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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I want to personally invite you to a community town hall I’m hosting on Wednesday, June 4, at the Rainier School Chapel in Buckley from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. This is your chance to hear a full update on the 2025 legislative session, ask questions, share your thoughts, and make your voice heard.
WHAT: Town Hall with Rep. Joshua Penner
WHEN: Wednesday, June 4 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Rainier School Chapel, 2120 Ryan Rd, Buckley
This year’s session had some major highs and some deep concerns I want to walk you through. One of the biggest victories for our district was saving Rainier School.
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced that would have forced Rainier School to shut down by 2027, displacing residents with profound developmental disabilities, eliminating hundreds of jobs, and devastating families and caregivers. I couldn’t let that happen.
As your state representative and assistant ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, I fought to fix the bill and protect Rainier School. Working with families, advocates, and organizations like Friends of Rainier and Action DD, we built a bipartisan coalition and got it done. On day 104 of the session, my amendment passed, ensuring Rainier School will stay open for as long as residents need it.
No resident will be forced out.
No caregiver will lose their job.
And anyone who chooses to try a community setting can come back if it doesn’t work out.
This wasn’t just about a building. It was about protecting lives, dignity, and the right to compassionate care. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I’ll keep standing up for those whose voices too often go unheard in Olympia.
But while we had wins like this, the session also brought serious concerns, particularly when it comes to the state budget and taxes.
The majority party passed a $77.9 billion operating budget, up nearly $6 billion from the last cycle, with little in reserves and no meaningful plan for a downturn. Even worse, they approved more than $12 billion in new and increased taxes to fund it. These tax hikes hit property owners, small businesses, electric vehicle users, and even digital services.
At a time when Washington families are already paying the third-highest gas prices and fourth-highest grocery prices in the nation, I couldn’t support a plan that makes life more expensive. I voted no—and I’ll keep fighting for smarter, more responsible budgeting that puts people first.
If these are issues that matter to you, I hope you’ll join me on June 4. Let’s talk about what happened, what’s next, and how we can work together to keep our communities strong.
Thank you again for the honor of serving you. I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Joshua Penner
