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Dear Neighbor,
By this Sunday, April 27, the 2025 legislative session will officially come to a close.
Then comes the most important part: explaining to you what it all means.
While the gavels may be coming down, the consequences of the decisions made in Olympia are just beginning to hit kitchen tables across Washington. That’s why I’m inviting you to an important in-person town hall on Saturday, May 3, to talk about what happened—and what it means for you, your family, and your future.
🗓 Saturday, May 3
📍 Battle Ground City Hall – 109 SW 1st St, Battle Ground, WA 98604
🕙 10:00 a.m. start time
My seatmate, Rep. Ed Orcutt, and Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley of the 18th District will join me.
What just happened in Olympia
This session wasn’t just about passing bills—it was about setting priorities. And unfortunately, the majority party chose priorities that are making life even more expensive for the people who can least afford it.
- 3rd highest overall cost of living
- 3rd highest gas prices in the nation
- 4th highest grocery costs
- 4th most expensive housing market
- 7th highest child care costs
Democrats introduced dozens of new taxes and fees that will hit working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses harder than ever.
Instead of solving problems, they simply threw more money at them, and sent you the bill.
For an extensive list of all the taxes about to hit your wallets, click on the graphic below.
The transportation tax hike that went too far
One of the worst examples was Senate Bill 5801—a transportation tax package that adds over $3.2 billion in new taxes and fees over six years.
We didn’t just sit back and watch bad bills happen. Every step of the way, we fought for better priorities—and for a government that actually serves the people paying the bills.
Because now, the most important part is making sure you know exactly what happened—and what it means for your family.
When Amendment 1428 to Senate Bill 5801 came to the floor, I stood up and spoke out. Here’s a portion of what I said:
“Washington State currently has the fourth highest cost of groceries in the nation—and that hits the people in our communities who can least afford it. Right now, diesel costs over 60 cents more per gallon here than anywhere else in the country. Regular gas? Over a dollar more. That impacts everything at the kitchen table—from groceries to medicine to basic necessities. At some point, we have to give relief to working families and our seniors. We can do it right now—by lowering the cost of fuel that delivers medicine to our pharmacies and food to our stores.”
Unfortunately, the amendment to lower fuel taxes and give families a break was rejected. But I want you to know: I fought for you—and I’m not done.
You can watch my full floor speech by clicking here or on the photo below.
Senate Bill 5284: Hidden taxes on packaged foods
I recently joined Rep. Stephanie McClintock to shine a light on Senate Bill 5284, a bill that would increase the cost of packaged foods by up to 27%. At a time when more than half of Washingtonians are experiencing food insecurity, this is the wrong approach.
From seniors on fixed incomes to working parents already stretched thin, these taxes would make it harder for families to put food on the table. Watch our discussion to learn how this bill impacts you and what we are doing to stop it.
Here’s a graph that also breaks down the price increases as a result of this bill.
Session may end, but your voice is more important than ever
The legislative session may officially end on Sunday, but our work together is just beginning.
Bad bills don’t stop at the end of session. Neither should your voice. Now is the time to stay informed, stay engaged, and stay vocal.
🛑 Visit StopBadBills.houserepublicans.wa.gov to learn more
Together, we can hold Olympia accountable and stand up for a better, more affordable Washington.
Let’s keep the conversation going—join me on May 3
I hope you’ll join me on May 3 for a full, honest conversation about what happened during the 2025 session—and where we go from here.
Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. Bring your energy.
Because in Washington, we’re not just fighting taxes—we’re fighting for families.
Thank you for the trust you place in me. Let’s keep moving forward and working together to Fix Washington.
Sincerely,
Peter Abbarno
