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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It’s an honor to represent the 31st Legislative District in Olympia. Every day, I’m working hard to address the issues that matter most to families, Veterans, businesses, and communities across our district.

I want to share some updates about the work happening this legislative session and encourage you to stay involved. Your voice plays a crucial role in shaping our state’s future.

Washington in crisis: Why action is needed

Washington faces significant challenges that demand immediate attention. Rising costs, public safety concerns, and a strained housing market have put immense pressure on families, businesses, and our communities.

I’ve heard from many of you that our lack of available and affordable child care is one crisis. To help address this concern, I’ve introduced House Bill 1564, a proposal to tackle the state’s child care crisis and support working families.

Child care costs in Washington are among the highest in the nation, often exceeding $20,000 annually—focusing many parents out of the workforce and costing families a significant loss of income. HB 1564 provides a path forward by incentivizing employers to help bridge the gap for working families.

What the bill does:

The bill establishes a 100% tax credit for businesses that provide child care support to their employees, creating a strong incentive for employers to help address this critical need. It encourages businesses to contribute directly to child care costs or establish on-site care facilities, offering practical solutions to support working families. By reducing the financial burden on parents, this measure not only eases household pressures but also strengthens the workforce and promotes economic growth across the state.

What the bill does not do:

It does not increase the tax burden or impose additional costs on businesses. Instead, it provides a credit against the existing, overly burdensome, and unfair business and occupation (B&O) tax that businesses in our state already have to pay.

This is just one step in addressing Washington’s broader challenges, and I’m committed to advancing meaningful solutions throughout the session.

A new governor, a new approach

The first week of session included Gov. Jay Inslee’s final State of the State address and newly-elected Gov. Bob Ferguson’s first address as governor.

Gov. Ferguson struck a notably bipartisan tone in his speech, highlighting areas of shared interest where Republicans and Democrats can work together, such as:

  • Ensuring farmers receive rebates promised under the Climate Commitment Act.
  • Allocating $100 million to help local communities hire and retain law enforcement professionals.  
  • Establishing reasonable limits on the governor’s emergency powers.
  • Reducing housing costs by streamlining state regulations impacting construction and permitting.

While his commitment to collaboration is encouraging, we must remain vigilant to ensure these promises translate into meaningful change for our communities and this state.

House Republican priorities

This legislative session, our House Republican Caucus is focused on addressing the real issues affecting Washingtonians daily. Our priorities include:

  • Public safety: Supporting law enforcement and restoring policies that protect our communities.
  • Affordability: Addressing the rising living costs, housing, and taxes burdening working families.
  • Education: Ensuring every child has access to quality education and opportunities to succeed.
  • Transportation: Improving infrastructure and addressing gaps that hinder economic growth.
  • Government accountability: Restoring trust in government by advocating for transparency and responsibility.

Our agenda is rooted in the belief that Washington families deserve effective, common-sense solutions.

Staying involved

The legislative process works best when you are involved. Your input and feedback shape the decisions made in Olympia, and I encourage you to stay engaged throughout the session. Here are some resources to help:

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about your state government or the topics covered in this update. My contact information is at the bottom of this email.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Olympia.

Sincerely,


Joshua Penner

State Representative Joshua Penner, 31st Legislative District
RepresentativeJoshuaPenner
469 John L. O'Brien Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
joshua.penner@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7866 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000