Rep. Paul Harris recaps the 2024 legislative session together with Rep. Kevin Waters and Sen. Lynda Wilson, including public safety, the state budgets, and the six public initiatives introduced to the Legislature earlier this year.

The 2024 legislative session ended as scheduled, on Thursday, March 7. This 60-day session was packed full of state business covering numerous issues. As with any session, we had some wins and losses, but overall House Republicans made a real difference for Washingtonians, despite being in the minority. As your state legislator, I represent people... Read more »

Last week, Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, joined House Republicans to lay out the case against a bill (SB 6058) that would link our state’s carbon market to California and Quebec. House Republicans oppose this policy and the Climate Commitment Act, which has placed extraordinary financial burdens on low-income Washingtonians. Instead, they support Initiative 2117, which... Read more »

I hope this short letter finds you well. Thank you again for allowing me to serve you in Olympia. I wanted to remind you that I will join my 17th District seatmates, Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, and Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, for a virtual town-hall meeting tomorrow evening, Feb. 22 at 6:30, to discuss the... Read more »

Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, speaks on final passage of his bill that would extend two tax preferences for semiconductor manufacturing until Jan. 1, 2034. The bill would also reinstate six tax preferences that expired on Jan. 1, 2024. Harris explains why these tax preferences are so important to the economy in his community.

The second week of the 2026 legislative session is winding down. As expected, the work is moving quickly as state lawmakers look ahead to their first self-imposed deadline on February 4: policy committee cutoff. Week one saw opening ceremonies in the House, including speeches from the Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and House Republican... Read more »

Rep. Ed Orcutt, ranking member on the House Finance Committee, explains his opposition to a new state income tax being proposed by Gov. Bob Ferguson and legislative Democrats. The 20th District lawmaker also discusses the passage of House Bill 1376 off the House floor. The measure, prime sponsored by Rep. Orcutt, would give taxpayers in... Read more »

I hope this email update finds you well in the new year. As you may know, the 2026 legislative session begins on Monday, January 12. The 60-day session will focus on one major issue: the budget deficit. Despite the largest tax increase ($9.2 billion) in state history last year, our state is already facing another... Read more »

State Representatives Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, recently toured a major food-distribution center, United Natural Foods Inc., at the Port of Centralia, to better understand how Washington’s tax structure and regulatory policies affect employers, workers, and the broader community. The tour gave the lawmakers a firsthand look at how state tax and regulatory... Read more »

I hope this email update finds you well this summer. Since the legislative session ended on April 27, I have been busy in our communities — hosting a town hall in Battle Ground, participating in legislative forums, attending committee meetings, meeting with community groups and individuals, and taking tours of manufacturing facilities and projects in... Read more »

We just completed Week 3 of the 2026 legislative session, and the pace in Olympia continues to accelerate. As House Republican Caucus Chair, my responsibility is not just to represent the 20th District, but to help lead our caucus in standing up for families, affordability, and accountability across Washington. This week brought important developments at... Read more »

House Republican Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno joins Ari Hoffman on KVI Radio to provide a legislative recap of what’s happened in Olympia as Week 3 of the 2026 session concludes. Abbarno discusses the two citizen-led initiatives (I26-001 and I26-638) before the Legislature and the majority party’s unwillingness to grant them the hearings they deserve. He... Read more »

State Reps. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, introduced legislation to protect local drinking water and safeguard the Fords Prairie aquifer by relocating the state-run Bob Oke game farm near Centralia. House Bill 2668 directs the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify a new, safer location for its pheasant-rearing operations and begin... Read more »

The 2026 legislative session is underway, and Our Community at the Capitol is back to highlight the incredible people and groups from the 20th Legislative District making their mark in Olympia! In every biweekly edition, you will find photos of the inspiring constituents who have visited the Capitol campus, bringing their ideas, stories, and passion... Read more »

In this week’s Capitol Report, House Republican Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno reviews the second week of the 2026 legislative session, highlighting a mix of concerning new tax proposals and his own legislation aimed at government accountability and victim support. Stopping Bad Bills. Abbarno is opposing several new measures that could increase costs for Washington employers... Read more »

The 2026 legislative session is now in its second week, and the Legislature is busy working on numerous issues.  With that in mind, I would really like to hear your input. My fellow 18th District lawmaker, Rep. John Ley, and I have put together a short legislative priorities survey to help us better understand which... Read more »

I hope your new year is off to a great start. As the 2026 legislative session gets underway in Olympia, I want to take a moment to update you on the key issues shaping our work in the Washington State Legislature. Affordability, public safety, education funding, housing availability, and the long-term sustainability of our state... Read more »

