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February 14, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

We have just wrapped up Week 5 of the 2025 legislative session, and the difference between House Republicans and House Democrats could not be more apparent.

At the same time that the majority party is focused on redesigning the state flag, reducing sentences for gun crimes committed near schools, studying the environmental impacts of your clothes, and raising your taxes, House Republicans are fighting for lowering costs, safer streets, better schools, a stronger economy, smarter government, and a cleaner Washington with real solutions that put Washington families first.

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’s happening in Olympia, covering key policy debates, upcoming votes, and the issues that impact your daily life. I encourage you to turn in and stay engaged. You can watch my Week 5 Recap here or by clicking on the photo below.

Democrats’ latest push: More taxes, higher costs, and declining public trust in education

During this week’s Republican media availability, I joined House and Senate Republican leaders to highlight Washingtonians’ affordability crisis. Instead of providing relief, the majority party continues to push policies that drive up costs, including:

• House Bill 1921 – The Road Usage Charge (RUC).
  • A 2.6 cents per mile tax, set to begin 2031.
  • The gas tax stays while this new tax piles on, meaning you pay twice. Once at the pump and again for every mile you drive.
  • This tax is especially harmful to rural communities where driving isn’t a choice but a necessity.
  • Nearly 20,000 Washingtonians signed in against this bill, making it clear that this is not what people want.
• House Bills 1334 and 1356 – Higher property taxes
  • HB 1334 allows both state and local governments to raise property taxes by 3% per year instead of the current 1% cap.
  • HB 1356 lets school districts seek higher levies while increasing the state’s property tax levy.
  • Homeownership and rent are already expensive. These bills make it worse at a time when Washingtonians are struggling to make ends meet.

This is the wrong direction. Instead of easing the burden, the majority party wants more of your money while ignoring the root causes of our affordability crisis.

We also tackled a major issue: declining public trust in our education system. The struggle to pass levies and bonds reflects skepticism toward the system, not a lack of support for education. House Republicans are calling for greater accountability, transparency, and reforms to ensure tax dollars go where they are needed most: the classroom.

You can watch our full conversation with the media on these topics here or by clicking on the photo below.

Real solutions from House Republicans to Fix Washington

House Republicans are advancing legislation that actually helps Washington families, including:

• House Bill 1522 (Rep. Tom Dent) would strengthen wildfire preparedness to protect communities.
• House Bill 1656/HB1990 (sponsored by me) would ensure critical infrastructure can be restored quickly after disasters without unfair utility rate hikes.
• House Bill 1777 (Rep. Suzanne Schmidt) would speed up apprenticeship approvals to meet workforce demands.
• House Bill 1832 (Rep. Michael Keaton) would help reverse learning loss and improve student achievement.

A few other key bills to lower costs for working families also received hearing:

• House Bill 1307 (Rep. Michelle Caldier) would remove sales tax on diapers, baby clothes, and child care essentials, providing much-needed relief for families.
• House Bill 1340 (Rep. Deb Manjarrez) would eliminate the sales tax on prepared food, helping families with everyday costs.
• House Bill 1363 (Rep. Caldier) would modify license requirements for child care and early learning providers.
• House Bill 1033 (Rep. Travis Couture) would authorize local licensing and regulation of child care providers.

For the full list of bills House Republicans have introduced to Fix Washington, click here.

A bipartisan victory: Strengthening city-tribal partnerships

Amidst the battles, bipartisan progress is possible. I am proud to report that my bill, House Bill 1039, passed the House unanimously. It creates a clear framework for city-tribal agreements, allowing for smarter infrastructure development, improved public services, and stronger collaboration. It is a win for LaCenter and the Cowlitz Tribe.

This proves that we can get things done when we focus on practical solutions.

You can read my press release for more information on this bill here.

Your voice is making a difference

Washingtonians are fed up with policies that make life harder and more expensive. Tens of thousands of you signed in against tax hikes and new mandates. Your engagement matters, and I encourage you to keep making it heard. You can watch my video on staying engaged and making a difference here or by clicking on the photo below.

House Republicans will continue to keep our priorities straight and fight for:

• Affordability, lowering costs, and preventing reckless tax increases.
• Accountability and holding government responsible for how it spends your money.

Thank you for staying engaged.

As the 2025 legislative continues to inch along, I invite you to visit me at 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 20^th 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 afternoons.

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