After inflation-driven increases in construction costs resulted in cancellation of one behavioral-health center in the North Sound, Sen. Keith Wagoner is determined not to let a second such project meet a similar fate. Working with Senate budget writers, Wagoner has secured the $4.275 million needed to complete phase II of...

Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate will only create a greater public safety risk, says Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley. The mandate, which took effect Oct. 18, requires all employees in agencies under the governor’s control to receive vaccinations for COVID-19 or be terminated from their jobs. Wagoner noted that the...

Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, issued the following statement addressing the COVID vaccine deadline. “Governor Jay Inslee’s mandate has removed the choice for hundreds of thousands of people to decide for themselves whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine. To make matters worse, these individuals are now in fear of losing their...

Senate Republican leaders released the following remarks as the 2021 legislative session came to a close as it prepared for the traditional “Sine Die” adjournment.   Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia: “Throughout this session Republicans have consistently offered ideas and taken positions that come from listening to the people....

Dear Neighbor, As we enter the final month of the 2021 legislative session, our attention shifts to passing state budgets. In odd years, the legislature creates three separate two-year budgets: An operating, transportation and capital budget. Today I’m going to address the operating budget. 2021 Operating budget – you name...

Dear Neighbor, While there have been many ups and downs this legislative session, today I want to share some good news with you. We’re moving to phase 3! Weeks after our entire state made it to phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Roadmap to Recovery plan, he announced that all of...

Dear Neighbor, It is not every day that I agree with our governor, but today is one of those days. Recently, he stated that our schools should begin to reopen and with the recent announcement that teachers and childcare workers can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, I believe it is imperative...

Dear Neighbor, We are officially one-third of the way through the 2021 legislative session and have moved from mostly spending time in committee to spending a majority of the time on the floor voting on bills. Many of my colleagues continue to work remotely; as Republican whip, I am in...

Dear Neighbor, As the legislature continues to work remotely, I wanted to update you on some of the bills I’ve sponsored this session, legislation that’s been heard in the Law & Justice Committee and provide a video update on our state’s reopening plan. Senate Bill 5081, which I’m sponsoring, would...