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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The work of self-government is never easy, but it is always worth doing when it is done honestly, courageously, and for the benefit of all – not just the well-connected or the politically convenient.
As we move past the midpoint of the legislative session, the choices before us are becoming sharper. Budgets reveal values. Bills reveal priorities. And right now, too many of the decisions coming out of Olympia favor a narrow slice of Washington while leaving the rest of the state to carry the load.
Standing for Safety – For All Washingtonians
This week, I spoke on the House floor against House Bill 1604. While well-intended, this policy makes a dangerous mistake. It chooses one group of Washingtonians to be safer than another.
Safety is not a luxury to be rationed. It is not a political talking point. It is a basic responsibility of government. When policy elevates the safety of one group by increasing risk for another, particularly for frontline workers and corrections officers, we have lost our moral compass. I’ve worn the uniform. I’ve worked the floor. I know what happens when theory collides with reality. Laws written far from the consequences often look clean on paper and fail in practice. I will always stand for policies that protect everyone – the public, officers, and the communities they serve – without exception and without apology. Click on the image below to watch my floor speech.
Budget Cuts That Still Miss the Mark
While the majority party speaks loudly about priorities, the budget tells a quieter and more troubling story.
Critical investments such as the Washougal Hatchery and the FIRST® STEAM education program that support our economy, workforce, and kids continue to face uncertainty and cuts. These are not luxuries. They are long-term investments in rural communities, trades, innovation, and opportunity.
I will continue to fight for these programs, because Washington’s future is not built solely in office towers and conference rooms; it’s built in classrooms, hatcheries, workshops, and small towns across this state.
A Tax Plan That Protects Puget Sound but Leaves the Rest Behind
This week, the majority party in Olympia introduced Senate Bill 6346 – along with its House companion, House Bill 2724 – legislation that would create Washington’s first-ever state income tax, even though voters have rejected similar unconstitutional income taxes 10 times.
For years, the majority party has claimed they want to take on big corporations and fix Washington’s regressive tax system. But when the moment came to act, they chose a narrow path that protects Puget Sound corporations while leaving the rest of the state stuck with the same broken system.
There are no real reforms to the B&O tax.
There is no meaningful relief for small businesses.
There are no cuts for working Washingtonians trying to keep the lights on, and payroll met.
Instead, the tax structure was carefully shaped, so the largest beneficiaries sit where political power is already concentrated. The result? Puget Sound gets taken care of – again – while rural Washington, small businesses, and family employers are told to wait their turn.
That’s not fairness. That’s favoritism.
One Washington, Not Two
I believe in a Washington that works for everyone: east and west, rural and urban, small business owners and working families, young people learning skills and retirees who built this state.
Government should not pick winners based on ZIP code or political convenience. It should serve everyone, or it has failed in its duty.
I will keep fighting for transparency, accountability, real tax reform, and budgets that reflect the full strength and diversity of our state. Not for headlines. Not for party. But because it’s the right thing to do.
Thank you for staying engaged, asking hard questions, and holding government to account. That is how a republic stays strong.
Virtual Town Hall – Save the Date
Be sure to save the date for our 17th district virtual town hall meeting. Join me, Sen. Paul Harris, and Rep. David Stuebe via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register.
It is an honor to serve you.
Kevin Waters
