Peter’s Blog
Community and State Responds to COVID-19
Many families and small businesses are being impacted by the Outbreak of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. And as of Friday the 13th, every student in the State of Washington is on a school break until April 24th. As a husband and father, as a business owner, and as...
International Women’s Day!
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. I am very thankful to the women in my life; past and present. I am also very thankful for the positive role models in our community for...
Trades Education Gets Boost from Centralia College Foundation!
Today, the Centralia College Foundation broke ground on the Southwest Washington Flexible Training (SWFT) Center, a 12,000 square foot building that will be operational by the end of 2020. The SWFT Center features two large classrooms, a large "open space" to allow...
Sign The Petition: Local Parental Control of Sexual Education!
The Mandatory Sexual Education bill does nothing to strengthen families. It only makes government stronger. If we are truly to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and destructive behaviors, then Olympia must empower local families and communities.Please...
Mandatory Sex Education Passes: Ignores Local Families
On Wednesday, March 4, many of us watched the House pass Mandatory Sexual Education legislation along party lines 56-40, with Republicans voting against. A similar bill, SB 5395, passed the State Senate on January 22. Mandatory Sexual Education was passed despite a...
Centralia Hosts Homeless Workshop
The City of Centralia hosted the first of several homelessness workshop at city hall this week, featuring a a presentation from Director of Lewis County Public Health and Social Services (LCPHSS) J.P. Anderson and County Manager Erik Martin. Under the requirements of...
Campaign Kickoff to Elect Peter Abbarno a Success!
On Wednesday, February 26th, the kickoff breakfast to support Peter Abbarno's campaign for State Representative was a huge success! Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer served as emcee, the invocation was delivered by Bethel Pastor Scott Collins, and the...
What Would You Do With The State’s $2.4 Billion Surplus? VOTE
The Revenue forecast reports $1.1 billion in unexpected revenue from existing sources; creating a total state surplus of $2.4 billion according to Rep. Drew Stokesbary. House Republicans have proposed tax cuts and critical services spending. The Majority Party...
Homeless Students Falling Through Cracks
In 2018, Senate Bill 6560, Ensuring that no youth is discharged from a public system of care into homelessness, passed unanimously (House and Senate) in a strong bipartisan commitment to reducing homelessness among our most vulnerable population. According to a recent...
Bipartisan Funding Bill for Chehalis Basin Flood Mitigation Passes House!
House Bill 1154, sponsored by Rep. Richard DeBolt, passed virtually unanimously on Sunday night in a strong bipartisan manner. The legislation authorizes the State Finance Committee to issue up to $700 million in general obligation bonds to finance Chehalis Basin...
Ghost Bills: End the Practice.
Legislative attempts to end the practice of title-only bills died in Legislature without even public hearings. Title-only bills contain a title or intent statement—but no content. Legislators amend the bills with text later, often when it is too late for the public to...
Bipartisan Bill Supports Historic Downtowns in Lewis and Cowlitz Counties
House Bill 2868 recently passed the State House with unanimous Bipartisan support. The legislation, Sponsored by 19th Legislative District Representatives Walsh and Blake, is very important to small and rural communities because it encourages investment and...
