History was made tonight when the Marriage Equality Bill passed out of the state Senate on a bipartisan vote of 28-21. The bill awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.

Children’s Alliance is proud to stand with families across the state who would benefit from this legislation.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender parents in every corner of our state are raising kids and striving to give them all they need to grow and flourish. No public policy should stand in their way.

In this edition, a dentist says a new type of dental health provider on his team will extend needed care to families in his clinic and throughout Washington. In Olympia, parents and advocates tell legislators why high-quality child care and rating standards are critical to kids' safety and success. In national news, the benefits of quality early learning are seen up to 30 years later, and researchers explain how hunger and obesity are intertwined.

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.