May 21, 2024

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
May 21, 2024

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
May 21, 2024

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
May 21, 2024

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
April 10, 2024

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
March 13, 2024

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
March 08, 2024

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
March 08, 2024

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
March 06, 2024

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
March 01, 2024

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