Member Opinions

On this 53rd anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, we as lawmakers from diverse regions in Washington state reflect on our collective accomplishments. As the new chair of the House... ...

April 21, 2023

When our state’s budget surplus reached approximately $15 billion last year, many of us felt it was time to give some of that back to taxpayers in the form of... ...

April 21, 2023

Individuals and families continue to face high inflation and other cost-of-living challenges. When everything costs a little more, it can add up to a lot of economic anxiety. For many... ...

April 18, 2023

Two noteworthy and controversial pieces of public safety legislation are one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 5352 involves vehicular pursuits by law enforcement, and Senate Bill 5536 modifies... ...

April 18, 2023

A troubling theme has emerged this past legislative session that should concern all Washingtonians regardless of political affiliation. The majority party in the state House has continually voted against the... ...

April 15, 2023

As you read this, House Bill 1498, approved unanimously by both the House and Senate, is on its way to the governor. This is the bill I authored that would... ...

April 14, 2023

By Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen In Olympia, we’re in the last few weeks of the legislative session and attention is turning to the state’s budgets. I’m getting lots of questions... ...

April 11, 2023

The Washington State Legislature is down to the final weeks. The House is considering legislation that passed the Senate, the Senate is considering legislation that passed the House, both chambers... ...

April 6, 2023

No one really likes to pay taxes, but they are a necessary part of life. However, when state lawmakers continue pushing and creating new or increased taxes year after year... ...

April 5, 2023

With the rise in violent crime in our state and across the nation, gun control is an easy but misguided target as the solution to these problems. Yet, in 2021,... ...

April 3, 2023