In a dramatic and emotional protest, every Republican member of Washington’s House Appropriations Committee walked out of a hearing on Wednesday after Democrats advanced Senate Bill 5393—a controversial measure to close Rainier School, a vital residential care facility for individuals with profound developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Despite its name, Rainier School is not a traditional educational institution. Rather, it serves as a permanent home and comprehensive care center for some of the most vulnerable citizens in the state, people who cannot advocate for themselves and whose complex needs cannot be met in standard community settings. According to Republican Representative Travis Couture (R-Allyn), the closure of Rainier School is more than just a budgetary decision; it is, in his words, “cruel and sick.”
“This isn’t about dollars and cents,” said Couture during an appearance on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI. “This is about people’s lives. When similar facilities have closed in other states like Georgia, New York, and even elsewhere in Washington, residents have died. We know this. We’ve seen this. And we’re about to watch it happen again.”
The justification from Democrats has been centered on transitioning residents into community-based alternatives. But critics argue these facilities are neither equipped nor prepared to take on individuals with such intensive needs. Rep. Couture noted that many Rainier residents have already failed in those environments—some suffering neglect and abuse—before arriving at Rainier as a last resort.
Adding to Republican frustration is what they see as a broader pattern of misplaced priorities and hypocrisy. As they point out, while the legislature moves to shutter essential care facilities, they simultaneously push through the largest tax increase in state history, totaling over $12 billion. Couture and others argue that instead of funding critical services, much of this new revenue is going to bureaucratic pay raises, fringe pet projects, and programs for non-citizens, including healthcare for undocumented adults.
“They say it’s for the vulnerable, but then they slash funding for postpartum care, child support enforcement, services for the blind and disabled, and now Rainier School,” said Couture. “If the goal was to make sure no one falls through the cracks, they’ve utterly failed. In fact, they’re pushing people through those cracks.”
Hoffman echoed the sentiment, referencing past legislative failures like Western State Hospital and accusing the Democrats of prioritizing political optics over real solutions. “They love to say Republicans are going to cut Social Security, but they’re the ones cutting support for the disabled while handing out funding to left-leaning film projects and controversial pardons,” Hoffman said.
Representative Couture also voiced concern over the opaque legislative process. He alleged that the operating budget is being written “in the basement,” hidden from public view, without input from Republican lawmakers or opportunities for public testimony. “This is not transparent or accountable government,” he emphasized. “It’s unconscionable.”
As of now, Senate Bill 5393 and its companion House Bill 1472 still await possible floor action. Republicans vow to fight the measures at every step and are calling for public awareness and engagement on what they believe is a moral crisis.
“The closure of Rainier School isn’t just a policy decision,” said Couture. “It’s a death sentence for some of these residents. And we’re not going to stand by and let it happen without a fight.”
Listen to The Ari Hoffman Show, weekdays 3-6 PM Pacific on Talk Radio 570 KVI, 101.5 FM HD-3, KVI.com & the KVI app. Subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast platform.
