Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Greetings from our state capitol in Olympia! Today is the first day of the 2019 legislative session, scheduled for 105 days. The first day of each legislative session is highlighted by important traditions. The large double doors to the Senate and House chambers are opened so designated members can walk across the Rotunda (the space under the Capitol dome) to deliver and receive formal messages to and from the opposite chamber.
The key event on opening day includes newly-elected and re-elected senators taking their oaths of office. It was a very special moment for me when I was sworn in for the first time as your 12th District senator two years ago, so I know what my colleagues are feeling as they stand at the Senate rostrum, taking their oaths from a state Supreme Court justice.
This year we have six new members joining the Senate from districts throughout the state. The 12th District also has a newly-elected member. Longtime Chelan County Commissioner Keith Goehner (R-Dryden) has joined Representative Mike Steele (R-Chelan) as part of our 12th District legislative team. The three of us look forward to working together to serve you. Representative Steele can be reached by phone at 360-786-7832 and by email at mike.steele@leg.wa.gov. Representative Goehner can be contacted at 360-786-7954 and keith.goehner@leg.wa.gov.
I hope to get the opportunity to sit with them tomorrow when we gather together in the House chamber for the traditional joint session in which the governor delivers the “state of the state” address, outlining his priorities and legislative goals for the year. While much of the first couple of days include ceremonial activities, the House and Senate will take action on some issues in their respective chambers and begin work in policy committees.
My office takes great pride in sharing information with you. If you’d like to listen to weekly updates of my legislative activities, please listen live to our local radio stations each week during session:
You can listen to last week's interviews with KOHO here and with KPQ here.
Listening and being accessible to you are my top priorities, and I welcome your feedback on issues or concerns. Please contact my office anytime by phone, letter, or email. If you are planning a trip to Olympia, please let my office know so that I can try to connect with you when you’re here. If you or your group would rather save the trip and meet back home, I will be making myself available during scheduled times on Saturdays. Let’s catch up at your office building or over coffee at Pybus market. Please contact my office at 360-786-7622 or by email at brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov to set a Saturday appointment.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
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