Bellevue, WA - The 2024 Legislative Session in Washington state, which wrapped up this week, will be remembered as a turning point for the Washington State Republican Party (WAGOP). And for all Washingtonians.

WAGOP Chairman and State Representative Jim Walsh wrote and sponsored Six Initiatives to the Legislature. Three were passed into law by the State Legislature during the session. Three others were not - and will go to the people for votes on the November general-election ballot.

The significance of this accomplishment is undeniable - even as Legislative Democrats try to dismiss this consequential win for sane and sound policy in Washington state.

Soon, three initiatives will take effect, including I-2113, which restores reasonable police pursuit; I-2081, which establishes parental notification rights; and I-2111 which codifies Washington’s longstanding tradition of no personal income tax.

“When common-sense Republican policies lead the way, things get better for everyone,” said Chairman Jim Walsh, the legislative force behind all Six Initiatives to the Legislature. “Working together, we will continue to fix what’s broken in Washington.”

Still, there’s much more work to do. The WAGOP is fighting tirelessly to pass the three remaining initiatives to the Legislature, which Legislative Democrats, refused to hold public hearings for. The remaining three initiatives will make life better for all Washingtonians.

Instead, Democrat lawmakers reneged on their Constitutional duty, even as initiatives take precedence before all other matters, except for budgetary concerns, as stipulated in the Washington State Constitution.

Three Common-Sense Citizen Initiatives Remain
Democrat lawmakers declined to hold public hearings on I-2117, a repeal of the egregious cap-and trade scheme, officially known as the Climate Commitment Act; I-2109, a repeal of the capital gains tax; and I-2124, an opt-out of Washington’s disastrous long-term care retirement program.

And they are hoping that Washingtonians do not realize that the three initiatives they reluctantly agreed to hold hearings for are the ones that will impact their money-grabs from WA taxpayers the least.

Still, Washington voters are galvanized like never before. They will see those initiatives on the general-election ballot this November—where a simple majority support makes them state law.

Another big win for Republicans was stopping SB 5770. Introduced by Democrat Senator Jamie Pederson, it would set the one percent cap on annual property taxes to three percent, which would make hard times even worse, as homeowners struggle under the weight of massive property tax increases.

“SB 5770 will drive up the cost of homeownership, while also driving up rents, which are already too high,” warned Chairman Walsh, recently. “This is a troubling proposal being made at exactly the wrong time.”

Democrat legislation protects criminals NOT victims of crime
In contrast to common-sense legislation proposed by Republican lawmakers that benefit all Washingtonians, Democratic lawmakers tried to pass laws to protect and destigmatize criminals and sex offenders - victims be damned. Thankfully, three reckless bills listed below failed to advance.

HB 2177 would have allowed Level 3 sex offenders, the most dangerous felons, to join the Sex Offender Policy Board (SOPB) and serve alongside victims of sex crimes-compliments of State Rep. Tarra Simmons (D), a convicted felon herself.

Additionally, HB 2177 would have changed the name of the Sex Offender Policy Board (SOPB) to Sex Offense Policy Board—an aim to divert the focus away from criminals, who commit serious sex crimes and to normalize deviant behavior.

HB 2030 would have let met murderers like green-river-killer Gary Ridgeway vote, sit on a jury - and even run for elected office while in prison.

HB 1994 would have removed prosecutors, who represent victims of crime, from misdemeanor cases—which would have the effect of silencing victims.

Democrat Lawmakers show their contempt for Washington’s working poor
Olympia Democrats are no longer hiding their disdain for the working poor, as evidenced by their late-night maneuvering to pass ESHB 1589 - during the final hours of the Legislative Session. The new law will devastate working families, especially in rural areas, by allowing Puget Sound Energy to move away from natural gas.

“As usual, their understanding of environmental policy is completely emotional, it’s completely shallow and it’s bumper-sticker mentality,” says Chairman Walsh. “They want to be able to say they killed natural gas, which is so dumb. This is absolute Orwellian nonsense.”

“I understand he [Governor Inslee] was calling members — Democrat members — his own allies in the House, and saying, ‘If you don’t get on board and vote yes to this monster bill, I’m going to veto whatever bill you’ve got in the system right now,’” Chairman Walsh told Fox13 on Thursday. “You can admire that if you want, but I consider that pretty seedy politics.”