Senator Keith Wagoner

Taxed enough? Dear Neighbor, Greetings! This marks the final week of the regular 2019 legislative session. While we do not have final transportation, capital and operating budgets just yet, Senate Democrats have introduced major tax proposals that will put a burden on the citizens of our state. They include: Senate Bill 5993 –... Read More...

Bad bills passed by the legislature House Bill 1087  –  A new billion-dollar payroll tax This bill puts a 0.58 percent premium (tax) on employee paychecks to create the Long Term Services and Supports Trust Program where an individual that contributes into the fund for at least 500 hours per year for 3 of the last 6... Read More...

Wolves migrating into Skagit County Dear Neighbor, Greetings!Last week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that a pair of wolves had been documented living in Skagit County. WDFW supports a Wolf Management and Conservation Plan that envisions eight breeding pairs in the Cascades in addition to seven breeding pairs in other areas... Read More...

Wagoner concerned about wolves migrating into western Washington Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, issued the following statement regarding the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s announcement last week that a pair of wolves had been documented living in Skagit County. WDFW supports a Wolf Management and Conservation Plan that envisions eight breeding pairs in the Cascades in addition to... Read More...

Wagoner grateful Senate adopts amendment to keep timber dollars in budget Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, issued the following statement after the Senate passed the 2019-2021 operating budget. “I am glad to see that the Senate adopted a bipartisan amendment to continue putting forest revenue dollars in school districts through 2021. This is a good win and an important tool that will... Read More...

Addressing Washington’s mental health and homelessness crisis Dear Neighbor, Greetings! Recently the Legislature and media have been talking a lot about homelessness, drug use and mental health issues. This has been one of my top priorities this legislative session, and I want to update you on some of the things lawmakers have been doing in Olympia. Last... Read More...

Tough on crime? Not this legislature Dear Neighbor, Greetings! This week marked the house of origin cutoff for this session, where any bill must pass out of the body in which it was introduced to still be considered alive this session. The exceptions are bills necessary to implement our state’s capital, operating and transportation budgets. We... Read More...

Policy cutoff: the good, the bad and the ugly Dear Neighbor, Greetings! Today marks the fiscal committee cutoff for this session, when any bill that has a fiscal impact must pass out of committee to still be considered “alive” this session. The exceptions are bills necessary to implement our state’s capital, transportation and operating budgets. Last Friday marked the... Read More...

Is the role of our state government pushing its limits? Dear Neighbor, Greetings! This week, Olympia and most of Western Washington saw snow blanket most of the region, causing the Legislature to take a “Snow Day” on Monday.  Hearings resumed on Tuesday and I have been busy reading bills, visiting with constituents and hearing from stakeholders during this 105-day session. I... Read More...