OLYMPIA… Will Graham, a freshman at Auburn Riverside, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.

Graham was one of 27 students who served as Senate pages for the seventh week of the 2026 legislative session.

He was sponsored by Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, who represents the 31st Legislative District, which includes part of Pierce and King counties.

“We were delighted to have Will serving as a page this week,” said Fortunato. “I’m always excited to see students learn about state government by participating in its process. I hope his time at the Capitol is one he reflects on for a long time.”

The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices and deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a legislative mock session.

“Everyone at the Capitol was much nicer than I thought they would be,” said Graham. “It was fun getting to meet the security staff and my senator. I enjoyed my week working here, and I recommend this program to anyone.”

Graham, the son of Miriam Voellger and Aaron Graham of Auburn, is 15 years old and enjoys weightlifting and spending time outdoors. He enjoyed getting to page on the Senate floor, where he passed papers and notes to senators. He also enjoyed his mock committee, where he got to vote on and discuss bills.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit:

https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/civic-education-programs/page-program/ .

Page applications for the 2027 legislative session open Nov. 1, 2026.

###

OLYMPIA — During debate on the Senate’s proposed supplemental operating budget, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R–Auburn, introduced an amendment to require a phased-in zero-based budgeting review of state spending. The amendment was not adopted.

The Senate proposed operating budget, Senate Bill 5998, passed on a party-line vote of 30–19, with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans voting no.

Fortunato’s amendment (S AMD 778) would have required the Office of Financial Management to implement zero-based budgeting for agencies whose expenditures total one-fourth of state appropriations each biennium. Over an eight-year period, the phased approach would ensure the entire state budget is reviewed from the ground up.

“Zero-based budgeting simply means you start from zero instead of where you were last year,” Fortunato said. “Right now, the typical approach is: How much did you spend last year? How much do you want this year? Then we layer on automatic increases. We rarely stop and ask whether every program still justifies its existence.

“It’s too big to do the entire budget at once, but reviewing 25 percent each biennium is achievable. Within eight years, every agency would be required to justify its spending from scratch. That gives us the opportunity to go line by line and see exactly what agencies are doing with taxpayer dollars.”

Under Fortunato’s proposal, agencies selected for review would be required to justify their expenditures from zero rather than receiving automatic percentage increases based on prior-year spending. The goal, Fortunato said, is to identify outdated, duplicative, or ineffective “sleeper” programs that continue receiving funding without meaningful evaluation.

Fortunato also sponsored another amendment (S AMD 779) that would opt Washington into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. This program would allow families to claim a federal tax credit of up to $3,400 (jointly) for contributions to an education grant program that supports tuition, fees, academic tutoring, and classroom supplies.

For Washington families to participate, the Governor must formally notify the federal government of the state’s intent to opt in — a step that governors in both red and blue states have already taken. Governor Ferguson has chosen not to submit that request.

However, the federal program provides an alternative method, allowing a state to designate another entity or agency to request participation. Amendment 779 would have designated the Department of Revenue to notify the appropriate federal authority of Washington’s participation and ensure compliance with program requirements.

Unfortunately, the amendment was not adopted, leaving Washington families unable to access this federal education opportunity.

“The state budget continues to grow and relies on significant tax increases; taxpayers deserve more than automatic spending increases,” Fortunato continued. “They deserve accountability and transparency in how their money is spent. I will continue fighting to protect your tax dollars.”

A recently recorded video from Fortunato further explains the zero-based budgeting amendment and his concerns with the current budgeting process. The video is available on his official legislative website and social media platforms.

The 2026 session is scheduled to conclude on March 12.

###

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in the 31st Legislative District. In Olympia, I’m focused on practical solutions that keep Washington affordable, ensure accountability, and reflect the common-sense priorities of the people I work for every day.

Today marks another deadline — Policy Committee Cutoff in the opposite chamber. From here, the focus shifts across the rotunda: Senate bills are being reviewed in the House, and House bills are now before us in the Senate for further consideration.

Unfortunately, several problematic bills cleared the Senate before the cutoff and are now moving through the House process. The most significant — and, I believe, by far the most controversial — is Senate Bill 6346, the proposed 9.9% state income tax.

Earlier this month, nearly 62,000 people saw through claims that the income tax proposal would affect only “millionaires” and signed in CON ahead of its Senate committee hearing — making it the most opposed bill in Washington state history.

This week, before its public hearing in the House Finance Committee, opposition surged well past 100,000.

Read the full newsletter by clicking here.

In this update, Sen. Phil Fortunato explains how bills must clear specific deadlines, from committee hearings to executive action, through Rules, and onto the Senate floor, in order to stay alive. Miss a step, and the bill is dead for the session.

Fortunato also walks through what unfolded in the final half hour before cutoff, including a procedural move on the Senate floor and how a last-minute decision ultimately prevented the Fairfax Bridge Senate Joint Memorial from receiving a vote.

