| next-steps-on-state-income-tax-on-millionaires | Next Steps on State Income Tax on Millionaires | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/advocacy-report/2026/May 15/next-steps-on-state-income-tax-on-millionaires | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/advocacy-report/2026/may/Capitol-bldg-Olympia-645x425x.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Image of WA Capitol building" /></div>
<h5>May 15, 2026</h5>
<h2>Next Steps on State Income Tax on Millionaires</h2>
<p>
A proposal to establish a state income tax on millionaires was the most contentious and consequential bill considered during the 2026 session. The <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6346&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">bill</a> has been signed into law, but several hurdles remain before it can be implemented.
</p>
<p>
Last month a lawsuit led by former state Attorney General Rob McKenna was <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/former-ag-rob-mckenna-files-lawsuit-overturn-was-new-income-tax/BOR4XN7TTVBN3BCESBWNQKWD6E/?tbref=hp">filed</a>, challenging the legality of the new tax. The lawsuit focuses on a provision of the state constitution that requires property to be taxed at a uniform rate, arguing that income is property and the tax is not applied uniformly. The case is ultimately expected to be taken up and decided by the state Supreme Court.
</p>
<p>
Meanwhile, opponents of the law are also mounting an effort to allow the state's voters to weigh in on the tax. Earlier this week, the conservative political committee Let's Go Washington, which is the point group for several recent and pending ballot measures, filed an <a href="https://voter.votewa.gov/Petitions/GetPetitionFile.aspx?f=1117&amp;t=FB3188B2-C3F2-4F03-BCFF-023EEE285127">initiative</a> with the Secretary of State's office. If sufficient signatures are collected in support of the initiative, it will appear on the November ballot.
</p>
<p>
Assuming the tax withstands legal and political challenges, the governor's budget office has <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAGOV/bulletins/414ef34?emci=e453f949-fa43-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&amp;emdi=ee7e32f9-5846-f111-8ef2-000d3a14b640&amp;ceid=75533">released</a> updated projections of how much revenue it will bring into the state. Last week the Office of Financial Management released data showing that the net effect of the income tax will be around $2.5 billion annually once sales tax reductions that are part of the law are taken into account.
</p>
<p>
That would be a considerable influx of revenue, amounting to around 6% of the state's annual operating budget. But it's important to note that the "maintenance level" of the state's budget, accounting for expected growth in existing programs, is anticipated to grow at a similar rate. This means there would be limited opportunity for new spending and programs tied to the implementation of a state income tax, in the absence of other changes to spending and revenue.
</p>
</div> | 5/15/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| food-security-takes-center-stage-new-wsma-partnership-webinars-resources-more | Food Security Takes Center Stage: New WSMA Partnership, Webinars, Resources, More | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/May 8/food-security-takes-center-stage-new-wsma-partnership-webinars-resources-more | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2026/may/Hands-holding-tomatoes-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Image of two pairs of hands holding bowl of tomatoes" /></div>
<h5>May 8, 2026</h5>
<h2>Food Security Takes Center Stage: New WSMA Partnership, Webinars, Resources, More</h2>
<p>
Through a new grant-driven initiative, the WSMA Foundation is offering resources related to screening for nutrition-related social drivers of health for primary care offices and hosting a webinar series focusing on different aspects of nutrition access and social need.</p>
<p>
<strong>Take our 1-minute needs assessment survey</strong>
<br />
Spare just a moment to take a brief survey on current practices and needs related to screening and addressing social determinants of health, with a focus on food access, to help inform our work. <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CgN5_wMfNU66xEvN3PBcAIykZJcvBX5FvDCpb_M6NjJUQUNCOTVZMVRQU1E4OVZYQUxSVU4zQzMwNC4u&amp;route=shorturl">Take the survey</a>.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Incorporating food security screening into your practice workflow</strong>
<br />
The WSMA has partnered with <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> to support primary care practices with food security screening. <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> provides no-cost resource navigation to all families and caregivers in Washington state. Help Me Grow can support adopting workflows within organizations to screen for and connect families to state and local food resources. Help Me Grow can also explore a comprehensive approach to addressing social needs, including food, health care, child development, and family stability.
</p>
<p>
Anyone interested in incorporating <a href="https://helpmegrowwa.org">Help Me Grow WA</a> resources into their workflow can email WSMA Associate Director of Quality and Leadership Programs Monica Salgaonkar at <a href="mailto:monica@wsma.org">monica@wsma.org</a>.
</p>
<p>
<strong>New webinar series: Beyond the Exam Room: Physician-Led Approaches to Food Access and Social Needs</strong>
<br />
The WSMA Foundation is pleased to announce a new monthly webinar series dedicated to practical conversations and tools on food security screening and other social determinants of health. The webinars will take place on the second Monday of every month from noon-1 p.m. starting in June and running through October 2026. Details and registration will be available soon. For now, save the dates!
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| measles-webinars-two-sessions-on-spread-and-immunization-transmission-and-prevention | Measles Webinars: Two Sessions on Spread and Immunization, Transmission and Prevention | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2026/May 8/measles-webinars-two-sessions-on-spread-and-immunization-transmission-and-prevention | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2026/may/Measles-particle-cdc-bkc-m0iZ4Sk-unsplash-for-web.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Image of digital model of measles particle" /></div>
<h5>May 8, 2026</h5>
<h2>Measles Webinars: Two Sessions on Spread and Immunization, Transmission and Prevention</h2>
<p>
To help address the emerging public health crisis in Washington state, the WSMA is collaborating with the Washington State Department of Health to bring WSMA members the latest in immunology and epidemiology with the current measles outbreak. Registration is now available for two sessions:
</p>
<p>
<strong>Measles Spread and Immunization</strong>
<br />
Friday, June 26, noon-1 p.m.
</p>
<p>
Washington State Health Officer Tao Kwan-Gett, MD, will discuss why greater measles vaccine coverage in adults is urgently needed in Washington state, and strategies that health professionals and organizations can implement to increase uptake of MMR and other immunizations. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/G3U9pyK6SBmVuMCqPp7GIQ#/registration">Register online</a>.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Measles Transmission and Prevention</strong>
<br />
Friday, Aug. 7, noon-1 p.m.
</p>
<p>
Public Health-Seattle and King County's Eric Chow, MD, will describe current epidemiology of measles in the United States and implications for Washington State, including transmission dynamics, clinical presentations, and considerations for patient management. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nYxlIIl9QqG6xqeAOHLrlw#/registration">Register online</a>.
</p>
<p>
These activities have been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>.
</p>
</div> | 5/8/2026 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |