The 2026 legislative session is underway!

Sen. Phil Fortunato sent this bulletin at 01/13/2026 03:06 PM PST

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you for trusting me to represent you in Olympia. I take that responsibility seriously. Our district values independence and common sense, and I will continue fighting to protect your individual rights and freedoms while standing up for our communities, families, and small businesses.

The 2026 legislative session officially began today, Jan. 12, and will conclude on March 12. Over the next 60 days, I’ll be focused on advancing policies that protect our quality of life and keep government working for the people — not the other way around. That means pushing for practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, and local control, and pushing back when common sense is ignored. Every decision I make is guided by the needs and priorities of our district.

This session, I am serving on the following Senate committees, where I can advocate directly for you:

Law and Justice Committee: This committee deals with criminal law, public safety, and victims’ rights. These decisions have real consequences for our communities. I will continue pushing for policies that support law enforcement, hold criminals accountable, and protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

Transportation Committee: Transportation policy affects everyone, from the price we pay at the pump to how long we sit in traffic. This committee oversees roads, ferries, and transit funding. I will fight against wasteful spending and policies that raise fuel costs without delivering real improvements.

State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee: This committee oversees how state government operates and how elections are run. My focus is on transparency, accountability, and keeping government honest. The people should be able to trust their elections and know their government works for them, not political insiders.

Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee: This committee looks at policies that affect jobs, businesses, and the cost of doing business in Washington. I will continue pushing back on regulations and taxes that hurt small businesses and working families, and support policies that allow employers to grow and create jobs.

Olympia’s Spending Problem

One of the biggest issues facing Olympia this session is taxes. Once again, Majority Democrats are choosing higher taxes instead of responsible budgeting.

After years of reckless spending, Washington is staring at a $4.3 billion budget deficit. For more than four decades, economic growth — not an income tax — paid the bills. Now, instead of fixing the spending problem, the Legislature risks killing the goose that laid the golden egg by punishing the workers and businesses who made that prosperity possible.

Rather than taking a hard look at spending, Majority Democrats are pushing the governor’s proposed income tax. They say it would only apply to the wealthy. That’s how income taxes always start, and you can bet they never end there.

State government doesn’t have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. We need to rein in overspending and focus on real needs, not wish lists and unnecessary programs.

I’ll be watching closely and opposing any proposal, including an income tax, that makes life more expensive for you and your family. More to come in the weeks ahead.

Your Voice, Your Priorities: Survey Results

Listening to you is one of the most important parts of my job. In my recent mailer, I asked for your thoughts on several key issues facing our state, and I want to thank the 544 people who took the time to respond. Your feedback helps guide my work in Olympia and keeps your priorities front and center. The results show clear and consistent views on spending, affordability, public safety, and common sense.

Here’s what you told me:

1. When asked how the state should address a projected budget shortfall, 68.55% said the state should cut spending, while 31.45% supported raising taxes.

2. On the idea of a graduated state income tax, 66.73% oppose it, and 33.27% support it.

3. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74.3%) oppose allowing biological males to compete in girls’ and women’s school or college sports, while about one-quarter (25.7%) support it.

4. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62.55%) said access to locker rooms, restrooms, and other sex-segregated spaces should be based on biological sex.

5. When asked whether law enforcement should be allowed to cooperate with federal immigration authorities for individuals with criminal convictions, 61.48% said yes, and 38.52% said no.

6. On affordability, 60.45% agreed that Washington’s political policies are a major cause of the state becoming less affordable, while 39.55% disagreed.

7. Finally, when asked whether the benefits of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act are worth the added costs, 59.63% said no, and 40.37% said yes.

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to participate. I’ll keep fighting for the priorities you’ve made clear — and I’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Senate Page Program — Government in Action

Serving as a page in the Washington State Senate is a great way for students to see how state government really works. I strongly encourage students from our district to consider applying.

The Senate page program gives students a hands-on look at the legislative process. Pages work on the Senate floor, attend daily civics classes, and see firsthand how laws are debated and passed. It’s a practical way to learn about government, responsibility, and public service.

If you or someone you know is motivated and interested in learning how state government operates, I encourage you to look into the Senate page program. I always enjoy seeing students from our district take part and represent our region at the Capitol. Click here for more information.

¿Necesita esta información en español?
Puede copiar cualquier texto de este boletín y pegarlo en Google Translate (translate.google.com).

Stay engaged!

I encourage you to stay engaged throughout the session. My website is the best place to follow my work, track legislation, and sign up for email updates so you don’t miss important developments. You can also follow the Senate Republican Caucus on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X for timely updates, videos, and highlights from Olympia.

If you want a broader look at what’s happening each week, you can sign up for The Weekly Roundup, which pulls together Senate Republican Caucus content, including videos, radio and podcast appearances, press releases, social media posts, and a short list of priority bills scheduled for Senate hearings.

I value hearing from you and take your input seriously. Thank you for the trust you place in me. It is an honor to represent you in Olympia and to stand up for a future that keeps Washington affordable, accountable, and working for the people.

It is an honor to serve you in Olympia,