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, shares his perspective on two controversial bills. First, he examines a proposal to seal records for individuals who change their gender identity, raising concerns about its potential clash with an initiative protecting girls’ sports. Then, he dives into a second bill that would impose new qualifications for elected sheriffs — requirements he argues undermine voter choice and violate the state constitution. Fortunato explains why these measures could lead to legal battles and what they mean for personal rights and democratic principles.

Several major policy proposals are moving quickly in Olympia and will soon be debated on the Senate floor. These decisions will have real impacts on Washington families, workers, and small businesses — and I want to hear directly from you.

One proposal would create a new state income tax under Senate Bill 6346. I’ve been very clear: this tax is not about “fairness” or meaningful relief. It creates a new revenue stream for government while putting Washington’s economy, jobs, and competitiveness at risk.

I recently recorded a short legislative update explaining why this approach doesn’t work in the real world, and I encourage you to watch it here:

You can also learn more about the income tax proposal and its impacts by visiting the Senate Republican Caucus resource page here:

In addition, lawmakers are considering:

• Senate Bill 6176, which would increase penalties for failing to register a vehicle, as more than 600,000 vehicles on Washington roads are currently unregistered.
• Senate Bill 5917, which would allow the state to continue purchasing chemical abortion pills through the Department of Corrections pharmacy and make surplus pills available outside DOC needs, including giving them away for free.

These are serious policy choices, and your perspective matters. I encourage you to take a moment to share your views by completing this short survey.

Thank you for staying engaged and for taking the time to weigh in. Hearing from you helps guide the decisions I make on your behalf.

It is an honor to serve you in Olympia,

Phil Fortunato

31st District Senator

In this legislative update, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, explains why Washington’s proposed income tax, Senate Bill 6346, is anything but harmless. For years, Washington promoted itself as a great place to live and do business because it had no personal or business income tax. That changed with the adoption of the capital gains tax.

Now, lawmakers are pushing even further with a new income tax aimed at so-called “millionaires.” Fortunato breaks down why this approach doesn’t work in the real world. When taxes go up, revenue projections fall short. High-income earners leave the state, taking jobs, investment, and billions in tax revenue with them. At the same time, government spending continues to rise, leaving working families and small businesses to make up the difference. As Fortunato explains, taxing “the other guy” almost always ends up hitting your own pocketbook.

Testifying before the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Phil Fortunato, 31st Legislative District, speaks in support of his Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which addresses the prolonged closure of the Fairfax Bridge. The shutdown has severely affected emergency response, tourism, and small businesses in Wilkeson and the surrounding communities near Mount Rainier. The hearing also includes testimony from Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi and local residents, who describe an ongoing public safety and economic crisis and urge timely action to restore safe and reliable access for their community.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Among the bills debated and voted on this week on the Senate floor were two measures that stirred strong reactions across our state: Senate Bill 5855 and Senate Bill 5067. Both were heard and voted on Jan. 28, and I want to explain how I voted and why.

Senate Bill 5855 — law enforcement face coverings

I’ll start with Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit most law enforcement officers — including federal officers — from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public, with limited exceptions. I voted no.

Before that vote, I asked for your input through a short survey, and the response was clear. Of the 270 people who responded, a strong majority of you opposed SB 5855. Many also shared concerns about how Washington’s sanctuary policies affect public safety and law enforcement practices. Your feedback mirrored what became clear during the floor debate: this bill targets the symptom, not the problem.

State law already requires officers to be reasonably identifiable while on duty. SB 5855 adds a new layer of legal exposure by creating an uncapped private right of action, opening the door to costly lawsuits against officers and local governments, even though supporters acknowledged there have been no complaints involving state or local agencies wearing face coverings.

Just as important, the bill ignores why many officers began wearing face coverings in the first place. Federal agents started doing so after being personally threatened, along with their families. This is not about secret police. It’s about protecting officers and their loved ones from doxing, harassment, and credible threats.

If lawmakers are serious about improving public safety, the focus should be state sanctuary policies that prohibit arrests in jails and courthouses—controlled environments. SB 5855 does nothing to address that reality.

Here’s a video of my floor speech:

• Sen. Phil Fortunato warns SB 5855 endangers law enforcement

I also discussed this issue in a recent interview with KIRO 7 News:

• Here’s how WA leaders are preparing for possible ICE activity
• Sen Phil Fortunato weighs in on federal vs. state authority, sanctuary policies & oversight

To read the full newsletter, click here.

In this legislative update video, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, explains why fast-tracking the Fairfax Bridge replacement is critical for communities in the 31st Legislative District and access to Mount Rainier. Fortunato outlines his push to move the project to a design-build process — a step that could shave a year or more off construction time — and discusses a cost-saving proposal to build a new bridge alongside the existing one before dismantling the old structure.

He also shares his concerns about Washington moving toward an income tax and how that shift could make the state less competitive for business investment and high-paying jobs, especially as other states attract new growth. This video kicks off an ongoing “What I Think” series, where Fortunato breaks down key issues before the Legislature and explains where he stands, so you know exactly how he’s making decisions on your behalf.

Stay tuned for more legislative updates and straight talk from Olympia.

Watch the video here.