 Deputy Republican Leader
Your money and your rights are on the line!
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We have just entered the fourth week of the 2026 legislative session. As we approach the halfway point of this 60-day session, the pace is relentless and "cutoff" deadlines are looming for bills to survive the initial committee stage of the lawmaking process.
Despite the short timeframe, the majority party is aggressively pushing more taxes, including a new income tax that was dropped just last night. While marketed as a tax on the wealthy, we know the truth: establishing the infrastructure for a state income tax is the first step toward a tax on every working family. At a time when you are already struggling with the high cost of groceries and fuel, Olympia should be focused on relief, not new ways to take your hard-earned money.
In the remainder of this update, I’ll examine the new income-tax proposal and two critical citizen-led initiatives, and provide an update on my legislation to protect our local shellfish industry from government greed.
The next few weeks are critical, as bills either keep moving or “die.” Your involvement ensures transparency—whether you testify remotely or send an email to our office, your voice matters.
It is an honor to serve the 35th District.
Sincerely,
 Drew MacEwen
Senator, 35th Legislative District
On Air:
Inside the 2026 Legislative Session: Sen. Drew MacEwen on Taxes, Education & Public Safety
KMAS Radio 1030 AM | Jan. 16, 2026
Sen. Drew MacEwen on KMAS Radio reacts to the governor’s “state of the state” address, raising concerns about taxes, rising costs, and education funding. He also weighs in on public safety, governance proposals, and the real-world impacts of legislative decisions during this short session.
Click here to watch now.
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 Video Update:
Fighting for our shellfish industry
My legislation rolls back unfair fee hike that threatens local jobs
 Click here to watch now.
In this video, I discuss a critical issue threatening our local economy: the massive spike in fees and licensing costs for our shellfish producers.
Our region is the powerhouse of the industry—the highest shellfish producer west of the Mississippi. However, a recent budget decision gave the Department of Health the authority to hike fees by as much as 500% to 700% in some cases. This is a direct hit on the families and small commercial farmers who keep our economy afloat.
We cannot allow government greed and out-of-control bureaucracy to stifle a vital industry. That is why my seatmates and I have introduced new legislation (Senate Bill 5996) to roll back these hikes. We are pushing for a pragmatic, sustainable approach to licensing that allows our farmers to thrive and continue providing high-quality jobs.
Details of new Democrat
income-tax scheme emerge
Majority Democrats in Olympia this week dropped a bill to impose an income tax in Washington state, ignoring that the people of Washington have rejected similar unconstitutional income taxes 10 times.
Senate Bill 6346 would levy a 9.9% rate on individuals with Washington taxable income over $1 million, which also captures many small businesses. It also would apply to married couples who earn $1 million combined -- not $1 million each. We are not foolish enough to believe that a state income tax, once created, won’t eventually hit most Washingtonians.
Even Gov. Ferguson admits that this proposal is not about ending regressive taxes, and that the measure will do nothing to improve affordability.
 The proposal would get around the I-2111 law passed in Olympia in 2024, which prohibits an income tax at any level in Washington, simply by changing the law – a promise broken after just two years.
The Majority is expected to push its income tax through quickly, so it is important that you make your voice heard on this issue as soon as possible.
Accountability in Olympia:
Attacks on our initiative process
Washingtonians have spoken, yet Olympia is refusing to listen. The Democrat majority in the Legislature is refusing to hold hearings on two critical initiatives.
In 2024, the Legislature passed the "Parents’ Bill of Rights" (I-2081), only to see it immediately gutted via HB 1296 this past year. One of the initiatives submitted to us, IL26-001, seeks to restore these crucial protections.
The second initiative, IL26-638, ensures fairness by reserving female sports for biological females and requiring public participation in athletic policy-making.
The state constitution is clear: initiatives “must take precedence over all other measures except appropriation bills.” Yet, Democrat leadership in Olympia is ignoring this mandate while simultaneously moving SB 5973, known as the “Initiative Killer” bill. This legislation would create new roadblocks, such as requiring 1,000 signatures just to file a measure and restricting signature-gathering methods.
By passing I-2081 as a legislative act and then amending it with a simple majority just a year later, legislative Democrats bypassed the two-thirds supermajority normally required to change voter-approved laws. Now, by blocking hearings on new initiatives and pushing SB 5973, they are effectively silencing the public's primary tool for accountability.
No matter your stance on these specific policies, the process should be respected. The Legislature has a duty to hear these measures and honor the constitutional rights of the voters.
 In The News:
Oakland Bay student is page for Senator Drew MacEwen
By June Williams, Shelton-Mason County Journal | Jan. 22, 2026
 Oakland Bay Junior High student Ben Noll got a hands-on democracy lesson working for 35th Legislative District Sen. Drew MacEwen in the first week of the 2026 legislative session in Olympia.
MacEwen sponsored Noll, who was one of 14 students who were Senate pages.
"Ben was a great pleasure to work with and have as our page this week," said MacEwen. "We are always excited to see students learn more about the legislative process and show a keen interest in being an active citizen.
“It was a joy to see Ben make the most of this experience," MacEwen said in a statement.
Click here to read the full story.
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