Matt Boehnke

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick OLYMPIA… The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) held a special meeting on September 13 to approve the revised site certification agreement for the controversial Horse Heaven Wind Project. Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, believes the EFSEC’s process to approve the revised site certification agreement (SCA)...

On August 13, I had the honor of joining fellow federal and state lawmakers and representatives from the Department of Energy, Ecology, and Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the $75 million Grid Storage Launchpad at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) north Richland campus. This momentous occasion marks a significant...

Sen. Boehnke rides in a tractor at the Farmer for a Day event Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Tri-Cities, fueling our economy and sustaining our communities. With deep roots as an agricultural hub, it is vital we acknowledge our local farmers’ incredible contributions daily. On August 14, I had...

Affordable childcare is a critical issue for thousands of Tri-Cities families. Unfortunately, the number of family childcare providers has dropped 20% over the past five years, making Washington State the third least affordable state for childcare. Since 2019, while median incomes in Washington have risen by 5%, childcare costs have...

Sen. Boehnke (right) talks with Brian Ace, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties.   The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties are dedicated to creating a haven where every child and teen feels safe, comfortable, and valued just as they are....

For the past 76 years, the Benton Franklin Fair has been a cherished part of countless family summer traditions. As the Tri-Cities’ most significant event, the fair has always been about bringing kids and the community together in celebration. This year’s “Best Week of Summer” lived up to its name...

OLYMPIA … On July 12, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families transferred 43 incarcerated men over the age of 21 from Green Hill School in Chehalis to the custody of the state Department of Corrections. One week later, a Thurston Co. Superior Court judge found the transfer...

A few days ago, I returned from a trip to Chicago to Co Chair the National Conference of State Legislatures, Nuclear Legislative Work Group spring meeting on July 8-9. The purpose of these meetings is to provide legislative members with the opportunity to learn about nuclear energy and related policy...

I am pleased to share that Visit Tri-Cities has announced the Department of Energy (DOE) will be extending reservations for The Manhattan Project B-Reactor Tours through the end of October 2024. This extension grants visitors more time to explore this significant historical and scientific landmark. The B-Reactor is a significant...

Earlier in June, I met with Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney and staff at the Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center in Pasco, Wash. The transportation center is named after Richard Lenhart, a Pasco school bus driver who lost his life in 2021, protecting 35 students from a man who...