales and property tax rates and creating a state income tax to pay for education. The legislature was ordered by the state supreme court to come up with a plan by the end of the current legislative session to fully fund K-12 education as mandated by the state constitution."
The Olympian, December 25, 2014: Washington preschool program for low-income kids pays dividends in higher test scores in elementary school, a state study finds
"The state's investment in preschools for low-income kids appears to be paying off in improved elementary school test scores, according to a state report released this month. The report says that children who participate in Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program go on to earn higher test scores in math and reading in elementary school, when compared with their peers from similar economic backgrounds who didn't enroll in ECEAP."
K5, December 25, 2014: Study endorses preschool for low income kids
"A new study shows low income kids from Washington state who go to a state supported preschool are likely to do better academically than their peers at least through fifth grade. Researchers found Washington state's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program has a positive impact on third-, fourth- and fifth- grade test scores, which were given five or six years after the students were in preschool."
The Spokesman-Review, May 16, 2013: Spokane expands full-day kindergarten to all schools
"Currently, 15 of the district's highest-poverty schools offer full-day kindergarten. This decision expands the opportunity to 19 more schools and would mean hiring the equivalent of at least 25 full-time teaching positions and possibly 27 other faculty, such as counselors."
Spokesman Review, April 20, 2013: (Op-Ed) Children need holistic plan
"We know that our K-12 public school system gets its best results when children arrive ready to learn. That requires protecting and enhancing quality early learning programs, like Working Connections Child Care and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, which provide education, health, nutrition and other services to low-income children."
The News Tribune, April 19, 2013: Trial program aids East Pierce County elderly, low-income residents
"What sets the connector apart are its deviated routes,' which benefit riders who can't get to an established bus stop, Kinney said. It offers riders the option of scheduling a pickup at their house or another location. A reservation 24 hours ahead of time is required, and the route is limited to two deviations per hour within a half-mile of the regular route."