By Rep. Peter Abbarno
September 30, 2025
Good government does not happen by accident. It requires leaders who are accountable and citizens who are engaged. As your state representative and House Republican Caucus Chair, I have seen firsthand how the policies debated in Olympia directly affect families, homeowners, and small businesses in Lewis County and across Washington state.
That is why one of the most important responsibilities we share is to stay informed, get involved, and remain engaged in the process of governing.
According to a Fulcrum Strategic and EMC Research poll this year, 75% of Washingtonians don’t trust the Legislature to spend tax dollars responsibly.
Only 22% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do the right thing “most of the time” or “just about always,” according to a Pew Research.
Bottom line, you don’t even need a poll to know that Americans — and Washingtonians — consistently express low trust in government institutions, especially legislatures and spending decisions.
One way I have worked to strengthen accountability is by sponsoring House Bill 1055. This legislation calls for a study on establishing a Washington Office of Transparency Ombuds — an independent, nonpartisan agency tasked with helping citizens access public records.
Washingtonians deserve to know how decisions are made that impact their jobs, their homes, and their communities. Seeking public records can take too long. Providing and maintaining public records is also too expensive. The process is complex and expensive.
I believe there is a better way, and so do many other states. By creating an independent advocate for open government, we can cut through red tape, and reduce costly litigation.
Transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of any government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Making sure voters have a voice on the House Floor is also essential for government to be representative and accountable. That is why I opposed the House Democrats’ vote to silence debate on the House floor — ending a rule that had been in place for more than 100 years.
The House of Representatives has always operated as the chamber ‘closest to the people’ and until this year, advocated robust debate and discussion. Shutting down open debate weakened accountability and transparency.
Only weeks after the procedural vote was passed, open debate on a bill repealing the Parent’s Bill of Rights initiative, Senate Bill 5181, was cut short. More than 400,000 voters supported the Bill of Rights by signing the initiative and their voices were silenced in a quick procedural vote; a vote that had never before taken place on the floor of the State House of Representatives.
But just as important as the process is opposing proposals that expand government in ways that take voices and voters out of the equation.
At 2:00 a.m., on March 2024, the House Majority passed House Bill 1589, paving the way to a total ban on natural gas. This maneuver was initiated in the early morning when the weather was below freezing in most of Washington, constituents were unaware they could lose their only heating source, and the press was asleep. A total lack of transparency.
Just this year the majority increased the gas tax and passed new regulations that increased fuel prices in Washington state and gave it the poor distinction of having the highest gas prices in the country. What has not been highlighted in recent articles is that the gas tax passed by the majority also has an automatic increase every year — without a vote of the Legislature or the people.
This type of ‘end-around’ legislation does not provide for trust in our government.
Why civic engagement matters
These examples underscore why civic engagement matters. Good government is more than what gets passed into law — it is also about stopping policies that expand bureaucracy at the expense of individual freedom.
It is about process necessary to preserve transparency and accountability, and ensure local voices are heard before statewide mandates are imposed.
It is also an important reminder to stay engaged in the process and share your thoughts with me and other legislators. Your voice matters to me. Your voice makes a difference.
As we head into the next session, I encourage you to stay engaged, share your perspectives, and continue holding your government accountable. Your voice matters in shaping policies that affect our homes, our businesses, and our communities.
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus Chair.
As printed for the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce
