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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Because this is an election year, certain ethics restrictions will take effect on Monday, so this will be my final email update until after the November general election is certified.
While these restrictions limit the outbound communications I can send in the coming months, they do not affect my commitment to serving the 31st District. I remain your state representative year-round, and you are always welcome to contact me with questions, concerns, or requests for assistance navigating state government.
Before this communications freeze begins, I wanted to share a few thoughts on this year’s 60-day legislative session and provide a link to my 2025–26 legislative report, which many of you may have already received in the mail.
2026 session recap
This year’s session was a challenging one. The Legislature adopted a budget that spends too much, relies too heavily on new taxes, and does not address the rising costs that local families are facing. I opposed this approach because the vast majority of you have said that you don’t want higher taxes; you want the state to do a better job managing the resources it already has.
As House Republican Leader, much of my work this session focused on preventing or improving legislation that would have increased the cost of everyday essentials, weakened public safety, or made it more difficult to create jobs in our state. I also helped develop and lead our caucus’s strategy that resulted in the Legislature passing the fewest number of bills since 2014—and the fewest under one-party control since 1992.
Despite those efforts, several bills passed that I believe move our state in the wrong direction, including a new state income tax. I strongly opposed this tax because history suggests that it will expand over time.
When the bill came to the House floor, I helped lead a marathon 24-hour debate and introduced and supported amendments aimed at protecting middle-class taxpayers and the economy. Although the bill ultimately passed, legal challenges are already underway.
I was also able to accomplish a lot for our 31st District. I worked with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, as well as local governments, civic leaders, area tribes and community partners to secure funding for roads, bridges, parks, schools, trails, housing, hatcheries, senior services, and other community priorities. All told, these infrastructure and transportation projects in the 31st District received about $80 million in funding in the 2025-27 capital and transportation budgets. I was also proud to help bring stakeholders together to preserve horse racing at Emerald Downs after a sudden, unforeseeable funding shortfall threatened the track’s future.
These community investments—and more—are outlined in my legislative newsletter that you may have already received.
Thank you for taking the time to read these email updates and for the opportunity to represent you in Olympia. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with questions or concerns. You may also contact my legislative assistant, Gina Palermo, to schedule a meeting or to receive help with a state agency.
Warmly,
Drew Stokesbary
