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Articles by Sen. Mark Schoesler
Budget has local project funding
| Last updated Mar 02, 2026 3:26pm The Senate has voted unanimously to pass its 2026 supplemental capital budget. Our supplemental budget complements the two-year capital budget enacted by the Legislature last year by spending money in a responsible manner while addressing important needs throughout the state. Working with our Democrat counterparts, we identified priorities and worked together to create a budget that is both effective and prudent.
Washington faces flooding and drought in the same year | Opinion Original
Water is one of the biggest issues facing our state. Eastern Washington has seen this concern for decades and recent events in Western Washington have emphasized the shared urgency to address it. It is time we all pay attention. This fall, water was turned off to every user but one senior water right holder in the Yakima River Basin, and many farmers tore out their orchards and wine grapes because there was not enough water to grow.
Olympia Update
Ten years ago, the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus (which included all Senate Republicans and two Senate Democrats) offered a monumental bill that provided the state's first-ever cut in higher-education tuition. Its passage meant tuition reductions of 5% at community colleges; 20% at Eastern, Central, Western and Evergreen; and 15% at WSU and UW. In addition, that measure capped annual tuition increases by tying them to the growth in the state median worker wage.
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler and Reps. Joe Schmick and Mary Dye OLYMPIA–Democrats in the Legislature are looking to once again punish Washington drivers by hitting them in the wallet. This comes barely two years after the Climate Commitment Act – the "cap-and-tax" policy adopted by the Democratic majorities in the Legislature–went into effect, causing fuel prices to go up significantly. As a result, Washington is still one of the most expensive states to buy gasoline or diesel.
Still seeking Senate page applications
OLYMPIA–I still have a few Senate Page slots available for the remainder of session, which ends April 27. If you know of a teenager in the 9th District who might like to work as a Page a week in the Senate, have them fill out the application form. Senate Pages help senators and their offices and deliver messages to members on the Senate floor. Pages attend and participate in Page School, where they learn more about how the Legislature works.
Senate Democrats pass bill to dismantle parental-rights initiative
You might remember that the Legislature last year passed three initiatives that were sent to us by voters. One of them was Initiative 2081, which created a parental-rights law. Now, you'd think that a voter initiative enacted just 10 months ago would be considered hands-off even by the Democrats. Think again. Senate Democrats this year introduced Senate Bill 5181, which would eliminate important rights from the I-2081 law.
Olympia Update
Democrats in the House and Senate once again are targeting law-abiding gun owners by introducing several anti-gun bills this session. My office has received many emails from 9th District constituents and other people across Washington. Their message was clear: These anti-gun bills are really bad and we don't want the Legislature to pass them! What's noteworthy is that most of these emails were original rather than the copy-and-paste robo-emails that legislators typically receive nowadays.
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye We are back in Olympia for this year's legislative session, which began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to end April 27. Many classic rock fans remember The Who song "Won't Get Fooled Again." It has a line, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," that likely will apply to our state's incoming governor, Bob Ferguson.
Focus shifts to Olympia
With the Christmas tree and decorations taken down and 2025 here, my focus is now on the upcoming legislative session, which starts Jan. 13 and is scheduled to last 105 days. I’ll make the drive west to Olympia next week to get ready for opening day and to meet with other legislators, staff and others. Here are some important dates for the upcoming session: Jan. 13 – Opening day Feb. 21 – Senate policy committee cutoff for Senate bills Feb.
Senator Padden deserving of award
You might recall that a few weeks ago, I wrote about my colleague, 4th District Senator Mike Padden of Spokane Valley, who announced he is retiring when his current term ends, rather than seeking reelection in November. Although he cares about several legislative issues, Mike especially has been focused on crime and public safety, which is why he has served as either the chair or ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee for many years.
Two bad bills signed into law
Each year, for a session lasting either 105 days (in odd-numbered years) or 60 days (in even-numbered years), legislators gather in Olympia to introduce, debate and vote on bills. While many people focus their attention on what the Legislature does each year, there is one final and crucial step in the legislative process that happens – the governor decides whether to veto part or all of a bill, or let it become law. Since this year’s legislative session ended March 7, Gov.
Olympia Update
The week of Feb. 19-23 could have been called "budget week," as the Senate held public hearings or approved its version of the three state supplemental budgets (operating, capital, and transportation) that adjust the two-year spending plans passed by the Legislature last spring. The first to emerge was the capital budget, which was passed by the Senate 49-0 on Feb. 22. The Senate's capital budget is about priorities over pork.
