 Deputy Republican Leader
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We have reached the 48th day of our short 60-day legislative session. While many of you are enjoying your weekend, my colleagues and I are on the Senate floor today, voting on a series of bills as we head toward the finish line.
This week marked a major milestone as the Senate approved updates to the state’s operating, capital, and transportation budgets. I am pleased to report that the capital and transportation budgets passed with unanimous support. These budgets provide critical investments for our infrastructure and communities, including securing the necessary funding for the SR 3 / Belfair Freight Corridor (Belfair Bypass). This project is a perfect example of what can be achieved when we focus on the core priorities of our district.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the supplemental operating budget. Democrats pushed through an irresponsible $80 billion proposal without a single Republican vote. While our state faces real affordability challenges, this budget doubles down on unsustainable spending. I’ve included a deeper dive into the numbers below so you can see exactly why my colleagues and I could not support it.
Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in our state government. Your feedback is invaluable as we navigate these final days of session. It remains a true pleasure and a distinct honor to represent the hardworking people of the 35th Legislative District.
Sincerely,
 Drew MacEwen
Senator, 35th Legislative District
Republican legislative leaders critique taxes, spending, and budget priorities
 This week, Republican leaders met with members of the news media to discuss the critical issues facing Washingtonians as the session winds down. The primary focus was the irresponsible and unsustainable majority party's budget and the looming threat of new taxes.
Republicans are fighting against the Democrats’ income tax (SB 6346), which is being marketed as a tax on the wealthy but is really an unconstitutional first step toward a broad-based income tax on every working Washingtonian. There are serious concerns that state spending is far outpacing the average family's ability to pay.
We also discussed the ongoing push to ensure the voices of citizens who signed recent initiatives are heard and respected.
 Democrats pass partisan, irresponsible, unsustainable budget
Focus on growing government and raising taxes a failure of leadership
 The $80 billion operating budget passed by Senate Democrats is built on a foundation as fragile as a house of cards. This proposal relies heavily on the "hope" that $801 million in already appropriated money won't actually be spent by state agencies, while simultaneously asking for $114 million in higher taxes—this on the heels of a record $12.3 billion in tax increases just last year. To fund this spending, the majority party is draining our state's financial security, pulling $2.4 billion from unrestricted reserves, $750 million from the "Rainy Day" fund, and even raiding $375 million from the Public Works Fund.
Perhaps most concerning is that the entire proposal is tied to the unconstitutional income tax (SB 6346) and the assumption that the rate of spending growth will fall to an unbelievably low 2.2%. Given that the majority has increased the budget by an average of 15% per biennium over the past decade, it is highly unlikely they will suddenly exercise such restraint.
Because of these fiscal gimmicks, no Republican senators voted for this irresponsible plan. As we move forward, House and Senate Democrats will negotiate a compromise version before it reaches the governor.
In contrast, I was proud to support the bipartisan $723 million capital budget and the $1.5 billion transportation budget, as both focus on real results.
Read more about the budgets here.
Transportation budget win for 35th District: Belfair Bypass on track
The inclusion of necessary funding for the SR 3 / Belfair Freight Corridor in the newly released Senate supplemental transportation budget is a major victory for our district. For far too long, our commuters and local businesses have dealt with grueling congestion that does more than just waste time—it compromises the safety of our community. By creating a dedicated freight corridor, we are addressing critical safety concerns by reducing the potential for collisions and ensuring that emergency responders can move through our region without being trapped in gridlock.
To be candid, as I said when the budget proposal became public, early indications suggested this project might face further delays or be pushed down the priority list. It took a significant amount of hard work and persistent advocacy to ensure my colleagues understood that the 35th District cannot afford to wait any longer. While this is a pivotal step forward, the finish line is the governor’s desk. My focus now is on ensuring this support remains intact as the final transportation budget is negotiated. I am fully committed to working this issue every single day until the budget is signed into law.
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In The News:
Belfair Bypass money on track after cuts proposed in Gov's budget
By Peiyu Lin, Kitsap Sun
Though Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's proposed transportation budget in December showed a potential cut and delay in state funding for the Belfair Bypass project, the major infrastructure plan in North Mason has been added back for the latest version, updated on Feb. 23.
…Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, said it's a major victory for the 35th District and the entire Kitsap Peninsula to keep the Belfair Bypass project on track in the supplemental transportation budget.
"Early indications suggested this project might face further delays or be pushed down the priority list. I am deeply grateful that our voices were heard and that the transportation plan recognizes the urgency of this work," MacEwen said in a statement. "The 35th District cannot afford to wait any longer."
Click here to read the full article.
 MacEwen in the Media
Stay up to date with my latest interviews and floor speeches:
Take action to protect your wallet
 As the old saying goes, "No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session." With only 12 days left, now is the time to make your voice heard. The decisions made in these final hours will impact your cost of living for years to come.
I encourage you to stay informed and reach out to the governor’s office. Ask him to stand up for Washington taxpayers by vetoing the unconstitutional income tax and other harmful, high-tax legislation currently moving through the capitol.
Contact the Governor's Office:
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