A legislative update from Senator Keith Goehner
information released. Photo above: Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, sponsored Resolution 8637, which helps promote organ donation awareness and honors those involved in saving lives. Goehner, and Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, applaud the family of donor hero Hazel Homan, who sadly passed away from abuse at 3 years old in 2019. Her tragedy turned into hope for three other children who received a second chance at life through organ transplant.
Dear neighbors and friends,
Thank you to everyone who joined our 12th District Virtual Town Hall on March 20. I was encouraged to see over 450 residents take time from their evening to engage with us. Your participation is invaluable as we work to shape policies that truly reflect the needs of our communities. Hearing your concerns and discussing the critical issues facing our state makes a real difference in our decisions in Olympia.
The Democrats’ Property Tax Hike: More Burden, Less Relief
One of the most pressing issues near the end of the session is the Democrats’ latest tax plan, which proposes a significant increase in property taxes that will make it even harder for Washington families to afford to stay in their homes. Our state is already among the most heavily taxed in the nation; yet, instead of providing relief, the majority party continues to push for even more spending.
Meanwhile, their proposed 0.5% sales tax reduction seems like a step in the right direction, but let’s put it in perspective—it amounts to just 50 cents for every $100 spent. That’s hardly enough to offset the skyrocketing cost of living and the increasing financial pressures on families and small businesses. Washingtonians deserve genuine relief, not token gestures.
Even Governor Ferguson has expressed concerns, stating in a recent press conference that he will not support a budget that includes the proposed tax increases or the draining of the rainy day fund. It’s clear that even within their party, there is uncertainty about the direction of this budget.
Where Are the Spending Cuts?
Now that the Senate and House have passed their budget proposals, an important question remains: Where are the cuts? Instead of focusing on responsible spending, the majority party continues to expand costly government programs while leaving essential services, such as Medicaid, on the chopping block. This is not a sustainable approach.
We need to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. Simply throwing more money at programs without accountability for results does not benefit Washingtonians. For instance, regarding education funding, we must insist that increased funding truly leads to student progress, rather than just larger budgets and more bureaucracy.
Investing in Transportation – The Right Way
This week, we also passed the Senate version of the transportation budget, which I supported because it invests in real infrastructure—paving roads, filling potholes, and completing long-overdue projects. We need to prioritize spending on tangible assets, not endlessly expanding transit programs that do not pay for themselves.
It’s also frustrating to see that 50 cents per gallon of the gas tax is being directed towards climate policies instead of repairing our roads. We need greater accountability in how these funds are allocated.
Standing Up for Fiscal Responsibility
While bipartisan efforts are important, compromise should not entail accepting a budget that fails Washington taxpayers. We must advocate for responsible fiscal policies that prioritize genuine needs, limit excessive government growth, and deliver meaningful relief to hardworking families. Washingtonians deserve better, and I will continue to fight for responsible budgeting that honors your tax dollars.
Thank you for the honor to serve you and enjoy my latest newsletter.
Sincerely
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Keith Goehner, R-Dryden
Washington State Senate
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Record $78.6 billion budget proposal with massive tax hikes
Despite bipartisan opposition, Senate Democrats advanced a $78.6 billion operating budget last week—the largest in state history and the most significant tax increase in Washington’s history.
The move came after Democrats rejected Senate Republicans’ $ave Washington plan, a fiscally responsible alternative that balanced the budget without new taxes or spending cuts. Senate Bill 5167, the Senate’s version of the 2025-27 operating budget, passed 28-21, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition. Now that the House has approved its spending proposal, budget leaders from both chambers will meet to negotiate a compromise version.
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Commending law enforcement
I commend the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force and all law enforcement officers involved in the recent arrest of Percy Levy, whose prison sentence for robbery had been commuted by Jay Inslee, the former governor of Washington.
Levy, arrested on March 13 in Everett, faces 11 felony charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver. He had over 6 pounds of cocaine and enough fentanyl to kill a quarter million people in his possession.
The arrest of Percy Levy is deeply troubling and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by fentanyl and the consequences of misguided clemency decisions. With his sentence commutation by the former governor in 2019, Mr. Levy had a second chance to do good. Instead, he chose to endanger our community with deadly drugs.
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House committee backs my bill to expand local housing options
The legislation I sponsored to expand options for “middle housing” in urban growth areas took a significant step forward last week, receiving strong bipartisan support in the House Housing Committee. Senate Bill 5471 is now moving closer to consideration by the full House of Representatives.
The proposal would help address Washington’s ongoing housing shortage by permitting counties to authorize the construction of at least one middle housing unit – such as a duplex, triplex, or townhome — on parcels currently zoned for single-family homes within urban growth areas.
By permitting middle housing in designated areas, we can enhance affordability, offer more housing choices for families, and utilize existing infrastructure effectively—all while maintaining the character of our communities. This represents a practical step toward tackling our state’s housing shortage.
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Granting counties more time to update growth plans
The state Senate has unanimously passed legislation of mine that is intended to streamline the planning of energy projects. My would ensure that when a city or county collaborates with the state’s Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) for technical assistance, application reviews, or facility inspections, it is automatically considered compliant with all relevant state and local laws.
This would simplify the regulatory process and clarify the legal standing of local governments engaging with EFSEC. It is a step forward in giving local government more control, tools and opportunities when planning energy projects.
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Senate Page Eli Decker
Page Eli Decker and Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden/CREDIT: Washington State Senate
Eli Decker, a student at Wenatchee’s Garden City Academy, recently spent a week working as a page for me in the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. He was one of 14 students who served as Senate pages during the 10th week of the 2025 legislative session.
I am glad I had the opportunity to sponsor such a bright young man. Eli was a fantastic page who excelled at all of his tasks, and I am pleased that he enjoyed his experience paging with us.
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SRC On-Air | KOZI and KPQ
I had the opportunity to broadcast twice over the last few weeks from the KOZI and KPQ studios.
Here I discuss transportation, including road and bridge preservation as well as funding delays. I also highlight a middle housing bill and energy legislation designed to assist local governments, along with parental rights.
Here I discuss ongoing budget debates in Olympia—touching on tax increases, transportation investments & priorities such as education. I also share insights on rent control, energy legislation, and the importance of collaboration.
