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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this email finds everyone well and you and your families had a blessed Thanksgiving!

State lawmakers are gearing up for the 2022 legislative session, which begins on Jan. 10. The Washington State Legislature is considered a part-time legislature. In even-numbered years, such as this upcoming year, we convene to do the people's work for 60-days.

My priorities for the 2022 legislative session

As our communities remain under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we recover, I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are always with you. As your State Representative, I will continue to do everything in my power to help Washingtonians in the 8th District and throughout the state find answers, maintain hope, and get life back to the way we once knew it.

With that being said, one of my main priorities for the 2022 session – along with my Republican colleagues – is to push back on the everlasting “one person control” in Washington state. It's time for Gov. Jay Inslee's emergency powers to expire. I will not give up until checks and balances are restored and exercised in the Legislature.

I continue to receive emails and phone calls from you voicing your concerns for the push to become vaccinated and the increasing requirements to provide proof of vaccination to enjoy life outside of your home. I am adamantly opposed to vaccine passports/proof of vaccination status! I am not anti-vaccine and will always support your right to choose what's best for your healthcare. I am against the constant need to force mandates on the citizens of Washington state with dire consequences attached – like the thousands of hard-working state employees we lost their jobs in October. I will keep fighting for your personal rights and freedoms during the 2022 legislative session.

Another priority for me is to fix the Democrats' disastrous police reform bills enacted during the 2021 legislative session. These ineffective and destructive policies have made our communities less safe and left law enforcement professionals without needed support. I will introduce legislation in 2022 to bring back the foundation of law enforcement and their duty to protect and serve rather than living under the umbrella of fear and reform. On Dec. 6, you can begin to review any pre-filed bills. Pre-filed bills are officially introduced on the first day of session.

I also plan on working on a critical issue for the 8th District and the discussion around breaching/removing our dams. After years of efforts by special interest groups to breach the Snake River dams in Washington, a final environmental impact statement (EIS) was released by federal agencies on July 31, 2020. The preferred recommendation for the four Lower Snake River dams – Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite – was to leave them in place. Recently, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee detailed a salmon recovery process that could include the removal of the Lower Snake River dams. The removal of our dams makes no sense, and I will continue to be a strong voice of opposition.

Other issues of importance include:

  • Life affordability. House Republicans are advocating for meaningful tax relief and responsible policies that would help alleviate financial burdens for struggling families, students, small business owners, and the most vulnerable.
  • Government accountability. House Republicans are holding the governor and his state agencies accountable and working to restore the public's trust by increasing oversight and implementing policies that improve outcomes.
  • Empowering parents. House Republicans want to empower parents by providing transparency and the necessary financial and educational flexibility to ensure children have the best opportunities to succeed in school and life.

Preparing for the 2022 session | Operations Plan for the House of Representatives

It's essential for you to know what the operational plans will look like for the 2022 session. We're still living under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, and House operations will reflect this.

On Nov. 18, the House of Representatives announced their operations plan. Only a limited number of legislators will be allowed in the House chamber during session, and only if we are fully vaccinated. To access our on-campus offices, unvaccinated members will need to commit to a minimum of three COVID-19 tests per week.

Members of the public who wish to watch legislative proceedings from the House gallery will be permitted to do so with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72-hours.

Committee hearings will still be conducted virtually.

I am against this plan. I do not believe your elected representatives should be denied access to their offices or the House chamber. As we get closer to Jan. 10, I will keep you updated on the specifics of this operational plan.

Resources

I want to take this opportunity to share information and a list of resources with you. These will provide a detailed look at the work happening behind the scenes on your behalf – and on behalf of everyone in Washington state. I encourage you to bookmark the links below, and please share them with your friends and family.

Public policy issues

Governor's Emergency Powers reform and COVID-19 resources

Other important resources

If you have any additional questions, thoughts, or comments, please contact my office. As always, thank you for the opportunity and the honor to serve you, your family, and our communities as your State Representative.

May God richly bless you all!

Sincerely,


Brad Klippert

State Representative Brad Klippert, 8th Legislative District
RepresentativeBradKlippert.com
122A Legislative Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov
(509) 317-8471 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000