Resources|Advocacy Calendar
The Washington State legislature meets annually on the second Monday of January at the Capitol Building in Olympia. In odd-numbered years—budget years—the legislature meets for 105 days. In even-numbered years, they meet for 60 days. If necessary, the governor can call legislators in for a special session for a 30-day period. Legislators can call themselves into special session with a two-thirds vote of the two bodies.
Federal Budget Process
State Legislature Regular Session
What You Can Do
Deadline for Congress to pass a budget resolution (framework for overall budget).
Federal Budget Process – Appropriations Committees in both the Senate and House hold hearings to determine how much money will be allocated to each program.
State – State legislators are back in district.
What You Can Do –Call or email your state senators and representatives about the need to protect funding for federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP, TEFAP, and CSFP.
Congressional members return to districts for recess.
What You Can Do – Attend listening sessions to ask your representative questions about their positions on appropriations for nutrition assistance programs.
Natasha Dworkin (she/her) is the Director of Communications at Northwest Harvest. She leads statewide communications, storytelling, and public engagement efforts focused on building collective action toward a more just food system. Her work centers lived experience, data‑driven messaging, and values‑aligned narratives that move audiences beyond charity toward solidarity. Natasha oversees integrated campaigns, media strategy, and community engagement initiatives that elevate the impacts of public policy and federal funding on food access across Washington.
