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Dear Neighbor,
We have reached a critical juncture in the 2025 legislative session. Today marks the fiscal cutoff, the deadline for any bills with a financial impact on the state budget to pass out of its respective fiscal committee—Finance, Capital Budget, Transportation, or Appropriations. Bills that fail to advance by this point are considered dead for the session.
With this milestone soon behind us, we now shift into 10 consecutive days of floor debate beginning on Monday. Over the next week and a half, the House will vote on hundreds of bills ahead of the March 12 House of Origin deadline.
Week 7 video recap
As House Republican Caucus Chair, I remain focused on policies that promote affordability and economic stability for Washington families. In my latest weekly video recap, I highlighted two bills that would make life more expensive for hardworking taxpayers. You can watch the video by clicking here or on the photo below.
House Bill 1217 – Rent Control. Supporters of HB 1217 claim it will improve housing stability by capping rent increases, limiting fees, and imposing new regulations on landlords. However, this bill is nothing more than government-imposed rent control, a policy that has failed in other states. Limiting rent increases discourages investment in rental housing, reduces supply, and ultimately drives up costs for everyone.
Senate Bill 5186 – Property tax hikes for school modernizations. SB 5186 shifts the financial burden for school construction from the state to local property owners by allowing more debt and higher tax levies with a simple majority vote instead of the current three-fifths threshold. This means homeowners and renters alike will see their property taxes skyrocket, making it even harder to afford housing.
These bills are prime examples of the wrong approach to affordability. That’s why House Republicans launched the Stop Bad Bills page on our website, where you can track legislation that threatens economic security and higher costs.
Affordability and the Budget Crisis
Washington is already one of the most expensive states to live and do business. We rank third-highest in gas prices, fourth-highest in grocery costs, and seventh-least affordable for childcare. Instead of focusing on solutions to ease financial burdens, the majority party continues pushing policies that will make life even more expensive for working families, seniors, and small business owners.
At the same time, Washington faces a projected budget shortfall of up to $10-$12 billion, a crisis driven not by declining tax revenues but by years of irresponsible spending. The state’s revenue continues to grow, with tax collections increasing by $5 billion this biennium and $18 billion since 2019, yet the budget remains unsustainable.
- The state consistently spent more than it collected: $1.9 billion more in 2019-21, $2.6 billion more in 2021-23, and $4.1 billion more in 2023-25.
- Budget writers relied on “ghost revenue,” inflated projections of tax growth that never materialized, adding over $1.1 billion in unfunded spending.
- One-time funds, including 411 billion in COVID aid, were used to create new programs that now must be sustained with state tax dollars.
- Pet projects and earmarks have ballooned without accountability, further draining taxpayer resources.
Rather than fixing these issues, Olympia Democrats are pushing new taxes and fees that will hit working families hardest:
- House Bill 1921: Introduces a pay-per-mile tax on drivers, adding costs on top of already high gas prices and disproportionately hurting commuters and rural communities.
- House Bill 1607: Proposes a bottle tax that will increase costs on everyday beverages, from water to juice to soda, making grocery bills even higher.
- House Bill 1334: Weakens the voter-approved 1% cap on property tax increases, allowing local governments to raise taxes unchecked, making homeownership and renting even more expensive.
Washington does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. Instead of economy-killing tax hikes, we need structural budget reforms to restore fiscal responsibility.
House Republicans call for policies that reinstate spending limits, prioritize essential services like education and public safety, and require real accountability for state programs.
Without action, Washington families will continue to bear the burden of bad policies and reckless budgeting. It is time for a responsible approach that puts taxpayers first.
In the Media
I have been actively sharing about and speaking out on key issues affecting our communities and state, covering not just the affordability crisis but also critical legislation I’ve been working on. Here are a few for you to read:
- WA bill would help coroners, correctional officers get PTSD coverage | The Seattle Times
- Rep. Peter Abbarno introduces legislation protecting coroners and medical examiners | Press release
- Rep. Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief from rising costs | Op-ed
- Rep. Peter Abbarno: Empowering businesses and communities through legislative action | Op-ed
- Rep. Peter Abbarno: This bill will drive up fuel prices, again | Video
- From affordability crisis to catastrophe: Rep. Peter Abbarno exposes House Bill 1607’s $200 million cost | Video
You can find all my news and media on my website at RepresentativePeterAbbarno.com.
You’re Invited | 20th District Virtual Town Hall
I want to invite you to a virtual town hall on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. with my seatmates, Rep. Ed Orcutt and Senate Minority Leader John Braun. We will discuss the legislative session, affordability, and what we can do to push back against bad policies. We will also answer any questions or concerns you have.
To register, use the QR code or click here.
I encourage you to attend and make your voice heard. Thank you for staying engaged! Let’s work together to make Washington more affordable for everyone.
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be your voice in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Peter Abbarno
