Search Results for: town hall
E-News: Why doesn't Washington have cheaper fuel like Oregon and Idaho?
Dear Neighbors, Three years ago, just in time for the summer driving season, our state's average gas price became the highest in the nation, at $4.89 for a gallon of regular. The cause seemed apparent: Washington's cap-and-tax law -- passed two years earlier, and officially known as the Climate Commitment Act -- had taken full effect. I'll bet Washington hasn't dropped below #3 since then on the list of worst gas prices. California typically is #1. When I checked the aaa.com website ...
Transcript: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris Gildon
Tracy Ellis: It’s The Elephant in the Dome, the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican caucus. I’m Tracy Ellis, with Senator Chris Gildon. Washington is still facing a homelessness crisis. Is the legislature doing enough? We're joined by investigative journalist Jonathan Choe. Jonathan, thanks for coming up and joining us today. Appreciate you. Jonathan Choe: Absolutely. Next time we got to do it in person. Sen. Chris Gildon: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree. So I guess let's jump into it. ...
Longview senator calls for thorough, transparent state investigation of deadly spill
Prayer vigil Tuesday evening for disaster victims in Longview’s R.A. Long Park. OLYMPIA – A deadly spill in Longview that killed at least two people and injured others calls for a comprehensive and transparent state investigation with oversight from the Legislature, says Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. Responders are completing their survey of damage at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant on the Longview waterfront. Supports for a 900,000 gallon chemical holding tank collapsed early Tuesday morning, sending a wave of caustic “white ...
E-News: Why is my energy bill so high?
Dear Friends and Neighbors, I’ll begin by saying thanks to everyone who joined our recent town hall at the Fruitland Grange. The discussion was spirited at times but respectful, much like how we debate legislation in the Senate. You should have received our 25th District delegation’s 2026 session report by mail. It highlights the three budgets adopted this session and includes an explanation of why the updated operating budget is as unstable as a house of cards. We also detail the new ...
Skyrocketing bridge replacement cost at Vancouver threatens entire state
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Wilson's subscribers May 2, 2026. To subscribe to Sen. Wilson's e-newsletters, click here. The Interstate Bridge at Vancouver is jammed with traffic every rush hour, and engineers warn it may not survive the next earthquake. Oldest portions of the span date from 1917. Dear Friends and Neighbors, The last time we debated a new freeway bridge at Vancouver, thirteen years ago, the entire project was supposed to cost $3.5 billion. Today that is the cost ...
Schoesler asks if Ferguson is following “spirit of law” with PDC appointments
State Sen. Mark Schoesler is questioning whether Gov. Bob Ferguson’s recent appointments to the state Public Disclosure Commission are legal. After a recall effort began against him for not filling two vacancies on the PDC for several months, Ferguson in the past two weeks appointed Matthew Segal, a former King County Superior Court judge, and Microsoft attorney Teebah Alsaleh to the commission. “Under the state statute (RCW 29B.20.010) dealing with the PDC, no more than three commissioners shall have an identification with ...
Town hall recap, newsletter, and transportation update for the 8th District
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thank you to everyone who came out to our recent 8th District town hall. I appreciate you taking the time to be there, ask questions, and stay engaged. We covered a lot — some of it easy, some of it not. I appreciated hearing directly from you about the pressures you’re feeling, from the new state income tax and rising energy and fuel costs to the ongoing challenge of housing affordability. We also spent time on the recent Less ...
Updated town hall schedule
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thank you to everyone who planned to attend this week’s town halls in Bonney Lake and Edgewood. I truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to stay engaged. Unfortunately, I lost my voice due to illness and had to cancel those meetings. I know it’s not easy to rearrange your time, and I appreciate your understanding. The good news is both events are now rescheduled for next week. Rescheduled town halls: Edgewood: Monday, April 27 | ...
NEWSLETTER: Exposed -- Democrat motivations on the income tax and fraud at DCYF
Daycare fraud concerns should be a priority Dear Friends and Neighbors, Since news came to light months ago about the rampant daycare fraud in Minnesota, I have been concerned about the possibility of similar fraud here in Washington. As the legislative session got underway, I shared these concerns publicly. Democrat leaders in Olympia dismissed them as unfounded; the Speaker of the House went so far as to say such concerns were an insult to legitimate daycare owners in Washington. I said that anyone ...
