Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Peter Abbarno
Peter Abbarno commentary: Successful STEP housing should be community-up, not Olympia-down
Washington state is facing a real and urgent housing crisis. Families are struggling, individuals are experiencing homelessness, and communities across our state are searching for solutions that are both compassionate and effective. We all share a common goal: helping people transition to stability, self-sufficiency and self-reliance. That goal must guide every policy decision we make. Unfortunately, House Bill 2266 moves us in the wrong direction, and that is why I did not support it.
Peter Abbarno: Accountability and opportunity — getting child care right in Washington
Recent childcare reports raise serious concerns about Washington state’s handling of funding, with the state auditor questioning millions of dollars in payments tied to federal support. While the findings may not point to widespread fraud, they do reveal something equally troubling: gaps in oversight, weak verification processes and a system that is not consistently tracking where taxpayer dollars are going.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Children, parents and students lost big in the 2026 legislative session
Every legislative session involves difficult decisions. Lawmakers must balance competing priorities while ensuring the state remains fiscally responsible. But when the 2026 legislative session ended in Olympia, it became clear that the people who lost the most were Washington’s children, parents and students.
Peter Abbarno: A state income tax — making history for all the wrong reasons
After more than 24 hours of debate on the House floor, Democrats in the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6346, moving Washington another step toward something voters have rejected again and again: a state income tax. Supporters keep calling it a “millionaires tax,” as if that settles the argument. It does not. The bill itself makes clear what this really is: a tax on Washington taxable income. Today, it applies only above a certain threshold and is limited in scope. But the framework matters.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Washington state attorney general’s new authority puts jobs at risk - The Reflector
Washingtonians value clean air, clean water and responsible environmental stewardship. Our farmers, ranchers, shellfish growers and skilled trades workers depend on it. So do our families. But Senate Bill 5360 moves us in the wrong direction.
Commentary: When government stops listening, public trust is at risk - The Reflector
For more than a century, Washingtonians have exercised a powerful constitutional tool: the initiative process. It exists so that, when the Legislature falters, or citizens feel ignored by the executive, legislative or judicial branches of our government, the people themselves can step forward with solutions and send them to Olympia for consideration.
Peter Abbarno commentary: When government stops listening, public trust is at risk - The Reflector Original
For more than a century, Washingtonians have exercised a powerful constitutional tool: the initiative process. It exists so that, when the Legislature falters, or citizens feel ignored by the executive, legislative or judicial branches of our government, the people themselves can step forward with solutions and send them to Olympia for consideration.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Local challenges, local solutions — building a stronger community together - The Reflector Original
As your representative, I have always believed that the best solutions to our challenges don’t come from a top-down approach in Olympia. They come from listening to neighbors, understanding local challenges and crafting solutions that reflect the real needs of our communities. When we lead with local voices, we get better outcomes. Safer neighborhoods. Healthier families. A stronger sense of accountability.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Normalizing dangerous drugs is creating a new prison system in Washington - The Daily Chronicle Original
Fentanyl and other deadly drugs continue to ravage neighborhoods across Seattle and Washington state. A recent decision by newly elected Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson to allow open use of dangerous drugs highlights the extent to which Democrats are increasingly out of step with public safety and common sense.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Child care deserts in Washington — families lose twice to scarcity and to fraud - The Daily Chronicle Original
Across urban, suburban and rural communities, families are living in child care deserts — places where there are far more children in need of care than licensed, affordable options available. For working parents, this shortage is not an inconvenience. It is a barrier to employment, education and economic stability. Compounding this crisis are recent discoveries of child care fraud in Minnesota.
Don’t blame the national GOP for WA Dems’ failures | Opinion
When accountability comes due, Democrats in the Legislature immediately run and point to something other than their own policies. They can run, but we should not let them hide from their failures. Our state faces multiple crises, including affordability, housing, public safety, homelessness and drug use.
Don’t blame the national GOP for WA Dems’ failures | Opinion
First elected in 2020, Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents 20th Legislative District, which includes parts of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis and Thurston counties. AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Washington crises stem from state Democratic policies on taxes, housing and safety. Tax hikes, Medicaid cuts and regulations raised costs, reduced housing supply. House Republicans propose Fix Washington agenda and urge voter accountability.
Don’t blame the national GOP for WA Dems’ failures | Opinion
When accountability comes due, Democrats in the Legislature immediately run and point to something other than their own policies. They can run, but we should not let them hide from their failures. Our state faces multiple crises, including affordability, housing, public safety, homelessness and drug use.
Peter Abbarno Commentary: Washington must spend within its means - The Daily Chronicle
Washington’s budget isn’t in trouble because we have too little money. It’s in trouble because we keep spending as if growth will never slow down. According to the latest state budget outlook, Washington’s revenue picture is headed in the wrong direction. The November forecast shows the state will bring in about $66 million less over the next several years than expected just two months ago.
