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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The past few weeks in Olympia have been grueling, with long days and even longer nights on the House floor as we debated key legislation. Some positive bills moved forward, others with damaging consequences passed despite strong opposition, and thankfully, several harmful proposals failed to advance.
As your representative, my commitment remains steadfast: to support policies that benefit our district, uphold responsible governance, and ensure transparency in the decisions affecting our communities.
Join us for a virtual town hall
One of the most valuable parts of my job is hearing directly from you. I, along with my seatmates, Sen. Perry Dozier and Rep. Mark Klicker, invite you to join us for a virtual town hall on Monday, March 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register here to participate.
This is an opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and get updates on the legislative session.
Major legislative wins: Expanding financial education
House Bill 1285 would make financial education a graduation requirement for all Washington public high school students, ensuring they receive instruction on budgeting, saving, credit, debt, and other essential financial skills before entering adulthood.
Key provisions:
- Requires all public high schools to provide financial education instruction aligned with state standards by the 2027-28 school year.
- Mandates that students in the Class of 2031 and beyond complete financial education to graduate.
Directs the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership to develop an implementation plan and resources. - Ensures accountability by tasking the State Board of Education with overseeing district compliance.
Why it matters:
- Washington ranks near the bottom nationally in financial literacy instruction.
- Young adults often leave school without understanding basic financial concepts, leading to debt, poor credit, and financial struggles.
- Bipartisan support underscores the importance of equipping students with lifelong money management skills.
Next steps: It’s now in the Senate, pending a public hearing in the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. If passed, it will go to the governor for final approval.
Read my full press release here.
Listen to my radio report here or by clicking on the photo below.
Bad bills that passed: Weakening parental rights
As ranking Republican on the House Education Committee, I strongly opposed House Bill 1296, which undermines parental involvement in education.
While the bill is framed as a measure to promote student privacy, it actually dismantles key provisions of the Parents’ Bill of Rights (I-2081), which was passed in 2024 to strengthen parental engagement and transparency in schools.
Concerns about HB 1296:
- Removes parental notification requirements, limiting access to a child’s educational and medical records.
- Restricts parents’ ability to review curriculum related to sensitive topics.
- Reduces transparency around gender identity policies and health-related decisions made at school.
Parental involvement is vital for student success. This bill prioritizes state control over parental rights, which is why I voted against it.
Watch my floor speech here or by clicking on the photo below.
The reality of rent control: Why HB 1217 fails Washingtonians
House Bill 1217, dubbed a “rent stabilization” measure, is nothing more than rent control with a new label. History and economic studies consistently show that rent control policies worsen housing shortages and increase homelessness.
What HB 1217 would do:
- Trigger rent hikes – Landlords will raise rents to the legal maximum annually to avoid financial losses.
- Shrink housing supply – Developers will leave the state, reducing available rentals.
- Increase homelessness – Fewer rentals mean more people struggling to find housing.
Washington wisely banned rent control in 1981 because it doesn’t work. Instead of policies that drive up costs and limit supply, we should focus on increasing housing development to lower rents for everyone.
HB 1163: Undermining the Second Amendment
House Bill 1163 significantly expands gun regulations in Washington state by requiring a permit to purchase a firearm, mandating new safety training, extending background check delays, and imposing new record-keeping requirements on firearm sales.
While supporters claim these measures will improve public safety, opponents argue that the bill burdens law-abiding gun owners, restricts Second Amendment rights, and does little to prevent crime.
Why this bill is controversial
Creates unnecessary barriers to legal gun ownership
- Gun buyers already undergo background checks; requiring an additional permit only adds red tape for law-abiding citizens.
- The bill does nothing to prevent criminals from obtaining guns illegally.
Turns a background check into a potential indefinite delay
- The state can now delay a gun purchase indefinitely if they claim more time is needed to confirm an applicant’s eligibility.
- Law-abiding buyers could face long wait times and uncertainty—even if they have no disqualifying history.
Establishes a de facto gun registry
- HB 1163 requires detailed records of every gun purchase to be maintained by the state.
- Critics warn that firearm registries could lead to future restrictions or confiscation.
Creates financial barriers for low-income gun owners
- Mandatory safety training courses can be expensive and limit access to lawful firearm ownership.
- The bill does not provide funding to help citizens complete the new training requirements.
Stay connected, stay involved
As we enter the next phase of the legislative session, your voice is crucial. Please feel free to share your thoughts on these issues and stay involved in shaping your state’s policies.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Skyler Rude
