While people across our state continue to struggle financially, Democrats in Olympia are moving forward with tax legislation that would make living in our state even less affordable.

As this year’s legislative session got underway, Democratic budget leaders were talking like they had already given up on the idea of overcoming state government’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit without imposing more taxes on the people of Washington.

Between 2010 and 2023, the 65-and-older population in Washington increased by more than 40%. In 18 of our 39 counties, at least 25% of the population was at least 65 when the 2020 census was taken; in one-third of those, at least one third of residents were 65 and older.

A question regarding a bill introduced by a group of Democratic state senators early in this legislative session: What price do you put on public safety?

When the Legislature’s majority Democrats joined Republicans to pass the parental-rights initiative during our 2024 session, did they do so to keep the popular measure from being passed by voters in November, making it possible for them to gut the new law this year over Republican objections?

Senate Republicans believe in lowering rental costs by increasing the supply of rentals.

Those of us who take to heart President Lincoln’s words that government is “of the people” appreciate being asked to offer a forecast of an upcoming session.

Our constituents and others, such as the news media and business and local-government leaders around the state, deserve to know what we want to accomplish at the state Capitol.

Earlier this month, the City of Federal Way released data showing crime rates overall had fallen 11% from a year ago.

That’s great news for any community, especially one of the larger cities in our state. The statistic that really stood out was the 52% drop in auto thefts.

Senate Republicans will go into the 2025 legislative session next month with three priorities: Work toward a safer Washington, an affordable Washington and a better future for our children. Most of the policy and budget proposals we will offer will check at least one of those boxes.

Of all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating.

It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax dollars that have been spent on a myriad of programs intended to reduce homelessness in our state, without an appropriate return on that huge investment.

Gov. Jay Inslee has been incredibly slow to respond to the issues at Green Hill. It’s been almost 10 months since I wrote to him about addressing not only the severe overcrowding but also the riots, drug overdoses, contraband smuggling and crimes committed by employees on the premises.

As the people of Washington pause to give thanks for the many blessings we have received, it’s also a good time to give credit to those who helped to make our state what it is. Some of Lincoln’s other words of wisdom lend themselves to that.

Two days after the general election, a Democratic member of our state’s congressional delegation publicly offered this advice to Washington’s governor-elect Bob Ferguson