Three Initiatives Scheduled for Public Hearings, Proposed Operating Budget, Town Hall Thank You

A Legislative Update from Representative Keith Goehner

information released

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

After more than six weeks in Olympia, the majority party in the House and Senate have announced they will permit hearings on three of the six initiatives submitted to the Legislature by the people this year. The hearings are scheduled for next week, about 10 days before the 2024 Legislature is scheduled to adjourn.

I urge all citizens to weigh in on these important issues. Your voice matters, and now you have the opportunity to share it. Here are the details on the hearings and how to comment.

• I-2081 would establish parental rights in K-12 education. The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28, 8 – 9 a.m. Sign in here to testify. Comment on this initiative.
• I-2111 would prohibit further efforts to impose an income tax. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Sign in here to testify. Comment on this initiative.
• I-2113: would restore the authority of police to pursue fleeing suspects. A public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 9 – 10 a.m. Sign in here to testify. Comment on this initiative.

For information on how to testify in person or online, click here. The hearings will only be one hour, so testimony will be limited.

Although hearings are being held, we still do not know what will happen. There are three options when initiatives are submitted to the Legislature. It can pass them, it can reject the initiatives and allow them to proceed to the ballot, or it can vote to place alternative measures on the ballot. It certainly appears the other three initiatives are headed to the ballot:

• I-2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act and its cap-and-trade program.
• I-2109 would repeal the income tax on capital gains.
• I-2124 would allow Washington workers to opt-out of a mandatory and deeply flawed long-term care insurance program and the payroll tax that goes with it.

It is disappointing that not all six will be heard, but I believe the push by House Republicans has made a difference.

Thank you for participating

I want to thank everyone who participated in the Zoom Virtual Town Hall event Rep. Mike Steele and I held. We had people online from all regions of the 12th District. Please let me know if you have any input or feedback on the best way to connect with you. We want to keep people from throughout the 12th District engaged in the legislative process.

House operating budget

The House of Representatives is expected to pass its proposed operating budget this weekend. As you can see below, I do not anticipate voting for it as it continues a trend of historic, unsustainable spending.

Visitors in Olympia

A couple of noteworthy groups visited Olympia recently, including the Jeonbuk State council from Korea. You may recall that I and other legislators visited them last summer as part of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations  to discuss economic development issues, emphasizing on trade, tourism, investment and industrial development.

We also had the honor of having the Wenatchee Panthers state championship volleyball team visit Olympia. Congratulations on an amazing season!

What is happening in Olympia

As we enter the final couple of weeks of the legislative session, stay updated on what is happening using the two websites below. You can also follow our caucus social media on Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

• Capitol Buzz – Daily news clips
• The Ledger – a legislative news aggregator

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or comments you have about this email update or the legislative session. Your input and feedback is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Keith Goehner