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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well! With Christmas just around the corner, I wish you all a joyful holiday season!
As we gear up for the 2025 legislative session, which begins on Jan. 13, I wanted to share a quick update on what’s ahead. This session will run for 105 days, giving us the time we need to tackle critical issues and deliver results for our communities.
New Leadership Role
In late November, I was elected as the House Republican Caucus Chair. We face significant challenges this session—from ensuring public safety to addressing affordability without new taxes—and I’m committed to helping our caucus develop solutions that strengthen communities across the state.
As Caucus Chair, I will set the agenda for caucus meetings, lead internal strategy discussions, and coordinate closely with Senate Republicans and statewide leaders to advance key legislative goals.
Committee Assembly Days
Earlier this month, on Dec. 9-10, I joined my fellow lawmakers in Olympia for Committee Assembly Days. These meetings allow us to hold work sessions, dive into policy, and set the stage for the months ahead.
I’m honored to serve on the following House committees:
- Capital Budget (assistant ranking member)
- Consumer Protection & Business
- Environment & Energy
- Rules
Read more about my leadership role and committee assignments in this press release.
Bills I’m Bringing Forward for the 2025 Session
With the pre-filing of bills beginning on Dec. 2, I’ve already introduced several bills focusing on improving public safety, supporting mental health, helping military families, and solutions to fix the long-term care payroll tax program (WA Cares).
Permanent funding solutions for rural fire districts (House Bill 1001)
Our local fire districts are under increasing pressure as populations grow, economic development expands, and wildfire risks continue to rise. While I’ve previously secured capital budget funding for fire districts in SW Washington, we need a permanent solution. House Bill 1001 would create a grant program to help fire districts build, expand, and improve their facilities. This would relieve economic burdens on working families and small businesses while keeping our communities safe.
Read my press release and learn more about House Bill 1001 here.
Supporting mental health for coroners and medical examiners (House Bill 1002)
First responders like law enforcement and firefighters already receive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) protections under the workers’ compensation system. House Bill 1002 would extend these protections to county coroners and medical examiners, who also face traumatic situations in their work. Ensuring these workers have access to the care they deserve is an important step in supporting their mental health.
Read my press release and learn more about House Bill 1002 here.
Helping veterans and military families find work (House Bill 1016)
Veterans and military families face higher unemployment rates than the general population, and many small businesses are hesitant to expand due to upfront costs. House Bill 1016 would provide tax credits to businesses that hire veterans and the spouses of active-duty service members. This program supports those who’ve served our country and helps boost local economies and small businesses.
Read my press release and learn more about House Bill 1016 here.
Addressing the WA Cares Program (House Bills 1025 and 1026)
Responding to widespread concerns about the long-term care payroll tax, I’ve teamed up with Rep. Joe Schmick of Colfax, ranking member on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, to introduce two bills to fix the long-term care payroll tax shortcomings and offer solutions to Washington families. House Bill 1025 would reopen the opt-out window for private long-term care insurance workers. Many workers missed the 2022 deadline and were left without the option to secure better, private alternatives. House Bill 1026 would allow spouses to share benefits. Right now, families are stuck with benefits that can’t be transferred.
The WA Care Program is deeply flawed; these bills are about fairness. Workers deserve better options and relief from programs that don’t meet their needs.
Learn more about our efforts in this blog post from the Washington Policy Center.
Read the editorial by The Seattle Times Editorial Board.
You can also listen to my interview on KVI radio by clicking on the photo below.
If you would like to preview all the pre-filed bills, you can do so by clicking here.
Investing in our students: My visit to Onalaska and Napavine schools
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit both the Onalaska and Napavine School Districts as part of the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators’ (WAMOA) legislative school visits.
In both school districts, I saw firsthand the incredible work teachers, staff, and administrators do to create positive, supportive learning environments. Programs like Onalaska’s “Student of the Month” assemblies celebrate student achievement, and every Onalaska student has access to a Chromebook. Napavine’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students for success beyond the classroom, and their FFA program continues to thrive.
However, the facilities in both districts tell a different story that highlights a growing disparity across our state. In Napavine, too many students are learning in aging portables, and the middle school is squeezed into temporary buildings at the center of campus. Onalaska faces challenges with inconsistent heating systems, outdoor maintenance needs, and limited space that forces breakfast to be served in classrooms. Even band and physical education classes share adjoining spaces, creating scheduling issues that impact learning.
The problem is clear: property-poor districts like Napavine and Onalaska are falling further behind when it comes to funding school facilities. Communities like these should not have to choose between quality education and addressing basic infrastructure needs.
I’m committed to advocating for fair, equitable investments in education – without placing additional burdens on local property owners. Safe, modern, and effective learning spaces are essential for every student, no matter where they live.
I’d love to hear from you if you have thoughts or ideas on this issue. Let’s work together to ensure all our students have the opportunities they deserve.
Stay connected
Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions, concerns, or ideas regarding your state government or any topics in this email update. You can find my contact information at the bottom of this email. You can also scan the QR code below.
Here are some other helpful links you might also find useful.
- Visit my website | Representative Peter Abbarno
- Visit the Washington State House Republicans website
- Follow Washington House Republicans on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Reddit
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be your voice in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Peter Abbarno