Our state’s affordability crisis is crushing its residents and employers.   Washington ranks as one of the most expensive states to live in, with some of the highest costs for gas, groceries, housing, child care, and property taxes. Unfortunately, with new taxes passed by the Democrats – who hold the majority in the Legislature – it’s... Read more »

Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, discusses her legislation to restrict cell phones in public schools with Seattle Red’s Jason Rantz (KTTH Radio). McClintock thinks cell phones are a distraction in classrooms and detract from students’ education. She believes in local control that would have school boards write their own policies to restrict cell phone use in... Read more »

It’s great to be back home in Southwest Washington after spending the last three and a half months in Olympia. As with any legislative session, there were pros and cons, with some positive policies making it to the governor’s desk. But unfortunately, this session will be remembered for the largest tax increase in Washington state... Read more »

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kevin Waters would give Washington counties new tools to reduce wildfire risk along major roadways while ensuring local governments are fairly compensated for their work managing federal forestlands. House Bill 2653 would authorize counties to enter into shared stewardship agreements with federal land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, to... Read more »

As the 2026 Washington state legislative session begins, I’m honored to return to Olympia on your behalf. This year, our focus is listening, collaborating, and delivering practical solutions that strengthen families, increase public safety, and address the state’s supplemental budgets. I remain committed to working on both sides of the aisle to create the best... Read more »

Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, outlined his concerns with KXL’s Lars Larson (Portland) about Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove permanently locking up thousands of acres of timber on state trust lands from harvest. Waters says the decision will deprive local schools across the state of millions of dollars in timber revenues. Wash. House Republicans · 09-04-25... Read more »

Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, tells KVI Radio’s Phil Vandervort that a decision by Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove to lock down thousands of acres of state timber trust lands from harvest will have devastating effects on school funding and timber jobs. Wash. House Republicans · 08-29-25 – RADIO: Rep. Kevin Waters joins KVI's Phil Vandervort... Read more »

When the newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove took office earlier this year, one of his first actions was to halt roughly two dozen pending timber sales as part of an effort to conserve 77,000 acres of state forests. That ‘pause’ lasted eight months and reduced the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) timber... Read more »

Rep. David Stuebe, R-Washougal, joins Mark Bailey on KIHR Radio to share his insights on the 2026 legislative session, including a bill that would allow cities to strengthen their fire service and a bill that would update Washington’s ambulance quality assurance fee program. Stuebe also discusses his efforts to work on both sides of the... Read more »

We are already in week two of the 2026 legislative session, and there’s a lot of work to get done over the next several weeks. Affordability, public safety concerns, homelessness, addiction, and mental health struggles continue to affect families and communities in the 17th District every day. Too many students are falling behind in school,... Read more »

Rep. David Stuebe has introduced legislation to better enforce Washington’s motor vehicle insurance requirements and improve accountability for repeat uninsured drivers. House Bill 2308 would reinforce Washington’s long-standing requirement that drivers carry valid auto insurance or other approved financial responsibility and give law enforcement better tools to respond when uninsured drivers repeatedly ignore the law... Read more »

The 2026 legislative session starts Monday, Jan. 12, and will run for 60 days. As we begin, I’m genuinely optimistic about the work ahead. I’m bringing forward bills focused on safety, wildfire prevention, and affordability; the issues that matter deeply to people across Washington. We live in an extraordinary state, defined by natural beauty found... Read more »

Lawmakers from the 17th District helped secure important funding for their district on Sunday, as the Washington State Legislature approved the state’s 2025-27 capital and transportation budgets. The capital budget is primarily funded through bond sales and focuses on long-term physical investments such as public schools, water systems, and community facilities. The final budget spends... Read more »

The 2026 session is moving quickly, and soon we’ll be heading to the House floor to debate and vote on hundreds of bills. I appreciate your input and encourage you to continue reaching out. Majority Prevents Important Bill from Receiving Hearing One bill that will likely not make it to the House floor would have... Read more »

Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, shares his efforts to open the Brockmann mental health facility and urgent need to have this valuable resource available for the people who need mental health care. Click below to watch the video.

Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, explains his new bill calling for transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility to the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project. Click below to watch.

With the 2026 legislative session already in its second week, I’d really like to hear from you. I’ve put together a short survey with my fellow 18th District lawmaker, Rep. Stephanie McClintock, to help us better understand which issues are most important to you right now. Your input is vital in shaping our work representing... Read more »

Seaton Catholic High School freshman, Alex Farrell, recently spent a week at the state Capitol in Olympia, to serve as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives, hosted by Rep. John Ley. During his week serving as a page, Alex attended Legislative Page School every day to learn about the three branches of... Read more »