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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who joined our recent 35th Legislative District virtual town hall. I appreciate you taking the time to ask questions and stay engaged in what’s happening in Olympia.
We couldn’t get to every question during the event, but please remember — you don’t have to wait for a town hall to reach out. My team and I are always available to help and hear your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
The 2026 legislative session is moving quickly, and several bills scheduled for hearings next week could have major impacts on taxes, public safety and local control.
Your voice matters — and now is the time to speak up.
How to participate
- Testify remotely or in person
- Submit written testimony
- Or simply sign in PRO or CON
Sign-in closes one hour before the hearing begins, so don’t wait.
Even if you don’t want to testify, simply signing in PRO or CON sends a strong message to lawmakers.
Here are some public hearings I want to make sure you are aware of:
Monday, Feb. 23 — 1:30 p.m.
House Community Safety Committee
SB 5974 — Local Law Enforcement
This bill raises serious concerns about giving the state new authority over locally elected sheriffs. Many believe it opens the door to politically motivated removal of sheriffs chosen directly by voters, weakening local control and accountability.
Sign in or testify here
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Tuesday, Feb. 24 — 8 a.m.
House Finance Committee
SB 6346 — State income tax
Washington voters have rejected income taxes multiple times, yet this bill creates a new state income tax structure beginning with income over $1 million. While Democrats frame this as a tax-the-rich-only plan, history shows that once an income tax exists, it rarely stays limited — a fact even some Democrats acknowledge.
Sign in or testify here
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Thursday, Feb. 26 — 1:30 p.m.
Senate Ways & Means Committee
HB 2034 — LEOFF 1 Restatement
This proposal allows Democrats to take $4 billion from the surplus in LEOFF 1 — the law enforcement and firefighters pension — to help close their self-created budget gap while also shifting more than half a billion dollars into the already well-funded Climate Commitment Act account. Using pension funds to fix spending problems sets a dangerous precedent that puts all pensions in Washington at risk.
Sign in or testify here
Lawmakers sound alarm as Democrats advance $4 Billion pension transfer from first responders’ fund
Over the past few weeks, I have been working to stop bad bills that threaten public safety, waste taxpayer dollars or worsen our affordability crisis, including:
HB 1420 – increasing the cost of clothing
HB 2233 & HB 2271 – increasing the cost of groceries
HB 2421 – increasing the cost of tires
HB 1125 – lowering criminal sentences
HB 1178 – reducing penalties for drug and gang crimes
HB 2389 – releasing dangerous juvenile offenders
HB 2403 – softening sex offender registration requirements
HB 2489 – allowing encampments on all public property
One of my top priorities is protecting young children left in homes with drug-addicted parents. Over the past four years, the number of children who died or nearly died after being left in homes with drug-using parents has doubled — from 28 in 2021 to a record 57 in 2025 — largely driven by the rise in fentanyl addiction, according to DCYF.
Because the majority party continues to refuse to hear my bill addressing this crisis, I fought to improve a Democratic proposal and secured an amendment allowing courts to order conditions — including proof of sobriety — for parents seeking to keep their children.
Unfortunately, Democrats refused to bring any proposed solutions from either side of the aisle to the floor for votes before last week’s deadline.
That’s unacceptable, and I will keep fighting.
Later today, House Democrats will release their proposed budget.
As House Republican budget leader, I typically see the budget shortly before it becomes public. I expect to have much more to say in the days ahead about what this proposal means for Washington families.
The final stretch of session moves quickly, and the decisions made now will affect Washingtonians for years to come.
I will keep fighting for affordability, public safety and responsible budgeting — and I will keep you informed every step of the way.
You can always stay updated on my legislative website.
In the meantime, thank you for staying engaged and please keep in touch.
Learn how to get involved with the legislative process
Travis Couture
