The results are in! | Constituent feedback from Rep. Peter Abbarno’s affordability survey

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, recently released the results of an affordability survey that gathered feedback from families, seniors, and small business owners across the 20th Legislative District.

Survey participants identified gas, transportation, and groceries as the top expenses affecting their families, followed closely by housing costs such as property taxes, rent, and insurance. Health care costs also ranked high, reflecting growing concern about premium increases and out-of-pocket expenses.

The results mirror what Abbarno hears regularly from constituents throughout the district. Families are stretching paychecks further to cover basic necessities, seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to keep up with rising taxes and medical costs, and small businesses are facing increased taxes, fees, and regulatory burdens that make it harder to stay open and retain employees.

Respondents also expressed strong concern about recent tax decisions in Olympia. More than 70% said the largest tax increase passed by the Legislature in 2025 has made Washington less affordable to live, work, and raise a family. Many respondents indicated frustration that higher taxes are not producing better outcomes in key areas such as housing affordability, health care access, public safety, and transportation.

When asked to rank legislative priorities for 2026, respondents consistently placed gas prices, grocery costs, housing affordability, health care costs, and overall state spending and taxes at the top of the list. These results highlight the real-world impacts of rising costs and the urgency of addressing affordability for working families, seniors, and employers.

Abbarno says the survey results will help guide his legislative work as discussions begin on the upcoming session, reinforcing the need for policies that provide meaningful cost relief, promote accountability, and improve affordability across the state.