Winter is\nalmost here and that means the 2020 legislative session is just around the\ncorner. As with any session, the House of Representatives will be tackling\nnumerous issues that are important to the people in the 17th District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things in\nOlympia might seem a little quiet right now. But House Republicans have been\nhard at work throughout the state in our local communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot has\nhappened since our last session ended in April. And that means we\u2019ll have some\ntough issues to iron out in the Legislature come January. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transportation\nIssues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Transportation\ncontinues to be a hot-button topic throughout the state, including Vancouver.\nThe biggest news was voters passing the car-tab initiative (I-976) to lower\nlicensing fees to $30. But the people of the 17th District have another big\ntransportation issue to consider: replacing the I-5 bridge between Vancouver\nand Portland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I-5\nBridge<\/strong>: Rep. Brandon\nVick (18th District) and I are both on the I-5 Bridge Commission. We\u2019re working\nhard to make sure the people we represent have a voice in this ongoing issue\nthat affects the lives of so many people in Southwest Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far,\ndiscussions between lawmakers have been very positive. Members of the\ncommission from both states see the need for a new bridge, as well as\nadditional crossings. I look forward to further input from both the commission\nand the public as we move forward towards what we hope will be a successful\nproject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Car-Tab\nInitiative (I-976)<\/strong>:\nAs for the car-tab issue, the people have spoken. I\u2019ve heard your vote and I\nhonor your decision. But this issue is not over. Democratic lawmakers from\nseveral cities are challenging the validity of I-976. Some opponents have\nalready filed lawsuits to overturn the initiative. The fallout from I-976 might\nend up being one of the biggest issues we face in the upcoming legislative\nsession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n