2025 Legislative Wrap-Up

Mason County, WA – May 15, 2025 – The 35th District Legislative Wrap-Up brought together leaders, businesses, and community members for a candid, engaging discussion about the outcomes of this year’s legislative session—and what it means for Mason County.

This event would not have been possible without the strong partnership with the Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce, North Mason Chamber of Commerce, and the Mason County Economic Development Council. We are especially grateful to Our Community Credit Union (OURCU) and Peninsula Credit Union for sponsoring this event and to T’s Café and Espresso for catering a delicious breakfast spread. A big thank you also goes out to Mason Web TV for recording the event for those who couldn’t attend and to Jeff Slakey of KMAS Radio for moderating the discussion.

We extend our deepest thanks to Senator Drew MacEwen and Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture, who took the time to speak with honesty and passion about what happened in Olympia—and how it impacts the everyday lives of people in our region.

Senator MacEwen opened by reflecting on a surprising change in tone from newly elected Governor Bob Ferguson. “It was a very different tone,” he said. “Governor Ferguson took a much more measured approach to the budget. That was refreshing. And more than that—he showed up. He came and spoke to our caucus in his first month, which hadn’t happened in over a decade.”

Representative Griffey shared just how challenging this session was: “We started off on rocky ground,” he said, describing how partisan tensions shaped the early days. But he noted how critical it is to keep pushing forward: “Infrastructure is what moves our communities forward. Without it, we can’t support housing, development, or growth. These investments are long overdue, and we’re proud we got them through.”

The delegation celebrated major wins in the capital budget for Mason County, including:

·       Funding for the Shelton Youth Connection, a safe space that plays a key role in supporting local youth, received $640,000.

·       State Route 3 Freight Corridor: Early in the session, it appeared this vital project was at risk of being cut. Thanks to sustained advocacy, our legislators successfully kept the project on schedule. This is a major win for Mason County and the broader region.

·       Mt. View Pressure Zone Reservoir (City of Shelton): This project, critical to developing workforce housing in Shelton, received $515,000.

·       Water System Improvements (Mason PUD 1): Supporting both housing and water quality across the county, this project received $1,072,000.

·       North Mason Electrical Capacity (Mason PUD 3): This funding will improve site readiness for housing, manufacturing, and defense-related industrial development, with $1,000,000 allocated.

Representative Couture, now serving as the House Republican lead on the budget, emphasized the team’s focus on long-term impact: “We can’t just build for today. We have to plan for who’s coming tomorrow—and we know they’re coming. Our job is to make sure that growth is intentional, not chaotic.”

When discussing the budget overall, the delegation was vocal in their concerns. “Our spending is outpacing our revenue—even though we’re seeing record revenues,” Couture said. “We’ve doubled state spending in just over a decade. We can’t keep doing this to working families.”

Still, there were silver linings. MacEwen celebrated wins for healthcare facility permitting reform and the preservation of Rainier School. Couture noted improvements to special education policy. Griffey’s bill to expand GPS monitoring for sexually violent predators—legislation he’s worked on for years—was finally signed into law. “This is about safety and survivor empowerment,” he said. “We have the technology now. There’s no excuse not to use it.”

The event wrapped with optimism and commitment. “We may not agree with everything coming out of Olympia,” MacEwen said, “but what we can do is show up, speak up, and work hard to bring results back home to the people we represent.”

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for this meaningful conversation—and to those who made it possible behind the scenes. Events like this are a reminder of how powerful community partnerships can be when we work together to stay informed, engaged, and focused on a stronger future for Mason County.