Dear neighbors,
The federal shutdown is finally over—and the legislative session here in Washington state will begin in January, just after the holidays.
Those two events are related. Last session, we had to cut the budget because the White House cut funding to the states—for health care, transportation projects, education, and other programs. That funding was passed by Congress, so this isn’t normal, and I’d argue it’s wrong, morally and legally. But that’s what happened.
Next session, we’ll have to deal with the economic damage done by the shutdown, federal tariffs, and other self-inflicted wounds, such as the massive health insurance increases people are facing with the loss of federal tax credits.
This is not how governments should function. Every elected leader, from mayors to lawmakers to presidents, should try to make things better, not worse. We have enough problems without manufacturing new ones.
I hope we can learn from these painful experiences and not repeat them. That we can turn the corner and work together to help all the families hurting from the rising price of groceries, housing, and health care.
Because when we do listen to each other and work together, we can fix problems.
Progress on 405 and 522!
Swamp Creek Bridge is open!
This is another good example of bipartisan work. I serve on the House Transportation Committee, and we funded the replacement of the Swamp Creek Bridge. The funds were awarded in 2020 and now it’s complete!
It was my pleasure to be there to help cut the ribbon with so many people who worked on this project and made it happen. The following are photos of the ribbon cutting, the location of the project, a “before” photo, and an “after” photo.
Here’s some information about the photos and the project, from Snohomish County: This 41-foot span was constructed in 1960 with narrow lanes, no shoulders, and no sidewalks. The vehicle weight limit had been reduced and it didn’t meet the traffic needs of the area. Nearly 10,000 motorists cross this bridge each day. The new structure has widened lanes for motorists and bicycles, with sidewalks for pedestrians. It uses a longer, single-span design that allowed for the removal of the old in-stream piles, helping wildlife and fish with a more natural stream flow.
A safe, secure place for all our families
There are two more listening sessions that people can participate in for the governor’s immigration sub-cabinet. Our state—and the 1st District—has a high proportion of immigrants, who form a key part of our workforce in every industry and help make our state a vibrant place to live.
If you’d like to participate, here are the details:
November 20, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Registration Link for Listening Session 2
November 21, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00pm
Registration Link for Listening Session 3
Hearing from you
As we get closer to the 2026 legislative session, it’s more important than ever that I hear directly from you.
Your stories are the best possible tool for helping persuade other lawmakers that a problem is real and needs to be fixed.
Your ideas for solutions are always welcome.
And your comments about the issues we face help inform my votes in committee or on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Thank you for reading this newsletter, and for the honor of serving as your representative.