As we prepare to reconvene in Olympia in early January, now is the time for families, small businesses and communities to make their voices heard. The choices made this session will shape your household budget, your commute and your grocery bill — and ultimately, the future of our region. Real change doesn’t begin in the marble halls of government. It starts around kitchen tables, in small businesses and at local coffee shops — wherever Washingtonians come together to share their stories and ideas.
Peter Abbarno: Why Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library deserves our support - The Daily Chronicle Original
Every month, thousands of children across Washington state receive a book in the mail with their name on it — a brightly colored story filled with wonder, imagination and the promise of learning. For many, that book is part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a simple yet profoundly effective program that delivers free books to children from birth to age five. It’s more than a nice gesture — it’s one of the smartest investments we can make in our future.
Peter Abbarno: October tax hikes are scary - The Daily Chronicle Original
Washington families, seniors and small business owners are already confronting one of the highest costs of living in America. From food to housing, transportation to childcare, everyday expenses are squeezing household budgets. Now, with sweeping tax increases slated to take effect on Oct. 1 — and others already passed earlier this year — we will face even more pressure on our household budgets. In Washington, housing costs are significantly higher than the national average.
Abbarno: Consider the numbers: Washington state’s pricey Labor Day - Nisqually Valley News
On this Labor Day, we honor the hard work, talent and dedication of Washington’s workforce. CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2025 ranked Washington No. 5 for workforce — a recognition worth celebrating. Yet, at the same time, we must also acknowledge that our workers face significant challenges when they clock out each day. Our workers come home to face increasing financial burdens and the reality that their wages are not keeping up with rising costs.
Peter Abbarno: Washington state’s pricey Labor Day - The Reflector
On this Labor Day, we honor the hard work, talent and dedication of Washington’s workforce. CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2025 ranked Washington No. 5 for workforce — a recognition worth celebrating. Yet, at the same time, we must also acknowledge that our workers face significant challenges when they clock out each day. Our workers come home to face increasing financial burdens and the reality that their wages are not keeping up with rising costs.
Peter Abbarno: Olympia’s decisions make back-to-school shopping more difficult for families - The Daily Chronicle Original
As our kids head back to school this fall, many families across Washington are feeling the sting — not just from the cost of backpacks, pencils and notebooks, but from the crushing financial weight imposed by Olympia. The Washington state Legislature’s 2025 tax package has made the essential act of preparing for school even more unaffordable for working moms and dads.
Abbarno: Washingtonians deserve better than record tax hikes - Nisqually Valley News
Starting July 1, Washington families, seniors and small businesses will begin feeling the effects of the largest tax increase in state history. Passed by a Democratic majority in Olympia — with Gov. Bob Ferguson at the helm— families and seniors in Washington are going to foot the bill. Despite the massive tax increases, our state budget is already in trouble due to overspending and years of fiscal mismanagement. Make no mistake, these are homegrown decisions made in our own backyard.
Peter Abbarno: Washingtonians deserve better than record tax hikes - The Daily Chronicle
Starting July 1, Washington families, seniors and small businesses will begin feeling the effects of the largest tax increase in state history. Passed by a Democratic majority in Olympia — with Gov. Bob Ferguson at the helm— families and seniors in Washington are going to foot the bill. Despite the massive tax increases, our state budget is already in trouble due to overspending and years of fiscal mismanagement. Make no mistake, these are homegrown decisions made in our own backyard.
Commentary: Strong fathers help build stronger futures - The Reflector
Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when fathers are engaged in their children’s lives, our communities grow stronger, our classrooms thrive, and the cycle of intergenerational poverty begins to break. As a husband and father of two, I know firsthand that parenting is not easy.
Peter Abbarno: Strong fathers help build stronger futures - The Daily Chronicle
Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when fathers are engaged in their children’s lives, our communities grow stronger, our classrooms thrive, and the cycle of intergenerational poverty begins to break. As a husband and father of two, I know firsthand that parenting is not easy.
Abbarno: Strong fathers help build stronger futures - Nisqually Valley News
Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when fathers are engaged in their children’s lives, our communities grow stronger, our classrooms thrive, and the cycle of intergenerational poverty begins to break. As a husband and father of two, I know firsthand that parenting is not easy.
New taxes and fees pricing families out of nature in Washington state - Nisqually Valley News
As summer nears and schools wind down for break, families across Washington state are preparing for what has traditionally been the most affordable kind of vacation: time spent in the great outdoors. Whether it’s a weekend camping trip, an afternoon of fishing on the lake, or a scenic drive through a state park, these moments are woven into the fabric of Washington life. But for many working families, these once-accessible traditions are slipping further out of reach.
