As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, Washington state stands at a critical crossroads.
Rising crime rates, unsustainable living costs, faltering public schools and sluggish economic growth are among the challenges facing us, and they demand real solutions.
As House Republican Caucus chair, I want to highlight how we are addressing these failures through the Fix Washington agenda to chart a path forward for a safe and thriving tomorrow.
Washingtonians deserve safer streets. Current policies that weaken accountability and strain law enforcement resources leave too many communities vulnerable.
Families are burdened by rising inflation, housing shortages, and soaring costs for essentials like energy and childcare.
Schools face declining test scores, leaving students unprepared for the future.
Meanwhile, government inefficiency wastes taxpayer dollars, and overregulation stifles economic opportunity.
House Republicans have a plan. Fixing these challenges requires practical, common-sense solutions.
For safer streets, we propose removing encampments near schools, parks and water aquifers (House Bill 1255), investing $100 million in a law enforcement hiring program to support local and tribal law enforcement (HB 1435), allowing local governments to levy a 0.01% sales tax to specifically support law enforcement efforts (HB 1436), cracking down on fentanyl distributors (HB 1000), and improving protections for vulnerable children by addressing parental narcotics abuse (HB 1092). We also aim to reform the release process for sexually violent predators (HB 1457) to enhance community safety with measures like electronic monitoring and earlier law enforcement notifications.
To lower costs, we are taking action with proposals to exempt sales tax on baby essentials (HB 1307) and on prepared foods, like grab-and-go meals (HB 1340), hoping to ease the financial strain on busy families. We are also streamlining housing permitting processes to address shortages (HB 1438) and establishing the Homes for Heroes program (HB 1022) to provide down payment assistance for essential workers. These measures will reduce costs and alleviate financial pressures for families across our state.
Quality education is essential for future generations. That’s why we propose making financial education a graduation requirement (HB 1285) and empowering families through education savings accounts (HB 1140) to give students — particularly those in special education, low-income households, or failing schools — access to the best educational opportunities.
A stronger economy depends on fostering innovation and workforce development. We propose enabling counties to create their child care licensing systems with state support (HB 1033) and establishing an Office of Entrepreneurship (HB 1245) to reduce barriers for small businesses, advocate for entrepreneurs, and encourage startups, driving growth and job creation.
Smarter government reforms are critical to ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Our proposals include performance-based spending, reinstating state spending limits, and reducing excessive bureaucracy (HB 1225). This measure will ensure that programs like education, childcare, and health care receive the support they need without wasteful spending. We’re also advocating for strengthening legislative oversight during states of emergency (HB 1221) by allowing the Legislature to end emergency declarations.
For a cleaner environment, we are focused on innovation and actionable solutions. Investing in advanced nuclear energy through the creation of a nuclear energy advisory commission (HB 1249), enhancing litter control efforts with stronger penalties and task forces (HB 1293), and redirecting Climate Commitment Act funds to conservation and climate resilience initiatives (HB 1288) will help secure a sustainable future for our state.
However, these solutions require more than just policies—they require people. As your elected representatives, we are accountable to you. That’s why it is essential for citizens to stay engaged, voice their concerns, and participate in the legislative process.
Democracy works best when everyone has a seat at the table.
Whether you attend a committee hearing in person, testify on a bill remotely, email your legislators, or visit the Capitol, your involvement makes a difference.
Your voice shapes policies that affect our communities and ensures that government remains responsive to its people. Together, we are shaping a state government that reflects our shared values and priorities.
This session, let’s commit to fixing what’s broken and driving the Fix Washington mission forward.
The challenges we face are significant, but so, too, is our resolve.
With safer streets, lower costs, smarter government, better schools, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy, we are creating a future where every Washingtonian can thrive.
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, is the House Republican Caucus Chair and represents the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver.