![banner](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2023/01/7062497/5203302/39849-e-newsletter-banner-opt1-005_crop.jpg) Deputy Republican Leader
![MacEwen](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921269/5959569/20250114-103329cc_crop.jpg) Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’re two weeks into a new legislative session – and what an eventful two weeks it has been!
The 2025 session began with what served as a farewell speech from outgoing Governor Jay Inslee, which portrayed Olympia as a shining example for the nation to follow – and conveniently ignored the host of challenges facing Washingtonians.
To the surprise and delight of many of us in the Legislature, incoming Governor Bob Ferguson took a different approach. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the affordability crisis plaguing our families, called for additional resources to hire, train and support law enforcement, and discussed bipartisan, commonsense solutions he planned to support – even solutions sponsored by Republicans. And while he didn’t rule out new taxes, he signaled that they should be a last resort, not the first choice.
The contrast between their words could not have been starker. But as President Reagan used to say, we have to “trust, but verify.” It is the new governor’s actions, not his words, that will matter most throughout this session.
This week, with most of the ceremonial speeches behind us, the real work of the session began. All of the Senate’s committees are holding public hearings on proposed legislation. Policy committees have until February 21 to consider bills introduced here in the Senate, while the two fiscal committees (the budget and transportation) have until February 28. Later in the session, the Senate committees will do another round of work, this time on House bills passed over to us.
One of the big challenges of the session will be protecting taxpayers while crafting the state’s new two-year budget. Despite record revenue, the state is facing a budget deficit. It’s also important to know this shortfall was created by the majority's years of overspending. You can read more about this below.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or ideas for smarter government. I am here to serve as your voice, and hearing from you helps me better represent you and our district.
Sincerely,
![signature](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921240/5959570/230112-macewen-sig-original_crop.jpg) Drew MacEwen Senator, 35th Legislative District
![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12371/bottom-hr_original.jpg) VIDEO:
Republicans find hope in inaugural
![video of media avail](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921285/5959571/screenshot-2025-01-22-151730_crop.png) Click here to watch the Republicans responding to Governor Ferguson’s Inaugural Address.
Did You Know?
Where your state budget dollar goes...
Every two years, our Legislature creates a new state operating budget. This is one of the most important, and time-consuming, responsibilities of state lawmakers. The state budget for the 2023-25 biennium – which runs through June 30 – appropriates nearly $72 billion in public funds. Here’s a breakdown of how the budget divides each state taxpayer dollar among the various programs and departments of Washington’s state government:
![dollar](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921248/5959572/44725-macewan-dollar-budget-breakdown-2025_crop.jpg) ![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12371/bottom-hr_original.jpg) It’s a spending, not revenue, problem
We hear a lot in Olympia about the need for “new revenue,” but facts tell a different story.
This is not like during the Great Recession, when the state saw less money coming in. Today, the state’s non-partisan chief economist is predicting another $5 billion in revenue growth, yet depending on who you ask, a state deficit of $7-$12 billion is on the horizon. This is due to overspending and misuse of one-time money. Legislators must look to reduce spending and slow the growth of government. Our state cannot continue on this trajectory and have a sustainable budget.
![chart1](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921322/spending-growth-dec-17_original.png) ![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12300/body-bg_original.jpg) ![chart2](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921323/budgetchart_original.png) Click here for information on leaked Democrat plans for new taxes.
![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12371/5959602/bottom-hr_crop.jpg) SB 5207:
Protecting consumers from never-ending media subscription services
![subscriptions](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921344/5959573/subscription-traps_crop.jpg) Too many media services make it super easy to subscribe and then make you jump through 50 hoops to unsubscribe and get your money back. They are clearly banking on people giving up and letting the monthly charges just be siphoned out of their account each month.
To address this issue, I have introduced Senate Bill 5207, which would require refunds to consumers for early cancellation of term-based subscriptions to electronic media services, and require these services to disclose the cancellation and refund schedule prior to establishing a subscription.
The bill received a public hearing in the Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee earlier today (Thursday, Jan. 23).
![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12371/bottom-hr_original.jpg) In the News:
MacEwen on Ferguson’s Permitting Reform Executive Order
By Mitchell Roland, Spokesman-Review | Jan. 15, 2025
Ferguson also called on Washington to streamline its permitting process, a call that received widespread cheers in the House chamber Wednesday afternoon.
…During a media availability, Sen. Drew MacEwen, the Republican deputy leader, said the permitting reform was “a good start.”
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done there, and unfortunately, when you look at the regulations and the fees and the taxes that have been passed over the last decade, this is not an easy thing to unwind,” said MacEwen, of Shelton. “If there was a magic bullet to fix it, we would have done it, right?”
MacEwen added that he hopes Ferguson’s appointments to the State Building Code Council “reflect people that are in the industry and understand the consequences of what that council does.”
Click here to read the full article.
![](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/stock/2011/03/12371/bottom-hr_original.jpg) Video:
KMAS interviews Sen. McEwen on the start of the 2025 Legislative Session
![interview](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WALEGSRCMACEWEN/2025/01/10921374/screenshot-2025-01-21-163019_original.png) Click here to watch now.
From budget challenges to rural economy advocacy, learn about his plans for the 35th District. Discover how he’s addressing critical issues like law enforcement recruitment and updating outdated policies. Drew MacEwen-State Senator
|