Last week’s national poll results on food stamps should make Washington legislators take notice.

The poll found overwhelming support from voters for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, known universally as food stamps.

Along with tens of thousands of Washington children benefitting from SNAP, more than 12,000 children in our state depend on a form of food stamps called State Food Assistance – one of the vital programs lawmakers may cut.

The poll, conducted in the second week of January, is a strong indication that cutting SFA would be enormously unpopular:

In this edition, child advocates introduce an early learning bill in the State Legislature to increase quality and equity of learning before kindergarten, as families face cuts to Working Connections Child Care. In the national press, food stamps are as pro-equality as they are anti-hunger, and the marriage equality bill for Washington families is discussed across the country.

The State Supreme Court earlier this month based a key decision on our state’s constitutional responsibility to provide a basic education to every child residing in Washington. During this legislative session, lawmakers can pass one bill that’s key to upholding that responsibility.

The High Quality Early Learning Act would establish universally accessible early learning programs for Washington 3- and 4-year-olds, while also strengthening programs that ensure the healthy development of infants and toddlers.