Washington State Representative April Connors

05/04/2026

Tomorrow, Washington’s election-year communication restrictions begin for legislators running for reelection. Because of those rules, this will be my final regular legislative update until after the November general election results are certified.

Before those restrictions take effect, I want to share one more update with you and make sure you have access to the legislative report we just mailed out to households across the district.

It looks back on the major issues and results from the past two years, including our community’s successful effort to stop the proposed placement of sexually violent predators in Kennewick, the fight against the new state income tax, concerns about state spending, transportation and capital budget investments for the Tri-Cities, and practical reforms to help families, students, homeowners and employers.

Although my regular email updates will pause for now, I can still respond directly to constituents. Please continue to reach out anytime at [email protected] or (360) 786-7882 if you have questions, concerns, or need help with a state agency.

Thank you for staying engaged, showing up, speaking out and helping make the 8th District’s voice heard. It is an honor to serve you.

I want to thank everyone who attended the recent 8th District town hall at Columbia Basin College. Representative Barnard, Sen. Boehnke and I appreciated the opportunity to hear from you directly, answer questions about this year’s session, and discuss the key issues affecting our district and sta...

04/23/2026

Thank you to the Tri-City Herald for covering my work as House Republican floor leader during this year’s legislative session.

Even when lawmakers disagree, the process matters. Major policy changes should be carefully examined, openly debated and fully understood by the people they will affect.

That was my focus during every debate this session, including the historic 24-hour income tax fight. But this work is never done alone. I’m grateful to our leadership team and all Washington State House Republicans for their preparation, discipline and commitment to making sure the people we represent had a voice in the process.

“Her job is to give me a headache, and she does a good job at it,” one Democrat said.

04/10/2026

Just a reminder that I’m hosting a town hall meeting on Saturday with Sen. Matt Boehnke and Rep. Stephanie Barnard to recap the 2026 legislative session, discuss the most important issues for our district, and take your questions.

🗓 Saturday, April 11
⏰ 9:00–10:30 a.m.
📍 Columbia Basin College – Gjerde Center

I hope you'll join us!

04/02/2026

Do you know a young person who is passionate about civic engagement and making a difference in Washington?

Applications are now open for the 2026-28 cohort of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, or LYAC. Students selected through this application cycle will serve on the Y28 Council.

LYAC is a student-led organization and the official nonpartisan youth advisory body to the Washington State Legislature. Council members help represent the voice of Washington youth by advocating on important policy issues, meeting with legislators, testifying before the Legislature, and organizing events that promote civic engagement across the state.

Candidates must submit the application by 11:59 p.m. on April 30 to be considered for the Y28 Council. Learn more and apply here:
https://walyac.org/apply

Please share with students and families who may be interested!

The best way to be involved with LYAC is as a member! Apply here.

03/28/2026

In my end-of-session email update, I discuss how the biggest win of the session actually happened right here at home. I also detail how, in my role as floor leader, I led Washington State House Republicans in a 24-hour fight against the Democrats’ state income tax proposal. Finally, I outline concerns with the state's $80 billion operating budget, highlight some positive results for the district, and share details about an upcoming town hall at Columbia Basin College on April 11.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it!

This year’s 60-day legislative session adjourned on March 12. While there were wins and losses along the way, the biggest win happened right here in the Tri-Cities. More on that below. In this update: A major win here at home Earlier this year, our community was confronted with a state proposal to...

03/24/2026

These laws will replace an unworkable certified mail mandate with a more reliable process so housing providers can communicate clearly and tenants actually receive critical notices on time.

A win for smarter, more effective government!

Two bills sponsored by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, to fix a breakdown in how tenants receive legally required housing notices have been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson. The new laws address problems stemming from last year’s requirement that certain tenant notices, including eviction and...

03/11/2026

House Republican Floor Leader April Connors led a relentless 24-hour floor fight against an unconstitutional state income tax, during which Republicans offered amendment after amendment to lower the tax burden on working families, small businesses, farmers, seniors and veterans.

“[House Democrats] rejected amendments to cut taxes. They rejected amendments to protect farmers and small business owners. They rejected amendments that would guarantee this tax never expands beyond millionaires. They even rejected amendments that would have required a vote of the people.

“That tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of this majority,” Connors said in a statement.

03/11/2026

My full statement:

“For 24 straight hours, Washington State House Republicans fought relentlessly to protect Washington taxpayers from a state income tax.

“Our mission was clear from the beginning. First, stop this tax. And if the Democratic majority was determined to force it through anyway, our next priority was to deliver meaningful tax relief.

“Throughout the debate, House Republicans offered amendment after amendment to lower the tax burden on working families, small businesses, farmers, seniors and veterans. We proposed cutting the income tax rate from 9.9 percent to 1 percent. We proposed protecting small businesses and pass-through income. We proposed exempting military and retirement income. We proposed reducing the state sales tax so Washington residents would actually see relief in the fifth most expensive state in the country.

“Democrats rejected every single one of those ideas.

“They rejected amendments to cut taxes. They rejected amendments to protect farmers and small business owners. They rejected amendments that would guarantee this tax never expands beyond millionaires. They even rejected amendments that would have required a vote of the people.

“That tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of this majority.

“This was the longest floor fight any of us have ever experienced, but we never wavered. We were prepared, disciplined and relentless. Every speech, every amendment and every vote was about defending taxpayers and protecting Washington’s economic competitiveness.

“We may be outnumbered, but House Republicans will go down swinging every time. That is who we are, and that is exactly what the people of Washington should expect from us.”

On Monday, House Democrats brought Senate Bill 6346 to the floor, setting off a marathon debate that stretched through the night and into Tuesday evening. Following the final passage vote, House Republican Floor Leader April Connors, R-Kennewick, released the following statement: “For 24 straight ...

03/09/2026