With 2021 rapidly approaching, we will soon be back in session and able to consider limiting the governor’s emergency powers. His use of those powers to rule for over eight and-a-half months has made it clear that the Legislature must have more options. In the meantime, we are preparing for...

Make sure you’re counted in the Census The future of your community and representation is at stake! The 2020 Census is underway and is ready for America to respond. Plan to include everyone living in your home since April 1. You can respond online in one of 13 languages and find assistance...

Treasurer Baumgartner announced last month that he would exercise his authority during a state of emergency found in RCW 84.56.020(10) to grant an extension of the first half property tax deadline. The first half 2020 property tax payment deadline in Spokane County will be extended from April 30th to June 15th. Important...

Usually after a legislative session, I tell you how good it is to be back home in the district, getting to see all of you face to face for the first time in months at a variety of events. Not so this time. Home means home, as, like all Washingtonians,...

If you feel strongly that it is wrong for the state to require schools to begin teaching graphic sex education to children as young as 5 years-old, then contact Governor Inslee to ask him to VETO SB 5395; you can call his office at 360-902-4111 and/or send him an email...

Hold on to your seats… and your wallets! The legislative session is rounding the curve into the final stretch. We have exactly one week to go in the 2020 regular legislative session. Tomorrow is the final cut-off deadline for the Senate to approve bills that originated in the House of...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week started with all eyes focused on the state budget. On Monday Senate and House Democrat budget writers released their proposed 2020 supplemental budgets. They were rushed into committee hearings hours later, and the Senate budget could come before the full chamber for a vote...

We’ve just wrapped up an eventful sixth week in this 2020 legislative session. It has left me thinking about one inescapable fact: there has been a lot of bad legislation going through the process this year. Why do I say that? The first reason is the revenue forecast that was...

The fifth week of the 2020 Legislature is well under way. Yesterday was the deadline for bills in the Senate’s fiscal committees (Ways and Means, and Transportation) to advance in order to remain eligible for passage this session. There’s an exception for those bills that are necessary to implement one...