December 11, 2020
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Earlier this week, I concluded my fourth annual 12th District listening tour. Traveling throughout North Central Washington with my staff had become an annual tradition every fall, the time of year when legislators begin planning for the upcoming legislative session. However, due to the COVID pandemic, my 2020 listening tour was conducted entirely online, including many small group Zoom meetings and two virtual community meetings.
Listening tours have become an annual tradition
In past years, I have visited Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan, Quincy, Coulee City, Soap Lake, Bridgeport, Pateros, Twisp, Winthrop, Waterville, Mansfield, and Mazama – all communities in our vast 12th Legislative District. Despite all of the communities we have visited over the years, there are some still remaining on my list for direct visits during a future year’s listening tour.
 Thank you to everyone who participated in my December 10 listening tour. It included over 20 group meetings and two community meetings. This image shows the Zoom technology we used to conduct our meetings.
The size of our district can make some decisions more difficult in Olympia, but I try my best to learn the range of issues affecting us and to represent the entirety of our district when making decisions. Hearing the diversity of voices throughout the region each year – even if virtual this year – helps me do my job better. During this year’s listening tour, COVID and the state’s economic outlook was a major topic of discussion. Community members discussed school sports, economic development, charter schools, conservation, transportation, water rights, hydropower, drug-free youth, wildfire prevention, and other topics. This feedback will be very helpful for me when casting important votes in Olympia.
Stay safe and healthy this holiday season
While this year’s listening tour worked out surprisingly well, I look forward to resuming in-person meetings throughout the district for the fifth annual tour. In the meantime, please follow the recommendations of our health care professionals to implement COVID mitigation efforts, including masking, distancing, and responsible interactions. The more we can do to minimize the spread of this virus and build up our immunity through vaccinations, the sooner we can get back to our normal lives.
 Instead of the occasional snowfall in Olympia, I will be preparing for the usual NCW winter. The legislative session begins on January 11 and will mostly be virtual.
Listen to my recent local radio interviews
Leading up to the legislative session and each week during session, I will be calling our local radio stations to participate in live interviews about the latest topics in the legislative session. If you'd like to hear my most recent interviews, click on these links for KPQ, KOHO, and KOZI.
Looking ahead to the 2021 legislative session
As I review my notes from this month’s listening tour and look ahead to the legislative session, I will be better prepared to represent us in the state Senate. If you were not able to participate in my recent listening tour, please know that you can connect with me anytime throughout the year. I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and ideas with me. I learn a lot through listening.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your 12th District state senator.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Senator
Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail:
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
107 Newhouse Building
- P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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