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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Tomorrow morning, the House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony on House Bill 1472—a proposal to close Rainier and Yakima Valley schools for those with profound disabilities … without a plan … by 2027.
These are the only places in Washington where individuals with the most severe developmental and behavioral disabilities can receive the level of care they need. There are more people in need than there are spaces available—and this bill sets a two-year closure timeline with no real plan.
That’s not just careless. It’s cruel.
I’m working on an amendment to the bill that would require a legislated plan before any closure moves forward. But I NEED YOUR HELP to show just how many people care.
Why this matters
As I said in one of my speeches during our recent House floor debate, “You can support community-based care. You can support transitioning from RHCs. But you can’t support the people who rely on RHCs and also shut them down in two years without a plan.”
This bill assumes a plan will just materialize. It doesn’t define how oversight will work. It doesn’t secure the funding. It doesn’t put people first. Even advocates who want these schools closed say: not without a plan.
How to take action
You can testify remotely, in person, submit written testimony—or simply register as “Con” to oppose the bill. Every voice matters.
🕘 The hearing is scheduled for approximately 1:00 PM Saturday, April 5. (Please note that if you log on right at 1:00 PM, there may be a wait time before the hearing begins. Please be patient. Also, there will be a 1-minute testimony time. Do not let this discourage you from coming forward. You will also have the ability to submit your full written testimony to the committee.)
📍 Committee: House Appropriations
📄 Bill: House Bill 1472 (Relating to closing Rainier and Yakima Valley Schools)
🔗 Click here to sign in and testify
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Click the link above to go directly to the hearing sign-in page.
- SHB 1472 Yakima & Rainier Schools should automatically be selected.
- Scroll down to find the “Select type of testimony section.”
- Under Select type of testimony, choose: (or click on the links below)
- Choose “Con” to oppose HB 1472.
- Fill in your name, contact info, and organization (optional).
- Click Submit Registration.
Hear the speeches. See the coverage.
We’ve been speaking out—and people are paying attention.
My testimony highlights:
House Floor speech on Amendment 937 to Senate Budget Bill to stop the proponents from attempting an end-run around closing the schools by defunding them. We shouldn’t be using budgetary tricks as a blunt tool to dismantle critical care.
“This budget assumes a lot. What it doesn’t assume is that if we’re already failing to support RHCs, we’re going to fail even harder trying to replace them without a plan.”
Watch my full speech by clicking here or on the photo below.
House Appropriations Committee speech on House Budget Bill – the other attempt to put the cart before the horse by defunding these facilities without a plan. Again, to fight the effort to eliminate funding for these programs without a plan.
“Two years is lightning speed in government term … doing this without a plan is a recipe for disaster.”
Watch my full speech by clicking here or on the photo below.
Early Learning and Human Services Committee speech on the Rainier and Yakima Valley schools closure bill (House Bill 1472) – A strong statement of principle: “You can support both progress and people—but not without a plan.”
Watch my full speech by clicking here or on the photo below.
In the news:
Coverage from media outlets across Washington is starting to shine a light on this issue—elevating the conversation and increasing public awareness around what’s at stake.
These clips and articles help reinforce what we already know: we cannot afford to rush this. The path forward must be thoughtful, safe, and supported by a real plan.
Rep. Joshua Penner/The News Tribune: Rainier School is a home, not just a facility. WA lawmakers’ proposed closure cruel
https://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/article303185706.html
The News Tribune/Yakima-Herald Republic: Lawmakers hear mixed opinions about plan to close Yakima Valley and Rainier School
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article302687214.html
The Center Square: Bill to close two schools for developmentally disabled clears House Committee
https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_6fb500c3-cf3b-4af5-a542-dd8e927a491a.html
KIMA: House committee advances bill to close Yakima Valley and Rainier schools by 2027
KIMA TV coverage video: https://youtu.be/hbUnt9RY-Bs?si=AUjmlraLHeq_pKVR
The Chronicle/The Center Square: Washington state Dems’ proposal to close schools for developmentally disabled draws GOP ire
The News Tribune/Yakima-Herald Republic: Local lawmakers fight proposal to close Yakima Valley School near Selah
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article299446544.html
Let’s show up together. Let’s speak up together.
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care. The individuals at risk may never be able to speak for themselves—but you can speak for them.
Thank you for standing with me.
Sincerely,
Joshua Penner
