Lawmakers plan virtual meetings

RITZVILLE – Ninth Legislative District lawmakers are planning virtual meetings to hear from residents.

Republican Reps. Joe Schmick of Colfax and Mary Dye of Pomeroy will host a virtual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is planning a virtual session for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The 9th Legislative District includes Eastern Adams and Franklin, Southern Spokane, Whitman and other counties.

Reps. Schmick and Dye will provide an update from the 2024 legislative session and take questions from participants in the virtual meeting.

The lawmakers are also planning to discuss the six qualified initiatives before the Legislature, affordable housing and homelessness, the lack of child care services, the fentanyl problem and whether Democrats in the House, Senate and governor's mansion will allow for any meaningful tax relief.

The initiatives before the Legislature are:

• 2081 – A so-called "parents bill of rights" guaranteeing concerned parents the ability to review all K-12 instructional materials and requiring parental permission for all medical and mental health services recommended by school staff. It would require parental permission on services connected to gender dysphoria, a mental health issue in which someone struggles with accepting their biological gender.

• 2109 – To repeal the state capital gains tax

• 2111 – Banning state and local governments from imposing an income tax.

• 2113 – Allowing more police pursuits

• 2117 – To repeal the carbon tax

• 2124 – Allowing workers to opt out of the WA Cares program and payroll tax

Preregistration is required to participate in the virtual meeting.

To preregister, log onto http://tinyurl.com/09-LD-Schmick-Dye.

After registering, a confirmation email will be sent out on how to join the webinar. Space is limited, so people are advised to register early.

Schoesler session

Sen. Schoesler is also planning an hour-long program with constituents.

"I hope people in our district will take time to join me on the night of the 21st to hear about what's been happening so far in Olympia during this year's legislative session," Schoesler said. "This 'Zoom' town hall meeting will give people a chance to hear about the key issues this session, share their opinions and ask me questions."

Some of the topics Schoesler hopes to address are agriculture, taxes and spending, public safety, education, affordability, the Snake River Dams and energy production, jobs and the state economy.

Preregistration for his session is also required.

To preregister, log onto https://rb.gy/dhiak8 .