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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well!

It's great to be back under the dome – in person! On Monday, Jan. 9, lawmakers returned to Olympia to officially begin the 2023 legislative session. We have 105 days to complete the people's work, including writing the biennial operating, transportation, and capital budgets.

In these beginning weeks, we will focus on moving priority policy bills through the committee process.

I'm honored to serve as the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee and serve on the House Housing Committee.

My 2023 legislative priorities

Housing. Since beginning in the Legislature in 2016, housing has always been one of my top priorities. This hasn't changed.

Washington state is producing the fewest housing units per household of any state in the country due to unnecessary regulatory costs and fees, permit delays, restrictive zoning laws, and an antiquated Growth Management Act.

Now more than ever, we need to reduce the regulatory red tape and solve the problem of building more affordable housing units throughout our state. Over the years, I've championed several bills. In 2023, I will continue my work in this arena.

I've introduced House Bill 1245, which seeks to increase housing options through lot splitting. I hope to see it on the public hearing calendar in the House Housing Committee soon. I'll keep you posted on its progress.

I also wholeheartedly believe we can accomplish great things when we work together in a bipartisan manner. I've partnered with Rep. Jessica Bateman, my Democrat colleague from Olympia, co-sponsoring House Bill 1110. Our bill seeks to increase middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached homes.

Learn more about our efforts:

I'll keep you posted on the policies I introduce or co-sponsor and their journey through the legislative process.

Transportation. Since becoming one of our state's transportation budget leaders in 2019, I have been the voice for fiscal responsibility, reform, and reprioritization. My goals have been to keep costs down, stop more forced taxes on drivers, and prioritize project completion within existing revenue.

In 2022, I sponsored legislation to reprioritize and direct the sales tax paid on motor vehicles from the state's operating budget to preserve and maintain the existing transportation system. I plan to reintroduce similar legislation this session.

House Republican Caucus 2023 priorities

House Republicans have promised to bring real solutions to the people of Washington state. We are keeping that promise. Our priorities for the 2023 session include: reducing your cost of living; making communities safer; fixing our housing crisis; and empowering all families.

Stay Connected | Resources and important links

I hope you will bookmark and save the links below.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas regarding your state government or any of the topics and issues mentioned in this update, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

It's an honor to serve you.

In Service,


Andrew Barkis

State Representative Andrew Barkis, 2nd Legislative District
RepresentativeAndrewBarkis.com
427A Legislative Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
andrew.barkis@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7824 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000