Abbarno: Honoring the duty and Sacrifice of Washington’s law enforcement officers - Nisqually Valley News
As we recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), we pause not only to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across our country, but also to reflect on the vital role these men and women play in communities across Washington State. Each day, Washington’s law enforcement officers stand as the thin blue line between safety and chaos — often under-resourced, frequently underappreciated, but unwavering in their commitment to serve.
Commentary: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia - The Reflector
Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices keep climbing because of gas taxes and overregulation. Proposals to increase business taxes and raise property taxes are closer to reality. It isn’t just affordability that is at stake.
Peter Abbarno: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia - The Daily Chronicle
Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices keep climbing because of gas taxes and overregulation. Proposals to increase business taxes and raise property taxes are closer to reality. It isn’t just affordability that is at stake.
Washington state families need relief — not more taxes - Nisqually Valley News
Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. And it’s not just big corporations footing the bill. House Democrats approved hikes on marriage licenses, fishing and hunting permits and even Discovery Passes — costs that hit working families and seniors just trying to enjoy the great outdoors.
Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief — not more taxes - The Daily Chronicle
Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. And it’s not just big corporations footing the bill. House Democrats approved hikes on marriage licenses, fishing and hunting permits and even Discovery Passes — costs that hit working families and seniors just trying to enjoy the great outdoors.
Peter Abbarno: Late nights, high stakes and the battle to protect - Nisqually Valley News
The most important issues I hear about daily from constituents in Southwest Washington and across our state are affordability and crime. Families are struggling with the rising cost of living — housing, childcare and basic necessities continue to climb beyond reach. At the same time, crime is increasing, and communities are demanding real solutions to keep their families safe.
Rising costs: How Olympia is shifting its responsibility - The Reflector
Washington families feel the strain of rising costs on everything from housing to gas to groceries. Inflation has already driven up prices, yet lawmakers in Olympia continue pushing policies that will make life even more expensive. Instead of providing relief, the majority party is advancing tax hikes, increased fees and excessive regulations that hurt working families.
Peter Abbarno: Rising costs — How Olympia is shifting its responsibility - The Daily Chronicle
Washington families feel the strain of rising costs on everything from housing to gas to groceries. Inflation has already driven up prices, yet lawmakers in Olympia continue pushing policies that will make life even more expensive. Instead of providing relief, the majority party is advancing tax hikes, increased fees and excessive regulations that hurt working families.
Commentary: Fix Washington — real solutions for safer streets and stronger communities - The Reflector
Posted Monday, February 10, 2025 5:36 pm As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, Washington state stands at a critical crossroads. Rising crime rates, unsustainable living costs, faltering public schools and sluggish economic growth are among the challenges facing us, and they demand real solutions. As House Republican Caucus chair, I want to highlight how we are addressing these failures through the Fix Washington agenda to chart a path forward for a safe and thriving tomorrow.
Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief from rising costs - The Daily Chronicle
As a husband, father and representative of Washington’s 20th Legislative District, I hear from families daily about how hard it is to make ends meet. Unfortunately, working families face the same struggles my family faced over a decade ago—sometimes worse. Washington is now the fourth-most expensive state to live in, with prices 8.6% higher than the national average. The cost of living is rising, wages aren’t keeping up and state policies continue to make things worse.
Fix Washington — real solutions for safer streets and stronger communities - Nisqually Valley News
As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, Washington state stands at a critical crossroads. Rising crime rates, unsustainable living costs, faltering public schools and sluggish economic growth are among the challenges facing us, and they demand real solutions. As House Republican Caucus chair, I want to highlight how we are addressing these failures through the Fix Washington agenda to chart a path forward for a safe and thriving tomorrow. Washingtonians deserve safer streets.
Peter Abbarno: Bridging the gap — why supporting local back-to-school drives is crucial - The Daily Chronicle
As the back-to-school season approaches, families with school-age children across Washington are bracing themselves for the inevitable financial strain. For many, the cost of school supplies adds an extra layer of stress to an already challenging time. While some students look forward to picking out new backpacks, notebooks and pencils, others are faced with a stark reality: their families can’t afford these necessities.
Peter Abbarno: When we invest in our students, the whole community wins - The Daily Chronicle
There are few better investments in our community than our children’s education. We are less than a month away from Centralia citizens having the opportunity to vote on a replacement levy that will help maintain necessary academic and athletic programs for our students. There is no doubt that times are difficult for many families and neighbors on fixed incomes. The cost at the gas pump, grocery store and everywhere else is high.
