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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had a good holiday season and are settling into the new year.
As we look ahead, the 2026 legislative session begins January 12 and will run for 60 days. While it’s considered a short session, it will be fast-paced and full. Lawmakers will hear hundreds of bills, hold committee hearings, and work through the state’s supplemental operating, transportation, and capital budgets.
One central theme carrying over from last year is affordability. After the majority party and the governor approved the largest tax increase in state history during the 2025 session, we are already seeing proposals for additional taxes and fees, including renewed efforts to advance a state income tax. These decisions affect household budgets, job creation, and the overall cost of living in our communities, and they will be a significant focus of my work this session.
Legislation I’ve prefiled for 2026
Washington is facing a real child care crisis. The average cost of infant care now exceeds $21,000 per year, and for families with more than one young child, annual costs can easily climb past $35,000. For many households, child care takes up a significant share of monthly income, and for single parents, it can consume more than half of their income. Nearly four in 10 parents report quitting or losing a job, or turning down work opportunities, because they couldn’t find or afford reliable child care. When parents can’t work, businesses struggle to hire, and communities feel the impact.
One of the bills I’ve prefiled to help address this challenge is House Bill 2187—similar to House Bill 1564, which I introduced in 2025—which would create a targeted, five-year pilot program to help employers support working families by covering the cost of child care. Beginning in 2027, businesses could claim a tax credit equal to half of the amount they pay for employee child care at licensed providers. The program is designed to begin with small businesses and employers that collaborate through local partnerships, such as chambers of commerce, before expanding more broadly. To keep costs predictable and protect taxpayers, the bill includes clear limits on how much a business can claim each year and a statewide cap on the program’s total cost.
Last session, another major priority for me was protecting residents and families at Rainier School in Buckley. When proposals threatened to close the facility, I worked to ensure individuals with profound developmental disabilities were not forced out of a setting that provides the specialized, around-the-clock care many of them depend on. That effort recognized that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for everyone, and that families deserve stability, dignity, and honest options.
That work continues this session with House Bill 2200, which focuses on transparency and accountability across residential care settings for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill ensures families and policymakers have access to clear, comparable information about safety and stability, regardless of whether care is provided by the state or a private provider. Better information leads to better decisions, and better outcomes for some of our state’s most vulnerable residents.
Building on the effort, I’ve also prefiled House Bill 2202, which establishes a dental care pilot program at Rainier School. Many individuals with complex medical or behavioral needs struggle to access dental care in the community, especially when sedation or specialized services are required. This pilot would allow eligible individuals to receive necessary dental care in a setting already equipped to meet their needs, while evaluating whether to expand this approach in the future.
Recent flooding across Washington state also highlighted the dangers faced by first responders when drivers ignore road closures and emergency warnings. That’s why I prefiled House Bill 2203, which creates a new offense for recklessly driving past official barricades or signage during hazardous conditions. This bill is intended to protect first responders, prevent unnecessary rescue operations, and discourage behavior that puts lives at risk, especially when children or vulnerable individuals are involved.
In addition, I’m proud to cosponsor House Bill 2149, which addresses the emergency replacement of the Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The sudden failure and closure of this bridge have disrupted daily life, emergency responses, and economic activity for nearby communities. This legislation is designed to expedite the replacement process, restoring access as quickly and safely as possible.
Standing up for child safety and accountability
Protecting vulnerable children is one of the most serious responsibilities the state has, and it’s an issue I’ve been actively working on as we head into the 2026 session. Recently, I led the effort, along with over 20 of my House Republican colleagues, formally requesting answers from the Department of Children, Youth and Families following a deeply troubling case involving the abandonment of a child on Aurora Avenue in Seattle.
This case raised serious concerns about how state law is being interpreted when it comes to child safety, particularly in high-risk environments involving substance abuse, violence, and human trafficking. When neighbors warn that a child is in danger and those warnings go unheeded, the public deserves clear answers about how safety decisions are being made.
The request asks whether recent changes to state law have raised the intervention threshold so high that action is delayed until a tragedy occurs. It also seeks clarity on how risks like fentanyl exposure, unsafe living conditions, and repeated community warnings are weighed when determining whether a child is safe. This is not about politics. It’s about accountability, transparency, and making sure our child welfare system is truly focused on protecting children when they need it most.
You can read the full letter to DCYF by clicking here.
Your voice matters
Your participation in the legislative process is essential. The most effective laws are shaped when citizens speak up and share their experiences. I encourage you to follow the issues that matter to you, testify on bills when possible, and stay informed about what’s happening in Olympia throughout session.
Stay connected
You may notice a new face and voice in my office. Please join me in welcoming my new Legislative Assistant, Paul Seabaugh, to the Legislature. Paul is here to help serve our district and looks forward to connecting with constituents, answering questions, and assisting with legislative issues.
Whether you’re reaching out with a concern, a question about legislation, or want to share your perspective, my office is here to help. You can also find updates, bill information, and resources on my legislative website and on the House Republican Caucus website, which offers a broader look at what’s happening in Olympia. Staying connected and hearing directly from you are integral to the work I do on your behalf.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the great 31st District.
Sincerely,
Joshua Penner
