Dear friends and neighbors,

Our office has received countless emails and phone calls, and I share your alarm about what we are witnessing from the other Washington. 

There are more than 56,000 federal employees living and working in Washington state, the bulk of whom — some 27,000 — call the peninsula home.  

As a former federal employee myself, I know firsthand the importance of having competent, well-trained workers in these jobs. I’ve watched with deep concern as the Trump/Musk administration fired safety officials at the Federal Aviation Administration, caregivers at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and Department of Energy employees in Richland responsible for monitoring and cleaning up the Hanford nuclear site. 

There are no simple solutions, but I can promise you we are constantly looking for ways to support federal employees and their families living in Washington. One way is through Senate Bill 5767, which would help federal employees who lost their jobs find new employment. 

In addition to legislative actions, we will continue partnering with our state’s federal representatives, governor and attorney general. You can keep up with the latest actions taken by our AG by clicking here.  

It’s also important we continue to hear from you. Speak up, speak out, and don’t lose faith. Washingtonians have never backed away from doing what is right, and we won’t start now. 

MY FIRST BILL HAS PASSED THE SENATE! 

I’m excited to share with you that my first bill as a senator has passed unanimously!  

Recreational boating is a huge economic generator in our state, and the upcoming World Cup is expected to draw tourists from all over the world to our state. My bill will enable larger vessels to access Washington’s waterways for a fee, boosting economic activity while funding youth swimming and water safety programs. 

This is a simple bill, but one that should help support local economies and ensure more kids learn how to stay safe in the water. 

STAY IN TOUCH   

Our office is always ready to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and share your thoughts or concerns. This work can’t — and shouldn’t — happen without you.  

Thank you for being such an essential part of our community and for your continued trust. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.   

Sincerely,   

 

 

Mike Chapman