Olympia Update
Olympia Update Washington State Parks' bumbling hurts Steptoe Butte, Lyons Ferry parks By Sen. Mark Schoesler Eastern Washington has several beautiful and popular state parks, including Steptoe Butte and Steptoe Battlefield in Whitman County, plus Lyons Ferry and Palouse Falls south of Washtucna. Unfortunately, Washington State Parks oversees these parks. It's unfortunate because the agency has a history of bumbling in our part of the state. The latest example is the news that W...
Olympia Update
OLYMPIA–The main event during the opening week of this year’s legislative session was Gov. Jay Inslee’s annual state of the state address. I was surprised he did not pull a muscle from patting himself on the back so often as he addressed legislators, statewide elected officials, and Supreme Court justices.
Democrats push tax hike bill
It seems like every year the Democrats, who have voting majorities in the Senate and House, in Olympia introduce legislation to raise or create taxes, no matter how much revenue the state is already collecting from you and other hard-working taxpayers. The Ds are at again this session. The latest proposal from the other side of the aisle that should cause all of us to hide our wallets is Senate Bill 5770, the Senate Democrats’ very costly and long-term property tax increase proposal.
OLYMPIA UPDATE
OLYMPIA UPDATE A lot of work ahead in the 2024 session now underway in Olympia By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye OLYMPIA–It is a privilege and an honor to represent and serve the people of the 9th Legislative District as we begin a new year and a new legislative session in Olympia. This year’s session began on Jan. 8. Lawmakers from every part of Washington have converged at the state Capitol for a scheduled 60 days of introducing bills, hold...
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye OLYMPIA–It is a privilege and an honor to represent and serve the people of the 9th Legislative District as we begin a new year and a new legislative session in Olympia. This year's session began on Jan. 8.
Legislative priorities this year
Monday featured opening-day ceremonies in the Senate and House chambers, followed by a joint legislative session in the House chamber on Tuesday for Gov. (Jay) Inslee’s final state of the state address. Because this is considered a “short session,” fewer bills will be introduced and considered than in last year’s 105-day session. The main objectives for legislators this year will be to create and pass supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets.
Address COVID learning loss
As parents know all too well, many students suffered learning loss when schools were shut down or relied on virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This “COVID learning loss” has resulted in lower test scores from Washington students in recent years. Unfortunately, not every possible solution has been deployed to address this problem. One of my Republican colleagues, 8th District Sen. Matt Boehnke, wrote a guest column on COVID learning loss.
Do you feel safer?
Over the past few years, our state has witnessed a steady rise in several types of crime. This has caused serious harm in many communities on both sides of the state, and many Washingtonians continue to live in fear that their families and homes and businesses will be touched by crime at some point. One key reason for the crime hike is the state’s low number of law-enforcement officers per capita. Washington ranks dead last among all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
'Gag order' issued on gas rates
For several months, drivers and businesses have had to endure the sharp increase in fuel prices since the state’s cap-and-trade program – or “cap-and-tax,” as I like to call it – went into effect Jan. 1. But consumers, especially those who rely on natural-gas furnaces for heat, soon will feel pain in their wallets thanks to cap-and-tax.
UW cashing in on foreign students
Apparently, the Pac-12 wasn’t the only thing that University of Washington left behind for more money. As the state senator for a legislative district that includes two four-year universities (Washington State University and Eastern Washington University), I take great interest in our state’s higher-education system. I make it a point to stay in contact with the presidents at Washington State and Eastern and keep up on key developments at these campuses in Pullman and Cheney.
Pennies at the pump add up
It’s been a tough week around the farm with equipment failures that have delayed harvest a few days. I’ll get back on track. But while repairs are underway, I can’t help but think about others who won’t recover so easily from hits to their budgets – setting them back further and further every time they fill up at the gas station or get a paycheck. Many of our friends on the West Side of the state disregard rural folks in communities like ours.
Lie or an 'ad lib'
There’s no question the governor misled the people last year when claiming his cap-and-tax scheme would add “pennies” to the cost of gas once it took full effect in 2023. Gov. Jay Inslee has a degree in economics, as he reminded everyone at a news conference last week. And, yet, he assumed oil companies would simply absorb the added cost of complying with cap-and-tax?
Opt-out measure looms
For some time now, many Washington workers have been upset about an upcoming payroll tax to fund the new long-term care program called “WA Cares”, created by Democrat majorities in the Legislature in 2019. That payroll tax finally went into effect July 1. Unless you applied for and received an exemption from this tax, you’ll see less money in your paycheck. The payroll tax is currently equal to $58 annually for every $10,000 in pay.
