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We are entering the final stretch of the 2026 legislative session, which means the pace in Olympia has picked up considerably. Most bills have moved through committees, and the focus now shifts to floor debates and final votes.
This is the time when many of the biggest decisions get made. Bills that have been moving quietly can suddenly come up for a final vote, often with major consequences for our state. Unfortunately, many of the worst bills come up in the dead of night when reporters and the public are paying less attention.
My focus during these final weeks remains simple: protect the interests of families and communities in our district, and make sure government respects the rights and responsibilities of the people it serves. Unfortunately, several bills passing the House right now move in the opposite direction.
Government overreach
The House recently passed two bills that raise serious concerns about the expanding reach of state government.
One bill, ESSB 5925, gives the Attorney General sweeping new authority to demand documents, records, and sworn testimony from individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and even local governments before a civil lawsuit is ever filed. In other words, the state can require information from you based simply on the belief that a violation might have occurred.
Another troubling proposal involves county sheriffs. Senate Bill 5974 allows an unelected state commission to effectively remove a duly elected sheriff through the loss of certification. It also requires candidates for sheriff to pass a background investigation before their name can even appear on the ballot.
Sheriffs are constitutional officers elected by the people of their counties. If a sheriff commits misconduct, Washington’s Constitution already provides a remedy through the voter recall process. You can read my op-ed for more information about this bad bill:
Rep. Chris Corry: Before you can vote for sheriff, Olympia wants to approve the candidate
Taken together, these bills reflect a broader trend in Olympia. Instead of trusting citizens and local communities, more authority is being centralized in state agencies and unelected boards.
Put simply, government works best when power flows from the people upward. Lately, Olympia seems to prefer the opposite direction.
Government overspending
On Saturday, the House majority approved an $80 billion supplemental operating budget, the largest spending plan in Washington state history. If enacted, it would increase spending by more than $2 billion above the budget approved just last year.
Republicans offered more than 20 amendments aimed at protecting core services and providing real relief for families. Unfortunately, those proposals were rejected.
The central problem is not a shortage of revenue. Washington state revenue has grown dramatically over the past decade. The real issue is that spending has grown even faster. Check out the chart below that show per-spending increases over the past decade!
Instead of slowing down, the majority budget assumes revenue from a proposed state income tax that has not even passed the Legislature yet and would likely face legal challenges.
Building permanent spending around uncertain revenue is risky. It is also disconnected from what families are experiencing.
Washington now ranks as the fifth most expensive state in the nation. Families are dealing with rising housing costs, child care, groceries, and fuel. Small businesses are feeling the same pressure.
At a time when households are tightening their belts, Olympia appears to be loosening its own. And as most families know, that strategy rarely ends well.
Staying engaged
As the Legislature works through these final weeks, I will continue advocating for policies that protect families, respect local communities, and keep government within its proper limits. The decisions made in Olympia affect real people across our district, and it is important that your voice is part of that conversation. Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged. Serving you in the Legislature is an honor, and I remain committed to representing the values and priorities of the people who call our communities home.
Sincerely,
Chris Corry
