The home stretch of the 2025 legislative session

2nd District Rep. Andrew Barkis recaps a pivotal week in Olympia as the 2025 legislative session enters its final stretch. He highlights key wins—including Senate passage of his long-advocated lot split housing bill—and ongoing policy battles that remain front and center. Barkis addresses the controversial use of a new House rule to shut down debate on a bill that would gut the state’s parental rights law, and how House Republicans stood firm to defend open deliberation and transparency in the legislative process.

He also raises serious concerns about major tax and revenue proposals coming from legislative Democrats—totaling up to $12 billion—and underscores the need for fiscal responsibility and policies that don’t continue placing the burden on Washington families.

Barkis provides an update on transportation budget negotiations as well, emphasizing the importance of a responsible, sustainable approach. As the lead Republican on transportation, he is working to protect essential investments that keep projects moving—without resorting to new taxes or unsound revenue schemes.