SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington lawmakers are gearing up to head to Olympia on January 13 to take on a more than 100 day period of lawmaking and budget writing.
The state’s 98 representatives and 49 senators will soon kick off the 2025 legislative session. While topics like healthcare and public safety might be top of mind for Washingtonians, the first major challenge for lawmakers must address is the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit.
“We need to look at ways we can eliminate waste, (ways) that we can make the government more efficient,” said Washington Senator-elect Marcus Riccelli who served as a state representative in the last legislative session.
Riccelli says remaining focused on continuing to provide essential services like childcare while dealing with this deficit is key.
“We need to make those strategic investments to help working families,” Senator-elect Riccelli said.
Rep. Jenny Graham (District 6), who is preparing for her fourth term in office, agrees this session will be tough.
“This legislative session, no doubt, is going to be hard,” Rep. Graham said.
For Graham, the solution lies in fiscal transparency.
“In order for us to be successful individually, you have to take a look at how much money you have,” she said. “I believe our state government needs to work the same.”
Riccelli plans to introduce bills on housing, removing medical debt from credit reports and ensuring free meals for all public school kids. Graham is prioritizing public safety and making our neighborhoods cleaner. Both emphasized a dedication to making sure the voices of those in Eastern Washington continue to be heard in Olympia.
“I would love nothing more than to be able to pay it forward the type of Spokane my kids had,” Rep. Graham said.
“I think that everybody needs to thrive regardless of their Zip Code,” Senator-elect Riccelli said.
During this session, lawmakers will debate and pass bills that could become law. You can share your thoughts by contacting your local representatives.
To find out which legislators represent where you live, click here.
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