Washington voters have seen this before. Back in 2020, legislators tried to pass SJR 8212, a constitutional amendment to allow investment of state-held trust funds, including one for long-term care. Voters rejected it — by more than 55% — because they didn’t trust the state to responsibly manage yet another taxpayer-funded account.
Now, five years later, Olympia is back with SJR 8201, nearly identical in purpose, only this time, it’s packaged as a “fix” for the state’s struggling Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Trust, better known as WA Cares. SJR 8201 is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R) and several democrats. The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support. That doesn’t make it “good”, in fact, it raises big red flags!
What SJR 8201 Would Do
If approved, SJR 8201 would amend Washington’s Constitution to allow the state to invest money from the WA Cares Trust Fund, claiming this would “strengthen” the fund for future benefits. Supporters insist that all investment earnings would be dedicated to long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
That sounds good on paper, but let’s not forget who’s managing it. The same state government that lost hundreds of millions through the Employment Security Department’s fraud scandal now wants to convince voters it can be trusted to invest and safeguard billions in a new fund.
Who Really Benefits
The WA Cares payroll tax forces Washington workers to pay 0.58% of every paycheck into the state-run fund — money they can’t get back if they leave the state or retire elsewhere. That’s right: if you move away, you lose your benefits entirely.
So, while SJR 8201 is framed as a way to “help seniors live with dignity,” the reality is that it benefits the state far more than the people paying into it. Growing the fund through investments gives Olympia more financial control, not more accountability to taxpayers.
As Rep. Peter Abbarno put it, “This is the same program that voters rejected in 2020 and again in 2024 — just dressed up with a new number and a new narrative.”
Here’s the timeline most voters don’t see:
- 2019: The Legislature passes the Long-Term Services and Supports Act, creating the WA Cares program.
- 2020: Voters reject SJR 8212, which would have allowed the state to invest these types of funds.
- 2024: Citizens back Initiative 2124, led by Let’s Go Washington, to make WA Cares voluntary. Olympia ignores it.
- 2025: Legislators return with SJR 8201, reintroducing the same investment proposal voters already turned down.
This isn’t a new solution. It’s another attempt to force through what the people have already said “no” to.
“Highest Fiduciary Standards” — Or Highest Risk?
Supporters of SJR 8201 claim the money would be managed by the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB), which they describe as “bound by the highest fiduciary standards.”
But Washingtonians remember the headlines, from the ESD unemployment fraud losses to billions in unaccounted COVID funds, and know that “fiduciary standards” don’t mean much when oversight is weak and accountability is optional.
When government expands its control over more money, the risk of mismanagement grows, not shrinks.
What the Rebuttals Say
The voter’s pamphlet argument against SJR 8201 sums it up best:
“This isn’t about improving long-term care — it’s about giving the state more access to taxpayer money. We’ve been down this road before, and voters said no. Nothing has changed.”
The historical data showing a loss of 26.2% in 2008 and 12.9% in 2022 is a prime example why it’s better for the citizens of Washington to invest in guaranteed municipal bonds.
Bottom Line
SJR 8201 isn’t about protecting seniors, it’s about protecting the state’s access to your paycheck.
It’s a recycled proposal wrapped in new language, asking voters to forget the last two times they said “no.”
Washington doesn’t need more government-managed funds and broken promises.
It needs accountability, transparency, and real reform, not another constitutional amendment that benefits Olympia more than ordinary people. We encourage you to vote NO on SJR 8201.
If you’d like to dive deeper into this issue, CLW Founder, Julie Barrett, sat down with Dale Whitaker, a Washington conservative and former candidate for Secretary of State, for a livestream discussion about SJR 8201, WA Cares, and what this measure really means for taxpayers.
We break down the history behind the long-term care tax, the legislature’s pattern of ignoring voters, and why this amendment deserves a hard look before November.
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