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February 20, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

The 2026 legislative session is moving quickly, and Our Community at the Capitol continues to spotlight the amazing people and organizations from the 20th Legislative District who are showing up and making their voices heard in Olympia. Each biweekly update features photos and highlights from constituents who visit the Capitol and share their stories, ideas, and passion at the heart of state government.

Before we dive into all the visitors, I need your help to stop the proposed state income tax and a bill creating environmental crimes.

Stop the proposed state income tax

A proposal to establish a new state income tax, Senate Bill 6346, is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Finance Committee on Feb. 24 at 8:00 a.m. Below are some helpful links to help us stop this bad bill.

This is a significant policy discussion that could impact Washington families, small businesses, and our long-term affordability.

The Democrat majority is pushing this legislation to create Washington’s first-ever state income tax, a move that would fundamentally alter our economic landscape. The bill imposes a new 9.9% income tax, establishing the administrative machinery to eventually tax every Washingtonian. Supporters claim this tax targets only the ultra-wealthy, but history shows this is a Trojan horse. Once the tax structure is in place, the Democrat majority can easily lower the threshold to capture high earners and eventually the middle and lower classes.

This proposal is historically unpopular. When the bill was heard in the Senate, over 60,000 people signed in against it, making it the most unpopular bill in state history. Washingtonians have rejected income taxes at the ballot box 10 times, yet this plan defies both voter intent and the state constitution. The legislation even includes provisions to bypass voter approval by explicitly amending the voter-approved initiative that bans income taxes.

Washington does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. Senate Bill 6346 is bad legislation that opens the door to a permanent, statewide income tax. I urge you to make your voice heard by signing in to testify against this measure. Here are some helpful links to let your voice be heard.

• Sign up to testify in person or remotely | Click here
• Provide written testimony on your position on this bill | Click here
• Submit your position for the legislative record | Click here
• Share your story with House Republicans on how this bill would impact you | Click here

Stop the weaponization of environmental crimes against Washington families

A proposal to establish new environmental crimes and expand state prosecutorial power, Senate Bill 5360, is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Environment & Energy Committee on Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m. Below are some helpful links to help us stop this harmful legislation.

This is a significant policy discussion that could severely impact Washington families, farmers, ranchers, shellfish growers, and skilled trades workers.

The majority is pushing this legislation under the guise of environmental protection, but it fundamentally alters our legal and constitutional landscape. The bill expands criminal liability into industries that already operate under complex and evolving regulatory frameworks. While supporters claim this targets intentional polluters, the legislation actually risks criminalizing technical errors, paperwork disputes, or unintentional noncompliance. A permit disagreement or an unintentional discharge during extreme weather could easily escalate into criminal exposure rather than a simple corrective action.

Furthermore, SB 5360 grants the state attorney general new prosecutorial authority to pursue environmental crimes independently. Historically, criminal prosecution authority has resided with locally elected county prosecutors to ensure accountability to local communities and preserve the separation of powers. This bill centralizes that enforcement power at the state level, moving away from our traditional constitutional framework.

Washington already enforces strong environmental protections through the Department of Ecology and federal laws. Senate Bill 5360 is bad legislation that shifts our state from a system of education and collaboration to one of strict criminalization. I urge you to make your voice heard by signing in to oppose this measure. Here are some helpful links to let your voice be heard.

• Sign up to testify in person or remotely | Click here
• Provide written testimony on your position on this bill | Click here
• Submit your position for the legislative record | Click here
• Share your story with House Republicans on how this bill would impact you | Click here

Thank you for staying engaged and involved in your state government!

Our Community at the Capitol | Weeks 5 & 6

Stay in touch

If you plan to visit the Capitol, I would love to connect with you and hear from you. Reach out to schedule a meeting. I am here to represent and support you!

Thank you for the honor of being your voice in Olympia.

Sincerely,

Peter Abbarno