Join me at upcoming town halls across the 31st District
Dear Friends and Neighbors, In this update, I’m inviting you to my upcoming town halls and diving into three topics that don’t always make for easy conversation: our family court system, abortion, and gun control. People have strong opinions on these issues, and that’s exactly why we need to talk about them. We don’t make things better by avoiding tough subjects; we make them better by tackling them head-on. Join me at one of my upcoming 31st District town halls! First, I’d like to invite ...
NEWS: Sen. Phil Fortunato to host town halls across the 31st District
OLYMPIA — Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is inviting residents of the 31st Legislative District to attend a series of in-person town halls later this month to discuss the 2026 legislative session and hear directly from constituents. The meetings will take place in Edgewood/Milton, Bonney Lake/Sumner, Buckley, and Orting. Fortunato will provide an overview of the session, including key legislation, budget decisions, and issues that impacted local communities, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and share feedback. “These town halls ...
25th Legislative District residents invited to April 18 town hall in Puyallup
PIERCE COUNTY… The state lawmakers serving Washington’s 25th Legislative District, which includes the Puyallup, South Hill, Summit, and Waller areas of Pierce County, will host an in-person town hall meeting Saturday, April 18. It will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Fruitland Grange, at 11102 86th Ave. E. in Puyallup. Sen. Chris Gildon and Reps. Cyndy Jacobsen and Michael Keaton will take questions and comments from their constituents about state government in general and particularly this year’s legislative session. The ...
Thanks for a great town hall meeting!
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Christian's subscribers April 7, 2026. To subscribe to Sen. Christian's e-newsletters, click here. Speaking at our town hall in Spokane Valley March 28. If you were not able to attend, I hope to see you next time! Dear Friends and Neighbors, Spend enough time in Olympia and you might get the idea Washington’s biggest problem is that we don’t have enough laws. That’s why one of my favorite parts of a legislative session comes at the ...
Join us April 11 town hall and capital budget highlights
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Now that the 2026 legislative session has wrapped up, I wanted to reach out on a couple of important topics. First, to invite you to my upcoming town hall this Saturday, April 11. Next, as promised in my previous update, to share a brief dive into the recently approved capital construction budget and what it means for our communities here in the 8th District. Join us for an 8th District town hall There was a lot that happened this ...
Join your 10th District lawmakers for a virtual town hall April 8
Dear Friends and Neighbors, I’d like to invite you to join me for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. I care deeply about this district and the way of life we’ve built in our towns and communities. That’s why I value these town halls. They’re a chance to connect, talk through what’s happening in Olympia, and hear directly from you. I’ll be joined by my seatmates, Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, and Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Clinton, ...
NEWS: 10th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall April 8
OLYMPIA—Residents of Washington’s 10th Legislative District are invited to join their lawmakers for a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, April 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held online via Zoom. The town hall will feature Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, and Reps. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, and Clyde Shavers, D-Clinton, who are continuing the district’s tradition of bipartisan town halls that bring all three legislators together to engage directly with constituents. The town hall will provide an ...
Southwest Washington lawmakers to hold a series of town hall meetings throughout the 17th Legislative District
State lawmakers from the 17th Legislative District will host a series of in-person town hall meetings throughout April at various locations within the district, starting on April 7th. With the 2026 session ending on Thursday, March 12, Sen. Paul Harris, Rep. Kevin Waters, and Rep. David Stuebe will meet with constituents to review the many significant decisions made in Olympia earlier this year. The recently concluded session featured a major tax decision, another increase in the operating budget, a historical debate, and ...
2026 legislative session restores wildfire funding, offers successes for 7th District
7th District lawmakers, from left: Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville, Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium. OLYMPIA -- In a 2026 legislative session overshadowed by passage of an income tax, area lawmakers scored key victories for North-Central and Northeastern Washington, including restoration of wildfire funding and legislation addressing the needs of the state’s largest legislative district. Lawmakers serving Washington’s 7th Legislative District say it was a tough session nevertheless, marked by major floor fights over the income tax, skyrocketing state ...
NEWS: 8th District lawmakers to host town hall on April 11
OLYMPIA — Residents of Washington’s 8th Legislative District are invited to attend a town hall meeting with their state lawmakers on Saturday, April 11. Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, and Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, will provide an overview of the 2026 legislative session and take questions from attendees. The meeting will cover key issues, including passage of a new state income tax, capital budget investments, the lawmakers’ opposition to the state’s proposal to site a home for sexually ...
YOU'RE INVITED: Join your 20th District legislators for a virtual town hall
CLICK HERE AT 6:30 PM ON APRIL 13 TO PARTICIPATE! ...