District 20 Representative Peter Abbarno
By Peter Abbarno
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
Earlier this month, community members in Lewis County gathered for the Chamber forum to discuss priorities for the coming year. I appreciate the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce for its continued advocacy for local businesses and civic engagement.
As The Chronicle reported, the conversation reflected both optimism about our region’s potential and deep concern about the growing financial pressures facing working families, seniors, and small business owners. I appreciated hearing directly from constituents who are feeling the effects of state policy decisions every day. Their message was clear: Olympia must do better, listen earlier, and spend more responsibly.
Now, as we approach the 2026 legislative session, the stakes are even higher. Washingtonians cannot afford another year of tax proposals that make everyday living more expensive. Over the past several years, residents have seen a steady stream of tax increases—each one sold as “small” or “targeted” — but together the tax increases passed by the Democrat majority are adding up to real hardship.
Families are paying higher fuel taxes, which raise the cost of commuting, groceries, and deliveries. Taxes on grocery stores push up the price of food. Taxes on child-care centers raise costs for parents already stretched thin. Taxes on health-care facilities ultimately mean higher medical bills for seniors and those on fixed incomes.
These are not abstract policy shifts. They are direct hits to household budgets and to the economic health of communities like ours. And yet, despite these increases, some legislators are now proposing even more taxes, including discussion of a new statewide income tax. Washington did not need the previous round of new taxes — and it certainly does not need additional ones.
There was, and still is, a better, more responsible path. Instead of supporting massive tax increases, I advocated a commonsense solution: limit spending to what the state already has. That’s why I voted against new spending that went beyond our available revenue. My approach would have kept the state within the 2023–2025 operating budget, requiring no cuts from the previous budget, preserved reserves for future downturns, and reduced the fastest-growing costs in state government — unnecessary bureaucracy in Olympia.
When revenue growth slows, the answer is simple: adjust spending, prioritize wisely, and delay or eliminate nonessential programs. The solution is not to pile on new spending and hope the next tax wave arrives. Washington families make these decisions every month at the kitchen table, and state government should be doing the same.
Fortunately, Washingtonians have tools to influence these decisions—but only if they engage. One of the strengths of our legislative process is its openness and accessibility. The most effective voices in Olympia are not lobbyists or political insiders; they are citizens willing to speak up for their communities.
Legislators begin arriving in Olympia for Committee Days the first week of December. That is the same time that many legislators will begin pre-filing legislation. There is no better time to get involved and share your opinion than now.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference, now is the time to learn—and act. Here are easy ways to participate in the 2026 session:
Learn how to testify or comment on bills:
https://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Testify.aspx
Track bills and receive alerts:
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
Find and contact your legislators:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder
Watch hearings and floor debates live:
https://www.tvw.org
Contact Rep. Peter Abbarno
[email protected]
RepresentativePeterAbbarno.com
Participate in monthly Chamber-Legislative Zoom meetings. These are great chances to meet with me, Rep. Orcutt, and Senator Braun. The Chamber provides the Zoom link upon request at [email protected]
Getting involved early matters. By the time a bill reaches the House floor, it may already be too late to change it. Public testimony, written comments, and direct constituent outreach often determine whether a proposal moves forward.
The decisions made in Olympia affect the daily lives of working families, seniors, and small business owners across the district. With the 2026 session nearly here, now is the time to get involved and ensure that our state government lives within its means—just like the people it serves.
Rep. Peter Abbarno,
R-Chehalis, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus Chair.
