January Newsletter: Revving our engine, ready to ride with (b)us?
It's Nicole, your Grassroots Engagement Organizer here at The Washington Bus. The team has been scurrying around and warming up our engine to kick it into overdrive this year. If bus lingo isn't your jam, then scram (jk pls stay), if it is then keep reading to catch up on bus shenanigans and discover all the bustastic opportunities we have coming up for 2026!
We're taking over the WA State Capitol, hiring new staff, going underground and maybe touching grass this summer?!!?!! Anyways... other urgent news, have you seen the WA Bus Employee?🕵️♀️🔎
💜JANUARY WA BUS RECAP💜
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💜JANUARY WA BUS RECAP💜 〰️
Mayoral Youth Listening Sessions💭
“I loved having the opportunity to talk with other young people about everything from scholarships to surveillance. These sessions are such an important step towards building a city where youth have a real say in our shared futures.”
THE MAYOR IS LISTENING!!!!!!
Dozens of young people from across our city had the opportunity to give direct feedback, share lived experiences, and make policy recommendations for Mayor Wilson. Our note takers filled over 67 (and more) pages worth of notes that we will be using to further a pro-youth agenda in the mayor's office.
For more information check out the articles written by the South Seattle Emerald and The Daily.
Youth Testify at the WA State Capitol
WA Bus Organizer Bailey Medilo testifies in support of SB 5906 (defending our schools & campuses from ICE/BP)
The Washington Bus recognizes the critical moment that we're in—facistic, state-sanctioned violence from our immigration enforcement is devastating our communities. Young people across our nation, and especially within Washington, live in fear of ICE entering their classrooms and private spaces.
This bill will not only clarify and strengthen legal protections for youth, but reintroduce education on our rights which will combat fear and bring clarity to how young people can keep ourselves and our peers safe.
We're proud to support this bill, and our team will be working hard to make sure this bill and other bills that protect young Washingtonians pass this session.
Panel of bus youth testify in support of HB 2100 (Well Washington Fund)
HUGE props to Hannah, Tre, and Lac for voicing their support of HB 2100! This bill will establish the Well Washington Fund, an account funded by a marginal & modest employer-paid 5% payroll tax on wages above $125,000 and would generate more than $2 billion per year.
In a time where our financial future is uncertain, we need strategic and immediate solutions to reduce harm. We're proud to support this bill and bring young people to Olympia to voice their support.
Do you want to testify? Visit our Volunteer Page for next steps on how to get involved.
📎Balance Our Tax Code Lobby Day💰
Edgar and Lukas WA Bus Organizers lobbying to Balance Our Tax Codes!
With Clippy back just in time for the WA legislative session they're ready to help their CEO buddies get out of paying what they owe in taxes so instead billionaires can slash healthcare, and cut jobs for working families. But that's not what we want, it's time to stop the wealthy few who rig the rules.
WA State still has one of the most upside-down tax codes in the nation.
Washington’s lack of progressive tax options and overdependence on regressive taxes like sales taxes put the state in a multi-billion dollar budget deficit. This, combined with further federal budget cuts to health care, food assistance programs, and student loans, have placed many Washingtonians in financial distress. Meanwhile, federal budget changes from HR1 will give people with incomes over $1 million per year $1 trillion in new tax breaks over the next decade.
We can balance our upside-down tax code so that large corporations and the wealthy few pay their share. So that we can invest in our us, ensuring our schools are healthy places for our kids to learn, and our communities have the resources we need to thrive.
“The Millionaires Tax would be one of only a few progressive taxes that Washington lawmakers can tap to fund public programs and help working folks afford to live in our state,” said Emma Scalzo, the Executive Director of Balance Our Tax Code. “This is a tipping point in our state’s history - a refusal to tolerate an economy that policymakers have stacked against working people for far too long.”
Take action and contact your legislators today by sending a message that you support progressive revenue
Introducing Mak our Operations Intern!
Makeda (Mak Leah) Moorman Leahemariam
(she/her)
is a community organizer with experience in youth advocacy, grassroots organizing, and community outreach across the Greater Seattle area. Her work centers on empowering young people, building equitable programs, and increasing access to essential resources through community-led initiatives. She is committed to fostering spaces rooted in care, dignity, and collective well-being.
We’re so excited to have Mak back on the team. Learn more about Mak by checking out our alumni spotlight on her!
📣UPCOMING EVENTS and CAMPAIGNS📣
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📣UPCOMING EVENTS and CAMPAIGNS📣 〰️
YOUTH TAKE OVER THE CAPITOL!
Join young people across Washington as we gather in Olympia for a day of advocacy. We're hosting a party at the State Capitol where young people will take direct action and speak with their representatives on the issues that matter the most to us.
...Also, did we mention it was a party? We'll let loose in the Capitol grounds with an afternoon of music, rallies, and activities! Participants will be provided transportation, food, and training for this all-day Youth Lobby Day special event! So hop in and get on the BUS!
For any questions, you can email Edgar, Campus Organizer, at edgar@washingtonbus.org
WE'RE GOING UNDERGROUND
Bus Underground is our flagship program for high school students wanting to explore careers in public administration and policy. It combines elements of our previous Vote Leads program and Political Education series into a dynamic, open organizing space for young people. This new initiative provides a collaborative environment where youth can explore their passions, build skills, and create change in their communities.
For questions about the Bus and the administration of the program, please contact bailey@washingtonbus.org.
COLLEGE FUNDING IS AT RISK!
The Washington Bus and the Washington Students Association are re-launching our online portal for youth to directly message their legislators to defend and codify the Washington College Grant—the nation's most accessible financial aid program.
WA State is in a critical budget deficit and are making cuts to programs across the board. We need to let our leaders know that we cannot cede any ground on Financial Aid.
The WA College Grant gives WA residents free or subsidized tuition and fees for all public and private institutions, as well as apprenticeship programs. Young people organized, and were able to defend this grant from being cut last year. However, our WEIA account—which supports and funds the college grant, is at immediate risk this session.
As leaders negotiate our state budget, we are urging students, parents, and community members to share their stories to leaders. In order for them to secure our funding, they must see how much it's helping our students.
Please join us in emailing our leaders to ask that they support codifying the WA Grant into law so students can focus on their studies, rather than financial barriers.
🚨BUS JOB ALERT!🚨 our mighty crew is expanding
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🚨BUS JOB ALERT!🚨 our mighty crew is expanding 〰️
☀️SUMMER FELLOWSHIP☀️
HOP ON THE BUS! 2026 FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
The Washington Bus Education Fund is excited to announce openings for twelve fellows for our upcoming summer cohort. These part-time, paid internships will span eight weeks and are aimed at all young folks (18+) dedicated to social justice and mobilizing the youth vote.
Our mission is to resource and invest in our generation of political leaders and advocates through this program, enhancing their leadership and electoral organizing skills while offering valuable networking opportunities through our guest speakers and events.
The priority deadline for this application is March 10. You can expect to hear back from us by April 6th at the latest, but our goal is to make offers before then.
If you have any questions about the fellowship itself, please reach out to edgar@washingtonbus.org.
For questions about the application process, contact astro@washingtonbus.org.
We're hiring an experienced ORGANIZING DIRECTOR to lead organizing and programs through the Washington Bus and the Washington Bus Education Fund!
If you are excited about building youth power in WA and want to work with a small team of young people who are passionate about the work they do, apply to join our team! Share with your friends who you think may be a good fit 😍
Applications submitted by 11:59 PM on January 30th will be given priority consideration, but we encourage candidates to apply earlier as we will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis. Candidates who move forward in the application process may be asked to complete a short assessment. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis, and this position will be open until filled.
