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May 29, 2025
2025 Legislative Wrap-Up
Standing up for smarter budgeting and stronger fiscal stewardship
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As the 2025 legislative session came to a close, one thing became clear: Washington State missed a key opportunity to deliver a sustainable, balanced budget that would not hurt hardworking families and small businesses. On May 21, the governor signed the majority party-sponsored $77.9 billion operating budget, passing it strictly along party lines and leaving behind the responsible alternative that Senate Republicans offered—our $ave Washington Budget.
The governor’s budget aims to close the shortfall caused by years of overpromising and overspending. However, instead of adopting a disciplined and thoughtful approach to live within our means, it imposes over $9 billion in new and increased taxes on Washingtonians. These taxes include expanded sales taxes on services such as IT support and temporary staffing, increases to the capital gains tax and estate tax, as well as higher business and occupation (B&O) taxes that will disproportionately impact job creators. These are not just numbers on a page—these tax hikes will affect every household and small business striving to stay afloat in an uncertain economy.
It is estimated that over the course of four years, these tax increases will total $2,000 per family, negatively affecting different families in various ways.
We presented a superior solution with better priorities and a brighter future for our state. The $ave Washington Budget was a comprehensive, balanced alternative that safeguarded essential services, such as public safety, K-12 education, and critical infrastructure, without increasing taxes. It aimed at reprioritizing existing funds, redirecting unspent pandemic-related resources, and prudently utilizing surplus pension reserves (with no effect on pension obligations) to help bridge the budget gap. Additionally, we pinpointed over $1 billion in strategic savings across state agencies—excluding vital functions—by reducing bureaucracy, cutting excessive administrative costs, and eliminating duplicative programs.
In simple terms, our budget demonstrates that it is possible to govern more effectively without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers. We don’t face a revenue issue—we face a spending issue. Since 2017, state expenditures have more than doubled. Yet working families are being asked to contribute even more, despite the challenges of rising inflation, soaring housing costs, and economic unpredictability.
The $ave Washington Budget was grounded in the belief that government should be a good steward of the people’s money. Rather than expanding the size of state government, we focused on achieving better results from the dollars we already collect. That’s what Washington taxpayers expect and deserve.
It is disappointing that the majority party rejected this reasonable alternative without holding a hearing or engaging in serious debate. Budgeting should not focus on political victories; it should be about finding the best path forward for all Washingtonians.
As your state senator, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and economic growth, particularly on issues that impact the Tri-Cities area. As we look ahead, I will continue to oppose unnecessary tax hikes and support policies that promote economic growth, rather than expanding government.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I am dedicated to providing responsible leadership in Olympia—because Washington taxpayers deserve nothing less.
 Lawmakers from the 8th and 16th Legislative Districts will hold a combined in-person town hall meeting on Saturday, May 31, to provide an update on the 2025 legislative session, answer questions, and hear directly from constituents.
Joint Legislative Town Hall
Saturday, May 31 | 1–3 p.m.
Columbia Basin College – Gjerde Center, H-Building, near North H parking lot
2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
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Five bipartisan bills signed by the governor
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, staff, and Gov. Bob Ferguson follwoing the signing of Senate Bill 5074/Credit: Washington State Senate
During the 2025 legislative session, I successfully sponsored five bipartisan bills, signed by the governor, that address key areas such as climate transparency, election security, education access, clean energy, and agricultural fairness.
These legislative achievements reflect my commitment to bipartisan solutions and effective governance across diverse policy areas that positively impact both our state and the Tri-Cities region
Senate Bill 5036 mandates annual reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing climate accountability by providing more frequent data to assess progress toward environmental goals. Read the news release.
Senate Bill 5014 strengthens election security by requiring counties to implement advanced cybersecurity measures by 2027, including the use of .gov domains and prompt reporting of cyber incidents. Read the news release.
Senate Bill 5543 expands access to the College Bound Scholarship program by ensuring automatic enrollment for eligible students, particularly benefiting those from foster care or adoption backgrounds, thereby removing bureaucratic barriers to higher education. Read the news release.
Senate Bill 5445 promotes the development of distributed energy technologies, such as agrivoltaics, by streamlining regulations and providing tax certainty for agricultural landowners, facilitating the integration of clean energy solutions in rural areas. Read the news release.
Senate Bill 5074 supports the turf-seed industry by requiring seed dealers to provide financial assurances for contracts and authorizing the Department of Agriculture to mediate disputes, thereby fostering fair business practices and protecting stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Read the news release.
Washington State Representatives April Connors, Stephanie Barnard, and myself, secured critical investments for the 8th District and broader Tri-Cities region in the 2025–27 capital budget. Working collaboratively, we not only delivered millions in direct funding for the 8th District, but also partnered with fellow Tri-Cities legislators to advance key regional priorities.
Investments specific to the 8th District include:
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$3.8 million – Three Rivers Recovery Housing
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$750,000 – Columbia Park East Boat Launch replacement
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$515,000 – Road 80 Neighborhood Park
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$341,000 – Food distribution and storage improvements at Tri-Cities Food Bank
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$309,000 – Municipal Services Facility backup power generator
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$280,000 – Tri-Tech Skills Center HVAC RTU replacement
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$88,000 – Tri-Cities Community Health
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