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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you’ve had an enjoyable summer in our beautiful state. The 2025 legislative session ended in late April, but I have been busy working on your behalf in the 17th District the last several months. Even though it’s the interim, my legislative duties never end.
I have been meeting with many local government officials, businesses throughout our district, and many of you. These meetings are so important as I prepare for the upcoming 2026 session. I have learned what matters most to you and our communities, and there is much work to be done to improve life for everyone in Washington.
Still Fighting for the Slough Bridge
One of the issues I repeatedly hear about is the Slough Bridge. Whether it’s local governments, businesses, or constituents, this bridge is vital to everyone who uses it, but it doesn’t stop there. It has become increasingly dangerous and can no longer be ignored. Together with my fellow legislators in the 17th, I won’t stop fighting until we get the funding to replace the bridge. It will be our top priority in the 2027 budget cycle.
DNR’s Timber Decision Will Hurt Our Kids
Another huge issue I’m working on is the recent decision by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that will have a negative impact on all of Washington, especially people in rural areas and kids who attend schools there.
When the newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove took office this year, one of the first things he did was freeze the roughly two dozen pending timber sales in Washington as part of an effort to “conserve” 77,000 acres of these working forests. The “pause” lasted eight months and drove the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) timber program to its lowest output in 20 years.
On Tuesday, the DNR announced that part of this conservation effort will include more than 10,000 acres of older forests, which means all remaining older forests on state lands will be conserved. Click here to read my full statement about this nearsighted decision and how it will hurt the entire state.
Washington State’s Majority Party Slashes Medicaid
Another important issue I want to bring to your attention is the ruling party’s decision to cut Medicaid benefits in Washington by more than three-quarters of a billion dollars. According to the nonpartisan Office of Program Research, the budget passed by Democrats and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in 2025 slashes over $782 million from Medicaid–$446 million in federal funds and $336.5 million in state matching dollars. Nearly 95% of the reductions hit general medical care, services for people with disabilities and seniors, and long-term care assistance. The ruling party likes to blame the other Washington for these cuts, but that’s not what’s really happening. Click here to read more about this decision.
Ongoing Education Issues in Washington
Lastly, as our kids head back to school for another year, there are several important education issues to be aware of, including the cost of back-to-school supplies, which is a significant burden for many Washington families. The ruling party rejected Republican attempts to have a back-to-school sales tax holiday. Studies have shown that the average family spends $860, meaning $85 would have been saved if the policy had passed.
An even greater concern is that our kids are still lagging behind when it comes to their results. Washington has the lowest reading, math, and science comprehension rates in three decades. Republicans also attempted to save levy equalization for property-poor districts, but the majority party said no and allowed higher property tax increases.
Republicans attempted to boost funding for materials, supplies, and operating costs for funding accountability reform. The majority said no. Lastly, the ruling party allowed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to defund schools if it didn’t like local school board decisions.
These are not school-friendly decisions. They will hurt our kids and continue to put them further behind in their learning opportunities and outcomes. We must make our schools and our kids’ education a top priority.
Thank You and Keep Reaching Out
Thank you for your support and input, and please continue contacting me. It’s an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Waters
