September 20, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, I concluded the first portion of my sixth annual 12th District listening tour. Traveling throughout our district with my staff had become an annual tradition every fall, the time of year when legislators begin planning for the upcoming legislative session. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past two listening tours consisted primarily of remote meetings. This year’s listening tour included in-person meetings with remote meetings available as an option.
This year’s listening tour is split between the traditional areas of the 12th District and the new areas of the district resulting from the recent state redistricting. The first portion of the tour took place September 13-16, with visits to Cashmere, Leavenworth, Chelan, and Wenatchee. (The remaining tour will take place November 14–18 in the King and Snohomish counties portion of the new 12th District).
 Thank you to all of the groups and individuals who met with me during this year’s listening tour. I was pleased to be joined by Wenatchee School Board President Martin Barron and Interim Superintendent Bill Eagle to discuss education issues.
Listening tours have become an annual tradition
Past listening tours have taken me all throughout the 12th District and helped connect me with issues important to all four counties in our district – Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan, including several communities, such as Leavenworth, Cashmere, Quincy, Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Pateros, Twisp, Chelan, Grand Coulee, Bridgeport, Waterville, Rock Island, Mansfield, and Mazama. Many of these areas will no longer be within the 12th District boundaries, which is why this year’s stops included Cashmere, Leavenworth, Chelan, and Wenatchee. It is always helpful to hear directly from you, the people I serve, on issues important to your community. During this year’s listening tour, issues that were discussed included the state budget, health care, education, land use, wildfire, outdoor recreation, and more. This feedback will be very helpful for me when casting important votes in Olympia.
Listening to you helps me serve you better
Hosting a listening tour each year allows me to hear directly from you in preparation for the upcoming session. Ideas shared during past listening tours have even turned into successful legislative action. As examples, a suggestion by Leavenworth officials to dispose of brush and yard clippings resulted in a bill that became law in 2018. A funding request related to the Saddle Rock trail in Wenatchee became reality when it was included in the state capital budget two years ago, and a road-paving project to a popular fishing location in Okanogan County was recently funded. A biochar demonstration project in the Methow Valley to reduce wildfire risk was also funded, as well as significant future improvements to the city of Wenatchee’s Community Center utilized by Pinnacles Prep School. All were ideas first discussed with constituents during past listening tours. Besides legislative ideas, I also collect helpful comments that prepare me to make better decisions to represent you in Olympia.
 During my Cashmere stop, I had an opportunity to meet with Mayor Jim Fletcher and members of the city of Cashmere council and staff. This year’s tour included visits to Cashmere, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Chelan. Visits to the western Washington portion of the district will take place in November.
Looking ahead to the 2023 legislative session
As I reflect upon discussions from last month’s listening tour and look ahead to the legislative session, I will be better prepared to represent us in the Senate. When legislators convene in Olympia in January for the 2023 legislative session, the primary focus will be developing and approving budgets for the 2023-2025 biennium. This two-year period covers July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. Legislators will be approving all three budgets for the two-year period. These budgets, as currently approved, include the operating budget ($64.1 billion), transportation budget ($12.2 billion), and capital budget ($7.8 billion). In addition to the approval of the state budgets, lawmakers will also be considering approval of new laws and adjustments to existing laws. While traveling to Olympia during the session can be a long trip, I welcome your visit.
Thank you for your support
I hope you were able to participate in this year’s listening tour. Your encouragement and support have been terrific throughout my listening tours over the past six years. Whether you were able to participate this year or not, please know that my position exists to serve you. Please feel free to reach out to me and my office anytime, either here at home or in Olympia. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and ideas about state government.
Recent media and radio interviews
I frequently participate in local radio interviews and other news media requests. These include KPQ, KOZI, NCWLIFE, Wenatchee World, and weekly newspapers. With all of the competition with social media and online platforms, it is a tremendous benefit for our communities to still have local media committed to community news. Included below are recent interviews and news articles of interest.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
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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