I hope this letter finds you well. As we head toward summer and much of what happened during the 2024 legislative session becomes history, I wanted to reach out and remind you that I’m still hard at work representing the people of the 17th District.  The 2024 legislative session ended two months ago but a... Read more »

On Tuesday, the governor signed into law a bipartisan bill from Rep. Paul Harris that will provide a much-needed boost to the semiconductor industry in Washington. House Bill 2482 will extend two tax preferences for semiconductor manufacturing until Jan. 1, 2034. The legislation also reinstates six tax preferences that expired on Jan. 1, 2024, and... Read more »

The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously approved the state’s 2024-25 supplemental capital budget today. The biennial construction, repair, and infrastructure funding plan, Senate Bill 5949, appropriates a total of $1.33 billion in funding. Reps. Paul Harris and Kevin Waters, who helped secure more than $21 million of funding for the 17th District, were pleased to... Read more »

Semiconductor manufacturers in Washington could receive a nice break thanks to a bipartisan bill from Rep. Paul Harris that would reinstate semiconductor tax incentives. The Washington State Senate voted 47-1 in favor of House Bill 2482 on Friday, which would extend two tax preferences for semiconductor manufacturers for 10 years. “These companies chose Southwest Washington... Read more »

It’s hard to believe the 2024 session is already entering its final weeks. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, we reached the house of origin cutoff, meaning that was the last day bills could be voted out of their respective chamber. After a week and a half of more committee meetings to consider bills from the Senate,... Read more »

Ayn Mann, 16, was a page in the Washington State House of Representatives from February 23-27. She was sponsored by 20th Legislative District state lawmakers Rep. Ed Orcutt and Rep. Peter Abbarno. Ayn, a sophomore at Napavine High School, supported state lawmaker offices and made deliveries on the Capitol Campus during her time in Olympia. She... Read more »

The Legislature hit house of origin cutoff on Tuesday. This deadline means bills originating in the House and Senate needed to pass out of these respective chambers, or they are considered dead for the legislative session. As you might expect, this cutoff significantly narrows down the number of bills still eligible for consideration by state... Read more »

Rep. Ed Orcutt, ranking member on the House Finance Committee, joins Rep. April Berg, chair of the House Finance Committee, on TVW’s The Impact to discuss the state income tax legislation (Senate Bill 6346) being considered by the Legislature. Orcutt and all Republicans oppose the proposal.

As day 26 of the 60-day legislative session comes to a close, I just wanted to give you a quick update on some issues. State lawmakers hit their first legislative deadline on Wednesday: policy committee cutoff. That means bills in their house of origin needed to pass out of their respective policy committees, or they... 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 »

As a state legislator, one of the most important roles is not only to legislate but to educate. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the legislative process, focused on drafting bills, debating policies, and working with colleagues. But at the heart of what I do lies a commitment to preparing the next generation for... Read more »

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, recently took to the House floor to advocate for an amendment to the state’s supplemental operating budget (Senate Bill 5998) that would have provided much-needed property tax relief for families across Washington. During his speech, Abbarno emphasized the growing burden of property taxes and the importance of finding ways to keep... Read more »

In week 8 of the legislative session, House Republican Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno highlights the record-breaking supplemental operating budget, which assumes passage of an unconstitutional state income tax. House Bill 2289, the supplemental operating budget, spends an additional $2 billion, while making deep cuts to Medicaid and education. Senate Bill 6346 would impose a state... Read more »

Communities across Southwest Washington need critical infrastructure updates to support schools, public health and community spaces. To address these needs, Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt announced the release of the Washington State House of Representatives’ proposed 2026 supplemental capital budget. House Bill 2295 includes $910.6 million in total spending, of which $399.4 million comes... Read more »

Washingtonians value clean air, clean water and responsible environmental stewardship. Our farmers, ranchers, shellfish growers and skilled trades workers depend on it. So do our families. But Senate Bill 5360 moves us in the wrong direction. While framed as an environmental protection measure, it creates new environmental crimes, expands criminal liability in already heavily regulated... Read more »

Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, joins host Glenn Vaagen on the Northwest Agriculture Network and discusses several agriculture-related issues in Washington, including the latest dredging plan for the Columbia River and whether the Legislature is going to commit the needed funds for the project. McClintock also discusses the CCA and its effects on the state’s farming... Read more »

The Washington State House of Representatives passed Legislation sponsored by Rep. Stephanie McClintock to update and clarify Washington’s alcohol warehousing statutes to reflect modern business operations and better support the state’s brewing industry. House Bill 2207, which received approval early Saturday morning, would allow licensed warehouses to store and handle beer under the same framework... Read more »

Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, discusses three bills that would help hold sex offenders accountable for their actions and ensure they can stop registering only after they have successfully met all registration requirements and have remained crime-free for a set number of years. Click below to watch.

