Time for another deep dive into what's happening in Olympia! This week, we caught up with 35th District Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture to break down some major legislative discussions and how they’re impacting our communities.

We kicked things off with a heated debate over a proposal to remove George Washington’s image from the state flag and official documents. Dan and Travis shared their frustrations, arguing that this isn't the priority Washingtonians need to be focusing on—especially considering the state is staring down a $10 billion budget shortfall.

From there, we tackled the growing issue of homeless encampments and the legal gray area surrounding cleanup efforts. Community members are stepping in to remove trash, but some property owners are raising concerns about trespassing laws. Meanwhile, a new bill could make it even harder for cities to address homelessness, allowing encampment residents to sue local governments if their camps are cleared. Dan and Travis warn this could lead to even more encampments with fewer tools to address the root causes.

On the law enforcement front, we discussed a controversial proposal that could limit the types of traffic stops officers can make—meaning people driving with broken headlights, missing taillights, or expired tabs might not get pulled over. While supporters see this as a step toward equity in policing, critics (including WSP and local sheriffs) warn that these stops often lead to DUI arrests and catching more serious offenders.

We also touched on public protests happening at the Capitol—what brings people out, how often lawmakers engage with demonstrators, and the challenges of representing a district when loud voices at rallies don’t always reflect the majority opinion. Plus, Dan shared a behind-the-scenes look at how lawmakers navigate the flood of emails from frustrated citizens—sometimes even getting mistaken for members of Congress!

As always, Dan and Travis provided some unfiltered insights into the legislative process, including what bills they’re watching, how they’re working to make bad policies better, and what all of this means for folks in the 35th District. With just over 65 days left in the session, things are moving fast, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.