A New Year, New Legislative Chapter: Tackling Challenges and Providing Solutions

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Dear Friends and Neighbors: As we wrap up the holiday season, I’d like to send warm wishes to you and your loved ones. The arrival of the New Year brings renewed hope and energy for a better tomorrow. Reflecting on the past year, we have faced problems that highlighted the resilience and strength of our district and state. I am continually inspired by our collective efforts to overcome obstacles and enhance the quality of life in our region.

The 2024 legislative session

Looking ahead, a new legislative chapter will soon unfold with the start of another session. Our state Legislature operates on a two-year cycle, featuring both long (105 days) and short (60 days) sessions, each addressing specific aspects of the legislative process. The upcoming 2024 session will be a short one, starting on Monday, Jan. 8, and concluding on Thursday, March 7.

Short sessions are fast-paced and intense, demanding a great deal of focus to meet deadlines. Lawmakers’ primary task is to adjust Washington state’s already approved two-year operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Broader and more contentious policy issues are typically addressed in long sessions, such as the one concluded in 2023.

With that said, while the upcoming 2024 session may be short, it will include a handful of significant policy debates, each requiring thoughtful consideration and engagement from both lawmakers and constituents. The evolving needs of the people of Washington continually shift the public policy landscape, and this year is no exception.

It’s important to note that my intention in describing some of those debates, as I do in the text below, is not to engage in political finger-pointing. Both sides of the political spectrum must collaborate to build a better future. However, the problem with a single-party government, particularly in an era of political polarization and winner-takes-all politics, is that it often fails to produce optimal results. If I may be allowed to express a New Year’s wish, it would be for increased teamwork on the challenges facing our state. The friction between parties can yield positive public policy outcomes if we allow it.

Listed below you will find an outline of a handful of key debates taking place in the upcoming session, along with solutions I hope to support.

Improving student performance and expanding child care access

The academic outlook for K-12 students is troubling, with 70% facing challenges in math and 50% in reading. The Legislature must address the learning setbacks resulting from the extended school closures in Washington. Adding to those concerns is the increasing lack of local childcare, with our state ranking 9th in the nation for most expensive infant care, and 63% of children under five without access to local child care.

In response to those problems, I am committed to advocating for expanded funding for tutors and paraeducators. This support aims to enhance student performance in both math and reading. Additionally, in collaboration with my legislative colleagues, we are actively exploring ways to provide stabilization grants to childcare providers. This essential support will help them maintain their services and potentially open more local childcare centers, helping to bridge the childcare accessibility gap in our local communities.

Addressing Washington’s economic uncertainty

Despite low unemployment rates, our communities are grappling with high inflation and economic uncertainty, ranking 3rd nationally as the most expensive state to purchase a home and 4th for our sales tax rate. Gas prices, in particular, have been a big cause for concern. Washington state experienced some of the nation’s highest gas prices in recent months, surpassing even California over the summer. Those higher fuel costs coincided with the implementation of the cap-and-trade program in January, resulting in a surge in gas prices by more than $1 per gallon.

To address those higher gas prices, several solutions are under consideration. One option is to provide financial relief to motorists. House Bill 2040, known as the Carbon Auction Rebate (CAR) proposal, aims to use the $1.3 billion in excess revenue from the state’s new carbon allowance auctions. Under the bill, Washington’s 6.8 million registered vehicle owners would receive a one-time $180 rebate check — or up to $360 per two-car family in July 2024.

Additionally, we can promote affordable housing by providing tax credits to property owners who maintain rents below certain levels. Another avenue is to create a less restrictive environment for new home building, reducing permitting requirements and encouraging more private building investments. In each of these proposals, the primary goal is to incentivize affordable housing and foster a climate that promotes responsible and accessible housing options for our communities.

Tackling rising crime rates

Crime rates are surging, and many neighborhoods no longer feel safe. Alarmingly, Washington holds the unfortunate distinction of ranking 1st in the nation for retail theft, 2nd for overall property crime, and 2nd for automobile thefts. Worse yet, 2023 saw a record number of violent crimes, with a significant increase in homicides. Adding to these concerns, our state consistently ranks last in the nation for police officers per capita.

In response to these problems, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting commonsense solutions. That means advocating for recruiting efforts to bring in additional police officers, and, critically, reinstating vehicular pursuit for law enforcement.

We must enable law enforcement to apprehend criminals and effectively prevent crime. This commitment also extends to decisive measures against retail theft. These proposed solutions represent reasonable approaches to addressing crime in our communities, and their implementation is urgently needed.

Homelessness, mental health, and the drug crisis

Despite dramatically increased funding, our state continues to contend with a deepening homelessness and drug crisis. It was recently revealed that a staggering $143 million has been spent to move only 126 people out of homelessness. That’s not good policy.

Worse yet, Washington now holds the 4th highest homelessness rate in the nation and has witnessed the largest increase in drug overdose deaths over the past year. Compounding these issues, our state’s mental health system ranks 32nd in the nation, despite having one of the highest rates of mental illness among our population.

Fixing these problems requires addressing the root causes: untreated mental health needs, drug addiction, and economic despair. First and foremost, the Legislature must continue to make significant investments in substance abuse and mental health treatment programs. Next, ensuring the safety of our communities is paramount, necessitating the removal of encampments near sensitive areas such as schools and parks.

And finally, despite the substantial financial investments made over the years, the results have been meager. Therefore, I wholeheartedly support the expansion of accountability for homeless spending. It’s simple: effective policies produce good results. Before we pour millions into new programs, we need to know they’re worthy of the public’s investment.

Your voice, your impact

As we kick off a new legislative session, I’ll share many updates in the days to come. In my next dispatch, I’ll discuss the first few days of session, the governor’s State of the State address, and offer insights into bills under scrutiny in Olympia.

In the meantime, never underestimate the weight your voice carries in shaping the path of our state’s future. With each update, I’ll provide ways you can actively participate in the legislative process. A fantastic starting point is signing up for “The Week Ahead,” a list of bills set for public hearings and committee work sessions, handpicked by the House Republican Caucus staff for their potential significance.

Additionally, because of the miles that separate our district from the state capital, your participation, especially through remote public testimony, is an important resource for our region. Doing so helps lawmakers understand the diverse needs and concerns of our community. For those ready to take the plunge, here’s a helpful link.

Thank you!

My deepest thanks for your unwavering trust, engagement, and advocacy. Together, let’s continue making waves and creating a better future for our extraordinary state.

Sincerely,

Mike Steele