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Dear Neighbor,
As the House Republican Caucus Chair, I provide weekly leadership video updates to keep you informed about the latest developments in the Legislature. These updates offer a quick and engaging recap of what happened in Olympia, including key policy debates, upcoming votes, and issues impacting our communities.
Staying engaged is crucial—our state faces many crises, and your voice shapes their solutions and outcomes. Below, I will expand on some of the most pressing topics covered in this week’s video.
House floor rule change: Silencing debate, silencing you
As your state representative, my most important responsibility is ensuring your voice is heard in Olympia. Over the past week, several events and developments have underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and active participation in our legislative process.
On Jan. 24, House Democrats stripped away a 132-year-old rule that ensured open and transparent debate on the House floor. This rule required a two-thirds supermajority to end debate—a safeguard that prevented any single party from unilaterally cutting off discussions on critical legislation. Now, with a simple majority, the majority party can shut down debate and force votes without fully hearing concerns from both sides of the aisle.
This rule change wasn’t just about procedure but about ignoring your voice. As your representative, I will continue fighting to ensure your concerns are heard, your perspectives are represented, and your rights are protected—no matter how much the majority party tries to shut down debate.
House Bill 1296: An attack on parental rights
As a father, I find it deeply concerning that the Legislature is considering a bill that reverses parental rights in education and limits transparency in our public schools. House Bill 1296 is one of the most alarming bills this session, stripping away key rights that ensure parents have a say in their child’s education and well-being.
House Bill 1296 dismantles protections established by Initiative 2081, a measure overwhelmingly supported by Washingtonians to reaffirm parents as the primary stakeholders in their children’s education.
It removes essential parental rights, including the right to:
- Inspect textbooks, curriculum, and classroom materials.
- Access certain school records, including information about their child.
- Receive notification when medical services are provided to their child.
- It gives the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction unprecedented power, allowing the agency to punish non-compliant schools by cutting off basic education funding. This move could directly impact students and classrooms.
- It includes an emergency clause, preventing the citizens of Washington state from challenging the law through a referendum—a clear attempt to sidestep public accountability.
During the executive session—or voting the bill out of the House Education Committee—the majority party rejected every amendment offered by my Republican colleagues to restore parental rights, increase transparency, and protect students.
As a parent, I know how important it is to be informed and involved in my children’s education. I will continue to fight against it, but I encourage you to stay engaged and make your voice heard.
House Bill 1178: Reducing sentences for gun and drug crimes around schools
House Democrats are at it again. While they focus on taking constitutional rights away from law-abiding citizens, they want to reduce penalties for criminals committing horrible acts around schools, like gun, gang, and drug-related offenses.
House Bill 1178 will be moved out of the House Community Public Safety Committee on Feb. 6. Previous versions of this policy have been passed from the House Chamber along party lines, with House Republicans in opposition.
Update: Key bills moving forward in the legislative process
As the session progresses, I continue pushing for solutions that help Washington families, businesses, and our communities. Here is where some of my sponsored bills currently stand.
Coming up for public hearing next week:
- House Bill 1016 – Expands tax incentives for businesses that hire veterans and military families. (Scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 4 in the House Finance Committee. Sign up to testify here.)
- House Bill 1656 – Protects families from sudden utility rate hikes after natural disasters like wildfires. (Scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 6 in the House Environment and Energy Committee. Sign up to testify here.)
Voted out of committee and awaiting a full House vote:
- House Bill 1002 – Recognizes PTSD as an occupational disease for county coroners, medical examiners, and investigative personnel, ensuring they receive the support they deserve. (The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee passed my bill during the executive session on Jan. 31.)
These bills are moving through the legislative process, and your engagement is critical. Whether you testify on House Bills 1016 or 1656 next week or follow the progress of House Bills 1002, your voice matters. I will continue to keep you updated as these and other bills advance.
Survey results: What you told me matters most
Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the policies I fight for. Recent survey results from constituents across the district confirm what many of us already knew:
- 73% of respondents said they are struggling with the rising cost of living, including soaring property taxes, food prices, and fuel costs. Many on fixed incomes feel left behind.
- Crime and public safety remain top concerns, with many expressing frustration over increasing property theft and fewer law enforcement officers on the streets.
- Tax relief was a clear priority, with most respondents calling for reductions in property taxes and eliminating unnecessary fees and levies that disproportionately burden working families and seniors.
These concerns are not just statistics—they are the real-life struggles of our neighbors, friends, and families. That’s why I will continue to push and support solutions for tax relief, fight for public safety, and oppose reckless policies that make life harder and more expensive for Washingtonians.
The survey is still open! If you’d like to participate, click here.
Stay engaged—Your voice matters!
The Legislature is at a crossroads. The rule change allowing the majority to silence opposition, the push for extreme policies like House Bill 1296, and the refusal to consider common-sense solutions prove that now, your voice must be heard more than ever.
Please watch my video demonstration for a step-by-step guide to participating in committees and testifying on bills. You can watch it by clicking here or on the photo below.
Come visit me at the Capitol and stay connected with “Our Community at the Capitol”
With the 2025 legislative session in full swing, I invite you to visit the state Capitol! If you’re planning a visit, I would love to meet you. Contact my office to schedule a meeting.
Another great way to stay informed is through my biweekly update, “Our Community at the Capitol.” This update highlights the incredible people and groups from the 20th Legislative District who are making their mark in Olympia. Whether it is local leaders, students, business owners, or advocates, these updates showcase everyone.
You can see last week’s edition here, and keep an eye out for next week’s edition. They come out biweekly on Friday.
Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions, concerns, or ideas regarding your state government or any topics in this email. My contact information is at the bottom of this email.
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 State 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
