2024 Legislature wrap-up: Lowering the cost of living, fighting for your benefits

March 7 marked the last day of the 2024 legislative session – and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. For two years as your state representative, I worked as hard as possible each and every day to fight for you.

In a time of political hostility and divisiveness, I've tried my absolute hardest to move forward with kindness and caring. And after reflecting on our combined stories and struggles, I'm hopeful about our future. Our country is great because of you – your resilience to endure and grow together, your compassion towards helping people whom you may never meet, and your unwavering belief in our democracy.

My goal has been and will always be simple – to give my absolute everything to public service. Serving in the Legislature has been one of the most challenging endeavors, but also one of the most meaningful – and I'm honored to have gone on this adventure with you.

During the two legislative sessions, we have passed seven bills and brought in millions of dollars to our community.

As the cost of living continues to rise, our families are struggling to make ends meet. That's why lowering costs – including groceries, gas and housing – and protecting your benefits have always been my top priority.

I'm proud to have worked with Rep. Sharon Wylie on House Bill 1355 to provide greater property tax relief to seniors, veterans and those with disabilities. This incorporated some of the policies I introduced in House Bill 1560. By increasing the income tax thresholds and accounting for inflation and cost of living, this bill helps prevent people from losing their homes.

On top of this, I cosponsored House Bill 2375, which allows a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to qualify for this property tax exemption. I'll keep fighting to ensure that as many people struggling to make ends meet can use this property tax exemption.

Finally, I'm proud to have cosponsored House Bill 1985, which increases the retirement benefits for teachers and public employees (TRS Plan 1 and PERS Plan 1). With increased cost of living and medical expenses, it is important for our retirees to receive the benefits they deserve. We need to take care of our seniors – and this is one way I'm taking action.

For our veterans, I fought for the continued funding of a veteran service officer (VSO) in Island County. VSOs are critical in helping veterans receive benefits including housing, utility and food assistance. For the 2025 legislative session, we will be reintroducing a bill that establishes a statewide VSO program, so that every veteran across every corner of our state has access to benefits they deserve.

I also cosponsored House Bill 1862, which provides tax exemptions for on-base nonprofits serving disabled veterans and members of the armed forces, and House Bill 1943, which expands the eligibility to spouses and dependents for the Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant Program. I will always fight for every veteran because they have fought and sacrificed for all of us.

And this isn't the end. We're forging ahead with priorities for the next legislative session. This means fighting for bills that haven't crossed the finish – just yet.

I'll keep fighting for better resources and tools for our law enforcement so they can rebuild the bonds of trust with their community and do their job right (House Bill 2390). Our farming community is feeding us and the world, and we need to support them more with tax incentives (House Bill 1936). Finally, our democracy is stronger with all of us participating, and House Bill 2023 will require voting materials to be translated in more counties.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue my life-long dedication to public service. As a veteran having graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, I am honored to serve you here in the Washington State Legislature.

Clyde Shavers is a Democratic state representative serving the 10th Legislative District.