The 60-day legislative session concluded on Thursday, March 7. I am deeply grateful to everyone who reached out to me during the session. Together, we are working to improve our region and state, making them better places to live, work, and raise a family.

March 7, 2024

Barnard, R-Pasco, expressed her excitement about the outcome of the completed budget, emphasizing the collaborative process behind its creation:
“This was truly a team effort. I’m thrilled about this budget’s positive impact on our district. It includes funding for key community projects, such as Energy Northwest’s SMR development. Additionally, these funds will support important projects to enhance residents’ quality of life and contribute to our region’s long-term prosperity. I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for these projects and deliver results to the people we represent.”

March 6, 2024

Barnard, R-Pasco, expressed her enthusiasm for this achievement, stating, “This is a big moment for our region. The people of the 8th District are energy-savvy consumers who understand the importance of clean nuclear energy. The development of advanced SMRs has been a top priority goal in the Tri-Cities for years, and it’s a top priority for me.”

March 1, 2024

Expressing her elation at the bill’s passage, Barnard, R-Pasco stated, “This bill results from countless interactions with local community members, business owners, government agencies, and elected officials. I’m thrilled we are seizing the moment and capitalizing on the abundant federal grant opportunities available for Washington.”

February 29, 2024

Rep. Stephanie Barnard advocates for an amendment designed to enhance protections for vulnerable children whose parents are using fentanyl. Urging her colleagues in the chamber to set aside partisan differences, the lawmaker from the 8th District stresses the importance of safeguarding children. Despite concerted efforts to prioritize their safety, the amendment narrowly missed passage, with Democrats voting against it by a margin of 46 to 49.

January 30, 2024

During recent deliberations on the House floor, Barnard argued that the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) already encompasses a comparable obligation, adequately meeting the public’s demand for information regarding greenhouse gas emissions from electric utilities.

December 13, 2023

“In an era of unprecedented federal grant opportunities, Washington state communities face a make-or-break moment,” said Barnard. “The Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPs Act, and more—an abundance of federal funding is waiting to propel our communities forward. Yet, I’ve witnessed too many falter because they lacked resource support and the matching funds needed to unlock these grants. We are at a crossroads of historic opportunities, and the time to act is now.”

April 23, 2023

“Like my legislative colleagues, Sen. Boehnke and Rep. Connors, I’m thrilled about what we’ve accomplished in this capital budget,” said Barnard, R-Pasco. “It’s gratifying to see our region’s hard-earned tax dollars come back as worthy construction investments. And, this budget isn’t simply about the dollars, it’s about planning for the future. Many of these projects, like the myTRI Agricultural Center, will help provide a better economic future for generations to come.”

April 13, 2023

“This bill makes a small change that will have a big impact. It’s about people. Now there will be more opportunities for community members to take part in these meetings,” said Barnard. “That’s important because to do our jobs effectively, elected officials need to hear directly from the people they represent.”