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy This session saw some bipartisan successes as lawmakers and citizens were in Olympia together for the first time in nearly three years. That in-person interaction is always key for working relationships and good workable solutions to our state's problems. The transportation budget and capital budget were both very bipartisan.
Olympia Update
OLYMPIA–With the April 23 conclusion of this year's legislative session just days away, it sadly appears the Legislature will not pass a bill to implement the exemption for farm fuel and certain other types of fuel from the costly fee created by the state's 'cap-and-trade' program that went into effect this January.
State capital gains income tax upheld
Ever since legislative Democrats passed a law (Senate Bill 5096) two years ago creating a capital gains state income tax in Washington, observers on both sides of the political aisle have been waiting for the controversial law to make its way to the state Supreme Court, where the court’s nine justices would decide whether the law was constitutional.
Olympia Update
OLYMPIA–In my 30 years as a state legislator, there have been times when I have correctly predicted that something Olympia did would turn out badly for Washingtonians. The "cap-and-tax" program recently created by the Democrat majorities in the Legislature certainly looks like it should be added to this dubious list.
Olympia Update
We all have heard the phrase, "The good, the bad and the ugly." It also applies to the many bills before the Legislature each year. Nearly 1,600 bills (754 from the Senate, 843 from the House) had been introduced, as of Feb. 21, and we're not even halfway through the 105-day session yet. Many of these proposals are good, a fair number are bad and some are just plain ugly. Let me offer examples of each. A "good" measure would be Senate Bill (SB) 5034, introduced by 4th District Sen.
Olympia Update
Olympia Update Why are Washington gas prices rising while prices in other states remain same? After Washington drivers endured record-high gas and diesel prices for much of last year, fuel prices dropped substantially across the state during the final months of 2022. But you may have noticed they have risen sharply again in recent weeks. The reason for this latest spike is one of Governor Jay Inslee's environmental laws, approved by legislative Democrats two years ago. In early Janu...
Olympia Update
Olympia Update In Olympia for the 2023 session By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye OLYMPIA–We are back at the state Capitol for the 2023 legislative session, which began Jan. 9 and is set to last 105 days, ending April 23. After being forced to endure a virtual legislative session in 2021 and last year due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, we're encouraged that the Legislature has returned to near-normal in term... For access to this article please sign in or subscribe.
Back in Olympia
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye We are back at the state Capitol for the 2023 legislative session, which began Jan. 9 and is set to last 105 days, ending April 23. After being forced to endure a virtual legislative session in 2021 and last year due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, we’re encouraged that the Legislature has returned to near-normal in terms of how committee meetings and floor sessions are conducted.
Olympia Update
Olympia Update Fuel prices already climbing due to Democrats’ new environmental laws OLYMPIA–Two environmental laws from the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee that took effect Jan. 1 are already causing fuel prices in Washington to rise, says state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. Schoesler, who represents eastern Washington’s 9th Legislative District, said he was notified by the Washington Independent Energy Distributors Association.
Crimes increase; education decreases
It's no secret that crime has worsened throughout Washington in recent years, thanks to laws passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature and a decrease in the number of law-enforcement officers in many communities. While we've seen a spike in many areas of crime, retail theft and other retail crimes are especially a problem. Retail crimes hurt not only stores and shops, but also consumers because these crimes force retailers to raise prices.
Expect to pay more at pump
Expect to pay more at pump Share Tweet 0 Comments Last updated 10/18/2022 at 9:28am RITZVILLE – A local state lawmaker says residents can expect to pay more at the pump in the coming months. According to Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, Senate Bill 5126, approved by Democrats in the Legislature during the last session, will drive up prices more. "I know some of you hope to see gas prices drop closer to $4 per gallon someday," he said.
Inslee trading money for booster shots
Inslee trading money for booster shots Share Tweet 0 Comments Last updated 10/11/2022 at 10:55am I recently commented on negotiations between Gov. Jay Inslee and unions on the upcoming contracts for state employees.
GUEST COMMENTARY
GUEST COMMENTARY Instead of ‘forgiving’ student loans, let’s get back to lowering tuition As the senator representing WSU-Pullman, tuition costs have always been of particular interest to me. The Biden administration’s controversial plan to “forgive” hundreds of billions of dollars in student-loan debt has brought new attention to the rise in college tuition, and that had me reflecting on debates we’ve had in the Legislature regarding the cost of higher education. In 2007 I...
