State Government, Veterans Affairs & Elections

September 26, 2023

E-News: Mid-interim update on fuel prices, ag issues, parents’ rights and more

September 2023 Dear Neighbor, Greetings from here at the ranch! Legislators refer to the months between our annual sessions as “interim,” and if you look at when the 2023 session ended (late April) and when the 2024 session begins (early January), we’re not much past the halfway point of this...
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March 31, 2023

E-News: Yes to one budget, no to another — and the latest on public safety

April 2, 2023 On the floor of the Senate chamber this week with Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. This is his first session as a senator, coming over from the House; we’re neighbors, as the 8th Legislative District is primarily the Kennewick and Richland portions of Benton County adjacent to our...
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March 17, 2023

E-News: Budget proposals on the way; anti-firearm bills bring strong response

As lead Republican co-sponsor of a Senate bill about enhancing Washington’s tourism marketing efforts, and a member of the state Tourism Marketing Authority, it was my pleasure to meet with tourism leaders from throughout our state who visited the Capitol this week. We’ll know later this month if Senate Bill...
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March 04, 2023

Session passes midway point; long-awaited drug-possession bill clears Senate

March 4, 2023 This is what a “meeting” often looks like when we’re working full-time on the floor of the Senate chamber, as has been the case all this week. Between debates and votes on bills you try to grab a moment to talk, as I was doing here with...
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February 10, 2023

Legislative video: Lawmakers must fix drug possession law this year!

Welcome to my legislative video! Today I want to share an update on what lawmakers must do this year to fix our state’s drug possession law and help those struggling with substance abuse. 
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February 03, 2023

Addressing our state’s housing crisis

Dear Neighbor, Hello from Olympia, where today is day 26 of our 105-day Legislative Session! This week, I have been busy attending committee hearings, visiting with constituents and testifying on my parental rights bill. As you may remember from my last newsletter, I reintroduced Senate Bill 5024 which would seek to increase...
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March 11, 2022

2022 Legislative session in the rear view mirror

Dear Friends and Neighbors, With the 2022 legislative session now in the rearview mirror, I wanted to update you on some of the highlights of this 60-day legislative session. It has been an honor for me to represent and serve the people of the 16th district and be your voice...
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February 18, 2022

Transportation proposal increases taxes, punishes drivers

Dear Friends and Neighbors, I want to update you on an emerging issue that legislators are currently addressing: the Senate Democrats’ Transportation Funding Plan (SB 5974).  In a very one-sided manner, the majority party put together a plan for the state of Washington with absolutely no respect or regard for...
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February 04, 2022

Legislative video: update on governor’s emergency powers

Welcome to my video update! Today I want to share the latest information on bills addressing the governor’s emergency powers and a bill that would offer tax relief.
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