Last week, I had the privilege of attending the bill signing ceremony for House Bill 1587, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that will give local communities across Washington the tools to invest in their students, just like we’ve done here in Renton.

This bill wouldn’t exist without the vision and leadership of Representative Steve Bergquist, who not only championed HB 1587 in the Legislature but also launched the Renton Promise from the very beginning. Years before the funding came through, Steve and I (and my wife, Stefanie!) were talking about how to make college more accessible for Renton students. His commitment to educational opportunity has never wavered, and it’s because of his hard work that programs like this are now expanding statewide.

HB 1587 builds on the model we developed with Renton Promise, a partnership between the City of Renton, Renton Technical College, and the Renton School District. Through that program, we’ve been able to offer tuition-free college to eligible graduates from Renton’s public high schools, and the results speak for themselves. Enrollment at RTC has grown since the program began, with participation in Renton Promise more than tripling in its first year.

Now, thanks to HB 1587, more cities, counties, and tribes will have the opportunity to create their own Local Partner Promise Scholarship Programs under the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship framework. The state will even match local contributions up to $250,000 each year, helping communities double down on their investment in young people.

This is the kind of policy I believe in: locally driven, equity-focused, and rooted in real success. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we reduce barriers to education, and how free tuition can open doors for students who are eager to learn, work, and give back to their communities.

As we celebrate this step forward, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Representative Bergquist for making this possible. I'm proud to stand with leaders like Steve who believe in building a future where every student has a path forward.

With appreciation,

Ryan