Schoesler: 4 Snake River dams too important to breach
Opponents of the four Snake River dams between the Tri-Cities and the Washington-Idaho border argue that breaching them is necessary to improve salmon runs on the Snake and its tributaries. Those of us who want to keep these dams in place also want salmon numbers to improve. But we believe removing these dams would do irreversible harm without guaranteeing a rebound in the salmon population.
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary Several new driving-related fees now in effect This week saw a number of new state laws go into effect. Among them are a couple that are part of the Democrats' new state transportation-funding package.
Sen. Mark Schoesler: Efforts to breach dams, limit natural gas will hurt energy consumers
By Sen. Mark Schoesler As anyone who has recently bought gasoline knows, prices at the pump have hit record highs. The spike has been a major driver in the historic inflation American consumers are being forced to endure. Thanks to two abundant, inexpensive energy sources – hydropower and natural gas – many in our region see lower energy costs compared to areas in America where hydropower is not available. But there are signs that our region’s days of affordable energy might be in danger.
Guest Commentary
In recent years, environmentalists have targeted natural gas, even though it is an affordable energy source for so many. Their efforts have failed in the Legislature, but apparently Governor Inslee and his environmental allies found another way to restrict natural gas use.
State coffers flush while John Q. Public struggles with inflation
State coffers flush while John Q. Public struggles with inflation Dear Friends and Neighbors, It's a bit ironic that the state's revenue situation continues to shine at the same time when people throughout Washington are struggling with historically high inflation. It's becoming harder and harder for people to make ends meet, especially if you have to drive longer distances and thus have to buy more gas. My fellow farmers and I are having to pay way more at t...
State has $15 billion revenue surplus
State has $15 billion revenue surplus By Sen. Mark Schoesler OLYMPIA–The February state revenue forecast adopted today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reveals that state government now has a $15 billion revenue surplus – proof that some of that extra money should be returned to Washingtonians in the form of tax relief, said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler. “For over a year now, our state’s re... For access to this article please sign in or subscribe.
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Mary Dye, and Rep. Joe Schmick OLYMPIA–The 2022 legislative session ended March 10 and is now in the history books. It’s time to reflect on the 60-day session and our work on your behalf. One of the first issues addressed was the unpopular and unfair mandatory long-term care insurance plan and payroll tax which was to kick in on Jan. 1. Rep. Schmick cosponsored legislation to repeal and replace the plan, and Sen. Schoesler had a bill to repeal it as well.
Olympia Update
OLYMPIA–By the time you read this, the 2022 legislative session in Olympia will be in its final week. The 60 days allotted by Washington’s constitution end this Thursday (March 10). There is still plenty for my fellow lawmakers and me to do before we can finally adjourn and head for home. During this final week, the Senate and House will focus their time on working out differences on the state supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets each has adopted.
Olympia Update
Olympia Update Driving would cost more under Democrats’ terrible transportation funding plan By Sen. Mark Schoesler OLYMPIA–I’m very disappointed, even disgusted, with the Democrats’ transportation funding plan that recently was unleashed on the Legislature. Let me count the ways. In my nearly 30 years as a legislator, it has been common for the chairs of the legislative transportation committees to welcome input from their counterparts on the opposite side when creating state t...
Olympia Update
By Sen. Mark Schoesler Many hundreds of bills are introduced during a legislative session. Nearly 500 bills were introduced in the Senate alone during the first 10 days of this 2022 session. Most of them are good, sensible measures that are worthy of becoming law. But every year we also see proposals that are just plain bad. That’s why I started a “Worst Bills List” this session. Here’s where it stands so far: House Bill 1692 would lessen penalties for drive-by murderers.
Quick Look
Rep. Mary Dye introduces bills in support of Republican ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Climate Adaptation) Plan OLYMPIA–Rep. Mary Dye has introduced legislation as part of the House Republican ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Climate Adaptation) Plan that provides a roadmap toward cleanup of Puget Sound, expands funding for outdoor recreation, addresses climate issues, and eliminates state parks fees, including the Discover Pass.
Olympia Update
The theme for this legislative session is fixing bad policy passed during the last one By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick, and Rep. Mary Dye OLYMPIA–The 2022 legislative session kicked off Jan. 10 much like last year’s with very few legislators and staff in attendance. While the House and Senate have slightly different operating plans for the year, much is the same: remote committees, online voting, and very little in-person involvement from the public.
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