As a parent, former school board member, and legislator, I have always supported education, as it is one of the backbones of a strong community. Supporting our schools is one of the most important investments we can make as a state, as it supports our workforce, our families, and our future. I want to see... 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 »

Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, joins Mark Bailey on KIHR Radio to discuss his priorities for the last two weeks of session, including taking a closer look at the majority party’s efforts to pass an income tax, and the bloated operating budget that continues to grow faster than state revenue. Waters also discusses the misaligned priorities... Read more »

We have heard repeated calls from the majority party this session to make Washington more affordable, yet many of the policies being proposed do exactly the opposite. Instead of reducing costs, the majority is advancing a broad tax-and-spending agenda that risks increasing the financial burden on families, workers, and employers across our state. The centerpiece... Read more »

The state lawmakers serving Skamania County, Goldendale, White Salmon, Bingen, and other parts of Klickitat County, Camas, Washougal, part of Vancouver, and parts of rural Clark County will hold a virtual town hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18.   Using the Zoom platform, Sen. Paul Harris and Reps. Kevin... Read more »

Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, shares his personal experience as a correctional officer and performing strip searches, as he speaks against a bill that would significantly narrow who may conduct searches and under what circumstances. Waters explains how the bill would prioritize detainee preferences over staff safety and place certain staff in uncomfortable or risky situations.

One of the things I value most about serving you is the opportunity to work with people from all perspectives who care deeply about our communities and our shared future. Whether we agree on every issue or not, I believe progress happens when we listen respectfully, focus on common ground, and put practical solutions ahead... Read more »

Washington families are feeling the squeeze like never before. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, buying groceries, paying rent and utilities, or covering a medical bill, the cost of living in our state continues to rise. Affordability is no longer a talking point; it is a daily reality for hardworking people across Washington. Unfortunately, the... Read more »

Discovery High School student, Zoe Southard, recently spent a week at the state Capitol in Olympia to serve as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives. She was sponsored by Rep. David Stuebe of the 17th Legislative District. “It was a pleasure to sponsor Zoe during her time in Olympia,” said Stuebe, R-Washougal.... Read more »

Rep. David Stuebe, R-Washougal, joins Mark Bailey on KIHR radio to break down the latest news going on in the Legislature, including a surprise ending at the 5:00 o’clock deadline for the House of Origin cutoff. Stuebe also discussed his bill that passed the House that would strengthen Medicaid support for emergency ambulance services and... Read more »

The Washington State House of Representatives, on Thursday, unanimously passed a bill from Rep. David Stuebe that would reinforce Medicaid support for emergency ambulance providers and protect access to lifesaving services across the state. House Bill 2531 would update Washington’s ambulance quality assurance fee program to promote long-term financial stability for emergency medical providers while... Read more »

The state lawmakers serving Skamania County, Goldendale, White Salmon, Bingen, and other parts of Klickitat County, Camas, Washougal, part of Vancouver, and parts of rural Clark County will hold a virtual town hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18.   Using the Zoom platform, Sen. Paul Harris and Reps. Kevin... Read more »

Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, discusses the many issues with the majority party’s millionaires’ income tax proposal and explains how it is just a matter of time before it becomes a statewide income tax on everyone. The policy takes more money from high earners while giving no relief to lower- and middle-income earners and most of... Read more »

Will the majority party’s state income tax proposal lower your taxes and make life more affordable? Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, explains how this new proposal, just like year’s largest tax increase in state history, will do nothing to correct Washington’s regressive tax system. Instead, it will continue to make life less affordable for everyone in... Read more »

The Washington State House of Representatives has passed legislation sponsored by Rep. John Ley to update state regulations governing the use of naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials in construction, a move to support business, infrastructure development, and housing projects across the state. House Bill 2605 addresses naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials that may be present... Read more »

The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program is facing a crisis of its own making: a staggering $10 billion funding hole that WILL sink the project. Recent public records disclosures reveal the project’s estimated cost has increased to between $12.2 billion and $17.7 billion, a significant jump from the original $3.2 billion to $4.8 billion. This... Read more »

Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, discusses the details of the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program and dives into the real needs of this project. Ley explains the many moving parts and all the possible aspects involved in the project, but shares which aspects are important and which ones should be left out. Click below to watch.