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April 3, 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With just over three weeks to go in the 2025 legislative session, there are still several major issues yet to be decided. But first and foremost, I want you to be aware of a critical public hearing on Friday, April 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Click on the link for each bill to send a comment, sign up to testify, or submit written testimony:

House Bill 1163 – Permit to purchase. This bill requires a permit to purchase a firearm in Washington state. To get a permit, an individual would need to show proof they’ve taken a certified firearm safety training program within the last five years, and undergo enhanced background checks. It also imposes new training requirement for concealed pistol licenses (CPL). I have a lot of concerns, but here are some:

• Requiring a permit to purchase firearms imposes unnecessary government restrictions on law-abiding citizens exercising their constitutional right to bear arms.
• The extensive recordkeeping requirements and annual verification of firearm permit holders effectively creates a de facto gun registry, which could lead to government overreach.
• The new training mandates and additional permit fees add unnecessary costs and delays for law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to stop criminals from obtaining guns illegally.
• Shifting background check authority to the state, increasing dealer regulations, and requiring additional reporting add costly layers of bureaucracy without addressing the root causes of violent crime.
• Many law-abiding gun owners in rural areas may struggle to access state-certified training programs, adding unfair barriers to firearm ownership.

Unfortunately, House 1163 is not the only bad bill still working its way through the legislative process. Others include:

House Bill 1217 – Rent control. This bill would cap annual rent increases at 7% , with exemptions for public housing, nonprofit housing, new construction, low-income housing, owner-occupied duplexes, and homeowners renting out rooms. Despite the fact that “rent control” has never worked, here are a few of my concerns:

• Rent control and rent stabilization harm tenants by causing immediate rent increases. Over time, this effect compounds, eventually leading to higher rents than if the policies were never enacted.
• Rent control reduces the supply of available rental housing, which disproportionately hurts low-income renters and people of color.
• Rent control further slows housing development in Washington, worsening the state’s already severe housing crisis.
• Rent control’s total impact on our housing market will worsen our homelessness crisis.
• Rent control encourages landlords to implement the maximum allowable rent increase annually, even when smaller increases might otherwise suffice.   

House Bill 1296 – Parental Bill of Rights. This bill would gut the Parental Bill of Rights initiative that passed the Legislature last year and was heavily supported by the public. We fought against this bill on the House floor until 3 a.m. In the end, it passed with no Republican support. Here are some of my concerns:

• The state does not own your kids! Parents are the primary stakeholder in their child’s upbringing. Decreased transparency and parental involvement will lead to more failure in Washington’s public schools.
• This policy will further inflame and divide communities. This bill is another distraction from the actual failures in our education system.
• This is an attack on democracy. I-2081 was brought by the people and any significant changes to it must be allowed to go to the people for a vote.
• The more we learn, the more Americans are becoming critical of policies on gender identity, particularly regarding concerns about its impact on children and its broader societal implications. Washington is heading in the wrong direction by doubling down on these policies.

Again, I urge you to click the link for each bill number and let your voice be heard. In a recent committee hearing in the state Senate, around 40,000 people signed up to testify during a hearing on the property tax hike proposed by Senate Democrats, with a majority of the people OPPOSED. This is incredible and not only has set a record for sign-ins, but it has been the talk of the Legislature for several days!

Democrat B&O tax increase
Speaking of Democrat taxes, they are proposing an increase in the state’s Business & Occupation (B&O) tax. I explain why this is bad for our state economy, employers, employees, and small business owners in a short video. Click the image below to watch.

Gov. Bob Ferguson tells Democrat budget writers to go back to the drawing board
Much has already been written about the state budget and the Democrats’ largest tax increase package in state history, with Senate Democrats wanting $20 billion more over the next four years and House Democrats proposing about $15 billion. These include a massive property tax increase, the previously-mentioned B&O tax increase, a payroll tax, and a constitutionally-weak “wealth tax” that may not stand up to court scrutiny.

While this refusal to budget within our means and resort to more from taxpayers surprises no one, we did get a surprise this week when Gov. Bob Ferguson held a press conference where he drew several lines in the sand and told Democrat budget writers to go back to the drawing board:

Gov. Ferguson comes out against Democrats’ budget proposal with new taxes – The Center Square
Gov. Ferguson rejects Democrats’ budget proposals with new taxes – Cascade PBS
Debate over taxes to balance budget – KIRO 7
NOT an April Fools Joke: Governor Bob Ferguson won’t sign Washington Democrats’ insane budget – KVI
Washington governor rejects use of wealth tax to balance budget – Washington State Standard

The governor realizes we can’t tax our way out of a decade of reckless spending. While I’m sure he will support some “smaller” tax increases – which I will NOT support – it is refreshing for a governor to be engaged and understanding of the realities we face in Olympia and around the state. In fact, his five core budget priorities outlined at his press conference are important steps in the right direction:

• Protect the Budget Stabilization Account (Also known as reserves or the rainy-day fund.)
• Base Revenue on Realistic Growth Forecasts (The state “allows” for a 4.5% economic growth assumption in revenues, even if it KNOWS the revenue will fall short – and it has in recent budgets!)
• Minimize New Investments (Stop spending! When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!)
• Must Find Efficiencies and Savings (The overspending of the last decade must be addressed. Promises made will not be fulfilled. As the governor said, “Sometimes you just have to tell your friends ‘no’ when it comes to the budget.“)
• Cannot Rely on Revenue that Can Be Overturned in Court (The so-called “wealth tax” may not hold up in court, never mind that it would drive entrepreneurs and businesses to other states, stifle innovation and economic growth, and lead to significant job loses – and absolutely WOULD NOT bring in the amount of money the Democrats project it will.)

The governor insists he will not sign a budget that doesn’t meet these criteria. There are still about three weeks left in session, and anything can happen. It will be interesting to see if the governor stays strong against the tax-and-spend desires of House and Senate Democrats. Or if he eventually caves to special interests and his legislative friends.

Legislative Pages
It was great to meet and have Raena Johnson serve as a House Page recently. She is from Colville, is a homeschooler in 10th grade, and likes farming! Yes! We need more of the next generation involved in every aspect of agriculture. She is an impressive young lady and I know she will take her experience as a Page and apply the knowledge gained in all her future endeavors. Thank you, Raena!

I want to thank those of you who participated in our 7th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall last week. We had a huge turnout and a great time answering questions and giving an update on the session so far. I so appreciate you taking time out of your evening to engage with your state legislators. It truly does help to know what you’re thinking and to reaffirm our collective priorities. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Hunter Abell