One of the most baffling things in this session is the majority’s insistence on raising and creating new taxes. Despite predictions to the contrary, we have continued to see additional revenue come into the state. In the largest positive quarterly forecast change on record, the March forecast released yesterday increased...

The 2021 legislative session is at the halfway mark. We spent the past week voting on legislation, moving toward yesterday’s 5 p.m. deadline for both chambers to pass their own bills – or they are considered off the table for the remainder of the session. …Unfortunately, the very troubling bills...

We’ve just started the eighth week of the legislative session. We are still keeping a busy pace, with several days continuing well into the evening as we take votes on a variety of bills. Many of the measures passed so far are worthwhile and reflect the needs of our state....

Last week the Legislature moved on a number of bills – some good, but unfortunately, many not so good. On February 15, Senate Bill 5438 received a hearing in the Senate labor committee. The measure would create a benefit program for illegal aliens, who are not legally authorized to work...

In this legislative update I will tell you about some of the bills that survived this deadline, including some of my bills to help those with hearing disabilities, protect the public from repeat drunk drivers, increase affordable housing, address the nursing shortage, reform police use of force and defend the...

One of the highlights of the week was the formation of the Senate Freedom Caucus. Three other Republican senators – Doug Ericksen of Ferndale, Phil Fortunato of Auburn, and Jim McCune of Graham – and I officially launched the new caucus at a press conference on Wednesday. A caucus is...

Last week several important measures received hearings in Senate committees, and a few bills have already been approved by the full Senate and sent over to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 5114 – our measure to safely and quickly reopen all of Washington – was not among those...

For many years I have been a proponent of harnessing technology to allow people to testify before legislative committees from remote locations – meaning somewhere besides the Capitol itself. It can be a tremendous tool for the public, especially people in eastern Washington. Our years of work to expand the...

Access to democracy is a major topic at the start of this year’s legislative session. COVID-related restrictions and extreme security measures are keeping the public away from the Capitol building and legislators. During these unprecedented times it is more important than ever that you stay informed and involved. One way...