Dear friends and neighbors,
January 9th marked the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, and I am honored to have been sworn in as the newest Representative of the 47th legislative district. I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to Former Representative Pat Sullivan, who represented the 47th LD from 2004 to 2022, served as House Majority Leader from 2010, and whose positive impact on our community is immeasurable. I look forward to seeing many of you, both virtually and face-to-face, and hearing about your legislative priorities for our community, district, and state.
My goals and committees
I’m pleased to have been elected Vice Chair of the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee. I am grateful to have served the City of Auburn as a Council Member for the past three years and I will bring the valuable experience of working closely with residents to address public safety, housing, and economic development needs with me to the state legislature.
I also have spent decades advocating for rights and resources for Native American and other underrepresented communities, and am honored to begin working on these issues in Olympia.
I am pleased to let you know that I have also been appointed to the House Capital Budget and House Regulated Substances & Gaming Committees. Serving on these Committees will help us bring important projects to our district as well as help address business and economic needs in our cities.
My first priority is to answer to the people in our great district. I work for all of you, regardless of political affiliation. I will work closely with all of our communities in our district. Second, I want to work to improve business, roads, public safety, and affordable housing in the cities of Kent, Covington, and Auburn. I also am proud to have worked over the course of my career on natural resources and will bring a sharp focus to protecting the natural beauty of our district.
Finally, I want to share with you that one of my heroes growing up was Robert F. Kennedy. Some of his words have guided me to this day, and they will continue to guide me as I serve you in the legislature: 
“Every generation inherits a world it never made; and, as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after. In due course, each generation makes its own accounting to its children.”
Here’s how to share your legislative priorities this session:
- Watch — TVW.org broadcasts all the debates and votes that happen in the House and Senate, along with committee meetings and other events you may be interested in.
- Research — Look up legislation by lawmaker or by topic.
- Learn — Learn about the legislative process, from start to finish.
- Testify — Committee testimony will continue to have a virtual option, so instead of driving to Olympia to weigh in on legislation during the committee process, you can continue to do so from home. Written testimony is also an option, and you can always share your story with me. Learn more about how to testify.
- Get in touch — You can reach my office by email at Chris.Stearns@leg.wa.gov, or are welcome to call the legislative hotline number (toll free 800-562-6000). This year, we will accommodate in-person and virtual meetings. To schedule a meeting, please contact my Legislative Assistant, Darci Suttle, at Darci.Suttle@leg.wa.gov.
Does someone you know want to be a page?
The Washington State Legislature has one of the best page programs in the country. Because we are operating in-person again, our page program is back and I invite you to apply.
In addition to contributing to the efficient operation of the legislature, pages receive daily civics instruction, draft their own bills, and participate in mock committee hearings. Pages are sponsored by members of the Legislature, usually from the district in which they live.
To help lower-income families participate in the program, the House of Representatives created the Gina Grant Bull Scholarship; check out the FAQ page to see if you can apply.
Taking part in the page program is a great opportunity for young people to gain a unique perspective of the legislative process. If you have a teen who could benefit from this experience, I encourage you to consider sending them to Olympia for a week.
For more information, please visit the House Page Program website.
It’s an honor to represent the 47th Legislative District. I look forward to hearing your continued advocacy, feedback, and engagement throughout the 2023 Legislative Session–please don’t hesitate to send me an email or give me a call at (360) 786-7858.
Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Rep. Chris Stearns
State Representative Chris Stearns
47th Legislative District