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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Due to election-year restrictions that begin on Monday, this will be my last email update to you until after the November election results are certified. The exception is if we go into a special session, which I would actually support if it meant having an opportunity to solve the public safety challenges so many of our communities are facing right now. Even if we don't go into a special session, however, please know I am still able to respond to your comments, questions and concerns if you reach out to me. I would encourage you to do so by emailing me at JT.Wilcox@leg.wa.gov or calling (360) 786-7912.
A word on the 2022 legislative session
As I've stated before, I believe the 2022 legislative session was one of missed opportunities. While there were some bipartisan successes, majority Democrats spent a lot of time shutting down Republican policy proposals and shutting us out of key negotiations. We introduced bills to cut taxes, make our communities safer, grow the rural economy, make housing more affordable and hold state government accountable.
Unfortunately, the majority decided the status quo was largely acceptable.
One of the most important roles the political minority can fulfill is convincing the majority of their mistakes and giving them reasons to rethink and adjust. That has happened in the past. In the last two sessions, however, the majority has made ideology a top priority and remote sessions have made it easy for them to shut out dissent. As a result, Democratic leadership has ignored good counsel from our caucus and from the public, which has led to several missed opportunities and unfortunate outcomes.
In the end, the 2022 legislative session could have been remembered as one full of bipartisan successes, in which the majority chose to work with us to make life better for all Washingtonians. Instead, it will be remembered as so many others have: for its partisan division and lack of meaningful progress on the issues you truly care about.
Looking ahead to next year, it is my hope we will have a wiser Legislature that is intently focused on solving the growing number of problems facing our state. Our mission as Republicans is to make Washington the best state in the country to live, work, start a business, raise a family and retire. Our work is already underway this interim as we prepare for the 2023 legislative session.
My 2022 Legislative Update mailer
My four-page 2022 Legislative Update, in which I recap this year's session and discuss House Republican policy proposals, will be hitting mailboxes soon. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it and let me know what you think. Clicking on the image below will open the full PDF version.
It is an honor to serve you. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
J.T. Wilcox
