Former Clark County Councilor Dick Rylander asks first-year lawmaker to share thoughts on legislation during the recently completed session
Dick Rylander
for Clark County Today
I reached out to Democrat Sen. Adrian Cortes of the 18th Legislative District multiple times asking for his votes on legislation along with his reasoning and justification. His Administrator Kirsi Lundhagen responded to me on May 7 and 8, 2025.
Following are the verbatim responses I received via email:
Note: You may want to reach out to your elected representatives and ask for the same or similar information. I make no judgments nor conclusions.
March 7 response:
HB 1163 – Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms: Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill. Research has shown that similar bills enacted in other parts of the country has created safer communities while promoting responsible gun ownership. This bill curbs illegal gun trafficking, will help train gun owners on how to responsibly handle their firearms, and strengthens our existing background check system. When it comes to gun rights, Senator Cortes supports enforcing the existing laws on the books and only adding common sense, responsible laws that support law abiding gun owners. He does not support gun law proposals that would infringe on responsible gun owner’s constitutional rights.
HB 1217 – Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act: Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill. Washington state has one of the most expensive rental markets in the country and excessive rent increases are pushing working families and individuals out of their homes causing an increase in homelessness. Senator Cortes voted in favor of this bill because working families deserve affordable housing. While Senator Cortes worked behind the scenes to address concerns of the bill, he was able to support the final bill because it was a product of compromise of all stakeholders.
HB 1531 – Preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill. There has been situations in other states where local health departments were prohibited from sharing quality information with the public, this bill will help ensure that if there is a communicable disease outbreak in Washington, our healthcare system is fully able to address and help curb the spread of disease.
HB 1296 – Promoting a safe and supportive public education system. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill, due to the clarifying language that would help implement I-2081. This bill does not repeal the initiative and expands parental rights that were excluded in the initiative.
HB 1319 – While this bill did not make it to a floor vote, nor passed to the Senate. Senator Cortes believes that increasing taxes on working class families and small businesses is just wrong. While Senator Cortes believes in innovation and wealth creation, he also believes that ultra rich individuals ($100 million in assets or more) who have amassed large sums of wealth should pay a fairer share of the cost of education, health care, public safety and transportation needs for Washingtonians. Ultra wealthy individuals will still be ultra wealthy after they pay their fair share
HB 1386 – Imposing a new tax on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. As of today, this bill did not pass onto the floor for a vote, nor was brought over to the Senate. When it comes to bills like these, Senator Cortes usually does not give a position until there is substantial movement on the bill, especially when a bill will not move through one of his committees.Though, if HB 1386 were to be introduced next year, and made its way to the Senate he would vote NO. Senator Cortes thinks this bill would hinder the rights of gun owners and would not produce any substantial revenue.
May 8 response:
I followed back up and asked for the same information on taxes/financial legislation. Here is the response:
“Here is a list of votes Senator Cortes has taken on bills relating to the budget. Again, these votes were taken in mind of ensuring that working families and businesses do not solely bear the weight of closing our budget deficit or creating new revenue pathways.
“For bills 2049, 2081, 5813, 5814, 5195, 5167, and 5161 the bills have been delivered to the governor but have not been signed into law.’’
HB 2049 – An act relating to investing in the state’s paramount duty to fund K-12 education and build strong and safe communities by modifying the state and local property tax authority and adjusting the school funding formula. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill. As a teacher, Senator Cortes has lived experience in our schools districts and understands the need to fully fund our education system. This bill will increase the maximum per-pupil limit, changes the inflation for local effort assistance to the Implicit Price Deflator, and requires a K-12 equity workgroup to analyze pathways to revise funding formulas.
HB 2081 – Modifying business and occupation tax surcharges, rates, and the advanced computing surcharge cap, clarifying the business and occupation tax deduction for certain investments, and creating a temporary business and occupation tax surcharge on large companies. Senator Cortes voted NO on this bill. Senator Cortes does not think that businesses should be put at an unfair advantage to other states by bearing the increase of a B & O tax.
SB 5813 – Increasing funding to the education legacy trust account by creating a more progressive rate structure for the capital gains tax and estate tax. Senator Cortes voted NO on this bill. Washington voters reaffirmed the capital gains tax this past November, but did not vote to see an increase in that tax. That is why Senator Cortes ultimately voted against the bill. Having an additional 2.9 percent excise tax on individuals with assets ranging from $1-3 million dollars can cause hardship for working families across the state that have made smart investments to better their future, and their kids’ futures.
SB 5814 – Modifying the application and administration of certain excise taxes. Senator Cortes voted NO on this bill due to the fact that this tax will be paid by the consumer. Having Washingtonians pay for additional retail taxes does nothing to support families and individuals who are already struggling in our current financial environment.
SB 5195 – Concerning the Capital budget. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill.
SB 5167 – Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations and 2023-2025 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill.
SB 5161 – Addressing transportation fiscal matters. Senator Cortes voted YES on this bill.
SB 5195, 5167, and 5161 all address our state budget. After weeks of discussing with fellow legislators, constituents and stakeholders, Senator Cortes voted yes on all these bills to help keep our state moving forward. He believes this was the responsible thing to do given that if these bills were not passed, our state would have to come to a standstill. All three of these bills include massive cuts to spending, saving the state almost $7 billion dollars over the next two years.
Also read:
- Washington governor wants agencies to look for deeper cuts
Gov. Bob Ferguson is warning state agencies to prepare for deeper cuts as Washington’s budget shortfall worsens, with a new revenue forecast due June 24 and economic uncertainty growing. - Signature gathering begins soon on Washington voter ID initiativeBackers of IL26-126, a new Washington initiative requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship, expect to begin signature gathering within days to get the measure before lawmakers next year.
- Opinion: A win-win for Washington stateNancy Churchill outlines HB 2085 and a proposed legislative framework aimed at decentralizing governance in Washington state while preserving unity.
- Tim Eyman loses recall attempt against WA Secretary of State
A Thurston County judge dismissed Tim Eyman’s bid to recall Secretary of State Steve Hobbs over the handling of a parents’ rights referendum. - Opinion: State lawmakers need to examine their role in health care cost increasesColumnist Elizabeth New argues that Washington’s taxes, price caps and regulations are inflating health-care costs and jeopardizing providers.
