Setting The Stage For 2026 Success
By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President
We are setting the stage for 2026, we have several items to touch base on:
NATIONAL GRANGE CONVENTION
Thank you to the 39 Grange members from our state who attended the National Grange Session aboard the Carnival Horizon, November 8-16. I served on the Conservation Committee, while Rusty Hunt, our second delegate, served on the Agriculture Committee. We sent 17 resolutions to national for their consideration. Many were already present policy of the National Grange, while others were carefully considered. The outcome of each proposed resolution is listed elsewhere in this issue. The delegates got the business completed, and we had plenty of time for fellowship and other social events. Visiting the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao allowed us to learn about different cultures and the history of that area.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLANS (PIP’s)
The National Grange Executive Committee has proposed Performance Improvement Plans for each of the State Granges. We in turn will be designating Community/Subordinate Granges to participate in this program. The program involves completing a current assessment of the Grange and then working with that Grange to determine Smart Goals for moving that Grange forward in both membership and program development. Each participating Grange will work closely with a team of State Grange Officers to implement a plan to broaden their impact in the local community. Granges interested in participating in this program should contact me immediately as we are moving forward with implementing this program in December.
STATE GRANGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The application for State Grange Foundations Scholarships will be available on the State Grange website in late December. Completed applications will be due back to the State Grange Office no later than April 1.
PROGRAM HANDBOOKS AND PACKETS
The 2026 Program Handbook and department packets will be available by January 1. All information will be available on the State Grange website. Hard copies of the handbooks and packets will be distributed at Pomona meetings and leadership conferences throughout the month of January and early February.
SPRING CONFERENCES
I want to share the following dates for spring conferences:
• February 27-28 – State Grange Deputy, State Officer and Pomona Masters Conference in Yakima
• March 26-28 – Western Regional Grange Leaders Conference in Boise, ID (hosted by the Idaho State Grange)
UPDATED BYLAWS
Granges are reminded that as new bylaws are approved, they are not valid until filed with the State Grange Office. We also need your bylaws to verify the correct amount for your 2026 dues notices.
GRANGE LEGISLATIVE DAY
We have set our 2026 Grange Legislative Day for January 27. We will have a full day of speakers and meetings with legislators. Registration information is elsewhere in this issue. As we will again have to shuttle between the Grange Office and the legislative buildings, we are looking at some type of shuttle between the two. Legislative Day is a prime opportunity for our members to lobby their legislators and provide additional information on your Grange programs and capital budget request.
2026 DUES NOTICES
If you sent in the Dues Information Request Form, your 2026 Dues Notices are being printed and sent out to your members. The National Grange did approve the proposed dues increase thus this will be reflected in your dues amount.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE CANCELLED
The Holiday Open House, scheduled for December 12, has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES
To allow our employees to celebrate the holidays with their families, the office will be closed December 24 to January 1 for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
While wrapping up our unfinished business for 2025, we are looking forward to setting the stage for another great year in 2026. Let us continue working toward a better tomorrow in our Granges and in our communities!
Looking Forward To The 2026 Legislative Season
By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist
Happy December Grange members! The Holiday season is in full swing with Thanksgiving, Halloween, Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us. We can now look forward to Christmas, New Years and…legislative session?
That’s right, while it may feel like the 2025 session just ended, we are just weeks away from starting the supplemental year which feels like an unprecedented situation and unnavigated waters. I will explain more about that below.
Let’s explore what to expect in the coming session:
National/Statewide Economy & Budget
Statewide employment is projected to grow by just 11,000 jobs by the time 2025 commences (a mere 0.3% year-over-year) and zero job growth in 2026, a stark contrast to the 2%+ annual growth seen over the past 15 years. Housing permits are declining amid high interest rates, and broader risks of higher taxes from Washington State policy makers.
Washington state ranks near the bottom for job creation in our country; as the national employment scene has been much different. Nationally we have added nearly 2 million domestic jobs so far in 2025 with larger, pro-growth states leading the charge like Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona.
The latest national jobs report for September showed robust employment growth with the private sector adding 120,000 jobs, beating expectations by over 50%. This jobs report was a great sign for a national jobs market heading into 2026; even as Washington state stays bogged down by increased taxes and sky-high energy costs from taxation and regulation.
All net Year to Date employment growth (~100%) went to native-born workers, per raw data. This reverses 2021-2024 trends where foreign-born captured ~60-70% of post-pandemic gains.
The American job market stayed steady this year even despite a massive decline in foreign born jobs which was attributed to by a 2.2 million drop in the foreign-born population, including ~1 million fewer employed. Factors include deportations, voluntary exits, and ~20-30% lower survey participation among immigrants. Undocumented workers (subset of foreign-born) likely drove most of this, as border encounters fell 90%+ YTD.
