I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I’m sending this email update out tonight because starting tomorrow, all legislators will be under election-year restrictions. That means I won’t be able to send you any more email updates until the start of the 2020 session on Jan. 13. However, I will still be able to respond to your phone calls and emails, so please continue contacting me with your comments, questions and concerns. My phone number is (360) 786-7902, and my email address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

Legislative priorities survey responses

Thank you to the more than 500 of you who responded to the legislative priorities survey I sent out last week! I was blown away by the response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to answer each question and provide your feedback on the issues you care most about. Here are the results from the survey:

Q1. What do you believe is the top priority the Legislature needs to address during the 2020 session? (Responses are a weighted average)

Q2. What is the most significant financial challenge your family faces on a monthly basis? (Responses are a weighted average)

Q3. In general, I’m happy with the way things are going in Washington state.

Q4. Do you believe the Legislature spends your tax dollars wisely on services that Washingtonians need, or do you believe that the Legislature wastes your tax dollars on unnecessary and frivolous things?

Q5. Would you support an increase in the gas tax as a way to pay for improving the state’s roads, highways and bridges?

Q6. Do you support replacing the gas tax with a pay-per-mile system?

Q7. Do you support a state income tax?

Q8. Would you support legislation to prevent local governments from implementing an income tax?

Thank you again for your responses. And please know your top priorities for the Legislature are my top priorities as well. I care deeply about ensuring we pass fiscally responsible budgets that leave us in a good position to weather tough economic times. I am passionate about protecting you and your family from a majority party that can never seem to tax you enough. And I am committed to doing everything I can to keep the costs of daily living as low as possible, no matter what stage of life you’re in.

I touched on these points and more in a video update I recorded last week at the Capitol. Take a look:

House Page Program

One of the best things about serving in the Legislature is having the opportunity to sponsor young people to serve in the House Page Program. Students who participate in the weeklong program attend page school every day, assist lawmakers on the House floor, and fulfill many other tasks critical to the efficient operation of the Legislature. It’s a great experience they’ll never forget.

If you know of any students who would be interested serving as a page during the 2020 session, please send me an email. Applicants must have a legislative sponsor and also obtain written permission from their parents and school.

For more information, click here.

Contacting me

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any comments, questions or concerns. I also welcome you to contact my legislative assistant, Rob Barnes, if you’d like to schedule a time to sit down with me and discuss your legislative priorities before the start of the 2020 session.

It is an honor to serve you.