Guest Commentary: In the midst of crime wave, state leadership has failed - Nisqually Valley News
The Evergreen State has always been one of the safer places to live, work and raise a family in America, going back at least as far as 1960. Tragically, as of 2022, that’s no longer the case. The rate of violent crime in Washington is now on par with the national average, according to the FBI’s 2022 Crime in the Nation Statistics released in October. The homicide rate, at five per 100,000 residents, is at a 27-year high. The rate of aggravated assault is the highest it’s been in 24 years.
Peter Abbarno: Cold feet, cold hands and warm hearts support Special Olympics - The Daily Chronicle
“I love jumping into icy cold water in January,” said nobody. That’s what I thought, anyway. However, a group of brave volunteers will plunge into Mayfield Lake on Jan. 27 to benefit Lewis County Special Olympics and local Special Olympics athletes and families. The Lewis County Icicle Brigade is a group of volunteers who continue to give their time and effort to coordinate and participate in the yearly polar plunge to raise money and awareness for local Special Olympics athletes.
Peter Abbarno Commentary: Upcoming Centralia School Supply Drive Is About Hope and Opportunity - The Daily Chronicle
By Peter Abbarno It is about that time of year when students and teachers begin thinking about returning to the classroom. It is also the time when parents begin thinking about the cost of school supplies. While some families can absorb the rising cost of school supplies and clothing, many families struggle amid the highest gas prices in the country and record inflation.
Commentary: The real impact of higher gas prices - The Reflector
Peter Abbarno The real impact of higher gas prices is not only felt at the pump. The real impact of higher gas prices is felt at the kitchen table. It is kitchen table issues such as the cost of food, utilities and traveling to work and school that force families, seniors and individuals on fixed incomes to make hard sacrifices. I was in Woodland last week discussing the impact rising gas prices have on small business owners.
Peter Abbarno Commentary: The Real Impact of Higher Gas Prices - The Daily Chronicle
By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia The real impact of higher gas prices is not only felt at the pump. The real impact of higher gas prices is felt at the kitchen table. It is kitchen table issues such as the cost of food, utilities and traveling to work and school that force families, seniors and individuals on fixed incomes to make hard sacrifices. I was in Woodland last week discussing the impact rising gas prices have on small business owners.
Commentary: What is the ‘true meaning’ of Father’s Day? - The Reflector
Peter Abbarno We hear about the “true meaning of Christmas” every December. Why don’t we hear about the “true meaning of Father’s Day” every June? The first official statewide Father’s Day was celebrated in the state of Washington on June 19, 1910. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson honored the day by using a telegraph to communicate that flags in Spokane (the birthplace of Father’s Day) should be unfurled.
Commentary: Taking Time to Consider the ‘True Meaning’ of Father’s Day - The Daily Chronicle
By Peter Abbarno We hear about the “true meaning of Christmas” every December. Why don’t we hear about the “true meaning of Father’s Day” every June? The first official statewide Father’s Day was celebrated in the state of Washington on June 19, 1910. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson honored the day by using a telegraph to communicate that flags in Spokane (the birthplace of Father’s Day) should be unfurled.
Peter Abbarno Commentary: Make State Government More Open, Transparent and Accountable - Nisqually Valley News
By Peter Abbarno When I talk to constituents in the 20th Legislative District about issues affecting our communities and state, many have expressed to me a deep distrust in our governing institutions. This problem is not unique to our region: Trust in government has been eroding for decades. In fact, the Pew Research Center has been consistently polling Americans on this question since 1958, and the trend should concern all of us.
Rep. Peter Abbarno Commentary: Accountability and Compassion at the Heart of the Blake ‘Fix’ Bill - The Daily Chronicle
By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia At the heart of any good criminal justice policy involving substance abuse and addiction should be accountability and compassion. Although this policy will evolve and improve over time, I believe the special session Blake “fix” on Senate Bill 5536 is a strong step in the right direction. If you haven’t noticed, there will be quotation marks around the word “fix.” That is for two reasons.
Commentary: Make state government more open, transparent and accountable - The Reflector
Peter Abbarno When I talk to constituents in the 20th Legislative District about issues affecting our communities and state, many have expressed to me a deep distrust in our governing institutions. This problem is not unique to our region: Trust in government has been eroding for decades. In fact, the Pew Research Center has been consistently polling Americans on this question since 1958, and the trend should concern all of us.
Peter Abbarno Commentary: Make State Government More Open, Transparent and Accountable - The Daily Chronicle
By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia When I talk to constituents in the 20th Legislative District about issues affecting our communities and state, many have expressed to me a deep distrust in our governing institutions. This problem is not unique to our region: Trust in government has been eroding for decades. In fact, the Pew Research Center has been consistently polling Americans on this question since 1958, and the trend should concern all of us.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Peter
Contact Peter, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack