Capital budget highlights and local projects
The final supplemental capital budget allocates $1.33 billion, including $130.6 million in bonds. The plan entails significant investments throughout the state in K-12 school construction, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment facilities, and early learning facilities, leaving $547,000 in remaining bond capacity. With this budget’s unanimous approval, we are delighted...
Read More
State legislature passes operating and transportation budgets
OPERATING BUDGET The final supplemental operating budget appropriates $72 billion (NGF-O), a $2.2 billion increase over current 2023-25 spending. While the budget pays for many important core services, it once again contains no meaningful tax relief for working families. The state has a moral imperative to provide tax relief. The...
Read More
Attacks on energy affordability
A pair of bills that will make energy more expensive in Washington were signed into law. House Bill 1589 allows Puget Sound Energy to end natural gas services for its customers. While this will directly affect our neighbors to the west, it represents a concerning trend toward eliminating an important...
Read More
Citizen Initiatives
During the 2024 session, Washingtonians brought six initiatives before the Legislature, all aimed at tackling important issues. We are happy to report that the people of Washington scored a big win with approval of three of these initiatives, which are: I-2113 restores police officer’s ability to pursue suspected criminals, a...
Read More
6 Boehnke bills signed into law
OLYMPIA… In a remarkable feat of legislative prowess, Senator Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, saw six of his bills signed into law by Governor Inslee in March. This achievement, the highest number of bills he’s successfully passed since his tenure in the legislature began in 2019, is a testament to his dedication...
Read More
Boehnke school bus trespass bill clears Legislature, awaits Governor’s signature | AUDIO
Keeping trespassers off school buses is the aim of a bill passed out of the state Legislature. Tracy Ellis tells us the measure is named after a real-life hero. #waleg LISTEN HERE
Read More
D’Aquila serves as page for Sen. Matt Boehnke
OLYMPIA… Jason D’Aquila, a 9th-grader at South Ridge High School, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. D’Aquila was one of 32 students who served in the Senate during the Ninth week of the 2024 legislative session. He was...
Read More
5 Boehnke bills pass legislature
OLYMPIA… Washington State Senator Matt Boehnke has been very active in representing the 8th district this legislative session, with 28 bills introduced or retained from the 2023 legislative session. As the 2024 session ended today, Boehnke had five bills pass the House last week, all unanimously, and concurred by the Senate...
Read More
3 initiatives pass the legislature
OLYMPIA… Yesterday, the Washington State legislature passed three initiatives, the most ever enacted by the legislature. Initiatives 2111, 2113, and 2081 all represent a comprehensive approach to enhancing the quality of life in Washington State. From protecting economic interests without imposing income taxes to ensuring communities are safe through effective...
Read More
Coates serves as page for Sen. Matt Boehnke
Ethan Coates and Sen. Matt Boehnke OLYMPIA… Ethan Coates, an 8th grader at Bethlehem Lutheran from Cashmere, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Coates was one of 32 students who served in the Senate during the seventh week...
Read More