District 20 Representative Peter Abbarno
By Peter Abbarno
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
The campaign signs are coming down, the political advertisements are ending, and another election season is behind us. Regardless of the results (which I didn’t know at the time I wrote this), one thing remains certain: the work of building stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Washington continues.
For our local business community, that work is especially important.
As a small business owner, attorney, and state representative, I understand that the decisions made in Olympia don’t stay in Olympia. They impact every storefront, restaurant, manufacturer, contractor, farmer, and family-owned business throughout Southwest Washington.
And right now, Washington businesses face serious challenges.
According to CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, Washington ranks 47th in the nation for the cost of doing business. The Tax Foundation ranks Washington 45th nationally for overall tax competitiveness.
These rankings should concern every employer, employee, and consumer.
And, although I didn’t know the results of Initiative-645 at the time I wrote this, Washingtonians should be concerned that Democrats in Olympia are already discussing lowering the income tax threshold to $250,000 (Rep. Ryu) or $300,000 (Sen. Pedersen). The tax already hits pensions and retirement accounts, so a lower threshold will make Washington state a very difficult state to retire.
Rising taxes, regulatory burdens, energy costs, insurance premiums, and labor expenses make it increasingly difficult for businesses to compete, expand, and create jobs.
For small businesses operating on narrow margins, another tax increase or expensive regulatory requirement can mean postponing an expansion, reducing employee hours, increasing prices, or closing altogether.
When businesses struggle, families feel the consequences.
We cannot tax and regulate our way to prosperity. We need policies that encourage entrepreneurship, reward investment, strengthen our workforce, and make Washington more affordable.
When legislators return to Olympia in January, we will face significant decisions about the state budget, taxes, regulations, housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and public safety.
My priorities will remain focused on affordability, fiscal responsibility, economic opportunity, and ensuring our communities receive their fair share of infrastructure investments.
But legislators cannot do this work alone.
Some of the most valuable information I bring to Olympia comes directly from conversations with local employers. Business owners understand the real-world consequences of legislation in ways that fiscal notes and committee reports cannot always capture.
Your experiences matter. Your voice matters. And your participation can make a difference.
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Stay connected with the Chamber. The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce is an important advocate for our regional economy. Attend legislative updates, participate in Chamber events, and help identify issues affecting local employers.
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Contact your legislators. Don’t wait until a bill becomes law. Share your concerns, suggest solutions, and explain how proposed legislation would affect your business, employees, and customers. Personal stories are often more persuasive than statistics.
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Follow legislation and testify. Washington’s legislative website, leg.wa.gov, allows residents to track bills, review committee schedules, and participate in public hearings. Written and remote testimony make participation possible without traveling to Olympia.
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Invite legislators into your business. Show us your operations, introduce us to your employees, and explain the challenges you face. Seeing your business firsthand helps legislators better understand how public policy affects private enterprise.
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Build relationships beyond election season. Effective advocacy doesn’t begin or end with a campaign. Participate in community discussions, support local businesses, and encourage employees to understand how government decisions affect their livelihoods.
The strength of Lewis County has always been its people: hardworking families, innovative entrepreneurs, dedicated employees, and community leaders willing to invest in our future.
We may not always agree on every issue, but we should agree that Washington must be a place where businesses can succeed, families can afford to live, and the next generation can find opportunity.
Election Day is not the finish line. It is the beginning of another opportunity to shape our future.
As we prepare for another legislative session, I encourage every Chamber member to stay informed, stay engaged, and stay connected.
Together, we can build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Washington.
Rep. Peter Abbarno,
State Representative Peter Abbarno represents Washington’s 20th Legislative District and is a partner at Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP, in Centralia. He can be reached at [email protected] or at RepresentativePeterAbbarno.com.