Comparison to Prior Year: Over the past 12 months (Oct 2024-Sep 2025), native-born workers have gained 2.76 million vs. a foreign-born net loss of -822,000 jobs.
Implications for the 2026 Legislative Session:
The 2026 session, a 60-day supplemental budget process starting January 13, 2026, will focus on adjusting the $78 billion 2025-27 operating budget amid this “strained balance sheet.” Washington’s four-year balanced budget requirement amplifies the pressure: the $390 million shortfall for 2025-27 (despite a $9 billion revenue package passed in May 2025) signals ongoing deficits that could total billions if trends persist.
Budget Pressures:
Lawmakers face a “crunch” with no room for earmarks or pet projects, as warned by Senate Democrats’ budget lead, Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett). Potential cuts target areas like higher education, food assistance, and state worker positions—echoing reductions from the 2025 session. Transportation revenues are also down $67 million for the current biennium.
Revenue Debates:
The forecast has reignited talks of new taxes to bridge gaps, including a “wealth tax” on high-net-worth individuals and an income tax on top earners (both untested in Washington). Democrats view these as necessary for equity and sustainability, while Republicans decry them as exacerbating a “spending problem” that burdens families and businesses. Governor Ferguson has signaled “difficult decisions” ahead, emphasizing fiscal restraint without specifics.
Broader Outlook:
Washington State analysts describe the trajectory as “downbeat” and “dismal,” with risks of recessionary signals (e.g., Moody’s analysis flagging Washington State as near-recession).
Department of Agriculture (WSDA) – 2026 goals
• Seeking supplemental funding for invasive pests: $3.5M spongy moth, $2.5M Japanese beetle due to looming federal cuts.
• Pushing to protect food assistance programs ($93M secured in 2025-27 budget) and restore federal farm-to-school funding lost in 2025.
• Priorities: climate-resilient farming, organic/regenerative agriculture expansion (2027 Organic Action Plan), farmer mental health, and regulatory relief.
Department of Ecology (WDOE) – 2026 Priorities
• Implementing major 2025 laws: Recycling Reform (producer-paid packaging program starts 2026), PFAS testing in biosolids, toxic-free cosmetics rules.
• Draft 2026 requests dedicated woodsmoke reduction funding, HFC refrigerant phase-out incentives, solar panel takeback tweaks, and sewage spill notifications.
• Defending $1.5B Climate Commitment Act spending; likely to re-introduce CURB Pollution Act to tighten carbon market rules.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) – 2026 priorities
• August 2025 executive order conserves 77,000 acres of mature western forests (no harvest); seeking legislative authority for carbon credits and replacement land purchases.
• Requesting $104.8M additional wildfire funding; protecting core fire prevention and recreation budgets.
• Advancing Trust Land Transfer program and eastern WA sustainable harvest plan (2025–2034).
The overall tone from all agencies heading into the short 60-day 2026 session is to protect 2025 gains, secure replacement funding for federal cuts, and lock in spending for new programs.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the Grange Legislative Day next month! Happy New Year!
Grange News Staff
On Saturday, November 15th, Whatcom County Pomona President Scott Hackett and Ten Mile Grange President Pete Hauck presented Scott Wood with his 50-year Certificate and pin, and Oren and Lew Gaskill with their 20-year pins. Later that evening, Scott and Ross Wood presented their brother Perry with his 50-year certificate and pin. Now all 3 Wood brothers are 50-year members of Ten Mile Grange. Then on Sunday, November 16th, seven Ten Mile Grange members drove to Robert Heller’s home in Maple Falls, and presented him with his 80-year certificate and pin, and brought cake and apple juice for refreshments. He was thrilled! Congratulations to all!
By Grange News Staff
Thurston County Pomona Grange #8 held their Veterans Recognition Event on Sunday November 2. The event was hosted by Brighton Park Grange hall and hosted by their members. Members, veterans, and other guest were treated to an impressive presentation of the colors by the George Roberts Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Veterans presents were welcomed and recognized for their service. Art Dolan, a member of the SAR, entertained and educated the attendees with a presentation of the many flags of the American Revolutions, telling the stories behind each. Refreshments and a time of fellowship followed and program.
The November 6 Pomona meeting was held at McLane Grange hall and was preceded by a potluck. A centerpiece contest was held with Denise McCartan receiving first place for her Halloween centerpiece with all sorts of creepy characters. Receiving honorable mention were Tammy Eltrich, and Gail Yenne (visitor). Pomona will again have a the bake sale table at Tenino Winter Fest on December 6. Ginny Nelson of Brighton Park Grange was announced as Granger of the Year 2025 honors by Pomona President Shavanna May. A second presentation will be made at the next meeting.