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November 16, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you are healthy and well as we enter this beautiful fall season in Southwest Washington. Although the 2023 legislative session ended in April, I’ve been busy representing you in the 17th District this interim. I’ve had many opportunities to meet with so many people and it has been a great experience to learn more from you as I’ve participated in numerous events throughout the year. I will cover a few of those opportunities below, but first I want to discuss some ongoing issues that are still affecting everyone in Washington.

Public Safety

Many of you continue to share your concerns about public safety. As I have met with law enforcement officers and agencies, whom I fully support, they also continue to express concern about public safety. They feel the state’s new drug possession law does not go far enough. They also want increased ability to safely pursue bad actors when necessary. Substance abuse, especially fentanyl, is also a growing concern for communities throughout Washington. We must find a better way to help those struggling with this issue.

Time will tell if the change in Washington’s drug-possession law in July will lead those who struggle with addiction to enter and complete treatment while also reducing drug-related crime. However, there is more work to do in 2024. Public safety must be among the highest priorities as we enter the next legislative session. As lawmakers, we must do everything we can to ensure our families, homes, communities, and neighborhoods are safe.

Cost of Living Is Hurting Washingtonians

Consumer spending in our state has been resilient, personal income is up, and unemployment is historically low. However, inflation and rising interest rates are hurting the economic activity that generates the revenue to support public programs and services. Higher rents, gas prices, student-loan repayments, etc. are too high for many Washingtonians.

At the same time, the state operating budget today is more than double (107%) what it was a decade ago, at nearly $70 billion. With that in mind and the fact that Washington families are facing higher prices across the board for food, housing, and energy there is no justification for major new spending. Despite record state revenue, there’s no direct benefit or relief to our taxpayers. We should look to get surplus revenue back in the hands of the taxpayers, who can put it to better use.

For example, House Republicans are working on several real solutions to address the rising cost of fuel, including giving taxpayers some of the excess revenue already collected through the cap-and-trade program, which has already tripled expectations. For example, the Carbon Auction Rebate (CAR) program introduced by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, would send a $100 CAR rebate on July 1, 2024, to registered vehicle owners in Washington state. Click here to learn more about this innovative program and how it would work.

Interim Activities

Tunnel Five Fire – I have been busy throughout the interim working on behalf of the 17th District. It has been a pleasure meeting with you over the last several months, and learning more about the issues you care about. I’ve had the opportunity to visit schools, businesses, and many other organizations as I work to be your voice in Olympia.

For example, many of you are familiar with the Tunnel Five Fire, which occurred this past summer in Skamania County. The wildfire originated in the unincorporated community of Underwood, Washington, about two miles west of White Salmon in the Columbia River Gorge. The impact of the Tunnel Five Fire was significant, with an estimated 10 homes burned, and approximately 250 homes in the vicinity were under threat.

The fire had a significant impact on transportation as well, leading to the closure of Washington State Route 14 in both directions between Milepost 56 and Milepost 65 for more than a week in early July. I had the sobering opportunity to be part of a tour with the governor, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, U.S. Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and state Sen. Lynda Wilson to survey the damage. From this tour and my personal involvement in relief efforts, I realize we need better infrastructure. I’ve been working with our local volunteer firefighters, county commissioners, and our public utility district (PUD) to get funding for improved water infrastructure, more fire trucks, and better equipment to help our emergency responders.

SW Washington Bridge Tour – I also had the opportunity to participate in the Joint Transportation Committee Tour of SW Washington Bridges. The goal of this joint House-and-Senate committee is to provide opportunities for legislators to learn in-depth about significant transportation issues.  This was done by conducting studies, holding interim meetings, and organizing tours of critical aspects of Washington state’s transportation infrastructure, including major bridges.

Bridges studied this year included the I-5 Interstate Bridge, the I-205 Bridge, the Bridge of the Gods, the Hood River Bridge, and The Dalles Bridge. As a follow up in November, I discussed updates to the Bridge of the Gods with a member of the House Transportation Committee and a representative from the Port of Cascade Locks.

Additionally, here are some of the other events I’ve attended and participated in this interim:

• Met with the Downtown Camas Association & Main Street America to discuss how to revitalize, strengthen, and promote Downtown Camas to foster robust economic development in the 17th District.
• Attended the Color Their Worlds: Gala & Auction and the Educational Opportunities for Children & Families in an effort to raise awareness about the organization and to help support young children who are furthest from opportunity to succeed in reading, writing, art, etc.
• Toured Bonneville Dam with U.S. Congresswoman Perez and learned more about the concerns of sea lion predation in the Columbia River and the Cowlitz River.
• Toured Habitat for Humanity home construction site to learn more about the direct impact of the Housing Trust Fund in the community.
• Met at the Port of Vancouver with State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti to celebrate the enactment of House Bill 1527 and the redevelopment of Terminal 1.
• Met with the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and other legislators to discuss the potential impact of adjusting building permit review timelines, which could ultimately affect housing affordability across the state.
• In July, I began serving on the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) at the State Department of Commerce.
• Met with the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), then the Washington State Department of Transportation to discuss specific transportation needs, issues, and projects impacting SW Washington.
• Met with the Washington Education Association to discuss the needs of schools and teachers.
• Met with Tree Hill Learning Centers to discuss childcare costs and affordability in Washington.
• Toured Legacy Health Salmon Creek Medical Center to learn more about issues impacting the healthcare industry.
• Met with the Cascade Renewable Transmission (CRT) Project to discuss infrastructure updates to the region.
• Had first annual meeting with House of Representatives Speaker Laurie Jinkins at Stevenson High School and introduced Speaker Jinkins to some of the beautiful towns in the Columbia River Gorge.

Please Continue Reaching Out

Thank you again for your allowing me to serve you. It’s an honor to be your voice in the Legislature, and I look forward to hearing from you, especially as we get closer to the 2024 legislative session. My door is always open, so please continue to contact me to share input so I can represent you the best I can in Olympia. Thank you!

It’s an honor to serve.

Kevin Waters